Page 57 of What About Us

Because women leave.

Until they want something.

And yeah, I see the irony here. I can’t remember Ivy from high school, not one little sliver of a memory, but I can see my mom in my head like it was yesterday.

That’s so fucked up.

I know I’m supposed to be the bigger person right now and welcome Indie to the family, but I don’t know how I feel, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings. She didn’t ask for this or cause it.

So, I keep quiet.

“We have another sister,” Easton says slowly.

“You don’t have to say that,” Indie says, shaking her head. “Like I said, I’m not trying to be part of your family or ask you for anything. I needed to make sure that you know because I can’t keep this secret. It’s too big. And I see you all the time in town. I enjoy seeing you, and I don’t want this huge, weird thing to be hanging over my head.”

“I think being honest is the right thing to do,” Tucker says. “And we’ll navigate this. Because you are our sister, Indie.”

My chest aches. My head is pounding.

I’m quiet as the others get up and hug each other and exchange numbers with Indie. I hang back with my hands in my pockets, watching as Tucker smiles gently at the young woman and they share a laugh.

And finally, she turns to me.

“You intimidate the shit out of me, Xander.”

I lift an eyebrow. I wasn’t expecting that.

“Why is that?”

“Because you’re bigger than life. And you’re just . . . intimidating.”

Ava snorts and Harper winks at me. Easton and Tucker are both grinning.

Okay, I might not love this situation, and I’m having feelings, but I can’t let any woman feel weird in my presence, so I cross to her and hug her to me.

“You don’t have to feel any sort of way,” I tell her. “It’s all going to be okay. Also, if anyone gives you shit, you now have three big brothers to kick their ass. Easton is the one to be afraid of. Have you seen that guy?”

She steps out of my hold, and to my horror, she starts to cry.

“That’s a good thing,” I insist, and she laughs with the crying, which I didn’t know was possible, and wipes her tears away. “Okay, I get it. Easton makes me cry too.”

“You’re an idiot,” Easton says, flipping me off.

“I think I’m overwhelmed and relieved because I was sure you guys were gonna kick me out of here.”

“Nah, we only do that to people we don’t like,” Tucker says with a wink.

An hour later, after Indie left and the five of us talked some more, I’m emotionally exhausted when I climb in my SUV and drive away from the ranch.

I know I’m not alone in my . . . hurt? Whatever this is. I saw it in my brothers’ and sisters’ eyes. But they’re trying to be optimistic and upbeat and not show Indie that this freaks us all out.

But she has to know. She’s a smart girl.

The thought of going home to my big house by myself is not appealing, and all I can think about is seeing Ivy.

I need her.

I want to talk to her and have her near me, and I need to make sure that she’s okay, so instead of driving home, I let my car take me to her little house in town. I love her place. Sure, it’s small, but it’s cute, and she’s made it a nice home.