“What’s going on in here?” Austin asked from the doorway.
I hadn’t even heard the chime.
Dylan jabbed a finger in James’ direction. “Not sure, but we think this one here set up dear ol’ dad to put a hit on Indy’s father.”
“What the fuck?” Ryan asked as he and Nathan tromped into the room behind Austin.
“Indy?” Ryan asked with a frown. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I’m not talking about this on camera.”
“What the fuck!” Nathan roared. “You fuckers are filming her right now?”
“Not anymore.” Will dropped the camera to point at the floor. He tapped a few things on the side of the instrument. “I signed up to film reality tv, not become a fucking accessory. You’re seriously whacked in the head, James.”
James’ face was as red as the Badass Builds logo behind him as he sputtered and failed to come up with a denial.
Will shook his head, his disgust plain to see. “If this is what’s required to work for this network, I quit. But believe me, you’re gonna hear from my union rep.”
“Ditto,” Liam snapped before walking toward the door. “Sorry, Indy. I hope your dad is okay. “
Nathan and Ryan stepped further into the room so the crew could leave.
“This is bullshit!” James shouted. “You don’t have any proof, only accusations. And that doesn’t matter for shit!”
“Hey, if we’re wrong, I’ll admit it.” Dylan stepped up to James and put his fists on his hips, no doubt to keep them off the asshole producer. “But first, I want our lawyer to talk to the jail and see who exactly our sperm donor has talked to in the last week—on the phoneandin person.”
James sputtered some more before stomping out of the building red-faced and looking totally guilty.
I gave a huge, shuddering sigh. “Holy shit.”
“Indy.” Dylan spun around and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. “I am so fucking sorry. I never meant—”
“Whoa. You stop right there. None of this—I mean not a single part of it—is your fault. You are not to blame, okay? Whatever happened is on George, maybe my dad—he’s not exactly innocent—and most likely it’s on James too. None of it is your fault.”
He closed his eyes with a wince. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make it about me. I just—”
“Am used to taking the blame?” I smiled at him. “Whatever happened, we’re going to get through it together, okay? But fair warning, I might just need to lean on you a little bit. Or a lotta bit.”
“Shit,” Austin whispered from behind Dylan.
Dylan’s arms went lax from around me before falling to his sides. “Uh, about that…”
My heart froze. A tingling sensation swept over my scalp.
No.
No.
“What about that?” My voice came out shrill as my heartbeat thundered in my ears. “What’s going on?”
“You haven’t told her?” Nathan’s voice came from somewhere in the room.
I took a step backward as a heaving sob left my lips. “Just say it!”
“Indy, I don’t know what you think you—”
“That you’re breaking up with me? Kicking me out to live on my own now that I got a paycheck? Is that what I’m thinking, Dylan?” I swiped at the tears running down my face, but they just kept coming. “Am I wrong? Tell me that I’m wrong!”
