“You did not just try that lame move on me,” I laugh.

“What? I yawned,” he says giving me a sheepish grin. He doesn’t fool me for a minute. “Ain’t a guy allowed to yawn these days without the girl getting the wrong idea?”

“You’re such a nerd sometimes,” I say throwing a piece of popcorn at him. He picks it up off his shirt and pops it in his mouth.

“That may be true, but the nerd always gets the girl in the end.” He winks at me before looking back at the screen. Of course he doesn’t remove his arm. Giving up, I rest my head on his shoulder and he pulls me in closer. When my eyes look up at his face, he’s smiling. It has me doing the same. I love being in his arms. I’ve really missed it.

CHAPTER NINE

Carter

Today’s gone better than I expected. Going to the movies is not something I thought I’d ever do, well not as an adult anyway. When I was a kid, that’s a different story. Unfortunately, back then my mum could never afford to take me.

I offered to take Indi because I thought she’d like it. Girls like that shit don’t they? I’ve never dated before so this is all new to me. I just wanted us to be together. To spend time with her any way I could.

Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed the movie we watched. I was sure she was going to pick some sappy chick flick, but she did good. Real good. My highlight though, was her.

After we left the cinema, I casually slipped my hand into hers, lacing our fingers together. She didn’t seem to mind, which pleased me more than I care to admit. Whenever I’m near her, I have an overwhelming desire to have my hands on her. I know we’re taking it slow, but a touch here or there isn’t too much. I can tell by the way she reacts to my slightest touch that she can feel this thing, whatever the fuck it is. It’s still as strong as ever. Given half the chance, we could be explosive together. I know it.

We walked a few blocks until we found a nice restaurant, laughing and talking about the movie as we did. This is the closest I’ve ever come to being on a real date. But fuck me if I don’t want to experience all that with Indiana. I get a buzz whenever I’m with her. It’s electric. She makes me feel alive. When we were kids, the feelings she evoked within me freaked me the hell out, but now I embrace them. I need them. I crave them. Crave her. I’ve denied myself for too long.

Later that afternoon, Ross invited my mum and me over for a barbeque. Having the three most important people in my life together is a great feeling. Is it wrong that I wish we were a family, because I do? I wish Ross was my father, but more than anything, I wish Indiana was my girl. I guess if I eventually get her, I’ll get him by default.

I’m gonna try my damned hardest to make that happen.

••••

It was late by the time mum and I arrived back home last night. I’d planned to drive back to Newcastle, but decided to leave early this morning instead. I was enjoying my time with them too much. I didn’t want it to end. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like part of a family. My mum even seemed happier than she has since Fuckwit died. There were no tears, and even a few smiles.

Ross and Indi both walked us out, so I never got to say the proper goodbye I would’ve liked. She knows I’m going back home again, but I promised her I’d return at the end of the week.

It’s 5:00am when I throw my bag in the car. I need to get on the road before the traffic gets too bad. Peak hour is a real bitch. I’ll never get back in time to open the shop by 8:30am if I don’t leave soon.

I’ve looked over in the direction of Indiana’s bedroom a dozen times since waking, hoping to see her light on. I’m silently willing her to wake up. I need to see her one more time before I go. It’s going to be five long days before I’m back. I exhale when I open the driver’s side door. Her room is still bathed in darkness. I continue to stand there staring. Fuck it. I gotta see her.

Jogging over to her window, I tap lightly. “Indi. Indi. Are you awake?” I hear LJ bark from inside her room. I know that will wake her. Good boy. I need to bring him back a huge motherfucking steak when I return. Her light comes on so I tap again. “Indi. It’s me, Carter.”

“Carter. What are you doing? It’s 5:00am,” she says in a sexy-as-fuck sleepy voice that has my cock stirring. It takes every ounce of control I have not to jump through that window and have my way with her. She rubs her eyes and squints as she tries to adjust to the light. She looks so fucking sweet when she just wakes up. Her hair is all over the place, but fuck me if she isn’t the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“I know. Sorry. I just wanted to see you again before I left.” She smiles when I say that. “Can I get your number, if that’s okay? I’d like to call you during the week.”

“You would?” Her face lights up like she’s surprised that I’d want to. Doesn’t she realise how hard these five days away from her are going to be for me?

“I’m going to miss you,” I tell her. Because I am.

“I’m going to miss you, too.” Now I’m the one smiling like a fool. When she starts rattling off her number, I pull my phone out so I can program it in.

“I’ll call you, alright,” I say sliding the phone back into my pocket.

“Okay. Drive carefully.”

“I will.” I stand there looking up at her. Why is it so hard for me to walk away? “I’m sorry I woke you.”

“I’m glad you did.” My eyes drift from hers down to her lips. I want to kiss her so fucking bad, but I’m not sure if she’d want that. Fuck it. I’ll never know if I don’t try. Reaching up, I cup her face in my hands. I’m going in.

Gently, I pull her face forward until her lips meet mine. I give her a soft, sweet kiss. Not the kind I’d like to give, but anything more than this and I’ll never leave. When I pull away, I rest my forehead against hers.

“I’ll be back Friday night.”

“I look forward to it,” she whispers.

“Go back to sleep.”

“Okay,” she breathes as she straightens, reaching for the window.

“Bye, beautiful.”

“Bye, Carter.”

I’m smiling as I walk back towards my car. I swear there’s even a spring in my step that wasn’t there previously. Taking out my phone, I send her a quick text.

Dream of me …

Her reply makes me laugh.

You wish. x

••••

For the next few days she’s on my mind night and day. Even though I’d like to, I refrain from calling her every fucking hour. I manage to limit it to one text in the morning and a call each night. Monday night we talked for nearly an hour. It’s amazing how much you can learn about someone when you sit down and have a full-on conversation with them.

I still give her a hard time whenever I can. I’m not sure I’ll ever tire of riling her up. It’s too much fun. She gives as good as she gets. I love that about her. She’s really opened up to me over the past few nights, and I have with her. It’s all the silly insignificant things I’m learning about her that I love most.

Like how she prefers savoury food over sweets. That’s because she’s already plenty sweet enough. She has a vast taste in music. Her favourite colour is pink. When she was little she wanted to grow up to be a fireman or a princess. She’s wanted a horse since she was four years old. All the little things that make her, her. That make her special.

Last night we talked for nearly three hours until Indi eventually fell asleep with the phone next to her ear. I stayed on the line for ages afterwards, just listening to her breathe like some crazy-arse stalker. I don’t know why I torture myself like that. It only made me want to climb through the phone and hold her in my arms.

What’s she fucking doing to me?