“Let us know you got home safely. And don’t worry about your mum, I’ll keep a close eye on her.” He reaches out and grips my shoulder. “Remember, I’m always here if you need anything, son.”
“I know,” I reply smiling. I love that he always says that. I love that he gives a shit.
••••
As I drive towards Indi’s work my head is all over the place. This place hasn’t changed much in the five years I’ve been gone. Well, the buildings haven’t. I wish I could say the same for Indi and I. I contemplate turning around and heading back home at least ten times. I know how I feel about her, but can I really come between her and that wanker? Chasing after another guy’s girl is not my style, but this isn’t just any girl, it’s Indiana. My Indiana. She was mine first.
A song comes on over the radio. It’s one of those mushy love songs. I hate that shit. Reaching out, I go to flick the station when the chorus cuts in. The guy sings about having a hole in his heart. Why does this resonate with me? Because that’s exactly how I feel. There’s been a piece of my heart missing since the day I drove away five years ago.
Instead of changing the station, I turn it up. I listen as he sings about starting again. Is this a sign? Can we start again? Are we too far gone to get back what we once shared? Once I’ve parked, I sit in the car until the song ends. “That was Start Again, by Conrad Sewell,” the DJ announces. I rest my head on the steering wheel as I inhale a deep breath. I know in this moment, this hole will never mend until I have her again. I have to try. I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life if I don’t.
Doubt settles in. “What am I doing here?” I mumble under my breath when I exit the car. What am I going to say to her? I have no fucking clue. All I know is from the minute Ross told me that wanker was going to propose, I knew I had to see her before I left. She can’t marry him. She just can’t.
I shake my head as I walk towards the building. One thing’s for sure, Ross was right. The colour of the building does resemble horse shit. I’d say this guy has taste in his arse, but he has Indi, so that couldn’t possibly be true.
My hand rises, pushing open the glass door. “Here goes nothing,” I mutter to myself as I step inside.
Time to work on getting my girl back. Well, at least try to.
CHAPTER SIX
Indiana
I still feel guilty about last night. Even though nothing happened, I feel compelled to tell Mark about it. I don’t want to keep secrets from him. He knows nothing about my past with Carter. Maybe if I come clean, I won’t feel so bad. I don’t want him to think I’m doing things behind his back, because I’m not.
When I finish up giving Mrs. Smith’s poodle, Poppy, her vaccination, I decide to go and talk with Mark. I knock before walking into his examination room, even though Stephanie, the receptionist, told me he was alone. Of course his room is three times the size of mine. I swear the broom closet is larger than the pissy little room he’s shoved me in.
It’s his practice I guess, so it’s only fitting he get the best room. But, it annoys the hell out of me sometimes. His parents bought the clinic for him when we graduated. At first I wasn’t too keen about working together, but he practically begged me to, so I agreed. So far it’s worked out pretty good. We get on well. Being in each other’s pockets all day isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We don’t live together, so we still get time away from one another.
“Hey,” I say when I enter the room.
“Hey, sweetheart.” He walks towards me and wraps me in his arms. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” I reply, encircling his waist and resting the side of my face on his chest. “Carter came over last night after you dropped me off.”
“Who?”
“Carter. My neighbour. The guy from yesterday afternoon.”
“Oh. The thug.” You can clearly hear the disdain in his voice.
“He’s not a thug,” I say in his defence. He does act like one sometimes, but he’s definitely not a thug. Just a little misguided on occasions. Mark doesn’t know him like I do, so I resent him for calling Carter that.
“I beg to differ, but you’re telling me this why?” I can tell by his voice he’s annoyed. I can’t really blame him. I wouldn’t like it if the shoe was on the other foot.
“Because I don’t want to have any secrets from you.” I feel his body stiffen. He pulls back and puts his finger under my chin, lifting my face towards his.
“What kind of secrets? Did something happen between you two?” The uncertainty on his face makes me feel bad.
“What? No. He just wanted to talk, that’s all.”
“What’s the story between you two? I’ve never seen him around before, and you’ve never mentioned him. He seemed awfully protective of you yesterday.” I was hoping I didn’t have to go into this, but I guess I should tell him.
“We got together when we were younger. Ummm … he was my first … you know, sexual encounter. Then he left. I haven’t seen him again, until now.”
“I see,” he says, letting me go and taking a step back. “I don’t like this situation, Indi. I saw the way he looked at you yesterday. Do you still have feelings for him?”
“No. We’re friends. That’s all. As I said before, I just didn’t want to keep any secrets from you.” I see his face soften as he steps towards me reaching for my hand.
“I’m glad, but I’d prefer it if you stayed away from him from now on. I don’t trust him.”
“That’s a little unreasonable don’t you think? He’s my friend, my neighbour, nothing more.” Even as the words leave my mouth I doubt them. But Mark seems to believe me.
“Okay. I don’t like it, but I trust you. If he gives you a hard time though, please tell me. I’ll have a talk to him.”
“Sure.” I seriously doubt that though. He seemed pretty intimidated by Carter yesterday. I know what Mark’s like. He’s definitely not the confrontational type. You only have to see the way he lets his parents order him around to know that. He leans forward and brushes his lips against mine.
“I love you, Indiana, and I will protect what’s mine.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need. I can handle myself around Carter.” He pulls back from me when there’s a knock on the door. It’s Stephanie.
“There’s a Mr. Reynolds here to see you, Ms. Montgomery.” Fuck. The only Mr. Reynolds I know is Carter. My eyes dart to Mark. He smiles at me. Of course he has no idea who Mr. Reynolds is. I don’t think he’s going to be impressed when he finds out.
“Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Are you okay?” Mark asks when she closes the door. “You’ve gone a little pale.”
“I’m fine,” I lie giving him a tight smile. I’m far from fine. What does Carter want? Why has he come to my work?
I turn from Mark and head towards the door. Just my luck, he follows. Shit. When he sees Carter standing there, he falters. “Him,” I hear Mark growl from beside me. Carter’s hands are buried in his pockets. He looks nervous, which for some reason on him I find endearing. I love his vulnerable side. It’s a side of him he doesn’t show often. My heart starts to race as I take him in. Why am I still so affected by him after all this time?
“What can we do for you?” Mark asks, draping his arm over my shoulder like a possessive caveman. Carter’s eyes move between Mark and I.
“I need to have a word with Indiana. In private,” Carter says locking eyes with Mark.
“There’s nothing you can’t say to her in front of me,” he snaps. Far out. You could cut the air with a knife. Carter ignores Mark, turning his attention to me.
“Please, Indi. It will only take a minute.”
“I said no,” Mark reaffirms. I reach for his hand, giving it a squeeze. Now is not the time to turn all alpha. Carter will tear him apart.