Indie

 

I woke at some point during the night to a light tickling on my skin. I didn’t want to open my eyes. The last thing I remembered was burying my face in Linc’s shoulder because of that stupid doll with the red cheeks. I wanted to enjoy the moment, bask in the feeling of his fingertips tracing over my skin, breathe in his scent, listen to his heartbeat. Because who knew when I’d get this chance again?

“I know you’re awake, Indie,” he whispered, and I froze. Well, I wasn’t moving anyway, but I held my breath and waited. “I could always tell when you were asleep or just pretending to be. Your breathing changes.” He stroked my hair. “Your body tenses, and you tighten your arm around me. Why is that?”

Dammit. He noticed everything. What did I do? Act dumb and still fake being asleep, or admit I was awake and listening to everything he said? Admit he was right. I did tighten my arm around him whenever we found ourselves in this position. Every. Single. Time. Which was surprisingly often. I’d always hold him a little tighter for fear of him leaving or it being the last time he’d let me sleep on his chest. Nate was usually long gone by then. He always bailed early and left Linc and me to watch movies together.

“Is it because you don’t want to let me go?” His voice was low, fingers still combing my hair and trailing gentle patterns on my waist. “Or because we only get these stolen moments when everyone else is asleep?”

I didn’t answer. I could barely form a coherent thought as I tried to process his words. They had to mean something, but I didn’t know what. He was being cryptic. Or he believed I was asleep this time. I tightened my arm a little more and felt Linc shift down on the bed until he was lying flat beside me with my head on his chest.

“I’m not going anywhere. Sleep, Princess,” he murmured, placing his hand over mine on his chest.

His heart was beating as fast as mine.

 

***

 

The sound of the phone ringing woke me up. Stretching my limbs, I rolled over and realised my bed was empty.

Was last night all a dream?

The phone kept ringing, so I reached over and answered it.

“Indie, sweetheart,” my mother’s voice echoed down the line. No good morning. No hello. Nothing but, “I need you and Lincoln to meet me downstairs at nine a.m. We are going to get you both fitted for a suit and dress. Nate is going to pick up Kenzie from the airport with Ryder and Bailey, so he’ll meet up with us later.”

“Okay.” I yawned.

“Do you know where Lincoln is?”

Not anymore. He was with me most of the night but gone now.

“His room, I guess. I don’t know. I haven’t seen Linc this morning.” I frowned and swallowed the lump in my throat. I couldn’t have dreamt last night. It was too real.

“I’m right here, Princess.” Linc strolled back in with yet another room service cart and a smirk on his lips. “Nice hair.”

My hand shot up to my head and tried to smooth out what was no doubt a bird’s nest in my hair. “Lincoln is here. I’ll tell him now.”

“Great. See you soon.” With that, she hung up.

“Miss me?” Linc came over to the side of the bed and brushed a strand of hair out of my face.

“Nope. I was asleep.” I stood and stretched.

“Looks like it was a good sleep. Come outside. I thought we could eat this on the balcony.”

I followed him out. It was warm already, and the sun was barely up. Did I mention I hated hot weather?

“You didn’t have to do this.” I looked at all the food in the cart. Bacon, eggs, cereal, toast, fruit, juice, coffee. Coffee! I wasn’t a morning person until I’d had at least two coffees.

“I didn’t,” he said simply. He reached for the coffee pot and poured a cup before handing it to me.

“Oh.” I sipped the coffee and tried not to look dejected that he hadn’t done this for me. But what did I expect? He came in last night with food because Jack wouldn’t let me eat. I didn’t really expect him to feed me this morning too, did I?

“The hotel arranged for a free breakfast delivered to our room every morning because they stuffed up and gave us joint rooms by mistake.” He shovelled bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and toast onto his plate.

“Mistake.” It was all I heard. Our rooms were a mistake.

“Yeah. They were meant to book us singles but had double booked or something. So we were given these.”

“Why didn’t they put Jack next to me?” It was strange since Jack and I were technically supposed to be in a relationship.

“Beats me. You better eat before we have to leave. Make the most of all this food.” He grinned through a mouthful of toast.

He didn’t bring breakfast because he wanted to. It was because it was free. My stomach dropped. “Right. Umm, I’m not really hungry, so…” I trailed off, not knowing what else to say. I suddenly felt cold and alone. Which, rationally, I knew was stupid, because things hadn’t changed. I was still Indie, Linc’s friend’s kid sister, and I’d never be any more. But something about last night—movies, dinner, his basketball shorts, sleeping together—gave me a flash of hope, only for him to ruin it this morning. I stood, and before I walked back inside, I said, “You eat, but we need to meet in the lobby at nine a.m.”

