Page 33 of Ice, Love, & Other Penalties

That’s not the kind of pussy I want to discuss, but I guess I’ll take this little piece of information.

Ty: I take it you don’t have her anymore.

Indie: I mean, she’s still around but lives happily with my parents.

Ty: Hence why you got Bowie?

Indie: I got him several years later, but yes. Did you have pets while growing up?

Ty: No. My mother was barely able to keep up with us.

Indie: How many siblings do you have?

Ty: A brother and a sister. How about you? Which one of the Decker twins is your father?

I regret the last question though as I recall Jude mentioned her being a very private person who didn’t like to talk about their family.

Indie: That’s classified information. I only feel comfortable releasing such details to my close friends. Though, I want to clarify that they’re triplets—Aunt Ainsly is not in show business though.

Ty: We might not be friends yet, but I’m trusting you with my daughter.

Indie: True.

Ty: So . . .

Indie: This stays between us. I’m Jacob’s daughter and have six siblings. Obviously, you know about Jude. He’s the oldest along with his twin, Gabe. Though if you ask them, they’ll say Gabe is the oldest. Then we have Harper, Lyric, Lyndon, and Coda.

Ty: So, you’re the baby?

Indie: Nope. I fall between Lyric and Lyndon. Do you get along with your brother and your sister?

I scoff. Me getting along with those two that would be like . . . I don’t even know how to describe my relationship with them. Rocky? That’s too simple. If I don’t see them again that’ll be too soon. Abelard and Anastasia are . . . Is there even a word to describe them? I settle for a casual response though.

Ty: Not really.

Indie: That long pause means something. It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about them.

Ty: Thank you for respecting my privacy.

Indie: Just treating you how I’d want to be treated. No pressure to share what you’re not ready to.

Ty: So, you have some secrets too, huh?

Indie: Everyone has secrets.

Ty: But someone knows yours, right?

Indie: Nope. It’s safer to keep them locked away, right where they belong, in the dark.

Ty: That sounds awfully whimsical.

Indie: There’s nothing magical about them. It’s just . . . I made a few mistakes when I was younger, and I’d rather not disclose them to anyone.

I smirk, nudging back.

Ty: Let me guess . . . you blew curfew a few times?

Indie: (releases maniacal laugh)

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