The Outback Heart (16 page)

‘Thank you, Dad. I love it,’ she whispered.

Allan nodded and gestured to Jasper. ‘Jasper got it all framed.’

After hugging her brother and shedding some more tears, Indi held up her gift. It was a beautiful collection of photos of Indi with her mum, in a rustic jarrah frame. Even Troy felt the lump rise in his throat. The central photo of Indi and her mum sitting in a patch of wildflowers and laughing was perfect. He hadn’t seen Indi that happy; her whole face was alive and beautiful.

As the conversation resumed Troy remembered that he had to head back to the car to take his pills.

‘Jaffa, is the car unlocked?’

‘Yeah, mate, of course.’

He left the table, and the chatter. Luckily they were the only ones in the restaurant. Tegan said it might be closing down as they didn’t get enough customers to make it viable. It was a shame because it was a beaut little spot.

Troy grabbed his bottle of water and fumbled through the side pocket in the back seat for his medication. He cupped the pills in his hand and counted them out before swallowing a few at a time.

‘You got a headache?’ asked Indi, who was just coming out from the toilets, which were just between the car park and the front door.

‘Yeah,’ he said, shoving the last few in his mouth and washing them down.

‘That’s a lot for a headache.’ Indi didn’t come closer but Troy knew she could see plenty from where she was.

He took his time, putting his water and pills away, shut the door and walked over to her. Her eyes were large and questioning. He didn’t like lying to Indi. ‘Just some other medication.’ He gave her a wink and took her arm to guide her back inside. She smiled but he could tell she was concerned. ‘Nothing to worry about,’ he said, trying to reassure her.

Indi paused, making Troy stop beside her. Her hand went over his, squeezing it tenderly. ‘But I do worry.’ She was gazing at him. Just as she started to gravitate towards him, he pulled back. Why had he not noticed that desire in her eyes before? He pulled his hand free. She was waiting for something he could never give her.

‘Let’s get you back to your guests,’ he said. Indi sprang back and nodded. He could tell she was upset, clenching her jaw. He resisted the urge to tuck back the stray hairs that had blown across her cheek in the cold night breeze. As though she could read his thoughts, she shivered. Putting his hand on the small of her back, he guided her gently. ‘Come on.’

He opened the door for her and let her walk in ahead but she glanced back at him. Her perfect heart-shaped face was full of concern, confusion, and among it all there shone a glimmer of determination. He knew she wasn’t ready to give up on him and tonight probably just made her even more strong-minded to figure him out. Damn, she was a lot like Freddie.

When he got back to the table Tegan was carrying a cake out from the kitchen. The candles were all lit and she placed it in front of Indi.

It was a big black forest cake and the light from the candles made Indi look angelic. She caught Troy’s eye and he could feel the current run between them. She smiled, closed her eyes and leaned down to blow the candles out. Everyone erupted in cheers but Troy was too busy hoping that he wasn’t her wish. Because if he was, then she’d just wasted it.

A
week after her party and Indi still smiled when she thought about the beautiful present her dad had arranged for her. But right now it was game day and she had to push that to the back of her mind and focus on the game.

‘F? What the hell can I go as starting with the letter F?’ Indi asked, as she threw up her hands. She was standing at the edge of the oval, the earth trembling as guys crashed and fell while fighting for possession. Players were shouting for the ball, huffing and puffing and thumping their feet as they ran.

Tegan scrunched up her nose as she thought. ‘The party’s tonight, Indi. How can you just be thinking about this now?’ Tegan asked. ‘Jesus, you were the one who organised it.’ Tegan laughed at her friend. After a few seconds she held up a finger. ‘Oh, I’ve got it. I’m thinking of someone and you’ll need a can of red hair spray. Can you guess?’ she said.

Indi was only half listening to the conversation. Her eyes were fixed across the field, watching Spud run with the ball. ‘You’re hot. You’re hot, Spud,’ she screamed just as the Kulin–Kondinin player threw himself at Spud. But Spud had managed to get a handball off to Patrick, who’d just lost his tagger. Indi cheered and clapped as Patrick bounced the ball once, sidestepped another player, bounced again and let off a banana kick from the side pocket, sailing it end over end through the big white posts for a goal. ‘You beauty. Go Pat,’ she yelled, jumping up and down.

