Chapter 24

Ty: Your brother just threatened to smash my face if I ever dare to glance into your direction. Which may become an issue if you're taking care of Myra. Should I wear a blindfold from now on?

Indie: Oh, God, I swear I'm going to disown my entire family. And that blindfold joke is terrible—don't quit your day job to become a comedian.

Ty: I can be funny when I try, don't kill the dream.

Indie: What is it you want? I'm not in the mood today.

Ty: So, I take it you told your family about the memorable kiss we shared earlier today. It's good to know that it made an impact on you too.

Indie: First of all, there's nothing memorable about it. It was okay at best. Second, I didn't go telling anyone. My older sister guessed. She told my parents because . . . I still don't understand why this is part of her recovery. It sounded more like a way to fuck with me.

Ty: So, I don't understand who told your brother. Not that I care. I'm not afraid of him.

Indie: Who knows what happened after my sister blurted the information to my parents. We Deckers are like a small town. Gossip spreads like wildfire and it's impossible to extinguish.

Ty: Okay, but let's circle back to the kiss, shall we?

Indie: Forget about it.

Ty: I couldn't even if I tried, but also, you think that kiss was just, okay? We might need to repeat it until I get it right. I was going for something like . . . It was unforgettable, out of this world—best kiss I've ever had.

Indie:I hate to break it to you buddy, but it wasn't that great. I'd give it a four.

Ty: On the scale of one to three?

Indie: Ha! Nope. It'd be on the scale of one to twenty.

Ty: Ouch, that hurts. (rubs chest gently)

Indie: You can't tell me that was an unforgettable kiss. It was just lust and nothing important.

Ty: I see what you're doing.

Indie: What am I doing?

Ty: You're trying to deny that something happened during that kiss.

Indie: No. I'm pretty aware that you stuck your tongue inside my mouth. Because that's all that happened between us.

Ty: Call it whatever you want, but you kissed me back, which means you did feel something. If you want to deny it, that's on you.

Indie: Good sentence, I like the way you started it and ended it. You're not just a jock. Have you thought about writing fictional stories for a living?

Ty: I'll let your sarcasm slide, because, let's face it, we're talking about something much deeper than a playful kiss here. You're right, I don't just think it—I know it. That kiss? It shattered all expectations, rewrote the rules you've played by. But it's not just about craving another taste, another moment. It's the fear, isn't it? The fear of what it means to need someone so intensely, to have that craving turn into a necessity. You're scared, because deep down, you know. You know that one more kiss, one more moment of surrender, and there's no turning back. You were on the edge of something irreversible, something that could redefine you. And that, my darling, is the real reason you're holding back. The reason why you want me to forget it even happened.

Indie: That's a pretty arrogant statement.

Ty: I can honestly say that I enjoyed your mouth and I want more—a lot more than just that tiny kiss. I want to burn inside you—have more. That kiss? It was just the beginning. I want the full experience to burn so brightly together that we light up the night sky.

Indie: Umm . . . that's too intense. It was just a fucking kiss. You do understand nothing can happen between us, right?

Ty: Knowing doesn't put out the fire, does it? It only makes the flames dance higher, more wildly. I'm aware, painfully so, that a kiss isn't enough, but one night is probably all we can have. And here's the thing—I'm not asking for promises. I'm also not offering you forever, or that I'll gift you the moon and the stars. All I can offer is the now, the intensity of a connection that doesn't need to look beyond the horizon of dawn. Your ultimate dream? I can't give that to you. But I can give you a night that feels like a dream, a memory so vivid it'll haunt you, in the best way possible, long after it's over. Just one night, but with the power to eclipse every dream you've ever dared to dream.

Indie: And according to you, what's my ultimate dream?

Ty: Love. A family.

Indie: Obviously you don't know me. I'm not interested in more from you or anyone. I'm happy with the way things are.

Ty: Huh, that's not what I expected you to say.

Indie: You sound like Harper.

Ty: And she'd be?

Indie: My older sister. She thinks I'm a hopeless romantic who's damaged. She came to that conclusion because I avoid intimacy.

Ty: You avoid intimacy? Yeah, you seem like the kind of girl who'd want a husband, children and a house in the burbs. Discussing your day and your future every night—while cuddling after making love.

Indie: Nope. But it sounds like you're not looking for Mrs. Right either.

Ty: Right for what?

Indie: Getting married, having a family . . . Well, you have Myra, but still, you're not open to love.

Ty: It's a waste of time.

Indie: So, someone broke your heart and you're avoiding it, huh? Tell Indie what your ex did to you that you don't believe in love anymore.

Ty: My ex didn't do anything.

Indie: I find it hard to accept your statement. It seems like before you were open to be in a relationship, fall in love. Now . . . Well, you don't. There has to be a good reason why you changed your mind.

Ty: I'm committed to raising my daughter. There's no space for anyone else in my life. And you?

Indie: I'm too young to think about a serious relationship or love. As I mentioned, I hook up when needed and then it's over.

Ty: No messy feelings? (Glances skeptically)

Indie: No feelings whatsoever.

Ty: Then, why is it that you don't want to kiss me again? I already promised you that there won't be any messy feelings involved.

Indie: What if you fall for me?

Ty: I wouldn't, but maybe you're afraid it'll happen to you.

Indie: Ha! You wish.

Ty: There are a lot of things I wish for, and you falling in love with me is not one of them.

Indie: Why are we even discussing this?

Ty: Not sure, but now that I know your expectations, I have a proposition for you.

Indie: What kind of proposition?

Ty: Three letters. FWB

Indie: Fluffy Wombat Buddies? Is that a kink? I like wombats, but I'm not sure if this is for me.

Ty: Good one, but that's not it.

Indie:You want us to become frequent Wandering Backpackers.

Ty: :facepalm: emoji

Indie: Fashionable Wizard Bookworms?

Ty: I'm proposing the ultimate no-strings arrangement. Friends with Benefits. Strictly physical, no emotions allowed.

Ty: Hello, is this thing still on?

Ty: I can see the three dots dancing, either you're trying to figure out a way to let me down or just thinking about the specifics.

Ty:What do you say, darling? We become each other's haven in the night, a sanctuary from the cold, a place where warmth isn't just felt but shared. Then, as the dawn whispers the arrival of a new day, we part, no strings attached, no promises made. It's an adventure, a fleeting journey we take together, knowing full well it ends with the morning light.

Indie:I don't know . . .

Ty: Consider all the amazing things we can do together—no complications.

Indie: Can I think about it?

Ty: Just don't draw this out more than we have to, darling.