Page 60 of Ice, Love, & Other Penalties

Before I can think better of it, I reach over and take her hand, bringing it to my lips. I press a soft kiss to her knuckles, feeling her intake of breath.

“Indie . . .” Her name escapes me in a ragged whisper.

She gives my hand a squeeze. “It’s okay,” she says gently.

I run my thumb over the back of her hand, wishing I could freeze this moment. But eventually I force myself to let go, returning both hands to the wheel. We drive on in charged silence, the ghost of a kiss that hasn’t happened lingering between us.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Tyberius

When I land, I send a text to Indie, letting her know I’m in Calgary. Her response is a bit strange though. Hey, Myra is sleeping over at my place today.

I hesitate, thumbs hovering over my phone screen. Should I ask if she’s okay? Maybe she’s having another episode of anxiety. What if instead they go to her parents or . . . Can Harper be with her? I trust Indie, but I worry for her when she’s overwhelmed by panic.

My first instinct is to call her. She picks up right after the first ring, her voice cool and casual. “You didn’t have to call.”

“Are you okay?” I ask, unable to hide my concern.

“Uh-huh. Perfectly fine,” she responds. Her tone remains calm, but I detect a hint of tension.

I choose my next words carefully, not wanting to upset her. “Babe, it’s okay to take Myra with you, but if you’re having a hard time today I would feel better if your sisters were there too.”

“The only time I freak out is when you’re around—sex gives me anxiety. You’re far enough so I’m perfectly fine,” she states, and honestly, I’m not sure how to feel about that.

I flinch, stung even though I know she doesn’t mean it personally. “Tell me how you really feel,” I plead softly.

“Just did.”

In that moment, Jude approaches as we head toward the waiting bus outside the private hangar. “How crazy is your mother?” he asks, his eyes wide with alarm.

I pull the phone away from my ear, shock splashing across my features from Jude’s question.

Returning to my conversation with Indie, I ask, “Is my mother there?”

“She’s at your house, yes. I was bringing the groceries for the next couple days. She ambushed me at your front door . . . the woman is demanding,” Indie continues, irritation creeping into her tone. “I left her and the groceries outside. Didn’t let her go in. And honestly . . . I don’t want to take Myra back there now.”

Jude’s eyes narrow, his jaw clenching. “Again, how crazy is your mother?” he insists, tension radiating from him. “Do we need security? What the hell is happening? I don’t like my sister and your kid being in potential danger.”

“She’s toxic but not dangerous,” I reply tightly. “Just greedy. I agree, we should keep Myra and Indie away while I’m gone.”

I raise the phone again. “You okay, Indie?”

“Totally fine,” she reiterates. “She didn’t scare me, but she’s a little too aggressive. I literally jumped in my car and left her bitching. Although, I needed to send someone to your place to retrieve David Meowie. Hence why Jude now knows.”

I wince, dread pooling in my stomach. “The Decker family gossip chain activated?”

Jude shoots me a piercing glare just as Indie confirms, “Uh-huh.”

I chuckle. “You people are too fucking much.”

Jude’s eyes drill into me. “We’ll watch your kid. You get on that bus and stay the fuck away from my sister,” he growls through gritted teeth. “I don’t like whatever screwed up friendship you two have going on.”

The irony isn’t lost on me. Before ending the call, I ask Indie quietly, “Does he know what Rossi did to you?”

Indie sucks in a sharp breath. “How do you know it was him?” she whispers.

“I had a hunch. You just confirmed,” I say gently.

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