 

***

 

It was nine o’clock, and my mother was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Linc. I sat on the sofa in the lobby, impatiently tapping my silver-sandaled—no thanks to Jack—foot, and waited. I had so many other things I could have been doing this morning rather than waiting in the front of the hotel. Where were they?

Playing with the key card to my room, I decided I’d give them ten minutes. If they didn’t show, I’d go for that walk through the hotel grounds that I wanted to do. Explore the island a little. There were meant to be caves and waterfalls nearby that I wanted to visit as well.

“Baby cakes,” Jack called across the lobby from the elevator.

“Hey.” I stood and walked toward him.

“Your mother couldn’t make it, so I’m here instead.” He threw his arm around my shoulder and rubbed his knuckles in my hair.

“What? Why?” I shoved him away and tried to smooth out my hair.

“Something came up. Where’s lover boy?” He looked over his shoulder and peered around the foyer in search of Linc.

“Not here yet. Let’s just go.” I turned and began walking toward the door.

“Not so fast, sugar plum. What happened last night?” He reached for the room key in my hand and slipped it into his wallet so I wouldn’t lose it. I rarely carried a purse. It was usually just my phone and my credit card.

“I should ask you the same thing. You were out of line last night.” I poked him in the chest.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. You called me fat!”

“Oh, baby cakes. You’re not fat. You know that. I know that. He knows that. It was all part of the plan.”

“What plan?” I folded my arms across my chest and waited.

“I’m sorry for calling you fat. But, look, I might not be your fun-loving, easy-going, life of the party Jack for the next few days. I’ll probably be an asshole most of the time we’re around him, because he has some sort of saviour complex when it comes to you, and I want to bring it out.”

“What?”

“He always has to save you. Protect you. Be your knight in low-slung board shorts.”

“Right.”

“And I want him to save you…from me, your asshole yet devastatingly good-looking boyfriend who should model underwear or something.” Jack walked away a few steps and turned with a hand on the hip, pausing for a moment before strutting back to me. Just like a catwalk model.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. He always knew how to cheer me up.

“Did it work?” Jack bounced on his toes excitedly. “Did he save you?”

“Umm…” Was feeding me the same as saving me? I guessed, maybe if I was starving, which I was. So…

“Tell me about last night.” Jack grabbed my arms and made me uncross them. I glared at him, remembering how hungry I had been after dinner. “What happened?”

“Nothing. He fed me because you wouldn’t let me eat anything but a salad.” I crossed my arms over my chest again and raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. It worked.” He pumped his fist in the air. “He came to your rescue with food. See, he couldn’t let you go to bed after only eating a salad.”

“A salad, Jack? Really? When have you ever known me to eat a salad?” I growled.

“I couldn’t resist. You looked like a dying man in the middle of the desert desperately searching for water when they brought out all the food. It was hilarious. Then what happened?”

“No, it wasn’t. Then we watched a movie and fell asleep.”

“Asleep?”

“Yes.”

“That was it? No hanky panky? No tumble in the sheets?”

I shook my head.

“At least tell me he tried to cop a feel?”

I groaned and looked at the roof before levelling him with my gaze. “No. Nothing. Just sleep.”

“Well, that’s no fun. No wonder you’re so grumpy this morning. Come on. Let’s go shopping.” He linked his fingers through mine and pulled me outside into the blinding sunlight. “By the way, I love you in that dress.”

It was sunflower yellow and dropped to below my knee, but the neckline was a little too revealing for my taste. “I hate it.”

“You’ll thank me one day. Oh, hey, look, there’s lover boy now.” Jack lifted his chin, indicating straight ahead. And sure enough, there was Lincoln Bloody Andrews, leaning against a white sports car with his shades pulled down over his eyes, typing away on his phone.

“Let’s go shopping!” Jack lifted me up and threw me over his shoulder as he ran down the steps toward Linc.

“Jack! Put me down. Now.” I slapped his back. I pinched his sides, but it was useless. He didn’t release me until we reached the car.

“Hey, man,” he greeted Linc, who only scowled in response. “Let’s go. I have things to do this afternoon and don’t want to be shopping all day.”

Lie. That was a complete lie. All Jack did was shop. He lived for it.

