Page 188 of Fame & Chaos

***

I wake with my head pounding.

The lingering effects of the bourbon are still dragging through my system. My mouth feels dry as hell, and my body’s heavy with exhaustion, but the dream I just had is crystal clear.

Indi was calling out to me.

She wanted me there with her.

She missed me.

Needed me to explain everything.

And suddenly one thing feels painfully obvious…

I need to go to her.

Now.

Bolting upright on Aston’s couch, I blink around the dark man cave in confusion before remembering where I am. Right. Aston’s place. Guys’ night. Too much bourbon. Emotional bird shit.

My phone.

Patting down my pockets, I realize it’s missing. Frowning, I stagger to my feet and search around the room, but it’s nowhere to be found. Aston probably hid it. Smart bastard.

Doesn’t matter.

I need to see Indi.

My head’s still foggy from the alcohol, but none of that seems important right now. All I can think about is what I told Aston earlier.

Don’t waste time.

Tell the people you love that you love them every chance you get.

Five weeks.

Five miserable, torturous, soul-destroying weeks without her.

Enough is enough.

I check my watch—it’s just after three in the morning. If Indi’s on night shift, I might still catch her before she leaves the hospital. Adrenaline surges through me at the thought.

Quickly gathering my jacket and keys, I creep through the silent house, trying not to wake anyone. Every step feels louder than it should, and in my half-drunk state, I keep bumping into walls and furniture like a complete idiot.

“Shhh,” I hiss at myself after nearly knocking over a side table.

The manor stays quiet, though. No doors open. No angry Aston appearing to confiscate my car keys.

Finally making it to the front door, I glance back over my shoulder one last time to make sure nobody’s spotted me.

Nothing.

Good.

Stepping outside into the cold night air, I suck in a deep breath and head straight for my car. The second I slide into the driver’s seat, one thought drowns out every other warning screaming in the back of my mind.

I need Indi.