Page 179 of Fame & Chaos

I know she means well.

I know she’s trying.

But things between Mum and me will probably always feel complicated. The lies about my father damaged something between us that never fully healed, even though we’ve both tried to move on from it. I love her, and I know she loves me, but forgiveness doesn’t magically erase history.

Still, she’s trying.

And right now, that’s enough.

“I’m not really hungry,” I say quietly. “But I’ll sit with you guys.”

Mum smiles warmly. “Good. It’s been ages since we had breakfast together.”

“Pretty sure this counts as brunch now,” I mutter.

“Late night,” Dad says with a grin.

I immediately hold up my hand. “Nope. Don’t want details. Ever.”

Dad laughs while Mum rolls her eyes affectionately and heads back into the kitchen. Dad looks at me again, his expression turning serious. “I know this hurts. Losing someone you love is brutal. But I’m here whenever you need me, okay?”

I nod once before he pulls me into another hug.

And after everything we’ve been through to get here, it feels good knowing my dad’s still the person I can fall apart with when life goes to shit.

I spend a little longer with Dad before deciding it’s probably time to head home. The drive back feels shorter than usual, and the second I step through my front door, Dad’s words echo through my head. ‘Give her space.’

The problem is, every part of me is screaming to call her again.

I need to keep calling her.

So I grab my cell and dial Indi’s number, already preparing myself to leave yet another voicemail. The cycle starts all over again. The phone keeps ringing until her voicemail eventually picks up, like it always does now.

Taking a deep breath, I begin speaking…

“Indi, I know I fucked up. I know what happened was horrible, but you have to believe me when I say that since we made things official, I haven’t touched anyone but you. I would never cheat on you. Never. My heart’s yours for the taking, even if right now it feels like it’s only breaking.”

I swallow hard before continuing…

“I love you, Indi. And I’m going to keep calling. I’ll give you the space you need. I won’t try to find out where you’re staying, and I won’t come to your workplace because I don’t want to embarrass you there. But I’ll keep calling. Even if I leave five voicemails a day.”

A bitter laugh escapes me.

“Even if you never listen to any of them, at least you’ll know I’m still trying. Because I believe in us. I believe we can get through this if you’d just let me explain everything properly. Sasha is fucking crazy, and this is exactly what she wanted. So by shutting me out completely, you’re letting her win.”

Emotion tightens my throat.

“I just need you to know how much I love you. With everything in me, Indi, I love you.”

The line goes silent after I hang up.

Raking my hand through my hair, I wander into my bedroom and collapse onto the mattress, staring blankly at the ceiling. Even though it’s only the middle of the afternoon, all I want to do is stay here and wallow for the rest of the day. Surely I’m allowed to do that, right?

My phone suddenly beeps beside me, and I snatch it up instantly, hoping it’s Indi.

It’s not.

A message from Aston lights up the screen instead.