Fast Love (The Billionaires Club Book 3) Page 4

  First she had to grow up and complete an education. Then she could do whatever she wanted. But before all of that she would need coffee and a shower.

  She went back to the previously assigned room. She showered and put her dirty clothes back on.

  Richard wasn’t as quick as Indiana. She waited for him downstairs in the great room. She turned on the television and it echoed through the house.

  Richard finally appeared in damp magnificence. Indiana sat snuggled into the only worn chair in the room.

  He stood at the blender and made fruit smoothies in clattering loudness. He poured them into to-go cups before facing the optimistic youth.

  “Ready to go home?” Richard walked from the room. “We need to leave before the maid gets here.”

  He acted gruff. Indiana wondered if the exterior was a thin shell. He drove carefully through suburbia. Indiana felt compelled to lighten the mood.

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t sleep in the guestroom,” Indiana tried to explain.

  “I know, it’s all right. I mean, it’s not all right, obviously. The last thing I need in my career is any sort of reference to sleeping with minors.” He saw the stricken look on her face and amended. “You and I are friends, and friends like us are always friends.”

  Indiana sat up straighter at the reference of them being linked. He had actually called them us. She stared confidently at the oncoming traffic instead of the fields of green eyes beside her.

  Richard enjoyed driving the car and he told her so. Not with any words, but by nodding his head with the music, and keeping the conversation informative about true things.

  He talked about the band pumping out melodramatic rock songs, and the artists he knew. He talked about the good things and bad things about the car he was driving. They had already agreed it would be better for him to be driving the classic car with expired license plates than her. Indiana didn’t mind him driving, or him talking. She sat back, content.

  He delivered her safely home. He said goodbye quickly and drove away. His old black Fairlane was still dull in some places, and rusted in others. But nothing about its driver had lost any dazzle. The car may still need to receive its intended paintjob and chroming, but nothing about the owner needed anything. Everything seemed to work just fine.

  Then Indiana’s breath hitched. The only thing Richard needed was a wife. She knew it would take him forever to find a beautiful woman who could go fast down highways and provide intelligent conversation.

  Indiana slowly turned around and entered the house. A heavy heart escorted her absently into the living area. Indiana was in a world of her own and jumped when her mother called her.

  “Indiana? Is that you?” Ellen Bernstein walked into the room with her jewelry jangling at a fast pace. She slowed in her tracks at the sight of her daughter.

  “Indiana, you look like an orphan.” She rolled her eyes at her daughter’s cut-off shorts and fringed, sleeveless shirt barely covering her torso.

  Indiana shrugged. Fashion had been the last thing on her mind. All of her clothes were too small, but scissors had fixed her fashion woes. She studied her mom. Ellen wore a gold silk shirt and shiny capris. She always wore gold as a tribute to her father’s racing colors. Indiana realized some things would never change and found comfort in the thought.

  “I’m taking you shopping.” Ellen grabbed her purse and they were out the door.

  Indiana let her mother dress her. It must have been a sign of maturity, because Ellen’s choices were much more grown up than the last time they had been shopping together. For the first time she didn’t balk at half the suggestions. Indiana realized her mother’s choices were trendy and classic. They fit just fine.

  Indiana closed the last week of summer happier than she had been in a while. Her mother had finally granted a more adult wardrobe. Indiana felt much better equipped for her role in life. Her body was growing into its intelligence. The passage of time boosted her self-confidence immensely.

  Chapter 5

  Indiana started the fall semester of college. It felt normal to be back in classes. The freshman hazing was nothing compared to the previous years. Most of her classes were in sophomore curriculum, so she didn’t receive the newbie reception of everyone else.

  Time resumed to work on brain expansion. Homework assignments did wondrous things to help pass the time. Education was the only thing to spend those lonely adolescent years on.

  Indiana knew if she worked hard then it could be over in half the time. Indiana would be a legal adult with a college diploma in her hand at the same time. Then her future would be free to be the adult she wanted to be.

  Two things were demanded of her: a college education and growing up. Since she had to do both, then she wanted to complete them as quickly as possible.

  Indiana could have played sports or joined debate and acting teams, but she didn’t. She only wanted to finish school, so she doubled her class load.

  Another thing spurring her on was her father’s expectation of time. If he wasn’t winning or accomplishing achievements then he considered it a waste of time. Indiana easily adapted his philosophy, and determined to be like him. He had maximized time and filled it with as much as possible. His life may have been short, but there were many full and happy memories of him.

  Indiana lived in an institution of higher learning. She conformed to the environment but refused to get comfortable in it. She felt that getting comfortable with a life lacking key components would slow down achieving her goals.

  Indiana wanted to be a race car driver someday. Indiana threw herself into the necessary steps of graduating.

  She tried to keep boys’ interested eyes off of her. But trying and succeeding were worlds apart. Her self-confidence placed her above others. She ignored the interested looks and floated through the sea of faces. She turned a blind eye to inquisitive looks from girls and suggestive looks from men.

