Page 23 of Indigo

I roll my eyes. “What are we? Thirteen-year-old girls?” His smile grows wider and the irritation I’m trying to fight builds. “If that’s all you wanted to discuss, I need to get back to–”

“You’ve told me about women before, Pax. What’s the issue?”

Hardly.

When I was younger, I fucked around a little, but Lana would always keep an eye on Jagger, and I’d be home before midnight without exception. He had no idea where I was or what I was doing.

Those girls meant nothing to me, and I meant nothing to them. They had zero expectations from me other than to fulfil their bad boy fantasy, and I was fine with that. I spent the rest of my time too wrapped up in Indie to bother looking for a relationship I didn’t even want, and once I realised what I felt for her was more than friendship, I put an end to the hook-ups, too.

Since she left town, I’ve slept with a total of two women, which is what I assume he’s referring to.

The first was the night I realised she’d blocked my number, and the second was when I overheard Mrs Neil telling a townie about how well Indie was doing in the city, and that she wouldn’t be surprised if she was engaged soon.

“Don’t you have shit to do, little brother?” I ask, staring at the computer screen, hoping if I change the subject, he’ll leave and let me get this shit done so I can get back to my girl.

“You know, Pax, you don’t need to be alone. Plenty of women would jump at the opportunity to be with you. You’re a bastard, but they seem to like that. Why do you hide yourself away?” I pretend to reread the second sentence of the email in front of me and ignore him. “I’m not leaving ‘til you tell me what the hell is going on, bro. You don’t let me hide shit from you, so you’re not allowed to do it to me. Tell me.”

My eyes leave the screen and I glare at him. “You didn’t tell me when you started dating Matt.”

Matt is one of our best mechanics and moved here from the US a few years back. His working VISA paperwork was an annoyance I could have done without, but I’m damn glad I hired him ‘cos he works like a machine, and he’s even taught me a thing or two.

Jagger rolls his eyes. “Because I knew you’d crack the shits that I was dating one of our employees.”

“I didn’t crack the shits,” I reply, smirking a little ‘cos I know it’s a lie.

“Bullshit. Now tell me.”

I groan, knowing he’s going to pry until I give in. “It’s Indie.”

He purses his lips and whistles, eyebrows raised. “Lana’s Indie?”

MyIndie, but yeah, I guess.

“Yes.”

“Since fucking when?” he asks, sounding almost offended.

I scratch at my jaw, trying to decide how much information I should divulge here. “Recently.”

He tilts his head at me, but doesn’t speak, simply looks at me with a knowing smile and waits for me to elaborate.

I groan loudly, stand, and collect the random piece of paperwork scattered over my desk. “She’s coming home. I’m going back down to help her pack after this.”

“Is that right?”

I finish shuffling the papers, lay the pile on my desk, and hum, not wanting to elaborate.

“Haven’t seen her in so long…” He sounds almost upset by the fact, and the guilt of that hits me like a brick, considering I’m fairly sure I’m the reason she stopped replying to his messages and calls. That guilt evaporates as soon as he asks, “She still hot?” While grinning from ear to ear.

“Don’t,” I snap, pointing my finger at him in warning. “You know fucking better.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “Still as protective as ever, I see. You going to shoot your shot this time? Actually tell her how you feel? Or are you going to puss out again and let her hook up with a townie and live your life watching from the sidelines?”

“Enough,” I groan, sick of the interrogation. “Leave it alone. I’ve told her how I feel. She’s coming home, and I’ll do whatever the hell I can to make sure she’s happy here.” I clear my throat and add, “With me.”

His mouth drops open, obviously not expecting me to be so forthcoming with my intentions. “Seriously?”

Now’s probably the time to tell him I hired her as well.

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