Mum and Dad are on the row in front of us. Each pod has a door so we can have privacy if we want it.
I’m by the window on the left, and Indie is on the right.
“You’re going to have to sit down soon,” I tell her.
“The seat lays flat, Spencer! I have a table, a mirror, and a TV all to myself!”
Grinning, I lean against the wall of my pod. “You really haven’t travelled a lot, have you?”
She shakes her head gently and whispers, “No.” Her eyes meet mine. “I bet this cost a fortune. I’ll be fifty before I’m able to pay you back.”
“I don’t want your money.”
I only want you.
There are colleges in America. I wish she would study there.
In eleven hours, we’ll be in LA, and she will officially be on holiday. I want to take her around the world and watch that look of wonder every day.
That is if she’ll still speak to me after I bring up the unspoken banned subject. I have my homework from Mila.
“I’ve always wanted to fly, and my first time is like this! I’ll be ruined forever. Next time I’m on a plane and flying economy, I’m going to throw up.”
Laughing, I shake my head and continue to watch her snoop around her pod until we’re asked to be seated. I’m surprised she hasn’t exploded with excitement.
Indie buckles her seatbelt and takes the glass of champagne from the flight attendant with stars in her eyes.
Turning to me, she mouths, “I’ve got champagne!”
“You’re like a kid at Christmas.”
Her eyes turn sad before she looks into her glass and sips her champagne.
Okay, what just happened?
“This is good,” she tells me, pointing to the glass with her newly painted pink nails. She went with Mum to the salon yesterday so they could have their nails done together. I don’t think I’ve seen Indie smile as much as she did when they came home. Except for when she saw first class, maybe.
“It’s really not good.”
She rolls her eyes. “What, you want beer?”
“No, it’s just not the best champagne. I’ll take you out in LA and show you.”
Neither of us drink a lot but I’m sure she will enjoy one or two with me in the nicest bar in LA. I’m going to spoil the shit out of her while she’s with me. Indie once cried when my parents bought her a small sack of Christmas presents when we were thirteen. She still gets choked up about it every year.
It was the first time I became really curious about her family. Don’t they celebrate? She doesn’t belong to any other religion that I’m aware of.
“You’re on,” she says, taking a larger swig and closing her eyes. “I never want to get off this plane. Can’t you use all of your money on around the world flights?”
“Sure, I could probably keep you in the air until you’re forty.”
She laughs. “All right, Hollywood. What do I need to know about your friends? Do they know about me?”
“It’s just Jared, Ella and Ethan, really. Of course, they know about you.”
“I’m not some childhood secret?”
“What makes you think I would keep you a secret?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Don’t you get a whole set of new celebrity friends that come with the job?”
“Like an acting starter pack?”
She nods. “Ditch the drug problem and prostitutes. It’s tacky now.”
“Noted,” I say, smirking, withholding the fact that I’ve been to a few parties that heavily contradict her statement. “You’re not a secret, Indie. Ella and Ethan know all about you. I think they’re more excited to meet you than to attend the premiere.”
She freezes as the glass is about to touch her lips again. “I highly doubt that. Look at us, meeting each other’s friends this week.”
“I like yours. Mila is… colourful.”
She laughs. “She’s amazing. I love her confidence and the lack of shits she gives.”
“Does she live alone?” I ask, clearing my throat. I know this.
“I don’t think she’ll leave home until she’s married. She has the closest family, and they all like spending time together. Being the youngest and only girl, I think she’s treated like a bit of a princess.”
I got that impression. “She has brothers?”
Indie nods, her eyes sharpening. “Two. Why do you want to know so much about her?”
“Just curious. I already knew a bit about Wren and Brody from you telling me about the marriage thing.”
“You like her?” she asks, her voice low.
I love you. “Not in that way. I’m just trying to get to know your friends.”
Mila might be stunning, but I’m not interested in her.
“I think I’m going to need another one of these soon,” she says, pointing to her drink.
This carefree Indie who smiles constantly can stay. I love seeing her so happy.
We make it into my apartment eighteen hours after we left my parents’ house. Jared picked us up and brought us back. Mum and Dad head straight to the guest bedroom to shower and sleep.
Indie folds her arms over her chest. “I’ll take the sofa. It’s fine, Spencer.”
“No. I’m not sleeping in my huge bed knowing you’re out here.”
“Your sofa is about the same size as my bed.”
I look up to the ceiling. “We share or I sleep out here.”
“Share?”
I deadpan. “I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“I’m not worried about that. You snore.”
“I do not.”
She grins, shaking her head. “Fine. We’ll share.”
I lead her into my room, pulling her tiny suitcase along with me. Flicking on the light, I dump the bags and open the door to the en-suite. “You want to shower first or share that, too?” I ask.
“You wish, Hollywood.” She grabs the handle of her case and wheels it into the bathroom. “Ladies first.”
I’m still up for sharing.
While she’s getting ready for bed, I go to the kitchen and grab two bottles of water. Tomorrow, I’ll be out all afternoon, filming for an evening entertainment show with Ella. We’re scheduled to be on for thirty minutes.
Indie and I are meeting her at a restaurant for
