Fall for Me (Danvers #3)(47)
“Tsk, tsk, jealousy is so last year, Nicky. Now that you dragged me out of my house early this morning, get to the point. I have a ton of crap lined up at work, so our tea party will have to be fast.”
“It’s Beth.”
“Well, duh. I assumed it was since you didn’t want to invite her and tell her that we were meeting. So, what gives? Did she throw you out? Just suck it up and say you’re sorry.”
“That’s not it. She . . . I don’t think she’s eating, Suzy.”
Giving him an impatient look she said, “Come again?”
“I think she’s skipping meals and lying about it.”
“Why would she do that and how do you know?”
Nick shifted in his seat, wondering where to begin. “I think it all started with the dinner with your parents a few weeks ago, when your mother and father were going on and on about her weight. She acted as if it didn’t bother her, but I think it hit a panic button somewhere inside her. At first she told me she was eating earlier to avoid getting sick in the mornings, which sounded reasonable. Then I noticed that anytime we were together for a meal or snack, she would pick at it, but never really eat more than a few bites. I still just put that down to her not feeling well.
“Suzy, she just doesn’t look healthy now. Last night she told me that she had a sandwich for dinner and then when I mentioned that we were out of sandwich makings, she looked really funny and said she had gotten the sandwich on her way home. When I was going to push it further, she ripped my clothes off to change the subject.”
“Oh, shit, must you go there every time? Can’t I be around you two without having to talk about your sex life?”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I was trying to make a point.”
“Well, how about making it with less detail next time? I have already been scarred for life by the crap I know about you and my sister.” Suzy rubbed her temples as if a headache was brewing.
Nick hated to pounce on her on her first day back to work, but he needed backup. “Will you just talk to her today and see what you think? I hope I’m wrong, but I have a bad feeling about it.”
“I’ll see if I can feel her out without her knowing that you said anything to me. She might kick you out for real then, buddy. So, how are things between you since the whole baby-on-board thing?” she asked.
Nick smiled, completely at ease. “We are good. I’m happy about the babies, and I think Beth is starting to get excited, too. She actually bought a few baby books, so that’s a start.”
“Okay, good. We can stop right there before you move on to intimate details that will have my coffee screaming back up my throat.” Then, squeezing his arm, she added, “Thanks, though, for telling me. I’m glad you’re watching out for Beth. As you know, we only have each other, and with her being pregnant, I could use the help.”
Nick drove off feeling guilty for talking to Suzy behind Beth’s back, but he was also relieved. If Beth was in trouble, Suzy would sniff it out and take care of it. He was damned glad to have Gray and Suzy back.
* * *
“Holy scarecrow, when was the last time you ate?” Suzy demanded as soon as she saw her. So much for subtle. Damn, I shouldn’t have blurted that out like that, but look at her. I leave for two weeks and return to a sister who looks like a stick figure. I hate to admit it, but Nick is right. There is a problem here.
Beth laughed as she settled into the seat in front of Suzy. “What are you talking about?”
Suzy rubbed her temple again, feeling the headache that had begun during her conversation with Nick pick up momentum and start to pound. It was like the end of vacation and the beginning of hell. “You look sick. Have you been to the doctor lately?”
“Nope. I have to go again next week. Why?”
“Are you still getting sick a lot? You look ill.”
“Well, thanks. Do you have any more compliments for me?” Beth snapped.
Suzy took a deep breath and tried to be something she had little experience with: gentle.
“I’m just worried about you. You look like you’ve lost weight since I’ve been gone. Are you eating?” Suzy didn’t miss the defensive look on her sister’s face or the squaring of her shoulders.
“Of course I’m eating. What is it with you and Nick? Why does everyone assume I’m skipping meals? You know how often I have thrown up since I’ve been pregnant. If I’m thinner, it’s for that reason and nothing more.”
Yep, classic denial. Thank you so much, Mom and Dad, for causing this big old mess. Did you have to screw with your daughter’s head? Hey, let’s give you another award for parents of the year. “Beth, I know the parents said some crazy shit to you at my house and I hope that you didn’t believe it.”
Beth stood up and gave her a blank look. “I don’t even remember, sis. Let’s just forget about it. I need to make some calls and I know you have a ton of stuff to do so I’m going to let you get to it. We can catch up later. I’m glad to have you back.”
When Beth pulled the door shut behind her, Suzy knew that her sister had never been less happy to see her. Despite all the work that littered her desk, Suzy swung her chair toward the window behind her and wondered how to help Beth when she so clearly didn’t want it. She wanted to call their parents and tell them off, but what good would it do? They would never believe that they had done anything wrong. Facts and figures were their life and there wasn’t room for anything outside that. If she told them that they had contributed to Beth’s eating problem, they would roll out the statistics of women with eating and mental disorders. There was simply no room in their lives for emotion or guilt. Suzy was eternally grateful that they had chosen a work conference over attending her wedding. At least everyone was able to enjoy it without them ruining the day.