  Indiana was a solitary marvel. The school year progressed. Indiana refused to stay at the library past dark, or seclude herself at any time without a phone stuck to her ear. Indiana tried to avoid placing herself in harmful positions, but the situation couldn’t be avoided.

  Indiana had been part of a study group late one night. She walked warily home from the library. A dark corner of campus caught her unawares. Someone pulled her behind the stark bushes.

  A gruff adolescent boy fell on her. He fumbled with her clothes. Indiana clawed his back. She tried to jerk her hips to the side. She couldn’t move an inch, but she did succeed in upsetting her attacker.

  “Oh, you’re a tough girl, even better.” The bully subdued her with a punch.

  Indiana choked with the fist on her neck.

  Her hope dwindled as he punched his way to the lowest target. Indiana gave up. The thought of being a victim made her cry. She didn’t want to be another sad statistic.

  Just in time, someone helped her. The boy coming to her aid was the poster boy for Caucasian good looks. Calvin LaBeau might have been the most popular boy in school, and definitely the best looking. Indiana had seen him around. He always seemed distant, but had a straight nod for a greeting.

  Calvin threw himself into extreme physical routines and won countless awards. He had a good combination of brains and brawn. Being a mute didn’t slow his athleticism at all. Calvin had created the antithesis to handicap.

  Part of his allure made women and girls whisper how they wanted to make him sing. Men tried to replicate his aloof and serious façade. The center of popularity ensconced him, and his presence on campus was sharp.

  Calvin subdued the attacker with a few well-aimed punches. When he helped Indiana to her feet, a lifelong friend had been made.

  Calvin made wide, questioning eyes at her.

  “Thank you.” Indiana gave him a big, bare chested hug.

  Calvin let her thank him for a short while, and then looked down and buttoned her shirt. He picked up her bag of books and held her hand firmly. He led her away from the recoverin
g molester and gathering crowd.

  Indiana and Calvin were the newest couple on campus. They held hands and hugged, and sometimes kissed in greeting or goodbye. No one noticed how far away from romantic their relationship was. They were commonly together. Indiana never balked once at going everywhere with him.

  The next Sunday, Indiana watched the big race cars circle the track. When she remained riveted to the broadcast of great race cars, Calvin looked at Indiana like she was a naughty girl, and she shrugged.

  “I can’t help it. I like older men.” Indiana smiled and then laughed fully at the release of a stored secret.

  Calvin nodded like he fully understood her. They were both stunned when the object of her desire ended the race in the celebratory top five. They continued to watch the beginning of a party.

  Richard kissed his date in the winner’s circle. He picked up the beaming woman and twirled her around. Indiana rewound and rewound, looking for a sign of affection on his face when he raised his eye before breaking the kiss. Calvin took the remote and shut the broadcast off.

  Chapter 6

  Time passed quickly as Indiana made the grade in school, but every night the built up man of her memory accounted for sleepless, pillowed thoughts. Indiana became worn out and tired. She started to sleep more, and her grades took a slight dip.

  At Christmastime, Indiana realized Calvin used her as a cover as well. They were walking through the mall in a late holiday rush.

  She looked closely at some exquisite exhibits sparkling behind thick glass. Her mother and brother were easy to shop for, and she already had proof of it in her bags. But she wanted to get something for Richard as well. After spending days looking, she finally found something.

  Indiana got excited about a novelty for sale. A double-sided engine block hung from a simple chain. It wasn’t shiny or heavy but that was secondary to the detailed chiseling of the mold. Indiana had to have it.

  For once, Calvin put space between himself and Indiana. It only took a second for the change in her friend to become apparent. He smiled at the employee whose name tag read ‘Charley.’

  Indiana believed in love at first sight and watched Calvin and Charley smile at each other.

  They exchanged an electric look and stared at each other blankly. Their reactions showed immediate attraction. They stood in a busy Christmas store and silently recognized pieces of their soul in each other.

  Indiana knew someday her own soulmate would ease her heart and entire being. A rush of relief lightened her. In a blink she felt much better about Calvin. They could keep their intellectual friendship and be friends, just like she wanted.

  Calvin had already told her about being invited to attend college on scholarship. Calvin was considered a man’s man, and nothing about him signified otherwise. But now they both knew the truth. His choice of lover could dry up some of those funds and make scholastic achievements restrictive.

  He hid his sexual preference. Indiana could completely understand this. She hid her underage love for other reasons. Calvin and Indiana would be a cover team for the rest of college.

  She felt better. The stress of giving Calvin sex had weighed heavily on her. He hadn’t made any needs or requests, but now she understood why.

  Indiana watched Calvin change before her eyes. He blushed when he looked at Indiana’s knowing eyes. They both had a lot of relief. Later they would sign, text, and work out their feelings of happiness. In the meantime, Indiana tried to make and keep friends. She assumed a position as mediator.

  “Hi, Charley. My friend, Calvin, and I would like to see a necklace.”

  “Oh, hi, Calvin.” The friendly employee barely gave any attention to her and continued to chatter. He didn’t seem to notice one of his customers grinning from ear to ear, and the other doing all the talking.

