Bastard (29 page)

“Mark,” I cry as tears rise to my eyes. Ignoring me, he starts the car. What? Is he just going to leave me here all alone? The car inches forward, and I have to step out of the way so he doesn’t run me down. Surly he’s not going to just drive away. He’s just upset. I can understand that. “Please,” I call out as he passes me. “Talk to me.” He slows, inching down his window.

“There’s nothing you can say that’s going to fix this,” he snaps angrily.

“Can we at least talk about it?” I plead. “You’re not even giving me a chance.” Anger sweeps through me. He’s acting like a complete dickhead. “We’ve never even discussed marriage. Hell, I haven’t even told you I love you yet. What possessed you to think I was even ready for this?” He continues to look straight ahead. The gutless prick won’t even make eye contact with me. He exhales a large breath before meeting my steely gaze.

“Because I panicked,” he admits. “I didn’t want to lose you.” Tears rise to my eyes again when the anger on his face is replaced with sadness. I hate that I’ve hurt him, but he’s acting like a tool. This is not the Mark I thought I knew. “You’ve changed since that thug has returned. I’m not stupid, Indiana. I see the way he looks at you … the way you look at him. Deny it all you want, but any fool could see the connection you two have.” I can’t reply because in my heart I know everything he’s saying is true. “That’s what I thought,” he says in a defeated tone when I don’t deny it. “I think it’s for the best if you find another job.”
What the hell!

When he winds up his window and drives forward, anger broils inside me. I’m so pissed with him, I’m tempted to kick his stupid, ridiculously expensive car as it passes, but that would only bring me down to his level. He’s carrying on like a spoilt brat.

Wrapping my arms around my torso, I watch him drive towards the exit of the parking lot before pulling into the traffic.
He’ll be back.
Regardless of what he said, I know deep down he’s a good guy. He’s just hurt. He’d never leave me stranded like this. He’d never walk away from me like Carter did.
Never.
I wait, and I wait, but he doesn’t return.

Wow. I guess he would.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Carter

Five long days pass before I return. I’ve worked my arse off to get back to Indiana as quick as I could. I can only stay for a few days, but it’s better than nothing. I’m still not sure how this back and forth thing is going to work, but I’m not giving up yet. Truth is, I’d travel to the ends of the earth for her if I had to.

Jax and I changed our usual Friday night card game to last night. We’ve been doing this for years now. I love catching up with him and having a few drinks. It’s our way of unwinding after a busy week. We used to alternate between my place and his, but lately he seems to be coming up my way. He likes it up here. We have the best pubs and nightlife.

He cheats his arse off at cards, but I don’t care. I’m just grateful for the company. After I left mum and Indi behind, he was all I really had. I’m not sure where I would’ve ended up if it weren’t for him.

He knows all about my predicament with Indiana. Only because one night I had too much to drink and blurted it all out. Confessing my love for the girl I left behind. He’d only seen the other side of me before then. The fuck ‘em and chuck ‘em side. He thought I was a legend until he found out I was secretly hung up on a chick from my past.

He gave me shit about it for weeks. One night he went too far and we nearly came to blows over it. It wasn’t mentioned again until last night. I was the one who brought it up. I needed his advice. We discussed opening up another parlour close to where Indi lives, but there’s already five existing tattoo shops within a twenty-kilometre radius. It just isn’t viable at the moment. I’ll work something out, or die trying.

My stomach is in knots as I drive into my old street. I have no idea what to expect. I’ve had no contact with her since I visited her at work five days ago. I pray she’s given what I said some serious thought. I pray that fucker hasn’t proposed to her yet.
Fuck.
What if he has? What if she said yes? I suddenly feel like I’m going to be sick.

Pulling into my mum’s driveway, I look over towards Indi’s house. Her car and Ross’ are both parked under the carport. It makes me wonder why she’s not at work today. Unless she got a lift with that
wanker
.

As I turn off the ignition and go to exit the car, Ross comes out of my mum’s house. I smile as he walks towards me. I’m grateful to know he’s been here comforting her. My mum told me when we spoke on the phone that Ross had been calling in every day to check on her. He’d been bringing over food and running errands. He’s such a great guy.

