Page 57 of Fame & Chaos

The second she walked into the room, it’s like everything slows down, like I’m seeing her properly for the first time all over again. This woman is fucking breathtaking.

“A bit better, thanks, Pixie,” Annie replies, then slaps a hand over her mouth while Indi blinks at her in surprise.

“Pixie?” Indi asks with a soft laugh.

Annie shrugs awkwardly. “You look like one. A cute little pixie.”

I can’t help laughing, partly because it catches me off guard, but mostly because it’s actually true. “Is she still drunk?” I ask dryly.

Annie scowls at me.

“No, she shouldn’t be,” Indi says while disconnecting the drip. “Do you still feel the effects of alcohol, Annie?”

“No. I just… I didn’t mean to say that out loud. It kind of slipped out… sorry.”

Indi giggles softly, and the sound hits me hard. God, I’ve missed hearing her laugh. Right now, it feels like the only thing in the world that matters. I only want her happy again.

“No, it’s okay,” she says warmly. “I kind of like being a pixie.” She wraps the blood pressure cuff around Annie’s arm and starts pumping it up.

Annie winces dramatically as it tightens. “Geez… a torture-pixie then?”

Both Indi and I smirk at that.

“Sorry,” Indi says with a grin. “I know this sucks, but you seem much better now. You’ve been here for about three hours, and I think you’ve sobered up enough to go home.”

Annie visibly tenses and glances over at me.

I don’t want to leave.

Not yet.

Indi and I haven’t said what needs to be said. Six years of silence sit between us, and I can practically feel the weight of it pressing down on my chest.

I walk over to her and offer a small smile before taking her hand in mine. The second our skin touches, a jolt of electricity tears through me so violently it nearly knocks the breath from my lungs.

Jesus Christ.

One touch from her and I’m completely fucked.

“Indi, we need to talk,” I murmur so Annie can’t hear. “Not now, but… will you give me a chance? Maybe lunch tomorrow?”

“I’m working tomorrow,” she says softly, though her eyes won’t quite meet mine. “And anyway, it’s not a good idea. It won’t change anything, Caleb. So what’s the point?”

Her words stab straight through me like a hot knife to the stomach. She slips her hand from mine, taking that warmth and electricity with her, then turns back toward Annie with a gentle smile.

“No offense, Annie, but I hope I don’t see you back in here again. Take care of yourself, okay? And no more drinking.” She says it lightly, her smile reassuring Annie instantly, but it sure as hell doesn’t ease me.

I need to talk to her.

I need answers.

“No offense taken,” Annie replies. “Thanks for looking after me. I really appreciate… whatever it is you did for me.”

Indi laughs softly. “You’re welcome.”

Then her eyes flick back to mine, and my chest tightens painfully when I notice the tears shimmering there.

Fuck.