15. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Indy — Now

T he fresh air was killing me.

It was the only reason why I’d woken with puffy eyes and unrelenting pressure within my chest. An uncomfortable tightness lurked beneath my skin, a feeling that started the moment I’d stepped foot in Wallowpine, infecting and draining me.

Good thing I was leaving.

Grabbing my carry-on and ushering Genny into her carrier, I swept my gaze over my childhood bedroom. White wallpaper with tiny roses covered the walls, joined with posters ranging from eighties dance movies to Twilight . Splotches of green paint littered the closet doors from when I’d considered painting them but never finished. Tea lights and empty pots were strung from the ceiling, tassel curtains from the window. I’d once considered my style unique, but looking at it with fresh eyes . . . it felt chaotic. Like five different people once lived here and all wanted a say.

Confirming I had everything I needed, I slipped out of the room, ignoring the urge to glance out the window. After I’d left last night, Nolan followed me home—but instead of leaving after I flipped him off and closed the door, he’d parked at the edge of my parents’ driveway, where he had a perfect view of my bedroom window. He hadn’t stayed long, but it felt like hours as I lay on my bed, pretending he wasn’t outside. Watching. Waiting. Pretending I wasn’t doing the same thing.

I was going crazy.

“I thought you said you’d only be gone a day or two?” Dad asked, eyeing the bags in my hands as I made my way down the stairs.

“I am.” I let him grab one bag off my wrist. “I didn’t pack much. If you go upstairs, the luggage I came with is still there.”

Unfortunately, I wasn’t leaving Wallowpine forever—yet. The rivalry game was tonight, so I was flying back to attend. I needed to clear my head, and I was hoping it would give me a chance to meet with Evelyn and brainstorm what I could do to get ahead in earning this job. If last night had reminded me of anything, it was not to put my fate in anyone’s hands but my own. It was why I’d applied to two other agencies, wanting to be prepared in case VLA fell through.

“Then why are you taking your cat?”

I shrugged. It would be easier to leave her. I’d be back in a day or two—but Genny wouldn’t know that. “We go everywhere together.”

The corner of Dad’s lips twitched, and I could tell by the way he eyed me he thought I’d turned into one of those crazy cat ladies. “Guess I’m a little nervous this will be the last time I see you on those steps.”

I smiled, even if something in me shrunk beneath his words. He thought I was leaving, bailing before I even followed through. “I’m coming back. I’ll be here to run the diner while you’re away.” I wrapped my free arm around his waist. “But if you’re so worried, why don’t you and Mom come with me? The agency gave me two extra tickets, so you wouldn’t have to pay. You can stay at my apartment too. That way you can both make sure I come back.”

Chuckling, he slung a tattooed arm around my shoulder and led me out the front door. I fought the hurt I felt when I saw the barren flower beds, reminding myself it was no one else’s fault but my own they’d wilted and died. “As fun as that sounds, your mom and I have a few things to get done before we head out to see your sister. ”

I wasn’t surprised he hadn’t said yes. Their life was here and mine wasn’t. It was better that way, but there were times I wished it was different. “Thank you for driving me to the airport.” If I’d thought it through better, I would’ve waited to fly home to Arizona until after the rivalry game. But once again, I’d let Nolan throw me off my axis.

“Of course.” Dad backed out the drive and onto the dirt road that led to town. It was barely early morning, the sky a dark gray and the stars fading. “I’d like nothing more than to spend a few hours with my daughter.”

My smile wavered. I couldn’t deny how much I’d like that too. Dad was a quiet man. Mom said he always had been, but even more so after his time in the army. He’d retired when I was in diapers, so I had no idea if what she claimed was true, but I supposed it didn’t matter. I always felt loved—even now. But our relationship had shifted. Now that we weren’t separated by thousands of miles, it was a slap to the face how much he had changed. I’d once believed he could carry the world. He was still my dad, and I was sure he’d still try, but I couldn’t help but notice the slouch of his shoulders, the wrinkles beside his eyes. The fading of his tattoos. I’d been set on growing up . . . yet somehow it hadn’t occurred to me Dad would do the same.