I’ve called her every day since I left, sometimes more than once. She cried every time we spoke. I still find it hard to comprehend her devastation. Especially for Fuckwit. But, I guess I didn’t love him like she did. If only she knew what a cocksucker he really was, but who am I to burst her bubble? I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t think he was so wonderful if she knew how he treated me when she wasn’t around, or what he did to Larry.

“Hey, son,” Ross says smiling. I love how he always seems happy to see me. “I wasn’t expecting to see you back so soon.”

“I tried to get back here as soon as I could,” I reply, reaching for his outstretched hand. “How’s my mum doing today?” He shrugs.

“As well as can be expected.” From our phone calls I was kind of expecting him to say that.

“I appreciate you keeping an eye out for her. Is Indi home from work today?” I ask, flicking my head in the direction of her car.

“She’s been home all week.”

“What? Why? Is she sick?” I feel panicky when I ask that.

“Heartbroken more like it,” Ross replies, making my mind race. What does he mean by heartbroken? What the fuck has happened?

“Why?” Ross shakes his head in disgust. The anger rolling off him is as clear as day. What the fuck is going on?

“Thinking about it still makes my blood boil,” he confesses.

“Don’t leave me hanging. Tell me what the hell you’re talking about.” I can already tell I’m not going to like what he has to say.

“That lowlife, Mark,” he sneers. I don’t even know what he’s done, but I already want to kill him. “He took Indi to a fucking restaurant on the North Shore. He got upset because she didn’t accept his proposal, so the mongrel abandoned her. Left her all alone in a strange place late at night. She was an absolute mess when she called me to go and get her. He’s lucky I didn’t damn well kill him for treating her like that.”

“He fucking what?” I scoff. I can clearly hear the venom in my voice. Utter rage consumes me. My hands are trembling as I turn and walk back towards my car.

“Where are you going?” Ross asks reaching for my arm.

“To pay that prick a visit.”

“There’s no need. I’ve already done that.” I thrust my arm out of his grip.

“I don’t care. He’s getting one from me, too.”

“Hold on there, son. Don’t go off all half-cocked,” he pleads, coming around to block me from getting into the car. My brow furrows. “If you really want to help, go see Indi. She’s been locked in her room for days.”

I have to give him credit. He has a way about him. A way of calming me with a look or a few words. I guess he’s trained in this type of thing. I let out a frustrated sigh. I’d love to go see her, but if she’s broken-hearted over that putz, would she really want to see me?
Fuck it.
Seeing her is all I’ve thought about all week.

“Okay. I have something for her anyway.” Opening the back door, I pull out the envelope that contains the old drawings of Larry. I went searching for them before I returned. It’s not much, but it’s something. Shoving the envelope under my arm, I reach for the box that’s also sitting on my back seat.

“What’s in the box?” he asks smirking. I open one of the flaps and show him what’s inside. He chuckles and slaps me on the back. “She’ll love it. You’re a good guy, Carter. Don’t ever doubt that.” I felt compelled to get it for her. Fuck I hope she likes it.

••••

“Indi. It’s Carter,” I call out knocking on her bedroom door. “Can I come in?” I’m really apprehensive about seeing her. I have no idea what kind of welcome I’m going to get. The nerves kick in as I stand and wait for a reply. I’m relieved a few seconds later when she opens the door.

Her eyes are all red and swollen. She looks so broken. The sight makes my heart hurt. I’ve never seen her like this before. I don’t like it. Where’s my fiery girl gone? It makes me hate that fucker even more. I place the box and the drawings on the ground and pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry,” is all I say. I’m not sorry that they broke up, but I am sorry about the way he treated her. I’m sorry that she’s so hurt by it.

She cries softly into my chest as I hold her. I’m still going to pay that prick a visit, whether Ross likes it or not. “I’m glad you came back,” she whispers. Relief floods through me when she says that. I was kind of expecting her to go all ninja on me again. I feel partly responsible for the predicament she’s in.

Was it my plea that stopped her from saying yes? 

“I told you I’d be back,” I reply looking down at her. “Your dad told me what happened.” She bows her head, taking a step back and wiping her eyes.

“It was for the best, I suppose. Can we not talk about it? I’d rather forget it ever happened.”

