Chapter 10

Bette and Tina’s

The gang is hanging out in the backyard as Angus cooks on the barbeque. “I don’t get how you do it, Dana,” Tina says.

“Well, training is important,” she replies. “It’s kind of my job.”

“Yeah, I get that,” Tina responds. “It’s just that, whenever I have time and think to my self ‘hey, you should go work out,’ I always end up doing something else.”

“I know what you mean,” Jenny says nodding her head. “Whenever I’m bored I always look in the fridge – even when I’m not hungry.”

“I think sometimes I confuse the feeling of needing to pee for the feeling of hunger,” Alice says and they laugh. “I’ll eat and later on I’ll be like, ‘nope. That wasn’t it…” Dana catches Alice’s eyes and Alice motions towards the house. Dana nods in confirmation.

“I usually confuse my feeling of hunger for the want of a beer,” Shane laughs, sipping the one in her hand.

“I’m gunna grab a beer,” Alice says and stands, Dana standing with her. “You want another one?” Shane looks at her bottle and nods. “Anyone else?”

“I’ll take one,” Carmen says, swimming up to the edge.

“I want one too,” Dana says. “I’ll help.”

“Ok, we’ll be right back,” Alice says as her and Dana go inside.

Carmen climbs out of the pool, the water shimmering on her toned body. Shane sits with a half grin watching as she dries herself off with a towel and slips on shorts and a tank top. Carmen looks up, catching Shane’s stare, and smiles. She walks over and sits by her, wrapping her arm around hers.

Alice and Dana come out with a birthday cake, complete with candles. “Happy birthday to you,” they start. Shane turns around as the rest join in. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Shane! Happy birthday to you!”

“Fuck,” Shane laughs as she stands to face them and the lop-sided cake. “Did you guys drop this on the way over?”

“Shut up and blow out the damn candles,” Alice jokes.

Shane leans in and blows out all but two candles. She licks two of her fingers and puts them out. “I don’t know how we’re going to cut this thing,” Bette says, walking out with a knife.