Page 25 of Ice, Love, & Other Penalties

I sigh, raking my hair back. Of course she’d see right through me.

Ty: You need to understand that I want my daughter to be safe. What if you have something serious and she shouldn’t be alone with you. She’s everything to me.

Indie: It’s understandable, but my brother Gabe and my cousins trust me with their kids. I’m the best at watching the little ones. If you have questions, ask me, not my brother.

I scrub my jaw. She’s right—I overstepped.

Ty: Still, I had to look out for my daughter.

Indie: I get it but talk to me directly next time. She’s safe with me.

I type another reply before thinking better of it.

Ty: So, you’re a Decker, huh? How was it growing up with famous people?

I instantly regret prying, but her response comes too fast.

Indie: This is why I don’t share my full name. I dislike people who assume they know my family or treat me differently for it.

Ty:My apologies, I didn’t mean to overstep. It’s just . . . when you grow up with Without A Compass and other Decker bands, it’s hard not to wonder what that household was like, surrounded by so much talent.

I hit send before I can self-edit and backtrack. The typing bubble appears, then disappears, reappearing several times as I pace anxiously.

Finally, her message pops up.

Indie: Makes me question if people want me for me . . . or just to get close to my famous siblings or dad.

I wince, cursing internally at sticking my foot in my mouth again.

Indie: This is Keith—Indie’s favorite cousin. Word of advice, my dude, put down the phone. You’re lucky she agreed to look after your kid. Answering your question, being a Decker is fucking fantastic. Not because of the fame, but because we look after one another so . . . stay away from her and keep this professional. We are watching you.

I stare at my screen wondering if I should answer or just ignore the cousin. He’s right though I shouldn’t have asked about the family. What matters is that she’s safe and my child is in good hands, right?

If only I could stop thinking about Indigo’s kissable lips.

Chapter Fourteen

Tyberius

The concept of morning loses all significance when Myra, my bundle of inexhaustible energy, decides it’s time to start the day. Without any warning, she launches herself onto my bed, her small hands shaking me awake. “Daddy. Daddy, wake up. You promised we’d go to the park today . . . or the children’s museum.” Her voice, filled with anticipation and excitement, is a lot more effective than any alarm clock.

This would be perfect any other day, except, it’s Saturday.

I groan playfully, feigning sleep a moment longer before blinking my eyes open to meet her shining gaze. “Is it morning already?” I ask, my voice still gravelly with sleep.

“Yes.” She bounces excitedly on the bed, nearly vibrating with enthusiasm. “And you said we could go somewhere fun today if you won the game last night.”

I roll pretending to go back to sleep and stifle another groan into my pillow, buying a few more seconds of dozing before I turn over with a sigh.

“Wakey, wakey,” she grins. “We’re having a fun day, Daddy.”

This is all my fault though. I gotta be smarter offering victory-fueled rewards when winning is already part of my job description. Maybe I should start promising something different and as a reward for her good behavior at school instead.

I sit up, pulling Myra into a warm hug. “Alright, pumpkin,” I say, planting a kiss on her hair. “Let’s get this day started. What’s the first order of business?”

“Breakfast,” she says too cheerfully, then adds, “Pancakes à la Indie, with lots and lots of syrup.” She rubs her belly and licks her lips for dramatic effect.

“We just had pancakes yesterday,” I remind her. “And we would need Indie here to make them as yummy as hers.”

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