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INDIE

retrouvaille: (n.) the joy of meeting or finding someone again after a long separation; rediscovery

W ith a sob, I threw my purse on my bed, then flung myself onto it.

Thank fuck Nia took Travis to hang with the girls before we headed to the game tonight while Theo and I were at the press conference.

The empty house felt strange yet so alarmingly familiar, and if Travis had been home, explaining to him how his dad went all caveman and punched his teammate because…

I couldn’t even complete the thought, because that meant I had to process the situation, and the thought of diving into the details made me want to throw up.

Theo knocked out Hayden in front of everyone, virtually undoing all the good PR our fake relationship had done over the past two months or so.

To be honest, almost everyone thought we’d been dating for far longer.

Partly because we spun my ‘nanny’ position as the cover for us rediscovering each other.

In a way, we had been finding each other again. The nights spent watching movies or taking Travis to the park or that damn jump place he and the girls loved. The trips to the zoo and aquarium or the Lego store. Nights building, brick by brick, long after Travis fell fast asleep.

Conversations over takeout.

The ways he learned my body, and punished my sass. Made me shatter and then taking care of me after. From new journals left on the counter alongside. My favorite pens and Sharpies when he left for away stretches that lasted more than a few days.

FaceTime before and after games.

Shit.

When had I fallen for Theo?

Tears fell down, soaking my pillow as I finally admitted what I subconsciously knew all along.

I’d always loved Theo. Even as I hated him, I loved him.

And knowing that Isaac made him promise to not only watch over me, but to not cross any lines only made me love him more.

If anything else, Theo had done what he had always done for me. Made sure I was okay. From the night at the haunted house, to the auction and Book Boyfriend Charity Calendar when he agreed to be our #SINGLEDAD/#HOCKEYDADDY.

And all the damn Blind Date books he picked out weekly and promoted on his social media.

A soft knock sounded at my bedroom door. Dread filled me, because if Theo came home now, there was no way he’d make the game in time. If there was one thing I never wanted to do was to interfere with his career.

“Theo, go away,” I called, sniffling and wiping my eyes.

“It’s me, Indie.” Eden said through the door. “Can I come in?”

I stood up and unlocked the door, then flopped back on my bed. The one I hadn’t slept in for over a week.

“I know this isn’t the best situation, and trust me, I know about the hockey boyfriend decking a guy over you, but…” The bed sank as she sat down next to me. “I think you should check your phone before you make any rash decisions.”

I lifted my head, confused. “What?”

She handed me my phone. “You left it in the media center, and Serena asked me to stop by. But, you should look at it.”

I groaned and sat up as I snatched it from here.

Ten text messages.

All from Theo.

THEO: Indie, I know you hate me, but please. Text me when you get home.

THEO: I wouldn’t blame you for not coming tonight, but Travis will be heartbroken.

THEO: If you want to leave, I’ll stay somewhere else for a few days until you figure things out.

THEO: Fuck that. I don’t want you to leave.

THEO: Let me know you’re ok.

THEO: INDIE

THEO: If you’re trying to punish me, I get it.

THEO: My patience can only handle so much, Trouble.

THEO: Come to the game with Travis.

THEO: Please. I have something to show you.

I read the last one and glared at the phone. “He really thinks being the fuck boy of hockey for the last six, no his entire career, is just gone?” My head spun as I chucked my phone behind me.

“Indie, Cole overheard him talking to Serena after you left.”

“What, did he laugh at how gullible I was thinking anything mattered when his dick used to party like it was 1999?”

Eden stood up and put her hand on her hips.

“No, actually, his dick only ‘partied’ with one person, and he felt horrible after, and that girl was Travis’ mom.

Because he was head over fucking heels for you, you stubborn pain in the ass.

” Her voice echoed off the walls, and my jaw dropped because Eden never raised her voice.

She raised her eyebrows. “What, nothing to say?”

“He what?”

“Indie. The man wasn’t his ‘reputation’ because he loves you. And if he hadn’t tried out the one night stand trope once, then no Travis. Which turned out to be a g-”

“Theo wasn’t a man whore?”

Eden shook her head.

“And he loves me?”

She nodded. “And he’s miserable right before-”

“The game. Shit.” I stood up. “Oh God. Let me clean up, then will you-”

“Go with you and cheer on our hockey boys? Yes. Move, we have a timetable.”