Page 176 of Fame & Chaos

She folds her arms. “Because of you, there was chaos here this morning. Reporters, girls throwing eggs. The poor thing left with a lovely young woman about an hour ago.” My stomach drops. “She told me you’d probably come by,” Mrs. Latham continues. “Said to tell you she’s staying with a friend indefinitely and not to contact her again.”

The world fucking tilts beneath me.

“She moved out?” I whisper.

“Seems so. Frankly, I can understand why.”

Her words hit me hard. If Indi disappears and won’t answer my calls, I might never see her again. I stumble backward, my chest tightening painfully.

“Are you drunk?” Mrs. Latham asks sharply.

I clutch at my chest while my heart pounds wildly out of control. My breathing turns shallow and frantic as panic takes over. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I was going to come here, explain everything, beg if I had to.

But now she’s gone.

Again.

Only this time I’m terrified she’s gone forever.

My knees buckle, and I collapse onto the grass.

“Oh shit,” Mrs. Latham gasps while crouching beside me. “Are you having a heart attack?”

“I lost her,” I choke out.

For the first time since I met the woman, her face softens with genuine sympathy. “Yes, son,” she says quietly. “I think maybe you did.”

Tears sting my eyes again. “She’s really gone?”

Mrs. Latham gently touches my cheek. “I’m sorry. She didn’t leave a forwarding address or anything.”

Fuck.

“Would you like to come in for some tea?” she asks softly.

I shake my head. “No, thank you. I just… need to think.”

She helps me stand while I wipe my face roughly.

“I’m sorry I judged you,” she says quietly. “I can see you really love her.”

I laugh bitterly. “Too late for that now.”

“If she comes back, I’ll tell her you were here.”

“Thanks.” Without thinking, I pull her into a quick hug. She pats my back awkwardly before I let go and head toward my car.

I can’t look at Indi’s house again. It hurts too much.

Right now, there’s only one person in the world who can talk to me and understand Indi and me better than anyone else.

My Dad.

Chapter Thirty-One

Caleb

I messaged Dad and told him I was on my way.