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I shake my head and return to the kitchen to clean and distract myself.
Ivy bounds through the kitchen on her way to her room. “Uhm, Sis, by the way, I saw and heard everything. He’s hot. And you’re stupid.”
Dammit to hell.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Stone
“Man, what the fuck else are you going to fuck up?” Gray folds his arms across his chest outside Ivy’s front door, and his hands grip his elbows. As if to show Ivy what he’s made of, he’s wearing a pissed off expression that looks like he wants to punch me. Like she can see us through the door she slammed on our sorry asses.
A grin tugs at my lips as I stare straight ahead at the road. “What exactly have I destroyed, Gray? Whatever issues you’re having with Ivy are entirely of your own goddamn making.”
Whatever his problem is with me, it’s based on nothing more than suspicion. And insecurity. Sure, I damn near kissed those lush pink lips, parted just enough to tempt me.
I’ll spend the rest of my fucking life wondering how those lips taste, but the point is that I didn’t kiss her even though I really fucking wanted to.
Gray laughs harshly, his head shaking in disgust and incredulity. “Who do you think you’re kidding, Stone? I thought we were brothers. I see how your eyes follow her, and I don’t appreciate it.”
“Ivy’s just a friend, Gray. We’ve been that way since we were kids. You remember, right?”
He scoffs, rolling his eyes dramatically before fixing his gaze on me. “Some friend,” he growls, his voice low and threatening. “You managed to push her out of your mind for five freakin’ years. And she’s not the only one you forgot about. Not a single text, call, or even a lousy postcard.”
“Jesus, Gray. Is that what you’re all fucked up about? You’ve been acting like an asshole since I returned to the ranch. Of all the people here, I thought you’d be the easiest one to reconnect with.”
“Yeah,” he snorts, stepping closer until we’re face to face. “Now that you’re back, you expect everyone to fall over themselves to welcome you, even though you forgot about us for five long years.”
“Dammit, Gray, I didn’t have a choice!” I run my hand through my hair, feeling the urge to pull it out in frustration. “Dad ordered me to go to California and start a new life, to forget about Opey.”
“And you did just that, didn’t you?”
“Hell, no, I didn’t. Do you think I wanted to leave? Dad had to handle things. I had no idea it would drag on for so long. Don’t you think I missed you? Missed Ivy? My family? They wouldn’t even let me speak to my mom.” The words tumble out of my mouth, bitter and resentful.
Gray’s expression hardens. “And now, because of you, the Skull Crushers are causing trouble. Ivy’s more vulnerable than ever.”
“I didn’t know anything about the Skull Crushers until I got back.” A new thought surfaces, one I don’t want to entertain but can’t ignore. “Did you know about them, Gray?”
“What?” His brow dips into a frown. “Tell me you’re fucking kidding me, Stone.”
I shrug. “What? I thought we were friends, but now I’m learning that we’re not. So, yeah, I’m asking.”
“No,” he sighs, shaking his head. “Never even fucking heard of them until you came back.”
His words cut deep, even though I feign indifference. The idea that Gray, someone I consider family, believes my return is the root of these problems is a serious mindfuck. “Well, I’m here now, Gray. So, you’d better get used to it. You’re just a jealous bastard who can’t handle that fact.”
“You’re going after my girl!”
“That’s your insecurities talking,” I spit out. “Am I into Ivy? Abso-fucking-lutely. But I only realized it when we faced off against those motherfuckers on the road. You’ve been nothing but a dick since my return, and it’s getting old really fast.”
“So you admit you want her?” Fury blazes in his eyes, and I know he’s itching to lay me out, even if he can’t. Won’t stop him from trying, though. His fists clench at his sides, knuckles turning white with the force of his grip.
“Hell, yeah, I want her. But I’ve got too much damn respect for both of you to try and interfere. Doesn’t change my feelings, and it doesn’t change our friendship.” I hold his gaze, unflinching in the face of his anger.
“Your friend happens to be my girlfriend, and I’m telling you to keep your fucking distance.” Gray’s words are clipped and sharp as a knife.
“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Given his current demeanor, he’s fortunate I’m not actively attempting to steal Ivy away. If I wanted to, I could probably sweep her off her feet without much effort, but I’m not that kind of guy.
His head whips from side to side before his eyes fix on me, devoid of any amusement. “Well, you can’t have everything you want, damn it!”
