Chapter 41
forty-one
SEBASTIAN
I’d say I can’t believe my girlfriend is a big-time author, but that wouldn’t be true. I can definitely believe it. After all, I’ve always been Indigo Bloom’s biggest fan. It had been more surprising that she wasn’t some big shot than to hear she is.
“Wait, wait, wait, you’re telling me that your girlfriend is Violet fucking Quinn?” Griffin asks, wide-eyed, glass of iced tea halfway to his mouth.
He and the rest of the guys came over an hour ago. Indie’s been on the phone with her agent inside for the past two hours, strategizing about how they should deal with her identity being outed. Once she’s done and has some time to decompress, Lola and the rest of the ladies will head over.
It’s a combination celebration barbecue for making it to the Cup, and a show of support for Indie. The guys got here early to help me prep everything and because I wanted to talk to them without any of the ladies present.
I’m concerned for my girlfriend’s safety, and that’s something that’s easier to talk about with just the guys. Especially since I’m not the first one in our group to have the unpleasant experience of his girlfriend being put in danger because of us.
Not a club I wanted to be a part of.
“Violet Quinn,” Griffin repeats.
I nod my head, amused at his wide-eyed expression. “Yep.”
“Shut the fuck up. Violet Quinn is one of my favorite authors.” He looks genuinely starstruck despite hanging out with Indie for months.
I laugh when he stares at the house like he can see through the walls and track my girlfriend’s movements. “That’s going to weird her out so much.”
“Seriously, dude, do you have any idea how talented your woman is? Every single one of her books, I laugh, I cry, I pop like thirty boners.” He shakes himself a little. “Probably shouldn’t tell her that last part, though.”
“Probably not,” I agree.
“Still. Her books are so good. The ladies read one of them in their book club, and they couldn’t stop gushing about it.”
“I think I remember,” Ryder says as he stacks logs in the firepit to get it ready for later.
“It was a rock-star romance, right? He was her childhood sweetheart, and they made all these plans for their lives and how he’d take her on tour with him, and then when his band hit it big, he left and she had to pick up the pieces.
Then when they reconnected as adults, he had to grovel because she was so heartbroken… ” Ryder trails off and grimaces.
Welp. Pretty sure I can guess who inspired that storyline.
“Sorry, man.” Ryder makes a comically repentant face. “Didn’t put the pieces together until the words left my mouth.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I haven’t read them yet, but I bought all of them in ebook as soon as I found out. I’m sure that won’t be the only one that has parts that hit close to home.”
“Probably not,” Griffin agrees. “But if it makes you feel better, the main woman and the rock-star character fall back in love after years apart and end up living happily ever after. She doesn’t kill him off or give him syphilis or anything.”
“That’s a good sign, I guess.” I chuckle, but my stomach also rolls slightly because I know once I do have a chance to start reading her books, I’m going to get a lot of insight into how Indie dealt with the last ten years.
Not that the characters are her. But surely her experiences somewhat shape the way she writes, at least on a subconscious level.
I suppose I’ll find out.
“I need to have her sign my books.” Griffin bounces on the balls of his feet.
“Don’t overwhelm her,” Maddox warns. “She’s probably stressed.”
“Yeah, but I bet it will make her happy to find out that her favorite Rogue is her biggest fan.” Griffin chugs the last of his iced tea and throws his brother-in-law an annoyed look.
“You think you’re her favorite Rogue?” Logan asks through chuckles.
“Duh. I’m everyone’s favorite. Including Blair, Isla, Lexi, and Lola. Even Reed thinks I’m the best. He told me one day while you were in the other room. Made me promise to keep it a secret.” Griffin lets out a little shriek when Logan lunges for him, but he dodges the irritated winger.
“I’m going to shove my favorite shoe up your ass, Wright.”
“So violent, Logie. I suggest anger management. Or maybe extensive therapy.” Griffin cackles as he runs away from Logan, who is trying very hard not to show how much he’s enjoying the shenanigans.
“Anyway.” Maddox rolls his eyes, but even his lips are twitching. “Have you notified the team? They should be aware of the extra attention Indie may get so they can adjust security accordingly.”
“I did. I gave them a call this morning after everything came out. They said they’ll take care of it. After everything with Blair and the stalker, they have protocols in place, so she and everyone else will be safe at the arena.”
“Do they have extra precautions around the parking garage?” Ryder asks. “Because the paparazzi are relentless, and they’ll camp out near the cars if they can get away with it. They tried that with Lexi a lot.”
My stomach flips at the variety and level of threats that could be facing Indie.
I wish I could insulate her from all of it, but unfortunately, that’s not possible.
The best I can do is stand between her and anyone who would try to exploit or hurt her.
“Yeah. I did warn them that because of who her parents are, the level of intrusion could be much higher than anything we’ve ever seen. ”
I trust the team when they say they have a plan, but I do worry that this could turn into a much crazier circus than they’re anticipating.
I hope it doesn’t, but it would be unwise to make assumptions.
Just because we’re in the Midwest doesn’t mean that all the paps will abide by the unspoken rules that govern the overly friendly middle-of-the-map USA.
“We can get the ladies and Reed into cars while you and Indie wait inside, then once everyone is safely tucked away, come back for you two. If we form a wall around you, they won’t get any shots they can use, and hopefully they’ll get tired of trying,” Ryder offers.
The other guys nod in agreement. Maddox claps a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got her back.”
I know they do. They’re some of the best men I’ve ever met, and I’m so thankful they’ve embraced Indie and Lola and that the ladies have embraced them right back. My girl needs as many people as possible in her corner.
Because I have a sinking feeling that shit isn’t done hitting the fan.
