No.
No.
No no no. I turned, and stared at Erin. The more I looked at her, the more I could see it; she was slender, wearing a vest and tight jeans, a little green clip in her strawberry-blonde hair that brought out the color in her wide eyes.
“Erin.” I whispered, wondering if I should stop Indie from doing something he'd regret.
She looked at me, confused “You can put the box down and go. This doesn't concern you.”
I watched Indie, who walked carefully over to me. I could see Erin out of the corner of my eye, but when I felt Indie sweep the loose curl of my hair behind my ear, she shot me a look of surprise.
Indie's voice was soft in my ear “You should go home, love. Tell AJ and the guys what's going on, but don't stay here.”
“Indie...” I looked at him, but he moved away just enough to plant a kiss on my lips; the kind of kiss that balanced on the line between tender and terrified. I heard Erin gasp, my hand giving Indie's a quick squeeze before letting go.
He smiled, “I'll be home soon. This...” He looked at Erin, who didn't blink “This won't take me long.”
Erin's eyes didn't lift as I took the keys from Indie, kissed him once more, and walked toward the door.
“Name-chaser.” Erin muttered underneath her breath, and my hand hesitated, hovering over the handle. Taking a deep breath, I turned.
Indie looked at me, “Dawson, no. Go.”
I shook my head, “No way. Did you want to say that again, or did you want to go take care of your daughter? Oh wait, I'm already doing that.”
“Don't. You. Dare.” She spat, taking a step toward me. I didn't move, the rush of adrenaline coarsing through me.
I laughed, “Please, don't bother. Indie? The boyfriend you cheated on? He raised that little girl you decided to give up for adoption. He and AJ did it together, with no help from you. And she's better off because of it.”
Erin stared at Indie “Some girlfriend you've got there, Dee. Bit over-protective, huh?”
“At least she sticks around.” He retorted, not moving.
That hurt her. That cut her deep. She wasn't expecting him to take jabs at her, not when they were just getting reacquainted.
I walked over, “Whatever it is you wanted, you can't get it here. So go ahead and drive yourself back to Seattle where you belong.”
She smirked, “You think you're such a badass. What? Did Indie tell you how special you were?”
Indie stepped in, “Erin, stop.”
“Did he tell you how much he loved you?” She mocked, her hand against her heart “Did he tell you how you were the only one, and how he'd take you all over the world? That you'd be his little princess to love and spoil with all the money he made from his fancy job?”
I laughed, stepping a bit closer “Because I would never love somebody who was a good person or connected with me. That's just impossible.” Indie's hand touched my elbow.
“Dawson, we should go.” He whispered.
“You go.” I replied louder, “I'm fine here.”
He pulled me back “We'll leave together. Come on.”
In the car, Indie turned off from the usual route home. I knew he couldn't show up at the house yet, what with everything he had to tell the guys and AJ.
YOU ARE READING
Hometown Hero
Teen FictionDawson Bennet never had a permanent home. Traveling from restaurant to restaurant with her dads, no town held her in one place long enough to get comfortable with anyone. And signs don't look good, now that she's become acquainted with Indie, the to...