Jack climbed over the door and into the back seat, stretching his arms out wide along the backrest with a grin. “Where are we going?”

“Dress and suit fittings,” Linc replied. He opened the door to the passenger side and ushered me in.

“Thanks.” I smiled gratefully at him. He was always the gentleman, unlike Jack. I didn’t miss the way he eyed my dress. Did he think I looked stupid wearing it? He did give me shorts to wear to bed last night, so I was covered up. He scowled at Jack as he rounded the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Okay, so, Mrs K. called this morning when you were in the shower,” Linc said, flicking his eyes to Jack in the rear-view mirror. He was trying to get a reaction out of him, because as far as he knew, Jack didn’t know we had adjoining rooms. Not that it mattered, because I locked that door from my side this morning, but Jack just acted clueless. “She said something came up but for us to go to this address and ask for Lavenia. She has my suit and your dress ready for us to try on.”

“What about Nate?”

“Nate will go later after he picks up Kenzie from the airport.”

“And you, why are you here?” I turned in my seat to look at Jack.

“Like I’d pass up the opportunity to see you trying on clothes.” He gave me an exaggerated wink. “Especially if there’s enough room for two in the change room.”

Shaking my head, I turned back around to the front, taking in the view of the beach on the right as we drove. The island was beautiful. I couldn’t wait to dip my feet in the ocean and relax on the sand for the afternoon—I’d go exploring another day.

After only a few minutes, Linc pulled the car up to the front of a different hotel.

“I thought we were going to a bridal shop or something.” I frowned in confusion as the valet opened my door and helped me out before taking the keys from Linc.

“No, I said we were getting fitted. And this is where we’re meeting Lavenia.” He gestured widely at the beautiful hotel.

“So who’s this Lavenia chick?” Jack asked as he slipped his hand in mine. I supressed a sigh. This whole “make Linc jealous” idea of Jack’s wasn’t going to work.

“The wedding planner. She should be here with a dressmaker in case of any alterations.” Linc’s voice was cool, but his gaze was even colder as he looked at Jack.

“My mother has a wedding planner?”

“Yes. And you’d know all this if you visited or called home more, Indiana.” He stalked away, leaving Jack and me to follow. He was pissed. And I was willing to bet it had something to do with me, but I couldn’t see what I’d done wrong.

“Ooohhh, someone’s a little tense this morning, isn’t he?”

“That’s Linc.” I shrugged. “Get used to it. He runs hot and cold, and I seem to always bring out the worst in him.”

“You certainly bring out something in him, baby cakes, but I don’t think it’s the worst.” He wiggled his eyebrows, giving me a suggestive smirk.

“Come on.” I tugged him into the foyer, following Linc, who was talking to the concierge.

“Thank you, Marissa.” He smiled, and the woman behind the desk blushed. “Room 718. Let’s go.”

We took the elevator up and were greeted by a tall blonde woman in a white power suit. She exuded confidence, and I felt a little intimidated by her.

“Indiana?” She smiled warmly at me, and I nodded and shook her hand as she welcomed us into the room.

“Hi.”

“And you must be Lincoln?” she said to Jack, who was still gripping my hand in his.

“Ah, no. I’m Jackson. But you can call me Jack. Pleased to meet you,” he purred, grasping her hand and bringing it to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles. I rolled my eyes and ripped my other hand out of his and moved further into the room.

“Oh, I’m sorry. My mistake. Lovely to meet you, Jack,” she said a bit breathlessly.

Jack smiled at her and walked over to me with a wink and a little extra pep in his step. Oh, geez.

“Relax, Romeo,” I hissed while Lavenia was introducing herself to Linc. I couldn’t look at them. If she got all flustered over Jack, I didn’t want to see her reaction to Linc. “You don’t swing that way.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun.”

“This is Serena. She’s going to measure and make sure your dress and suit fit perfectly for the wedding on Saturday.”

Serena was a small woman. Tiny, in fact. Her head barely grazed my chin, but she smiled brightly as she rushed around the room, producing two garment bags. Handing one to Linc, she ushered him behind a screen and told him to change.

“And this, pretty lady, is yours. If you need help with the back, let me know.” She smiled, handing me my dress and pushing me toward the bathroom.

Jack followed me inside and closed the door behind us.

“What are you doing? Get out!”

“Watching you get changed.” He hoisted himself onto the marble countertop and swung his legs like a child.

“You are not!” I turned away from him and unzipped the garment bag, revealing the mint green dress my mother had picked out. Why couldn’t I have worn a suit? Something like what Lavenia was wearing. I’d totally rock that.

