Page 68 of The Light We Lost

Indy would decide that.

Gravel crunching beneath my boots, I crossed the road separating the bar and the shop. The parking lot was packed with cars, and I could hear the sound of boots stomping in tune with the fast-paced country music echoing through the door. But the usual dread I felt before I went inside wasn’t there, had been replaced by an undeniable sense of excitement.

I opened the door and slipped inside, scanning the room. The music was thundering, and I swore the floor was busier too. I thought I heard someone call my name, but I was too focused on the redhead across the bar to pay attention to anything else.

Indy was dancing. Her hands were up, her eyes closed as she moved her hips in time with “Flatliner” by Cole Swindell. Her white tank and denim shorts clung to her frame, and... shit.

I groaned—I needed a drink. For once, it had nothing to do with stress and everything to do with those sexy red boots she had on. I hadn’t seen them inyears, didn’t even know she still had them, but I was two seconds away from begging her to walk all over me.

Just when I was on the cusp of dropping to my knees, I heard my name called out again. I turned to find Charlie waving me down. Behind him, Lisa and Sam were busy in a game of pool. Dread filled my stomach, and I took a step toward them, then stopped myself. I liked Lisa and Charlie, but I wasn’t here for them. I was here for Indy.

She was the only reason I’d faced this bar over the years. Yeah, I’d done my fair share of drinking and shooting the shit with old friends in this bar, but at the end of the night it always came back to Indy. It had been nothing more than a pathetic attempt to cling to the memories we’d shared here. When she’d let me guide her body across these wooden floors, trusting I’d be with her step for step. It was why I wanted to buy it from Heath. I’d meant it when I told her I didn’t plan on keeping it as a bar and had no idea what I wanted to do with it—I was only concerned with keeping a piece of Indy. She was the best thing to ever happen to me. I was done pretending that wasn’t the truth.

I waved but crossed to the opposite side of the bar and grabbed the last stool on the far end. It was in the corner, away from everyone. Through the crowd, I could spot Indy, but unless she was looking, she wouldn’t notice me. I leaned back and made myself comfortable, prepared to wait until last call.

Time passed and the music changed, but Indy didn’t stop. Occasionally, she’d take a break and order a drink—or shoot Sam down—but even then, her hips swayed. And no matter the dance or the song, she danced alone. Anyone else might’ve found it sad to see her alone on a busy dance floor, but her skin was flushed and her smile was wide. She didn’t have a single care in the world right now.

She was stunning.

Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” began to play, and despite her heaving chest, Indy cheered alongside the other women on the floor. She smiled brightly, holding all my attention. I sure as hell was going to enjoy the show.

She raised her arm, twirling an imaginary lasso over her head, and tapped her feet before stepping into the beat of the music. Left and right she moved,her hands on her hips. Her gaze was focused, and I couldn’t help but smile at the passion she put into every move, no matter how small it was. She strolled forward and spun, and somewhere in the motion, her gaze caught mine. My stomach dropped, and she froze mid-step. I braced myself for her to leave, but as quickly as I’d caught her off guard, she regained her composure.

Her hands danced over her rosy skin, exactly like before. Except this time, her eyes were on me. It didn’t matter how long it had been, or how much distance was between us, with every step she took, it felt like I was dancing with her. Holding her lush hips in my hands, breathing in the sweet smell of her skin. By the coy smile she wore, the unwavering way she watched me, Indy was imagining it was me touching her too.

But the song ended, and her gaze left mine, ending the trance. Clearing my throat, I crossed my arms, pretending I wasn’t barely holding it together as she approached me. “Did Heath call you?”

I gave her a slow smile. “Hi, Indy.”

She reached up and twisted her hair into a clip, a few loose curls sticking to her slick skin. “I’ll tell you what I told Heath: I’m not here to cause trouble. So if you’re here to take me home, you may as well leave—”

“I’m not here to take you home.”

“I’m not going—” She closed her mouth. “You’re not?”

“Nope.” I glanced at her boots, thinking of all the times I’d felt them around my waist, heels digging into my skin—

Indy lightly kicked her boot against mine, as though she had a front-row view to my thoughts. Chuckling, I dragged my gaze to hers, not surprised to see her smirk. She knew what she did to me. “Heath did call me,” I told her honestly. “But I’m not here to take you home.”

“Then why are you here?”

I raised a brow. Wasn’t it obvious? “I’m here for you. And I will be taking you home. But I’m not doing that until you tell me you’re ready to leave. So keep going on about your night, don’t worry about me. I’ve got nothing better to do than watch you.”

She rolled her eyes. “I can take care of myself.”

I knew she could. But I wanted her to know she didn’t always have to.

I put a hand on her hip, grateful there wasn’t the slightest resistance as I eased her toward me. I settled her between my legs, her hips touching the inside of my thighs. With me sitting, we were almost eye level, letting me see the desire there.

Using my free hand, I brushed the loose curls off her neck. “I know your veins pump fire and whiskey, but you’re still my peaches. And I’m always going to want to take care of you.” Her lashes fluttered, the sweet heat of her skin teasing mine. “And considering you’ve had more than a few drinks, I’ll be driving you back to your folks’ place tonight.”

I’d rather take her to mine, but I wasn’t a fool.

Indy must’ve believed otherwise. “I’ll walk home. Maybe even ask someone to drive my dad’s truck.” She took half a step back, and I dropped my hold on her waist, folding my arms over my chest. Her gaze lingered on my wrist, on the braided grass bracelet there. It was the one she’d made when we were camping; I’d snatched it when she wasn’t looking. Rather than demanding it back, she said, “On second thought, maybe I’ll let someone take me back to their place.”

I gave her an easy smile, pretending the thought didn’t split me in two. And that I wasn’t considering throwing her over my shoulder and never letting go. “Might be a little difficult since you’ve been alone all night.”

She lifted a shoulder. “Doesn’t mean I was planning on leaving alone.”

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