Indi glanced at Troy. He was a few metres away and still clapping. She was hoping he’d turn and send her a smile but he was focused on the game, or just focused on ignoring her. After her party last week things had been different. She had obviously overstepped an invisible line. The joking about had all but gone. He didn’t even stand next to her at training any more, always keeping himself busy showing the guys something or doing anything to maintain distance between them at all times. Was he scared? Could he not handle being close to her? He always tensed up when she came too close. He was like a jittery horse. Or maybe she was just pursuing the impossible?

‘Indi? Can you guess?’

Indi realised she’d been staring off into space. ‘Huh?’

‘Hello – the dress-up party! Come as something starting with F. Remember, you came up with it. F for Finals. You asked me what you could come as?’ Tegan threw her head back and sighed as Indi tried to focus on what the hell Tegan was on about. ‘Freddie Mansfield! That’s who you should come as. You’re no fun.’ Tegan sighed and mumbled, ‘You’re just like my dad when the footy’s on TV.’

‘Sorry, I got lost in the game.’
Amongst other things
, she thought. ‘But you’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of Freddie. I’ve already got his jumper. Do you have red hair spray or a wig?’ she asked, hoping Tegan wasn’t too offended by her split focus.

Tegan sighed again. ‘You’re just lucky this town is so small or else I’d go find another best friend,’ she teased. ‘And yes, I know where I can get you some spray.’

Indi reached over and grabbed Tegan’s hand. ‘Thanks, Teegs. You’re a lifesaver. What are you coming as?’

‘Well, I wanted to come as fisherman as I have all Dad’s fishing stuff but Jaffa didn’t like the idea. He found a costume for me with black fishnets instead.’ Tegan rolled her eyes. ‘I mean, it’s okay, but there was nothing wrong with my first idea. At least I would have been comfortable,’ Tegan complained.

‘Ah, stuff him. Wear what you wanna wear. Are you telling him what he should wear?’

‘No.’

‘I didn’t think so.’ Indi chuckled and Tegan smiled. ‘Hey, thanks for all the help with Jasper too. He’s actually been in a good mood, considering. All I hear is complaints that his foot is itchy, his back’s sore, he’s bored, how much he hated his crutches and the bruises under his arms. Are you sure you don’t get any of that?’ Indi knew for a fact that Tegan never got all that crap. Jasper seemed to walk on air when Tegan was around.

Tegan smiled, crossed her arms and leaned back, the heels on her black boots sinking into the grass. ‘No. But we have some good laughs. He’s lots of fun, and I’m getting to see the real Jasper, you know. He’s quite a sweetie under all that playboy stuff.’

‘Yep, he likes to keep up a certain persona with the lads but really he’s the guy who cries his eyes out watching
Red Dog
.’

‘Oh, so that’s why he wouldn’t watch that movie with me the other day.’ Tegan laughed. She stepped closer, her leather jacket pressed against Indi’s shoulder. ‘He thinks I should leave Jaffa,’ Tegan whispered, her head bent close to Indi’s ear.

‘Really?’ Indi studied her friend, her blue eyes full of torment. ‘Why? Is Jaffa . . .’

Tegan shook her head. ‘No, he’s the same as usual but Jasper doesn’t think it’s right that I put up with him treating me that way. Jasper thinks he’s emotionally blackmailing me and that the stuff he says to me is a form of abuse.’ Her voice was just a whisper. ‘I’ve been thinking about it more and really noticing it. I just thought it was me, you know. What do you think?’

Indi was shocked. Jasper obviously knew a lot more about the situation than Indi did. ‘Have you been talking to Jasper about it?’

Tegan was chewing on her fingernail. ‘Yeah, he overheard Jaffa picking on me a while back, then he kept quizzing me and before I knew it I was offloading. I didn’t realise I was holding so much inside. I just kept letting Jaffa get what he wanted to keep the peace, because if I ever stand up to him, it’s usually ten times worse.’