  “You like the engine, sweetie? They are hot right now. I only have two left.” Charley leaned over the counter.

  Indiana didn’t hesitate or look at the price. “I’ll take them both.”

  Charley set both jewelry boxes between them.

  “Do you want to look at nicer chains?” Charley hinted.

  Indiana nodded.

  She picked out two silver chains. One chain was masculine and thick, with a dainty matching version beside it. Indiana learned a long time ago how to minimize shopping time.

  “Do you have anything else I might like?”

  “No, nothing else signifies speed. But I do think I might have a few things Calvin might like.”

  Indiana could take a hint. “All right, well, I’ve got to get my hair done before I see my mom, so I guess I’ll see you later, Calvin.”

  “You’re going to get your hair done? I’m coming with,” Charley said.

  Indiana welcomed the honest and humorous addition to her growing circle of friends.

  Charley turned out to have a great eye for fashion. Indiana glowed at the end of the makeover.

  She had to make one more stop before going to the dormitory. Her present had to be en route today to be received in time for Christmas.

  Indiana wrote a quick note before stuffing it in a package.

  Dear Richard,

  I found the heart of the car.

  Merry Christmas,

  Indy

  Before leaving the shipping depot’s busy parking lot, Indiana hung the new chain from her neck. She felt much better with a blocky heart-shaped motor close to her body.

  Christmas came. Indiana carefully prepared for the proximity of her loved ones. This would be a different Christmas than all the ones before it. Indiana took the flight to meet her mother’s new boyfriend and family. She didn’t know how she would feel to be in a stranger’s house for the heartwarming holiday. But it didn’t matter how she felt. Being anywhere without the family home or her father would be a gouge in the heart.

  This year she greeted the smooth cheek of Ellen and her brother, Tommy. The broken up family was treated as equal outsiders for the first time.

  Indiana’s thoughtfulness was mistaken for grace. Having a docile temperament turned into a blessing. The extreme childishness of the doctor and his three white-haired midgets made mayhem look like a peaceful picnic by the lake.

  The differences between Ellen’s family and the doctor’s family mixed up the relationship a little too much. The three days were stressful and Indiana couldn’t believe she missed her dorm. All three Bernsteins hustled away shortly after the holiday.

  Chapter 7

  Indiana pushed herself in school. Indiana’s grades were always at the top of the class. She didn’t feel like this was a great accomplishment. Most of the students were sex crazed or partying, while Indiana took her classes and assignments seriously. This internal drive she possessed was enough to make her proceed and excel. Other students were different. She felt like an eternal outsider.

  Indiana’s sixteenth birthday finally came. It marked a bittersweet progression. A full year had passed since the death of her father. Drastic changes in her life reminded her constantly.

  Sadness wound itself into full-blown depression. The only thing she could enjoy would be getting older; but receiving more human rights still seemed far off.

  The week before, her mom had sent new clothes and the packages arrived for days. Her brother sent a new electronic item. They had reached out to her, and Indiana appreciated it, but it didn’t ease the heartache and sadness.

  The special day usually marked some sort of celebration. Instead it found the birthday girl alone and refiguring mathematical equations.

  The sound of a semi-truck parking on hydraulic brakes brought Indiana out of her book.

  She stood up and opened the curtains over her desk. The truck and its trailer were blocking a whole row of cars in the quad. The scene was unusual. Then Indiana recognized the smooth black lines of the car she’d spent all summer touching.

  Indiana ran outside to the driver. He slowly and carefully lowered the gleaming trophy from the trailer. The car rolled backwards o
nto the glistening blacktop.

  Indiana watched excitedly. The truck driver looked at her.

  “You must be Indy Bernstein.” He eyed her carefully.

  “Yes.” Indiana nodded eagerly.

  “I have to say happy birthday.” He held out the keys to her.

  “Thank you,” Indiana said in awe.

  She took the keys and studied them. Two round keys and two square keys were on a modest ring. A fifth, sixth, and seventh accompaniment to the ring were a large golden skeleton key, and two generics. She only needed two keys to the car, and wondered about the importance of the unknown decorations in the collection.

  The auto hauler pulled into the distance. With the ensuing silence, she sat behind the shiny steering wheel. The car looked brand new again. The seats were reupholstered in slick black and midnight blue accents. It matched the new gauges, radio lights, and fuzz buster. Indiana swore she could smell the faint scent of cigar smoke mingled with glue and plastics.

  She knew exactly where the car came from. Inside the glove compartment little pieces of paper had her name on it. Someone had thoughtfully insured the car for her already.

  A little box with a bow sat in a little forlorn state. A plain card sat beside it. The sealed envelope had wide, sloping letters in a classy man’s handwriting. It said one word:

  Indy.

  Indiana’s fingers shook at the letter. She could hardly do it justice by opening it in the midst of the gathering classmates. She rolled the rumbling behemoth of a car out of the schoolyard.

  Indiana and her Chevelle found a close highway where they could unwind and be free. She drove up the side of a mountain slowly. Periodically, a gap in the trees would let the distance be seen from the road.