I shook my head with disgust when I finally ended the call and headed into the bathroom for a cold shower. I haven’t even looked at another girl since I first went back home for the funeral. My eyes are only for her. She’s under my skin again, but this time I’m afraid it’s for good. Fuck me. I may as well cut my damn balls off and mail them to her.

••••

One more sleep. I sound like a fucking kid. It’s Thursday and all I can think about is tomorrow we’ll be together again. I’ve been wishing the days away all week. Not only for the weekend to roll around, but for the nights to come so I can call her.

After finishing off a job, I look at the time on my phone. 1:00pm. I was running late this morning so I didn’t get time for breakfast. My receptionist, Justine, got me a coffee on her way to work. She always does that. She’s a good kid.

There’s a twenty-minute break before my next job so I decide to head out to get some lunch. I need some fucking food. “I’m getting something to eat,” I tell Justine as I walk past the front desk. I’m not even out the door and my phone rings. Ross’ name lights up my screen. Fuck. Why would he be calling me in the middle of the day? My heart is beating out of my chest when I answer the call. My first thought is something is wrong with Indi or my mum.

“Hey, Ross. Is everything okay?” I ask before he has the chance to speak.

“That’s why I’m calling you. I’m not sure, son. Has Indi mentioned anything to you about the headaches she’s been getting?”

“What? No. Why?” This is the first time I’m hearing about it.

“She’s been getting a lot lately. She didn’t tell me, but I’ve noticed she’s been lying down a lot during the day. That’s not like her. This morning I confronted her. Apparently she’s been getting them for the past two weeks.”

“She hasn’t said a word.” Sure I’m not happy about it, but she’s been going through a lot lately, so I don’t think much of it. “I’m sure it’s nothing, Ross. It’s probably just stress.”

“That’s what she said. I’m worried, Carter. She won’t go to the doctor. She’s so damn stubborn sometimes.” You can clearly hear the frustration in his voice. “I was hoping you could talk to her.”

“If it was anything serious, I’m sure she’d go and see about it,” I say trying to reassure him, or maybe myself.

“I don’t think you understand, Carter. This is exactly how things started with Isabella.”

“Hold on,” I say. He’s lost me. “Who’s Isabella?”

“My wife. Indiana’s mother.” My heart drops into the pit of my stomach. Now it all makes sense. She died of a brain tumour. Oh fuck, does he think Indi has a tumour? When my knees buckle beneath me, I place my hand against the wall in front of me to hold myself up. “Carter. Are you still there?”

“Yes. She needs to go and see about it straight away,” I blurt out in a panic.

“I’ve tried to make her. She won’t listen. I even lost my temper with her this morning. I’ve never screamed at her before. Never. Carter, I can’t lose her too,” he pleads. When his voice cracks it feels like a knife is being plunged into my heart. The thought of losing her is unfathomable.

“Leave it with me,” is all I say as I end the call. I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. My shoulders slump and my hands fist in my hair as I exhale a huge breath. This can’t be fucking happening. When I’m steady on my feet again, I turn to face Justine. “Cancel all my appointments for the rest of the week.”

“Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

“I’ve gotta go,” I say as I turn and push through the door.

Fuck. I think I’m gonna be sick.

CHAPTER TEN

Indiana

I’m hiding out in my room away from my dad when Carter comes barrelling through my door. Have I got my days mixed up? I thought he wasn’t coming back until tomorrow night. The look on his face tells me he’s not happy. He stalks towards me without uttering a word. Suddenly, I’m lifted from my bed and slung over his shoulder in one swift motion.

“Carter! What the hell?” Has he lost his damn mind?

“If I was you, I’d keep that trap of yours shut. I’m in no need for your bullshit,” he snaps as his hand comes down hard on my arse. Ouch.

“What the fuck is your problem? Put me the hell down, arsehole.” All the blood is rushing to my head making it throb.

“Zip it,” he says as he storms through the kitchen heading towards the front door. I’m upside down, but I can clearly see the smile on my father’s face as I pass.

“Daddy, help me. He’s lost his mind,” I scream.

“Sorry, Pumpkin. Can’t do that. It’s for the best.” What? Next thing I know, I’m being seated in the passenger side of Carter’s car. Immediately I try to get back out. I’m not going anywhere with this crazy-arse bastard.

“Don’t even think about it,” he growls, giving me a look that instantly has me recoiling in the seat. He reaches for the seatbelt and leans over me, clicking it into place. “If you try and escape you’ll be sorry.” He locks the passenger side door before stalking around to the driver’s side. All the while my dad stands on the front porch with a grin on his face. I pinch myself. This has to be a nightmare. Ouch. Nope I’m awake.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask when he’s seated in the car. His angry eyes meet mine.

“Where do you think? To the fucking doctors.” Oh hell fucking no. Christ, my dad must’ve called him. Traitor. How could he?

“You can’t make me go,” I say reaching for the buckle of my seatbelt.

“I can and I will,” he replies grabbing my hand to stop me. Tears burn my eyes. I’m not sure if it’s from anger because he’s forcing me to do this, or from fear. I have no interest in hearing what the doctor has to say. None whatsoever.

“You can’t force me to do this,” I sneer through gritted teeth.

“I’ve got news for you, sweetheart. I can, and I fucking will.”

“This is kidnapping.” If this fucker didn’t just snatch me from my bed without giving me the chance to grab my purse or my phone, I’d be calling triple zero right now.

“Kidnapping,” he chuckles like some evil psychopath. “Your father’s a police officer and he doesn’t see it that way.” His head snaps in my direction when I reach for the door handle. He looks at my hand before making eye contact with me. One of his evil eyebrows raise as he gives me a warning look that say’s, don’t try me.

“I can’t believe you two,” I snap letting go of the door and crossing my arms over my chest like a spoilt child. Talk about overreacting. It’s a damn headache. I exhale an exasperated breath as he starts the car and backs out of the driveway. “I hate you right now.” His brow furrows and his grip on the steering wheel tightens making his knuckles turn white, but he chooses to ignore my comment.

No words are spoken on the drive to the doctor’s surgery. I’m pissed that they’re making me go. When he parks the car, he gets out. Crossing my arms over my chest in protest, I don’t move. He walks around to my side of the car and opens the door. “Get out,” he demands.

“Make me.” He sighs before bending over and undoing my seatbelt.

“Have it your way,” he growls before lifting me out of the car and slinging me over his shoulder again.

“Put me down, arsehole. I’ll walk.” I’m mortified that he’s going to carry me inside.

“Nope. You had your chance.”

“You suck,” I tell him as I slap his back like a brat. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to hear what the doctor has to say. I suddenly understand how my mum felt when she was faced with this. Tears of frustration rise to my eyes. Sometimes it’s better off not knowing the truth. In my heart I know what he’s going to say. I’ve had my headache for over two weeks. At first I thought it was stress, but when things settled down and they still didn’t go away, I started to have my doubts. Although it worried me, I pushed all my concerns to the back of my mind. I refused to believe it was anything but a simple headache. Even though logic told me it was more.