Not liking the pressure in my chest, I slipped my earbuds in, needing a break from my mind. Dad continued toward town, and I fought the urge to scan the forest, as though I could see what had once been a second home from here. The aspen Nolan and I used to race to like our lives depended on it. The one where everything began. With “My Tears Ricochet” by Taylor Swift playing, I closed my eyes, praying I’d fall asleep.

But nothing ever went my way.

Tires screeched, and I opened my eyes, the seat belt digging into my chest as the truck skidded to a stop. Heart racing, I sucked in deep breaths as I took in my surroundings, silently confirming everything was fine. I was safe.

Except I felt anything but safe with those pearly blue eyes staring into mine.

Grinning, Nolan patted the hood of the truck, making his way to the driver’s door. What the hell is going on and why is he awake? “Don’t you know I’m old?” Dad asked as he rolled down his window, and I pulled out my earbuds, excited for him to chew Nolan out for running into traffic. “You’re lucky I was able to fight Indy off. She tried getting me to push down on the gas.”

Nolan laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. I scowled. Of course they were friends—why wouldn’t they be? “Hate to break it to you, but if you want me dead, you’ll have to get your own hands dirty, peaches.”

I dug my nails into my palms, recoiling at the nickname. If Dad heard it or had any idea Nolan and I had seen one another before now, he didn’t let on. “Is something on fire, or is there a reason you ran in front of my truck like your life depended on it?”

Nolan’s lips fluttered with a smile, no doubt because of the daggers I was sending his way. I’d kill him if he dared let it slip that we were still married. “I was on my way to work—I couldn’t sleep so I figured I may as well start the day early. I was pulling into the bait shop when I noticed you driving and thought you might like to see some of the new carvings I just got in.”

I relaxed against my seat, assuming he was referring to the local woodcarver Dad liked to buy from. I glanced out my window, and sure enough in the parking lot of Graham—Bait and Game was Nolan’s truck. The lights in the cab were on, the driver’s side door left open like he’d gotten out in a hurry. Why he felt it was important enough to chase Dad down at four in the morning was beyond me.

“If I’m back from dropping Indy off at the airport in time, I’ll swing by this evening. If not, first thing in the morning,” Dad said.

Nolan’s gaze flicked to mine. “You’re leaving? I–I thought you were staying for the month.”

Silence filled the truck, and Dad glanced my way, likely not missing the nerves in Nolan’s voice. Before I could say a word, he asked, “Think you can spare a minute for me to look at those carvings? They sell out fast.”

I nodded, not protesting when he pulled the truck to the side of the road or when he slipped into Graham—Bait and Game, leaving me alone outside with Nolan. “What do you think you’re doing?” I hissed once the front door was firmly closed. “I don’t want my parents knowing about us! ”

Nolan leaned against the driver’s door, his arm propped on the open window. “We’re just talking. Not sure how that would clue your daddy into knowing you’re still my wife.”

“I am not your wife,” I all but groaned. “But you running in front of his truck and having the nerve to look like you’d been sucker punched when you found out I was leaving might make him wonder if something is going on between us.”

“Is something going on between us?”

I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. “Beyond you following me home and watching me through my window like a pervert?”

He leaned farther through the open window, his gaze lingering on my luggage. “You could’ve closed the blinds.”

I rolled my eyes, careful to shift Genny out of his view. I didn’t owe him any explanations, not when he was the lunatic who’d jumped in front of a moving vehicle for no good reason, other than to make me miserable.

Except I felt anything but miserable as Nolan said with undeniable softness, “I’m sorry about last night, Indy.” I swallowed tightly, wishing I was strong enough to break his gaze. He’d always had a knack for captivating anyone’s attention, especially mine. His hair was messy, as though he’d smeared his fingers through it all night. There was a shadow on his jaw, and the dark circles beneath his eyes had him looking wild in a way I’d never seen. “You trusted me to be your friend, but I let you down, and I can’t exactly blame you for leaving town.”

“I’m not leaving because of last night,” I told him, not sure why I was so eager to ease his conscience. “I have to go to a game—it’s for work. But I’ll be back.” I could’ve sworn there was relief in his eyes, enough that I added, “I’m sorry about last night too. It’s not your responsibility to stand up for me . . . just like it’s not my right to judge how you live your life.”

He gave me a small smile. “Bet you still think I’m an idiot for buying the bar.”