Indi put her arms around Tegan. She was amazed by the advice Jasper had given. He really was a good guy.

‘No, Tegan, listen to Jasper. He’s right. You shouldn’t put up with that.’ Poor Tegan. She hated conflict and always tried to please everybody. She put herself last all the time and Jaffa was taking full advantage of it. If Jasper was that upset about things, then it must be bad. She was a little hurt that Tegan hadn’t come to her with this but then again, she hadn’t gone to Jasper either. Jasper must have wheedled it out of her. He could be very persuasive. ‘I’m here too if you need someone to talk. I’ll always be on your side. You need to put yourself first sometimes. And don’t think he can say what he wants just because he spoils you.’

Indi saw Tegan wince. She’d hit the nail on the head. No wonder Jaffa seemed like such a sweet guy. At least Tegan had realised that’s why she was showered with gifts.

‘Yeah, I’ve woken up to that. It kinda takes the shine off it all now.’

‘I bet.’

Indi squeezed her hand and Tegan grinned. ‘Thanks, Indi.’

A cheer went up and both girls turned to see Killer celebrating with the team after kicking another goal. ‘I guess Kulin–Kondinin is going down today. Getting closer to the finals, Indi,’ said Tegan, looking happy to change the subject. ‘I mean, look at this crowd. I feel so proud. You and Troy have really pulled this town together.’

Indi glanced around at the spectators. Lots wore the green, white, black and red scarfs. Kids ran around with their mini Saints footy jumpers on and socks pulled up to their knobbly knees. Even Kingy wore an old Saints jumper. He was missing his paper bag today too.

Indi scoffed. ‘It’s not me. It’s just Troy. Or as Jasper would say, “Yoda, our fearless leader”.’ Indi would have loved to take some credit for the atmosphere at the oval, but it all belonged to Troy. He inspired people – his passion rubbed off on everyone he spoke to and he’d rallied this town together through the footy club. Indi alone couldn’t have done that. Troy was the heart of this team and the heart of this outback town. A drifter. A blow-in with no Hyden ties, lineage or history. He’d done so much but he didn’t see it. He was unassuming and humble. And he’d stolen her heart. She couldn’t deny just how much she felt for him any more. When he’d hugged her at her birthday, it had confirmed every feeling she’d ever had about him – it was more than just a simple crush. She loved the fact that he’d got her a gift with so much meaning. He knew her well, even better than the people she’d known her whole life. She could still remember that moment, his strong embrace, the feel of his body against hers and his scent that had engulfed her. She’d shivered with desire, her legs turning to overcooked noodles. How could she resist him?

One day . . .

Indi glanced at Troy again. She knew his outline, from the curves of his lean legs to the width of his shoulders, the length of his hair and how dark his eyes could go. If she were an artist she could draw him a hundred times over from every angle. Troy tensed and she had a feeling he knew she was watching him. If he were interested he’d have turned and smiled. Instead he clenched his arms tighter around his chest. He’d been in Hyden for over four months. It was high time Indi did something about it. She had to make a move. Maybe all Troy needed was a little nudge.

Indi ducked home to change into her Freddie costume after the Saints beat the away side by four goals. The finals were looking good, Indi could feel it, visualise it. Even her gut agreed.

She slipped on her West Coast Eagles jumper, a pair of footy shorts, pulled up her blue and gold football socks to her knees and put on Jasper’s footy boots. She swept her hair up on her head with an armoury of bobby pins and carried the can of red hair spray out to the kitchen. ‘Jasper, can you spray me please?’

Jasper was standing with his weight on his broken ankle and his crutches gone. He complained that it was still a little tender and he wasn’t going to run any time soon, but Tegan was helping him with the gentle exercises the physio had suggested. Jasper wanted to be ready for the finals and the doctors said that was a possibility, especially since he’d stayed off it and rested. Even now without his crutches, no plaster and no boot, he was still cautious.

‘Sure,’ said Jasper, taking the can, shaking it and putting it up to her hair ready to spray.