“There she is,” Mira cheers when Indie wanders outside two hours later. “The woman of the hour. Or should we say the author of the hour?”
A pretty blush stains Indie’s cheeks. She tries to hide it beneath a curtain of pink hair, but I see it.
She’ll have to get used to the attention and the praise.
Right now, the negative attention may be louder than the positive because of her parents and their scandal and because people are weird as hell about professional athletes and their love lives, but if my friends’ reactions to her pen name are anything to go by, she has fans out there who are ready to support her.
It’s about time she got the recognition and applause she’s always deserved.
“Girl, we can’t believe you’ve been Violet Quinn this whole time.” Blair pulls Indie into a hug. “We read one of your books a few months ago, and all of us loved it.”
“We really did,” Isla agrees.
“It’s pretty badass that we have a famous friend.” Lexi grins broadly, and I chuckle because I know what’s coming next.
“What the hell, Lex? What are we? Chopped liver?” Griffin pouts dramatically while Ryder shakes his head and wraps an arm around his fiancée. “You’re literally engaged to a hockey star.”
Lexi rests her head on Ryder’s shoulder, her smile impish. “Yeah, but more people read romance than watch hockey.”
“Ouch.” Griffin clutches his chest, which Indie finds hilarious if her expression is anything to go by. “But also, probably true. Whatever. We’re still famous.”
Maddox wobbles his head from side to side, one eye squinted almost shut. “Famous in certain circles.”
“Who are you, again?” Lola teases.
“You guys are the worst,” Griffin says. He turns his back on us and wanders over to start the grill.
“So,” Lexi says, her expression turning serious as she turns to Indie. “How are you doing? I’m assuming you weren’t ready to reveal your secret identity, and all of this was a bit of a shock?”
“You’d assume correctly.” Indie sighs, and I hold her tighter.
I’ve been strung tight since all of this blew up.
Every time Indie winces or curls in on herself, or even sighs deeply, my body readies for a threat.
The hypervigilance I normally reserve for the ice has taken over.
I’m aware of everyone around us, the way people look at me or Indie, hell, even every car that drives down my street.
If they stop, I find myself looking out the window like a paranoid agoraphobic.
What if it’s a reporter or photographer?
I won’t let Indie be subjected to that.
“Definitely not planned,” Indie says. “At least, not like this. My publisher and agent have been trying to get me to do an identity reveal since I signed my first contract, but I didn’t want anyone to be able to claim that I only got a book deal because my parents are movie stars.”
“I don’t think anyone would have thought that,” Blair offers. “Maybe if you got a role in a movie or something, but a book deal?”
“You’d be surprised. People have strong opinions about the children of stars getting any kind of recognition in the arts. I get it, but it can be a lot. And I’ve never had the best relationship with the press or public, so I didn’t want to deal with it.”
“Understandable,” Mira says. Out of all the ladies, she and Lexi get the closest to understanding that kind of situation. Logan does too. His dad was a famous hockey player, and it took him a long time to prove that he’s gotten where he is on his own merit and not his dad’s last name.
“At least we’re not in LA right now,” Lola offers.
“People can be such assholes.” Lexi frowns until Ryder bends down and kisses her temple. Only then does a smile stretch across her features. “I don’t blame you for wanting anonymity.”
Indie sighs. “The annoying thing is that my agent and I were discussing the possibility of doing an identity reveal before this next book comes out. I was finally feeling ready for it.”
My chest expands and I stand a little straighter when she says that, because I can’t help feeling like maybe, at least in part, she was ready to make that decision because of our relationship and my support. At least, I hope that’s the case.
“Well, I’m sorry this ruined your talks and plans, but we’re here for you. However we can help, we will.”
“Thanks, Lexi. That means a lot to me.”
“We got your back, Quinny,” Griffin says over his shoulder as he flips burgers.
“That’ll take some getting used to,” Indie says under her breath.
“What? The nickname?” I ask softly.
“People knowing.”
“Oh. Can I bring all of my books for you to sign the next time I see you?” Griffin asks excitedly. “Because I have everything you’ve written.”
Indie blinks at Griffin a few times, her mouth parted. “You really do?”
“Griffin is a huge romance reader,” Mira says. “And you really are one of his favorites. So, yeah, he has all of your books. Unless there’s a second pen name and more secret books we don’t know about?”
Indie’s cheeks flame scarlet, and she looks at her feet for a second before shaking her head. “No second pen names.” She raises her voice to be sure Griffin can hear her. “And of course, I’ll sign your books.”
“Sweet,” Griffin says, pumping the large metal grill spatula in the air a few times like he’s celebrating with a hockey stick.
Indie laughs, and for the first time since she got the news that her identity had been discovered, she looks relaxed. Stress isn’t furrowing her brow or tightening the line of her lips. She’s enjoying herself and not worried about what tomorrow will bring.
This is why I hope she’ll agree to stay forever. Because I’d hate to leave these guys behind to stay close to Indie. They’re family. The best kind.
But she’s everything.
“Okay, who wants cheese on their burgers?” Griffin calls out.
Indie nestles into my side as things devolve into our normal chaos, and everything feels right in the world.
Sure, I wasn’t expecting to wake up to all of this today, but we’ll get through it together, the way the Rogues get through everything.
And just like the guys have accepted and embraced every single one of the women here without condition, they’ve accepted Indie.
And Lola. Our circle keeps growing, and I’ve never been more thankful for the added chaos.
The more people standing in Indie’s corner with me, the better. “Do you have pepper jack? Because if so, I’ll take two slices.”
“Come on, Bashy-cakes. You know I do. Now, Indie, what can you tell us about the book you’re writing right now? I want to know everything.”