Indy swung her eyes my way, and I knew what she was thinking. She’d seen everything I’d painted before she moved out. Years worth of work piled up in the spare room closet. We’d gone through it one day, talking about media and style. Who inspired us and who we didn’t understand. We’d shared our work with each other—my canvases and her sketch pads since it was all she had on her.
That had been one of my favorite nights.
Indy tipped her head. “Maybe one day. I haven’t painted much lately. Been too busy between work, volunteering, catching up with friends, and finally settling into the apartment.”
“Do you need anything on that last front, dear?” Aunt Wendy asked with a frown. “We’re all more than happy to give you a hand if there’s something you need. I happen to have four capable sons who aren’t afraid to pitch in.”
Indy smiled down at her plate. “I’m good, but thank you. Just trying to make it mine, if you know what I mean. Which reminds me, you left some yearbooks in a closet, Sabrina, if you want them.”
“Oh sure.” Sabrina beamed at Indy. “I’ll swing by this weekend and pick them. Sorry about that.”
Indy shrugged and turned back to her plate.
Everyone else glared at me.
“Have you heard back from your college?” I asked her softly, trying in vain to keep something between the two of us.
Indy nodded.
Yeah, this wasn’t going to work. I couldn’t draw her out of her shell with all these people sitting around staring at us like we were their personal entertainment.
Hunger finally winning out over angst, I dug into my dinner.
“I’ve been meaning to thank you.” Indy’s soft voice had me freezing in place a few minutes later.
“Seriously? Why?” I blurted out without a thought.
Indy giggled—no doubt at the bafflement in my voice—and the sound of her laughter made me smile.
“Well, not for kicking me out if that’s what you’re thinking—especially your crap timing.” Her tone was joking, but her words wiped the smile off my face.
My fork fell to my plate with an audible clink.
She winced. “Sorry, that was kinda harsh—true—but harsh.”
I nodded. I got it. I really did. A lot had changed for her in a small amount of time, and it was a dick move to have her leave when she did. Most days I still agreed with Aunt Wendy that it had been best for Indy.
This, however, didn’t feel like one of those days.
Indy sighed. “Sorry. I’m supposed to be thanking you, but I sound like a bitch.”
“You’re allowed to feel how you feel.”
“I was angry at first. So angry.” She darted a look around the table and clocked all the eyes on our end of the table. Tipping her head away from our audience, she stared down at her plate.
I groaned. “Seriously, guys?”
“Mufflers!” Austin yelled.
“Someone pass the yams?” Maddie asked loudly, despite the fact that the dish was right in front of her.
“Come on.” I grabbed Indy’s hand and pulled her up from the table. On our way by, I grabbed the gravy boat. “We’re just going to get more gravy.”
“Take your time, you two!” Aunt Wendy waved at us.
I rolled my eyes.
So fucking obvious.
