A Change Of Hands..

INDIEGO

Dreams plagued my mind. Fleeting touches that ghosted over my arms as I stared into the dark of my consciousness. Voices fading into nothing as I screamed for Emily, for Braxton—for anyone to hear me. And someone did.

Only… not the one I wanted.

A rougher voice whispered my name. “Indigo”

Slade?

What was he doing in my dream? I opened my mouth to say something even though I was unsure that I would find my words but I paused at the warm feel of skin against mine.

Fingers traced down my arm like smoke, lingering where warmth shouldn’t be, especially not in my dreams. It shouldn't feel that real. And just when the shadow began to close in, I jerked awake with a strangled gasp.

Fuck.

My neck ached from sleeping upright, my eyes gritty and swollen. I was still perched on the edge of the bed, fully dressed, the imprint of last night’s tears still visible on my cheeks.

God. What time was it?

Before I could check, a sharp knock rattled the door.

“Indie?” Teresa’s voice floated in, laced with polite concern. “Are you awake, dear?”

I blinked blearily at the door, throat too dry to answer.

The handle clicked, and she peeked in, her expression soft. “Oh, sweetheart.” Her tone softened when her gaze landed on me and I pulled back to the present. “You’re still asleep?”

Had I left my door unlocked? I thought I locked it. Maybe I hadn't.

“I’m… up,” I rasped, though it sounded more like a lie as I forced myself off the bed, rubbing at my eyes.

“You overslept,” she chided gently, stepping further in. “Everyone’s already gathered downstairs. We were waiting on you to start.”

“Start?” My voice came out small, half-dead. Start what?

“The wedding rehearsal, darling.”

Right. That.

A groan crawled up my throat. The very thing I’d been dreading. My reminder that the man I loved was marrying someone else, and I was choreographing the whole damn fairytale for the both of them.

What pleasant news to start the day.

I rubbed my temple. “I’ll… be down in a few minutes.”

Teresa smiled, motherly and warm, blissfully unaware of the turbulence that rocked my heart. “Of course, dear. Take your time but not too long, hmm? You’re the star of today’s show.”

If only she knew how much I wanted to quit the role.

“Yes” I forced a smile, eager for her to leave so I could wallow in my self misery again but clearly, she had other plans in mind.

“Indie,” She called, then paused, dragging a hand through her curls in an action that mirrored Slade's habits. Snap out of it, Indie. “About yesterday…”

My heart deflated and I felt my defense mechanisms wire at that. “I don't wanna talk about it” I turned back around, suddenly interested in the rumpled sheets of the bed.

She stepped forward, I could feel her presence imposing and…present behind me. “I heard about it. From Bianca. I kinda knew that this was going to happen”

Silence. It felt like something was lodged in my throat. This wasn't the type of conversation I ever wanted to have with her but I listened. “You knew?”

A low laugh escaped her. “I'm not blind, I saw the way you looked at him. I'm truly sorry that this didn't work out your way but…for the sake of everyone, I think it's best you move on. It's a wedding…” A smile curled her lips. “You'll find a good match, let's not make Bianca feel threatened or anything, shall we? I'm sure that's not your goal”

I didn't answer that question. Of course she would tell me to move on. The question rang in my head. “Like Slade?” I asked, my voice rough as a chuckle escaped my lips.

The smile on her face wiped off. “That shouldn't be at the top of your list” She muttered under her breath. “Well, get ready and come down” Her tone changed again like she had not gone from telling me to forget her son, stay away from his twin then telling me to come down.

When she finally left, I dragged myself to the bathroom to at least look presentable as I let my hair fall around my face in waves and then I grabbed my clipboard, walking out of the room.

By the time I made it down the hallway, my feet felt like lead, heavy and damning. Laughter floated from the main room—the sound of people who hadn’t spent the night wallowing in humiliation.

Halfway there, a familiar scent hit me first and my breath hitched. Then the sound of footsteps.

Brax.

I froze mid-step as he rounded the corner and we were right in front of each other. Memories of the previous night floated through my mind and I looked at him, my eyes wide and my heart thumping as he approachedㅡHe was going to apologize, he wasㅡ

“Brax…” The words fell out of my lips but he completely ignored me.

His eyes brushed past me without stopping, his face unreadable. No greeting. No acknowledgment. Just a brief glance and then…nothing.

He walked straight by, his shoulder grazing mine, leaving behind only the whiff of his cologne lingering in the air and the sting of being invisible.

Right. Back to strangers.

I forced down the lump in my throat and kept walking.

Inside, the room hummed with energy. Bridesmaids in pastel, groomsmen laughing too loud, Bianca glowing like the centerpiece she was meant to be. My stomach twisted at the realization that Emily wasn't there.

Then, as I looked around, still lingering at the door—of course because what was I expecting—came the devil’s voice.

“About time Sleeping Beauty joined us,” Slade drawled, lounging near the archway like he owned it. His smirk widened when our eyes met and I struggled not to think about what had happened or almost happened between us last night. “Dibs on being your partner down the aisle.”

How could he stay so calm like he was not one second from devouring me last night and I wasn't one inch from letting him do it?

A few heads turned as he wasn't particularly subtle with his words, chuckles rippling through the room. I ignored them all, clutching my clipboard tighter and I forced my voice steady. “Let’s get started.”

The room quieted under my tone—well, I guess years of directing rehearsals still had its perks.

“Alright, everyone. Positions.”

I moved through the crowd, pointing, instructing, correcting postures, spacing, teaching smiles—every motion seemed like muscle memory shielding me from emotion as I was awfully aware of Braxton who was by the corner with his arm firmly around Bianca's waist.

But then came the part I’d dreaded most.

“The couple dance,” I said, flipping to the next page in my notes. My voice wavered only slightly. “Brax, let's have the first dance together so I can show Bianca the steps again so she can—”

When I looked up, he wasn’t even watching me.

“I’ll show her myself,” he said simply, turning toward Bianca.

The words hit harder than they should have. I felt every eye in the room shift—first to him, then to me. The clipboard in my hand suddenly weighed a ton and it felt like he had stabbed the knife deeper in my guts.

“I—” I swallowed, forcing a tight smile. “Of course. I was only trying to—”

“Save it,” someone murmured, maybe Emily’s voice in my head, maybe my own.

I turned, ready to retreat before the humiliation could crush me completely, when a hand caught mine.

Strong and warm.

Slade.

“Guess that makes you my partner,” he murmured, his grin dangerous and slow. “Unless you plan on leaving me hanging too like he did to you but I suppose you're not that cruel.”

Before I could protest, he tugged me forward, spinning me until my chest collided with his. The sudden closeness stole my breath and I was aware of the stares.

“Permission to dance, princess?” he asked, voice low enough for only me to hear.

His fingers flexed around mine, his other hand resting lightly at the small of my back—close enough to make my pulse stutter but firm enough to remind me I could step away if I wanted.

I should’ve but I didn’t.

Because for the first time all morning, someone was looking at me and God help me, it felt good.

His voice dipped so only I could hear him. “Say yes, Princess… and we'll give them a show”