My brothers of course had a lot of words to shout at my back as we left.
“Come on, Dyl!” Austin groaned.
“Nice for you to prove us right!” Nathan sneered.
Ryan was suspiciously silent. He didn’t try to cajole me into staying.
But then he didn’t defend me either.
I was all alone. Again.
After climbing into my truck, I slammed the door shut like I was closing it on my family.
“Um, this is awkward, but do you think I still have a job?” Indy’s voice was loud in the quiet cab.
And also reminded me of her presence. Guess I wasn’t so alone after all.
I rubbed a hand over my face. “I’m so sorry for tangling you up in this shit.”
“I mean, it’s not like my alliance is in question. If I have to choose between the job or you, I’m going to pick you.”
Dropping my hands, I stared at her in confusion. “What? Why? You need a job.”
“Because you’re a good guy, Dylan. I’m a stranger to you, but you went out of your way to make sure I have a safe place to stay. Food. A job.”
“That last part is in question at the moment.”
She shrugged. “So I’ll find another one. It’s not what’s important. You are. And if your brothers can’t see that, then screw them.”
“If you knew half of the things I’d done, you wouldn’t say that.”
“Did you kill someone?”
“Well, no.”
“Commit rape?”
“No.”
She gave me a look like I’d made her point for her.
I laughed. “If that’s your barometer of a person, I think we need to have a serious talk about morals and values.”
She rolled her eyes. “All I’m saying is that you haven’t done anything unforgiveable. I heard you sincerely apologize last night. It’s on them to accept it or not.”
I moved my shoulders uncomfortably. “I guess.”
“They need to get over it and move on like the adults they’re screaming at you to be. So yeah, if it ever comes down to needing to make a choice then I choose you. I’m officially Team Dylan. No regrets.”
For the first time in a long time, the feeling of peace and just connection swept over me.
Indy got me.
She picked me.
I couldn’t remember the last time someone prioritized me.
I didn’t know how much I needed that.
