Chapter 34

When I land, I send a text to Indie, letting her know I'm in Calgary. Her response is a bit strange though. Hey, Myra is sleeping over at my place today.

I hesitate, thumbs hovering over my phone screen. Should I ask if she's okay? Maybe she's having another episode of anxiety. What if instead they go to her parents or . . . Can Harper be with her? I trust Indie, but I worry for her when she's overwhelmed by panic.

My first instinct is to call her. She picks up right after the first ring, her voice cool and casual. "You didn't have to call."

"Are you okay?" I ask, unable to hide my concern.

"Uh-huh. Perfectly fine," she responds. Her tone remains calm, but I detect a hint of tension.

I choose my next words carefully, not wanting to upset her. "Babe, it's okay to take Myra with you, but if you're having a hard time today I would feel better if your sisters were there too."

"The only time I freak out is when you're around—sex gives me anxiety. You're far enough so I'm perfectly fine," she states, and honestly, I'm not sure how to feel about that.

I flinch, stung even though I know she doesn't mean it personally. "Tell me how you really feel," I plead softly.

"Just did."

In that moment, Jude approaches as we head toward the waiting bus outside the private hangar. "How crazy is your mother?" he asks, his eyes wide with alarm.

I pull the phone away from my ear, shock splashing across my features from Jude's question.

Returning to my conversation with Indie, I ask, "Is my mother there?"

"She's at your house, yes. I was bringing the groceries for the next couple days. She ambushed me at your front door . . . the woman is demanding," Indie continues, irritation creeping into her tone. "I left her and the groceries outside. Didn't let her go in. And honestly . . . I don't want to take Myra back there now."

Jude's eyes narrow, his jaw clenching. "Again, how crazy is your mother?" he insists, tension radiating from him. "Do we need security? What the hell is happening? I don't like my sister and your kid being in potential danger."

"She's toxic but not dangerous," I reply tightly. "Just greedy. I agree, we should keep Myra and Indie away while I'm gone."

I raise the phone again. "You okay, Indie?"

"Totally fine," she reiterates. "She didn't scare me, but she's a little too aggressive. I literally jumped in my car and left her bitching. Although, I needed to send someone to your place to retrieve David Meowie. Hence why Jude now knows."

I wince, dread pooling in my stomach. "The Decker family gossip chain activated?"

Jude shoots me a piercing glare just as Indie confirms, "Uh-huh."

I chuckle. "You people are too fucking much."

Jude's eyes drill into me. "We'll watch your kid. You get on that bus and stay the fuck away from my sister," he growls through gritted teeth. "I don't like whatever screwed up friendship you two have going on."

The irony isn't lost on me. Before ending the call, I ask Indie quietly, "Does he know what Rossi did to you?"

Indie sucks in a sharp breath. "How do you know it was him?" she whispers.

"I had a hunch. You just confirmed," I say gently.

"No one knows and I thought we were going to leave that alone," she replies, voice quivering. "See, you're the one who sets my anxiety into overdrive."

Guilt twists my gut. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," I murmur, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "I just miss you, darling. Thank you for taking care of Myra."

The words slip out before I can stop them. I shouldn't have said I miss her, but it's the truth. The fact that she had to deal with my mother upsets me deeply.

On the bus, I call my agent to give him a heads-up, even though this isn't technically his job. No surprise, he already knows—the Decker gossip train reached him too. He's dealing with my mother personally, though I dread what that entails.

After the game, I arrive at my hotel room to find a voicemail from my mother, one from my agent, and a text from Indie. I listen to my agent first. He sent my mother back to Florida with a restraining order after she apparently slapped Indie and threatened her. Fury boiled up inside me at the thought. Maybe it's best that I didn't know about it earlier or I would've been useless during the game.

I delete my mother's message without listening, wanting nothing more to do with her. Indie's text is an image of a tent set up in the middle of her living room. The caption says, "Sleepover."

Before I text her back, I call my agent. We discuss my mother, Myra, and how this could impact my place with the Sasquatches. As long as I stay away from the owner's sister I'm good, he claims. Well, that ship sailed. I don't know exactly what's happening with Indie, but I want to pursue her. After the day at her house when she told me about Rossi, and I gave her a few of my own truths I knew that we needed to tread lightly to figure out what it is that's happening between the two of us. But I know it's more than just wanting to protect her.

She has learned a lot about my mother, but there're parts I haven't shared about my childhood. I will open up when I'm ready. Which is the reason why I'm starting to go back to therapy.

Langdon gives me a few more numbers to call so I can work through my issues and confide in Myra. When I try telling him that it's not so easy to tell your adoptive child that I'm not actually her father, he cuts me off. He and his husband had no issues being upfront with their kids about where they came from.

So far everyone I've talked to about that issue seems to have an unexpectedly simple perspective. I guess I have to just figure this out and tell Myra. I have to trust that the bond we've forged since I brought her into my life won't break.

Once I'm done with the call, I text Indie, Can you talk?

Worry creeps in as she doesn't answer soon enough. Is everything okay?

Indie: Nope. I can't even text.

Ty: Is everything okay?

Indie: Yeah, but as I explained to you, we're having a sleepover—Lyr and Harp are here too.

Irritation flares up that she kept some details of the confrontation from me.

Ty: Why didn't you tell me that my mother assaulted you?

Indie: It was a slap on the face. I'm fine.

My jaw clenches.

Ty: Not according to Langdon. He said Mom left red marks on your cheek.

Indie: I'm fine, can we discuss this tomorrow?

I want to press further but decide to give in to her request.

Ty: Fine. I'll let it go for now. Miss you.

Indie: Congrats on that assist, see you in a couple of days.

And I can't help but send her another one.

Ty: But you don't miss me?

Indie: Maybe a little.

Ty: Sweet dreams, darling.