Page 197 of True Blue

Indie is amazing at her job. I know this. I’ve seen it. What the fuck could she be under investigation for?

“Elder abuse. Professional misconduct. Financial exploitation.” Her voice shakes harder with each phrase, like every word is a slap she had to sit through. “Apparently, I began a relationship with you so I could manipulate Ellie into leaving me money when she died. I didn’t even know about the fucking inheritance until you came to London!”

“I know, honey, I know,” I soothe, my mind going a mile a minute. Rage is swirling in my gut, white hot and almost blinding, but I shove it aside because my girl is shaking in my arms. “I know you didn’t⁠—”

“Teddy, they think that I coerced Ellie into leaving me money!” Indie cries, tears steadily falling from her eyes as she shakes her head almost frantically. Her hands curl as she fists the front of my shirt like I’m anchoring her to earth. “I would never! You know I loved Ellie! I didn’t care about money⁠—”

“Shhh…” I soothe her, “Baby, I know—okay, I know. You loved Ellie. She loved you. This is bullshit. Nothing but fucking bullshit.”

“Teddy,” Indie asks, her voice sounding so small now. “What am I going to do? What if I lose my license? Everything I studied for, what if it’s ripped away from me? What if I can’t be a doctor anymore? I worked so hard—” Indie breaks into a sobbing shriek, burying her face in her hands. I’ve never seen her cry like this, and the sight of it is tearing me apart.

“We’re going to figure this out, okay?” I gently pull her hands away from her face and cradle her face, letting her meet my eyes so she can see how fucking serious I am. “We’re going to fix this.”

Indie nods after a moment, before her lips press into a line. “Teddy, you know who reported me.”

Anger spikes in my chest at that, because yes, I do. I know exactly who would have done this. Someone I thought might let go when she realized she had driven away all her children. I haven’t spoken to my mother since I blocked her number.

I have no desire to.

But, she just fucked with Indie.

And I’m going to be the one to handle it.

My jaw sets. “And she’s not going to get away with it.”

Indie blinks at my words, brows and eyes softening at the thunderous expression on my face.

I snarl quietly, “I promise, honey, I won’t let her get away with it. I swear to God.”

Indie’s face collapses again, and I just do what I can in this moment. I wrap my arms around Indie and fold her into my chest, feeling her melt against me like she’s allowing me to take some of the weight.

I’ll take all of it onto my shoulders if it means she’ll be safe and happy.

“She’s not going to get away with it,” I say, my voice low. A vow to Indie, and I press a long kiss to her forehead, sealing it. “I promise.”

37

INDIE

MARCH

Ihonestly never thought I’d ever come back to Chicago.

And truthfully, I hoped I never would when I left. This city holds too many bad memories, the feelings that accompany them drowning out even the best of them—of Ellie, of Phoebe, of meeting Teddy and falling into the greatest love I’ve ever known.

This place was never my home, but that’s because home isn’t just a place for me.

It’s something I create wherever I go.

As long as I have Teddy with me, I’m home.

So, I thought Chicago would just be a distant memory.

Of course, Ellie is buried here, but she always told me, because she always spoke so casually about her death, not to waste time talking to dead bodies six feet under. Not unless I felt a purpose in doing so. I think it’s definitely subjective, as some patients’ families have told me they feel closer to their loved ones while speaking to their gravestones, while others find it unnecessary.

But Ellie said she wasn’t going to be in that old, broken-down body anymore. She would be dancing in the stars with her Ted. If I wanted to talk to her, all I had to do was say her name.mAnd I choose to believe that.

Heath and Luke didn’t want us to come back. When Teddy and I first officially got back together, he called them to update them on everything, much like I did with my new friends. Then we gave each other our phones when our respective friends asked to speak to us, and I smiled as Heath and Luke congratulated us and said they would come out to visit with their girlfriends, see the ocean, the boardwalk, and the house Teddy fixed up for us.