He’s just a… friend.” She winks at me, then starts shimmying back to the dance floor.
“Hey!” I stop her with a quick hand around her wrist. “Who’s the guy you’re dancing with?”
She shrugs. “I think his name’s Wren or Randy or something. He’s a bit of a flirt, but nothing to worry about. I’m pretty sure Tabby’s falling in love on the spot.” She rolls her eyes and looks a little miffed.
Huh. Interesting.
And maybe I get it. Tabatha’s basically the only person she knows in Fitzroy. I wonder if she’s worried that this guy is going to steal her only friend.
It’s sweetly childlike, and my heart beats out of time when I catch the flash of vulnerability on Indy’s face.
“You’ll find someone,” I murmur, but she doesn’t hear me.
The music’s too loud, and she’s already facing away from me.
“I’m just gonna keep an eye on her,” she shouts above the beat.
“‘Kay. And I’ll keep an eye on you.”
She spins back, an impish look in her brown eyes. “Get me a drink first!” Her lips twitch with a smile, and I’m pretty sure I’d do anything she asked me to right now.
Moving past Charlie, I head for the kitchen to source out another drink. I’m aiming for water but can’t see any. Maybe one small beer wouldn’t hurt her. I move to the keg and prepare a half cup.
Charlie hovers beside me, peppering me with more questions about football.
I try to fob him off, but he blocks my path. “Seriously, dude. We need a big guy like you on our team. I could talk to Coach Simmons. He could give you a tryout. I swear, he’d be all over having a guy like you join.”
I place the beer down so I can put a hand on each of Charlie’s shoulders. “I’m unavailable. I don’t play anymore. Sorry, man. I know you don’t want to hear that, but I’m not at this school to join a team.”
“What the hell are you here for, then?”
I fight a grin, knowing I can’t tell him the truth. Shaking my head, I nearly laugh out the lie, because it is so damn absurd. “I’m here to study science and get a degree.”
The guy looks at me like I’m a wasted talent, shaking his head miserably before moving away.
I have to admit that having to reject the offer of football is kind of sad. I was a pretty good player in high school, and I miss being part of a team.
But I have a really important job here, and I’m not going to screw it up.
Stepping back into the large living area, I scan the dance floor for Indy.
I can’t see her.
My eyebrows dip into a sharp frown, and I carefully pick through the crowd once more, making sure I haven’t missed anyone.
And then my stomach drops, the heavy weight igniting a spark of panic.
Shit.
She’s gone.
15
A Sleazeball on the Dance Floor
I had one frickin’ job. Keep an eye on Indigo Shaw. Make sure I didn’t lose her. Make sure I kept her safe.
Less than thirty minutes into this party and she’s already out of my sight.
Why the hell did I agree to get her a beer?
Shitballs!
Working my way through the party, I check out the house from top to bottom. It takes me for-freaking-ever, but I don’t want to miss her, so I even check the rooms with socks on the door handles and get yelled out of a couple.
I ignore their indignation. “Indy in there?”
“Who the hell is Indy?”
One guy hurls an empty beer can at me from the bed. I shut the door, hearing it smack against the wood before moving on to the next room.
My temper rises as I search the place, anxiety working its way through me at a rapid pace as I double-check areas I passed through before, in case she’s moving around. I’m probably shifting out of an area just as she moves into it.
Dammit!
I can’t keep screwing up like this.
I can’t lose another job.
I can’t—
My thoughts derail as I come around the corner, back to the dance floor for a third time, and spot Indy suctioned to some guy. His hands are groping her butt, and his disgusting tongue just licked the side of her face.
What. The. Hell.
Steam is shooting out my nostrils as I push my way through the crowd and step up to him.
Indy giggles as Mr. Tongue pulls out of the kiss.
“You like that, baby? Maybe we should go upstairs for some more.”
“I don’t think so,” I