“Sure.” My eyes drink her in. Her hair is piled up on the top of her head in a messy bun. She’s wearing a cute pink onesie that, believe it or not, looks incredibly sexy on her. She looks just like the kid I fell in love with. There’s something so sweet about her. She’s like nothing I’ve ever known. Perfect is the word that springs to mind. “Can I come in?” I ask.

“Of course.” She moves to the side so I can pass. I hear a whimpering sound coming from behind me. I stop, remembering the gift. “What was that noise?”

“I bought you something.” Christ I hope I did the right thing.

“You did?” A brief smile crosses her face. Bending down, I pick up the envelope that contains the drawings.

“I found these. Don’t look at them now. They’re some drawings I did years ago of Larry. I thought you might like to have them.” Tears pool in her eyes and now I feel like a dick. It probably wasn’t a good time to give them to her. She takes the envelope out of my hand, hugging it to her chest. I resist the urge to console her.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure them.”

“I got you something else,” I say hesitantly. I’m now rethinking my decision. Bending down again, I retrieve the box. Jesus. I hope this doesn’t backfire in my face. Seeing how down she is right now, this could go either way. Extending my arms, I hold it out to her. “Open the flaps.” Another brief smile appears on her face as she places the envelope on her bedside table before her hands move towards the box. I lower my arms. After all she is a shrimp. She can reach the top, but won’t be able to see what’s inside if I don’t.

I hold my breath when she looks inside. “Oh. My. God. Carter. You didn’t …” When she looks up from the box, her beautiful green eyes are brimming with tears.
Fuck.
I’m not sure if that’s a good sign or not. “Oh. My. God,” she repeats.

“I hope you don’t mind. I know he’ll never replace …” I can’t bring myself to finish that sentence. “It was my way of trying to … you know … right the wrong.” I’m fumbling with my words like a damn fool. I’m not good at shit like this. I don’t know what to say to her. The way I see it, she tried to right the wrong that was committed against me all those years ago, and now I’m trying to return the favour. I also feel partly responsible for what happened to Larry.

Tears are streaming down her cheeks as she reaches into the box and lifts the little puppy out. I find I’m holding my breath again as I watch her. She clutches him to her chest and sobs. It warms and breaks my heart all at once. The puppy extends his neck and starts to lick her chin. Even through her tears, she giggles. “I love him,” she sniffles as her eyes meet mine. “I don’t know what to say, Carter. Thank you.” I place the box on the ground and pull her into my arms.

“You don’t have to say anything,” I tell her. “I’m just happy you like him. I have all his things in the car. Food, bed, toys, leash, stuff like that. He’s only six weeks old, so this is the first time he’s been away from his mum.”

I searched online for days until I found him. He’s a cute little guy. I bought the same breed as Larry, a long-haired German Shepherd.

“Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed this. How much I needed you back here.” I’m pretty sure I’m fucking beaming when she says that. She gets up on the tips of her toes and plants a small kiss on my cheek. My heart is singing. “I need to give him a name,” she says making me chuckle nervously.

“No need. Going on past experience, I took the liberty of already naming him.” She looks up at me again, slightly narrowing her eyes. It makes me laugh. “No offence, but you kind of suck at that.”

“I do not,” she replies, playfully nudging me with her shoulder.

“His name is engraved on his tag.” Looking down, she grasps for the heart-shaped medal attached to the pup’s collar. She starts to laugh. I feel my smile grow when she reads it out loud.
I couldn’t help myself.
The name I chose is brilliant.

“Larry Junior,” she laughs. “I love it, Carter. It’s perfect.”

••••

It took a bit of convincing, but I manage to talk Indi into having a shower and getting dressed. She needs to get out of the house. While she’s getting ready, I head over to see Mum. I take Larry Junior with me. He’s an awesome little guy. If she didn’t want him, I definitely would’ve kept him for myself.

Indi and I end up going out for lunch. Nothing fancy. We go to our usual burger joint, but get the food to takeaway. Indi couldn’t bear to leave the puppy at home so we brought him with us. We take Larry Junior, or LJ as he’s now affectionately known, to the park for a picnic. First picnic I’ve ever been on, but fuck me if I didn’t enjoy it. I’m realising that it doesn’t matter where I am. As long as I have Indiana by my side, I’m happy.