He’d said it as a joke, but my stomach dropped. His words were a reminder of what this was. Nolan wasn’t relieved I was staying—he’d thought I was backing out of our deal. I’d bet anything he planned to use the money his dad left toward buying the bar. Sure, he could get the money at any time, but if he was serious about finding peace with his dad and following his wishes, he needed me .

I’d only ever be a need to Nolan.

I brushed loose cat hair off my leggings, refusing to have a pity party. I’d known what this was when I agreed to it. And he’d never tried to paint it differently. We aren’t a team , he’d told me. “What you do with your life is none of my business.”

He raised a brow, like he’d expected a different response—an honest one. Before he could push for one, I said the first thing off the top of my head. “It’s cool that you let other businesses sell through your shop.”

“What do you mean?”

“The woodworker my dad buys from . . . he sells through your shop, doesn’t he?”

“Oh, right.” He nodded slowly, like he’d forgotten Dad was inside, looking at said woodworker’s carvings. “It’s not a big deal or anything, just some amateur who picked up a hobby. I doubt he’ll last long.”

“My dad seems to believe he’s talented. He’s got a few of his carvings hanging around the house.”

“What do you think?” he asked, watching me curiously. “I mean . . . do you think he’s any good?”

I shrugged. I didn’t know the first thing about art, much less wood carving. “My dad bought one of his carvings as a graduation present. I like it.”

Nolan’s lips twitched, eyes gleaming like he had a secret. He opened his mouth but then stopped as the front door chimed and Dad walked outside. I straightened myself, leaning back in my seat as he said, “Nolan, you really outdid yourself—oh dagnabbit!”

Panicked, I opened the door and rounded the hood of the truck in a rush. “Dad, what’s wrong—” I stopped short, my gaze dropping to the front tire—the flat front tire.

Nolan let out a low chuckle. “You still haven’t kicked that habit of letting air out of people’s tires, Indy?”

“I didn’t do this.” Heat flashed over my skin. I didn’t need Dad to believe I was up to the same no-good games again. “It was probably you—”

“No one did it.” Dad toed the tire with his boot. “It’s been giving me hell the past few weeks. I keep patching it up, but it might be time to call it quits and get a new one.” He ran a hand over his head. “I’m sorry, Indy. I thought I had it ready to go for you.”

“It’s okay.” I was glad it’d happened now and not in the middle of city traffic. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll just call a cab service.”

“Your flight will be gone by the time a cab can even drive down here.”

I pressed my lips together, trying to keep my frustration at bay. I’d forgotten the inconveniences that came with living in the middle of nowhere. There weren’t Ubers here either—I’d checked. Mom was asleep, but I was about to suggest we drive her car just as Nolan said, “Take my truck.” I furrowed my brows. He must’ve seen my shock as he added with a wink, “I’d like to drive you, of course.”

“That’s mighty generous of you,” Dad praised.

Hell no. The moment I sat in his truck, he’d swerve us into a tree. “I’m sure you have better things to do than chauffeur me around.”

“I’ve got nothing but time for you.”

I glowered at him, but before I could tell him exactly where to shove his generosity, Dad said, “You know what you should do, Indy? Why don’t you use your extra ticket and take Nolan to that baseball game?”

I laughed, my stomach filling with dread. “The last thing Nolan wants to do is go to a baseball game with me—”

“Who’s playing?”

I stumbled for a response, solely because I knew by the look in Nolan’s eyes, it didn’t matter who was playing. He was determined to make me suffer. “The New York Hawks and Boston Falcons—it’s the rivalry game.”

“Hell yeah. Let’s go.”

One glance at Dad and the smile on his face had me holding my tongue. I didn’t want Nolan to come, but I didn’t want to disappoint Dad even more. If I wanted him to see I’d changed, I needed to prove it. Show him I could push aside the past—especially since it was obvious Nolan had fooled him into believing he’d done the same .

Maybe he had. Nolan might no longer play, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he still loved baseball. It was engraved in his bones. Relax. He’s not trying to make your life harder. He only wants to watch a baseball game.

But it felt like he was playing a different game when he shook Dad’s hand. “Don’t worry—I’ll bring her home. Even if she’s kicking and screaming.” They shared a laugh, and though Nolan said it as a joke, I felt the promise in his words nonetheless.