Chapter Twenty-Six
Caleb
Pulling up outside my house, I park the car and glance at the clock on the dashboard—just after three in the morning.
Indi should be finishing work any minute now.
Grabbing my cell, I quickly type out a message.
Me: Hey baby. Just got home. Would love some company if you’re up to it? Come over when you’re done?
I hit send, then hurry inside, escaping the freezing early-morning air. The second I shut the front door behind me, my phone buzzes again. Smiling already, I pull it up.
Indi: Sure babe, I’m leaving the hospital now. I’ll be there soon. Hope the after-party wasn’t a complete dive and that’s why you’re home early. Chat when I get there. See you in a bit. xoxo
The tension that’s been sitting in my chest since seeing Sasha tonight eases slightly.
Honestly, I think I just need Indi close to me right now.
Sasha completely unsettled me, and the more I think about her behavior tonight, the more I wonder whether I should tell Indi everything before Sasha somehow gets to her first.
Because something about Sasha feels… off.
I slept with her once.
Saw her twice afterward.
Three times now, including tonight.
And somehow she’s acting like we’ve got some ongoing arrangement behind Indi’s back.
Which we absolutely fucking don’t.
I’d never do that to Indi.
Honestly, I think Sasha might have a screw loose, and from now on, I’m going to avoid her completely.
Nothing, and nobody, is worth risking what I have with Indi.
Typing another quick message while walking toward the living room, I hit send.
Me: Yeah, the party wasn’t much. I’ll be on the couch waiting. Then maybe we can shower before bed if you want?
Almost immediately, my phone vibrates again.
Indi: Sounds perfect to me. Be there in ten. xoxo
Me: Drive safe. It’s freezing out. xo
Smiling tiredly, I toss my cell onto the coffee table and sink back into the couch.
God, I’m exhausted.
The adrenaline from the concert has finally started wearing off, leaving my body heavy and drained. But the thought of showering with Indi before curling up in bed together sounds like absolute heaven right now.
Closing my eyes for a second, I let my head fall back against the couch.
Apparently, that second turns into several minutes because the next thing I know, I’m waking to the sound of the front door opening.
Blinking sleep from my eyes, I glance up just in time to see Indi walking inside.
And fuck, she’s beautiful.
Even exhausted after a twelve-hour shift and wrapped in layers against the cold, she still steals every coherent thought straight from my head.
“Hey, rock star,” she says softly while shivering slightly.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
She locks the door behind her before padding over and dropping down beside me on the couch.
“How was work?” I ask.
“Much better night tonight,” she says tiredly. “No major disasters.”
“That’s good.”
She leans in to kiss me. Her lips are cold, but I only kiss her harder, trying to warm her up with my mouth. She giggles softly against my lips before wrapping her arms around my neck. When she finally pulls back, her eyes dance playfully.
“So the after-party was really that boring, huh?” She swings her legs over mine and curls into my chest while I wrap my arms around her automatically.
“There was nobody interesting there,” I say honestly while smirking down at her. “Nothing nice to look at either.”
She snorts softly. “Oh, really? So there were no women there at all then?”
“There were tons of women there.” I brush my nose lightly against hers. “Just none as pretty as you. So I came home early instead so I could stare at you all night.”
She immediately bursts out laughing. “That’s a little creepy, you know.”
I raise an offended eyebrow. “What? It’s not romantic?”
“No. Definitely more serial killer than romantic.”
“So I should only stare at you while you’re awake then?”
“You shouldn’t stare at me at all, you creep.” Laughing, she untangles herself from me and stands before holding her hand out toward me.
“And where exactly are we going?”
“To the shower,” she says matter-of-factly. “You might look like a rock star right now, but you smell like you haven’t bathed in approximately twelve years.”
I grin lazily. “And here I thought sweat and leather were attractive.”
“Nope. You smell feral.” She wrinkles her nose dramatically. “I’m going to wash you and turn you back into a nice-smelling non-creep.”
I smirk while taking her hand. “I think this is the part where my balls detach and roll under the furniture.”
She pauses halfway toward the hallway and looks back at me in confusion. “What are you even talking about?”
Laughing quietly, I lace my fingers through hers more tightly. “Nothing. Lead the way, fair maiden. Please cleanse me of my creepery.”
Rolling her eyes dramatically, she drags me toward the bathroom while I follow behind her, grinning like a complete idiot.
