Page 166 of Fame & Chaos

Wrapping my arms around myself, I place my keys on the buffet as thunder cracks loudly outside, followed by a heavy downpour of rain.

I hope Caleb isn’t caught in it. The thought barely settles before I shove it away and secretly hope he is… the lying, cheating bastard.

Deciding I’ve had enough of today, I head to my bedroom, pull on my comfiest pajamas, and crawl into bed while trying to forget I ever met Caleb McCormack-Slade.

***

My phone’s vibration slowly wakes me. Groaning, I blink against the morning light filtering through my curtains and reach for it unquestioningly. It’s probably Caleb.

To my surprise, he didn’t come over last night or try calling again after I left the funfair. He actually gave me the space I asked for, and despite everything, I’m grateful for it.

Rolling over, I squint at the screen and see Kenzi’s name flashing across it. My brows furrow as I glance at the time before answering the call.

She never calls this early.

“Kenzi?” I murmur, my voice thick with sleep.

“Indi, are you okay?” she asks immediately, sounding tense.

I rub my eyes, confused by the question. “Yeah… what do you mean?”

“I mean about the news. Did you know they were going to tell your story?”

Every trace of sleep vanishes. “What are you talking about?” I ask, sitting bolt upright in bed.

“Oh… you don’t know?”

“Kenzi, talk to me.” She goes quiet for a second. “Kenzi,” I repeat more forcefully.

She exhales heavily. “Your parents’ story is all over the news. That, and your recent relationship with Caleb and how you broke his heart. They’re saying you guys have this long history together and that you ended things with him, and now he’s trying to put his life back together. Apparently, it’s going to do wonderful things for his career.”

My entire body goes rigid as heat floods through me so violently it feels like my blood is boiling beneath my skin. I feel sick, violated, and completely betrayed.

“I can’t believe he did this,” I whisper harshly as I throw the blankets off and storm toward my laptop.

“I thought you’d want to know. I know how private you are, and honestly, I thought it was weird that you’d let something this personal go public—”

“Well, I obviously didn’t, Kenzi!” I snap.

“I know that. Jesus, Indi, don’t bite my head off. I know you’re angry.” Her tone softens slightly. “Do you want me to come over?”

The rage starts draining out of me, leaving behind a crushing ache spreading through every inch of my body. I flip open my laptop and pull up the news website, only to freeze at the sight of mine and Caleb’s faces plastered across the homepage beneath the headline…

Seems a Nurse Can’t Heal a Broken Heart

My bottom lip trembles as I scroll lower and see a photograph of my parents.

How the hell did they even find that?

“Indi?” Kenzi asks gently.

I wipe at the tears burning down my cheeks. “How could he do this, Kenzi?” Slumping back onto the edge of the bed, I stare blankly at the screen while pain claws through my chest.

“What happened? Last I knew, things between you two were amazing.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “Well, turns out a leopard never changes his spots.”

Kenzi sighs heavily, and I can hear movement on her end of the line like she’s already getting dressed. “Right, give me your address.”