“Okay, fine. I’ll help with the back.” He smiled smugly when I pulled the dress out to have a look at.

It was beautiful. Something that would look stunning on Bailey, but gorgeous, nonetheless. Long and flowing sheer fabric, a delicate silver belt around the waist, and a low-hanging scoop neck. But it was the back that stole the show, with thin lace straps intricately threaded and woven together, holding the dress in place.

I was going to need Jack’s help.

“Turn around.” I waved my finger at him.

“Really?”

“Yes, or get out.”

He slid off the counter and turned around. Eying him, I cautiously pulled my arms out of the dress I was wearing and was trying to figure out a way to pull my bridesmaid dress on without taking mine off. But it proved near impossible. Biting my lip and hesitating, I slipped my dress off and began pulling the beautiful mint fabric over my head, except it got stuck. The lace straps tangled around my head and wrists in a way I wasn’t sure should even be possible. This was why I liked shorts.

“Oh no,” I cried.

“What?” Jack’s voice was muffled from all the fabric surrounding my head.

“Nothing. I’m fine.” I struggled with the dress, trying to detangle myself.

“I can hear you grunting and groaning. What are you doing?”

“I’m stuck.” It was useless. I needed Jack’s help, otherwise I was going to rip a hole in this dress, and my mother would murder me. No, she’d have me murdered. She couldn’t do it herself because it would be too messy. She’d pay someone to do it for her. Maybe Lavenia. I’d bet she could murder someone in the blink of an eye, all that power and confidence.

“I’m turning around, okay?”

“Just don’t look.” It was stupid, really. Jack was gay, and he’d never look at me that way. Him turning around would be the same as Bailey or that Serena woman helping, but still.

“Kind of impossible, baby cakes,” Jack said, and then I heard his breath hitch. Uh-oh. It was bad.

“It’s bad, isn’t it? Tell me I haven’t destroyed the dress.”

“Geez, baby cakes. This is what you’ve been hiding behind all those t-shirts and shorts.”

He whistled softly, and I felt him come to stand in front of me. His fingers grazed my wrists and began pulling on the lace, untangling it and freeing my arms.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m repacking your bag again. And taking everything that isn’t lingerie or a swimsuit.”

“Don’t be stupid.” I sighed. “Just help me.”

“I am, but I’m kind of enjoying the view here too.” He traced his fingers across my stomach.

I slapped his hand away. “You’re an idiot. And you’re gay.”

“Meh, details. I’d totally roll around naked in the sheets with you.” He laughed, and my skin heated up in embarrassment. He focused on removing the lace straps from my head. No one had said anything like that to me before, and I didn’t know how to respond, so I joked.

“I’ll hold you to that. If I’m still single and a—” I paused, unable to say the word. So what if I was still a virgin? “—when I’m thirty, then…”

“Thirty? No way, baby cakes. I’m a patient man, but not that patient. Two years. I’ll wait two years for you, and if you’re still holding your v-card tight to your chest, I’m cashing in.” He finally freed the dress from my hair and pulled it down over my chest. He let it slide to the floor before spinning me on the spot to lace up the back. “But I have a feeling, judging by holes that man out there is glaring through these walls and my back—”

“You don’t know he’s glaring this way.” His fingers tickled the skin on my back as I ran my hands down the front of my dress, smoothing out any creases.

“I do. I can feel it, and judging by that, I don’t think you’ll need me in two years. Hell, I don’t think you’ll need me by the end of this week.” He winked and positioned me to face the mirror. “There. You look beautiful, doll face.”

I blushed again, not used to the compliment, and stared in the mirror, pleasantly surprised at how I looked. I could pull off pretty dresses. Jack kissed me on the cheek and grabbed my hand, dragging me out the door and back to Serena and Lavenia.

I felt like I was in one of those cheesy romance movies Bailey insisted we watch every girls’ night in, where a beautiful woman walked into the room and everyone stopped and stared, because that was exactly what happened. All eyes were on me, and I couldn’t move. I didn’t like the attention. Fidgeting with the neckline of my dress that now seemed too low and revealing, I risked a glance at Linc and about combusted.

I’d never get sick of seeing that man in a suit.

“Wow,” I breathed.

Linc shot me a cocky grin. “Wow, yourself. You look gorgeous, Indie,” he said, biting his lip and gazing at my gown.

He called me gorgeous.

And he looked at me like Ryder looked at Bailey.