‘Outside,’ she growled as she strode out to the yard and hung an old towel around her shoulders. ‘I don’t want to be cleaning up red dye all over the house.’ Indi looked at Jasper’s outfit. He was in his normal trendy jeans and a T-shirt. Nothing F about it. ‘What are you going as?’ she asked.

‘You’ll have to wait and see,’ he said with a smirk.

Indi could feel the spray paint go into her ear. ‘Whoops,’ he said, using the towel to wipe it off. ‘Can’t see it,’ he said with a smirk. Jasper gave her the can. ‘All done.’

‘I’m heading in now, if you want a lift,’ she said.

‘Yes please. I’ve already organised to stay over at James’s place, just in case it gets messy, so can we swing by there first so I can drop off my swag?’

Indi laughed. It always got messy. ‘Sure. Hey, um, Tegan mentioned she’s been talking with you about Jaffa. Is she okay?’

Jasper squinted. ‘Don’t get me started on that,’ he growled. ‘I kept on at her to tell me what else he’s been saying, finally she started opening up. Shit.’ Jasper punched his fist into his hand. ‘No one should speak to a girl like that. He acts all affectionate in public but at home he treats her like hired help, tells her she’s no good without him. Why do you think she’s always looks so hot? Jaffa keeps telling her she’s not pretty enough, but fuck me, she’s the most gorgeous girl in town.’

‘I know,’ said Indi.

But Jasper hadn’t finished his rant. ‘And she’s so sensitive. She believed all this shit Jaffa was saying. She thought she was the problem when in fact he’s just being an arse. And she’s too scared to stand up to him, but if she’s scared of her boyfriend, then she’s clearly with the wrong bloke!’ Jasper clenched his fists, causing his muscles to flex.

‘Oh no. I agree, Jasp. Tegan deserves better. I hope she figures it out soon. It sounds like you’re really helping, Jasper. You’re a good sort.’ It was the truth and she loved him dearly for it.

‘Don’t worry, I’m bloody trying. And I’ll be watching him tonight. If he starts on at her after a few drinks, I’m not afraid to lay him out cold.’ The look on Jasper’s suggested he’d actually relish the opportunity.

‘Well, take it outside if you do,’ she said with a sigh, hoping it didn’t come to that.

He smiled, giving her a wink, but Indi could only roll her eyes.

Indi and Jasper arrived at the club, the lights on and Ryan Webb setting up the music in the corner. Spud had gone to school with Ryan, so he’d come out as a favour. He’d won awards for his music but was also great at singing cover songs. Already there was a collection of kids on the floor enjoying the whirling colourful lights as Birds of Tokyo played through the speakers while Ryan sorted his guitar.

‘Hey, Jasp,’ said James. Limp was beside him and neither of them had a costume on.

Before she could even ask what they were, they pulled out stockings from their pockets and stretched them over their heads.

‘What are you lot supposed to be?’ she asked as they stood there, trying to blink against the pressure of the stockings. Their noses were squished along with their cheeks.

‘We’re foreskins. Can’t you tell?’ said Limp.

Indi shook her head. ‘No, I couldn’t tell.’

‘No points for guessing who you are,’ said James. He was having trouble speaking as the stocking caught his lips. ‘Can I get you a dink?’ James held up his stubby before putting it to his lips and drinking through the stocking.

‘Oh gross,’ said Indi. ‘I hope those aren’t your grandmother’s stockings.’

Limp paused, beer halfway to his mouth, about to copy James. Then he shrugged and drank his beer through the stocking anyway.

Indi cringed and turned her back on them. She headed off towards the bar. It had been a long time since she’d seen this many people crowded around the small clubhouse bar. People filled up the tables too. It took a while for her to recognise some of the faces. She expected to see a few fairy costumes tonight but not on the blokes. Two were dressed up in sequins and fancy wings, wands and tutus with thick hairy legs protruding. Spud had come as a firefighter – easy enough when he was a volunteer for the local brigade. Grace was a French maid – if there was ever an excuse to dress sexy Grace would find it. Someone had come as Father Christmas, but from this distance Indi couldn’t figure out who it was behind the giant white beard.