Page 115 of Addicted

I reached over and put my hand on her thigh, squeezing gently.

“You good?” I asked.

She nodded but didn’t look at me.

“Yeah,” she said quietly. “Just ready to get home.”

I didn’t push.

***

During the entire flight, Indie was miserable. She couldn’t keep any food or water down. Every time the flight attendant brought her something, she’d take a few sips or bites, then have to rush to the bathroom.

Aurora kept looking at her with worried eyes.

“You sure you okay, babe?” Aurora asked for the third time.

Indie nodded weakly. “I’m fine. Just something I ate.”

Ishmael was sitting across from us, his face tight with concern. “You need anything, Indie?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I’m good, Ish. Don’t worry.”

But I could see the worry all over his face. Destiny rubbed his arm, trying to comfort him.

Kenzo caught my eye from across the cabin and raised an eyebrow. I just shook my head slightly.

Not yet.

Indie got up again and rushed to the bathroom. I followed her. She was on her knees in front of the toilet, dry heaving. Nothing was coming up because there was nothing left in her stomach.

I knelt down beside her and rubbed her back in slow circles. She leaned into me, her body trembling. “I feel like shit,” she whispered.

“I know,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “We’ll be home soon.”

She nodded against my chest.

We stayed like that for a few minutes before she pulled back and wiped her mouth with a tissue.

“I’m sorry for ruining the end of the trip,” she said, her voice small.

I cupped her face in my hands and made her look at me. “You didn’t ruin shit,” I said. “You hear me?”

She nodded, tears filling her eyes. I kissed her forehead, then helped her stand up.

We went back to our seats, and I pulled her onto my lap, holding her close for the rest of the flight. By the time we landed in LA, Indie was exhausted and miserable. She could barely keep her eyes open.

We said our goodbyes to Aurora and Kenzo in theairport parking lot. Aurora hugged Indie tight, whispering something in her ear that I couldn’t hear. Indie nodded and hugged her back.

Kenzo dapped me up. “Good trip, bro,” he said.

“Yeah,” I said. “It was.”

He looked at Indie, then back at me, a knowing look in his eyes, but he didn’t say anything. Just nodded and walked away with Aurora.

We climbed into the SUV—me, Indie, Ishmael, and Destiny. Javion drove us to Destiny’s house first. Ish walked her to the door, kissed her goodnight, then jogged back to the truck. Then we headed to the estate.

The drive was quiet.