***
This morning, I saw an advertisement on television for a traveling funfair that’s rolled into town, and it seemed like the perfect way to spend the afternoon with Indi, seeing as we both miraculously have the night off together.
Something fun.
Lighthearted.
A chance to show off my superior sideshow skills and keep my girl smiling all day long.
Indi walks into the living room carrying two mugs of coffee, and the second she smiles at me, my chest does that stupid fucking thing where it feels too tight and too full all at once.
“So, I was thinking—”
“Oh no,” she interrupts immediately. “Did it hurt?” She grins while I roll my eyes dramatically.
“Yes, actually, it did. So you better listen carefully, or my suffering was for nothing.”
Laughing softly to herself, she sits beside me and places the mugs on the coffee table. “I’m listening.”
“I wanna take you out today.”
“Okay…” Her eyes light up instantly. “Movies? I wanna see that new Marvel movie. You know I love the hot men and action.”
I chuckle at her enthusiasm and shake my head. “Nope, I was thinking something more carnival-ish.”
Her brows furrow. “Huh?”
“A funfair’s come into town. Thought we could go. Win some giant stuffed animals. Eat terrible food. I’ll dominate all the shooting games and impress you with my masculinity.”
That earns me an immediate suspicious look. “Will there be clowns?”
I bark out a laugh. “Are you seriously still scared of clowns?”
She slaps my arm instantly. “They’re evil.”
Still laughing, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and tug her closer. “If I promise to protect you from any lurking clowns, will you come with me?”
She pretends to think about it carefully. “Will there be cotton candy?”
“Yes.”
“And toffee apples?”
“Yes.”
“And deep-fried unhealthy garbage food?”
“A whole abundance of disgusting carnival food.”
She immediately brightens. “Okay, fine. But I’m holding you to winning me a giant teddy bear.”
Grinning, I hold my hand out toward her. “Deal.”
She places her hand in mine, and we shake once before I suddenly yank her into my lap. She squeals in surprise right before I crash my mouth onto hers. And like always, the second I kiss Indi, the rest of the world completely disappears.
There’s no such thing as a simple kiss with her.
I physically can’t do it.
Every kiss turns hungry and desperate because just touching her never feels like enough. I need more. More of her taste, more of her body, more of her wrapped around me. I’m addicted to this woman. Completely and utterly addicted.
When I finally pull back, she’s smiling breathlessly at me.
“I love how you kiss me like it might be the last time.”
My hand slides gently along her cheek. “Because kissing you any other way wouldn’t show you how much I need you.”
Her expression softens before she settles properly into my side, throwing her legs across mine in our now very normal couch position. “Drink your coffee,” she says smugly. “And then take me to the clown-infested carnival.”
Laughing quietly, I lean forward and grab my mug.
At the same time, Indi cuddles back into my side, and we spend the rest of the morning lazing around, drinking coffee, and teasing each other before eventually getting ready to head out.
I dress down and wear a cap to hide my identity in case there are any issues.
By late afternoon, we’re driving across London toward the funfair, which turns out to be set up on the opposite side of the city about fifteen minutes away. Indi insists we take her car because apparently mine ‘draws attention.’
Personally, I think my car draws attention literally everywhere, but she’s adamant.
She also insisted on driving, and watching Indi get bossy is way hotter than it should be.
I definitely don’t tell her that, though.
By the time we arrive, the sun’s beginning to set behind the massive parklands where the carnival’s been set up. Neon lights flash everywhere while music blasts through the air from rides and game stalls.
I love these temporary pop-up funfairs. They’re chaotic and loud and tacky as hell, but they always bring out the kid in me.
Indi and I came to one years ago when we were younger. Dad and Mum paid for us to spend the whole afternoon there, and it was the day I discovered her irrational fear of clowns.
Back then, I thought it was hilarious. Especially when I shoved her toward one.
Now though? Now I’d probably fistfight a clown for upsetting her.
Taking her hand, I pull her against my side as we walk toward the entrance. “You ready to get destroyed at the sideshows?” I ask confidently.
She scoffs loudly. “In your dreams.”
Leaning down, I kiss her temple while we join the line for tickets.
The second we walk through the gates, a clown carrying balloons appears nearby and hands them out to children.
Indi immediately stiffens beside me.
Smiling to myself, I guide her in the complete opposite direction before she can panic.
Music echoes everywhere around us while rides flash violently in every color imaginable.
The sky above glows pink and purple while the setting sun sinks behind the clouds, and the whole atmosphere feels electric.