Page 138 of Fame & Chaos

Chapter Twenty-Three

Caleb

Resting on my back beneath the sheets of Indi’s bed, I’m completely naked with her curled into my side just the way I like her. She trails featherlight strokes up and down my chest while we lie here basking in the aftermath of everything we confessed tonight. Admitting we wanted to be together, finally laying everything out in the open, then making love afterward, I honestly don’t think life could get better than this moment right now.

My arm is tucked beneath her body, so I slide my hand up and gently caress the back of her head, threading my fingers through her soft hair. She’s far more beautiful than I deserve, but if Indi is willing to give this a real shot with me, then there’s no way in hell I’m going to screw it up.

“I’m so relaxed right now,” Indi murmurs.

Turning my head, I nuzzle into her flowery-scented hair and press a kiss to the top of her head.

“I honestly had no idea letting go of all that bad energy could feel so… cathartic. I feel incredible right now.” She tilts her head to look up at me, and the peacefulness in her expression makes something settle deep in my chest.

“I know. I never understood why you left the way you did. I couldn’t figure out where the trust thing even came from. But now I get it, and I’m so damn sorry you had to see what you did with Maddie. I wish you’d stayed ten seconds longer so you could’ve seen me push her away. But I guess we can’t change the past. All we can do is focus on now and whatever comes next for us.” I brush my thumb over her shoulder and smile softly. “And Indi, I always knew you were meant to be part of my future. You’re in every song I write. Every lyric is for you.”

Her lips part slightly, her eyes instantly glossing over, and panic hits me when she looks like she’s about to cry.

I quickly bring my hand to her cheek. “Hey, I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”

She blinks rapidly and looks away. “No, not at all. There’s just something I need to tell you.”

The seriousness in her voice makes me tense up.

“Okay.”

“Well, you know how I came to your concert?”

I keep my eyes fixed on her while she avoids looking at me. “Mmm.”

“I listened to “Saving Grace,” and I completely fell apart. I knew it was about me, and I couldn’t handle it. It brought up way too many painful memories. Us… my issues… everything. I had to leave.” She finally looks at me through tear-soaked lashes. “I’m sorry I lied about the headache. Just seeing you up there on stage performing exactly the way I always knew you would, then watching that girl throw her shirt at you and seeing the way you reacted, it just—”

“Hey.” I cut her off gently. “The way I reacted is the way I’m supposed to react. Not because I wanted her to throw clothes at me. I’m expected to work the crowd, Indi. That’s part of performing. I don’t do it because I want a bunch of women throwing themselves at me.”

“No, I know that,” she says quietly. “In my heart, I knew it. But seeing it in person, unprepared, threw me completely. All my trust issues came rushing back. And honestly… I think I’ll probably still struggle sometimes with fangirls and groupies once you’re seriously famous. Because you are going to be famous, Caleb. I know it.” She swallows hard before continuing, “But I want to work through it… with you. If you’ll let me?” A tear slides slowly down her cheek.

“Hey, stop that.” I brush the tear away with my thumb. “There’s no reason for tears, baby. I’ll do whatever I need to make this work. Hell, I’d even give up the band if all the attention makes you uncomfortable—”

“No fucking way, Caleb!” she blurts, glaring at me. “You are never giving up your dream. You were made for the stage, and I know you’re going to make it huge. Plus…” a small smile tugs at her lips, “… I’m your biggest fan, so I get all the perks, right?”

Laughing softly, I lean down and kiss her tenderly. “Indi, you’re incredible. Honestly, without you, this whole band thing probably would’ve stayed just a fun hobby. But because you believed in me, I wanted it to become something real. Something worth chasing. You made me who I am, and Staked only exists because of you. The others just don’t realize it yet.”

She rolls her eyes instantly. “It’s not all because of me. The passion for music was already inside you, Caleb. I just encouraged it. You wanted this every bit as much as I did.” Her expression softens. “I just wish the girls would leave you alone.”

“I don’t give a shit about other girls.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s only one woman I care about. Only one I’m completely in love with, and she’s lying right here beside me. Honestly, I want to shout it from the rooftops.” The second the words leave my mouth, her body stiffens beneath my arm. Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as uncertainty flashes across her face. “Or not?” I ask carefully.

“It’s not that I’m ashamed to be with you, so please don’t think that.”

“What are you saying?” I ask, cutting in before she can spiral.

She exhales shakily and props herself up on her elbow so she can look directly at me. “Caleb, I love you. There’s absolutely no doubt about that.”

“But?”

“But… I don’t like the spotlight the way you do. I want to be your girlfriend. Definitely, but I don’t want all the attention that comes with it. Do you know what I mean?”

“So you want to keep us quiet?”

“If you’re okay with that?” she asks softly. “With my past… I know what tabloids are like. They’ll dig into everything, and I really don’t want my parents’ history dragged through the media and potentially hurting you or the band.”