AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ivy’s expression tells me she’s trying to figure out if I’m full of shit or for real. I’m not sure what she decides, but she pulls out a bottle of bourbon. “If you say so.”
“How are your folks?” I remember her parents as kind, hardworking folks who didn’t judge me because of what my folks did to make a living.
She sighs, pouring the liquid into a glass. “They died in a car accident a couple of years after you left. Afterward, it was just Sage and me struggling to get by.” Her words are so matter-of-fact that they kill me. So at odds with the woman I knew.
“Shit, Ivy. I’m so fucking sorry. Your folks were the best.”
“They were,” she offers with a small, sad smile. “I don’t know how we would’ve survived without Peaches’ help. And Ella Mae. They all chipped in to make sure Sage didn’t go into foster care and that we didn’t end up on the street.”
Every syllable is like a karate kick straight to my chest. To imagine Ivy and Sage struggling like that while I was away, unable to do a fucking thing to help the girl who meant everything to me. “You’re family. Of course, they all pitched in to help.”
She takes a few drink orders, but her attention is still on me. After popping a few beers, she turns to me. “I struggled hard after you left. I didn’t know what to do with myself without my friend. You know,” she laughs. “I planned on leaving Opey, heading to Houston for a change of scenery. I didn’t know how to be here without you, and then life got in the way, and I had no choice.”
“Damn, Ivy. I had no idea.” I take a sip of the cocktail and scowl. “God, that shit is horrible,” I groan and shove the glass across the bar.
A small smile appears on her lips, and she takes the drink, dumping it and shoving a shot of tequila and a beer in my direction. “I know you didn’t know about it and had to leave. But guilt and sadness are a son of a bitch.”
“You don’t have shit to feel guilty about, Ivy. I hope you know that. That dude made his choice, and I made mine. You aren’t to blame for any of it.” I can tell from her expression that she doesn’t believe me. “I missed you like crazy, Ivy. But Dad made it clear that reaching out to anyone was a no-go. Said that I needed to disappear completely. To vanish like I never existed. I didn’t want to. So many times, I pulled out my phone to dial your number, but then I thought about you and whatever trouble might come your way, and I’d curse myself. Eventually, it worked, and I stopped pulling out my phone, but I never stopped wanting to call you.”
“I know,” she insists, her smile still sad. “I know all of that, Stone. I understand, but it still hurt, and I still struggled.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugs it off as if it doesn’t matter, but her blue eyes tell a different story. “It’s fine. Peaches, Hazel, and Ella Mae were a tremendous help. Gray and I got closer through it all, and to be honest, I’ve been seeing him for about six months. He helped me and Sage out. A lot.”
“I’m glad.” The words feel like fucking sawdust on my tongue. I should have been here for her, dammit. “Is there any room in your life for me?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
I ignore how those words cause an uncomfortable pinch in my chest, and I nod. “I understand, but yeah, okay.”
Her lips tug into a small smile. “I have Gray in my life now, and our friendship, as it used to be, could be viewed as problematic.”
I know what she means, but I pretend that I don’t. “Since when do you give a shit what people think?”
“I don’t, but Gray is a good man, and I won’t hurt him. Not for anything.”
I nod. “I hear you, Ivy. Loud and clear.”
“Good,” she answers.
“Great,” I shoot back.
“Perfect.” Her smile gets bigger, and mine grows in response.
“I want my best friend back, that’s all. We can all be friends again,” I tell her honestly.
I see the uncertainty in Ivy's eyes, but after a slight hesitation, she gives in like she always does—or did—when I push her. We’ve been best friends forever, and she finds it hard to say no to me.
“Yeah, all right, we can do it,” she replies, trying to sound confident and sure of herself. But I know better. She has doubts.
Ivy is my bestie, my ride-or-die, and I’m not giving up on her. I’m determined to bring back the fun, adventurous, fearless Ivy I know is still in there somewhere.
No matter what it takes, I'm getting my best friend back.
CHAPTER TEN
Ivy
