Chapter 10

RHYS

Charlie and Grayson both turned pale-faced when I walked through the patio doors. They were both having a cigarette, leaning against the deck and sharing a laugh in swim shorts before I startled them. We all grew up together with Eddie and were super close in high school. Seeing them again really didn't ignite any excitement of rekindling my past. All their presence did was fill me with rage, knowing that they were hanging out with Ivy in her tiny bikini.

"Rhys?" Charlie finally mustered. They shared an awkward glance and then looked back at me.

"How's it going, boys?" I walked across the wooden planks and leaned against the hot tub. "Having a good night?"

I was trying as hard as I could to hide how much I angry I was at them for getting Ivy drunk.

"What are you doing here? Are you back in Moose Creek for the summer?" Grayson held his cigarette pack out toward me. I took the cigarette, even though I wasn't drunk enough to smoke it. "We haven't heard or seen you in forever."

"Yeah, I'm back for a bit." I took a drag of the cigarette. "Spending some time back home before my Senior year."

"Are you staying here with Ivy?" Charlie's prying tone had me clenching my fists.

What a nosy, good-for-nothing prick.

"Well, this is my ranch. Plus, someone's got to keep an eye on her with Blaine gone."

So fuck off Charlie.

"What the hell is with the long hair, tattoos, tight-ass t-shirt and facial hair?" Grayson laughed like a dick, giving me a head-to-toe body scan.

"I guess people in California don't wear cowboy boots and flannels," Charlie added with a smirk, taking a drag of his smoke.

I didn't respond and calmly took a sip of my whiskey. I felt so far removed from their small-town shit. Three years might not be long in the grand scheme of things, but suddenly, it felt like an eternity.

"I found some chips," Ivy's sweet and innocent voice cooed from my right side.

Her long blonde hair was pulled over her shoulder in a ponytail. Her tits, perfectly round, were more than distracting especially seeing her tight nipples perked up under her tiny triangle top. I took a deep breath and shifted slightly to cool down and not try to stare at her heavenly assets on display for everyone to see. But when I saw Charlie and Grayson zero in on her chest, body, and legs, I saw red.

She ripped open the bag and held it in front of me. "Want some?"

I shook my head and took another puff of my smoke. She shrugged, turned away and said, "Suit yourself, Rhys."

"Pass those over here." Grayson waved her over with a smile.

Ivy swayed over to Grayson and held out the bag. Knowing her body was displayed in front of these guys was my breaking point. Something close to jealously simmered in my veins, but I told myself I was irritated on Blaine's behalf. As his brother, I was doing my job and looking out for him and Ivy. Because there was no way I was jealous Charlie and Grayson were checking out Ivy Bishop.

"Take a picture. It lasts longer." Missy whispered in my ear.

With a bent knee, I propped my foot against the hot tub, one hand in my pocket and the other holding my cigarette. "I don't know what you're talking about," I growled.

Missy smirked at my side, then turned toward Ivy and shouted. "Hey. This vodka isn't going to drink itself." She lifted one of the two drinks she was holding and waved it in the air.

"Are you sure you need another drink, Ivy?" I snaked the glass out of Missy's hand and placed it on the table beside me.

When I looked back up, the air buzzed with an awkward tension. All four of them were staring at me like I was some asshole, but I didn't care. She had enough. Ivy was prancing all over the place and slurring her words. How was she supposed to go to work in the morning hung over?

"Ah, yes." Ivy slurred. "I'm more than capable of making that decision."

"Not when you're fucking wasted." I put out my cigarette in a potted plant and then flicked it over the side of the deck.

Ivy's big green eyes burned into mine, and I refused to look away. I didn't give a shit what she thought or how pissed she was. Her getting drunk with Grayson and Charlie was unacceptable. Not only because I didn't like it, but what the fuck would Blaine think if he knew what was going on right now? I was doing him a favour.

The lines on her forehead deepened with her step as she stalked over in my direction. When she went to grab her drink, I raised my hand above my head so she couldn't reach it. This only enraged her more. A contorted look of anger was noticeably flush on her pretty face. She pushed her finger into my chest as hard as she could, but I didn't budge. "Hand over my drink."

I shook my head. "Maybe you should have a glass of water instead."

Her entire body clenched, and she looked like she was holding back from attacking me with her fists.

"Ivy, it's okay." Missy gently tugged her backward. "We're going anyway. Right guys?"

Grayson and Charlie shared a concerned glance but nodded in agreement. They knew better than to set me off. They'd seen my temper before, and Charlie once felt the wrath of my fist in his face in high school. They quickly gathered their things while Ivy glared at me in an angry silence.

"See you tomorrow, Ivy." Charlie forced a smile and cupped her shoulder. "Thanks for having us."

Fucking Charlie. He was going to get my fist in his face yet again if he touched her like that again.

Ivy still wore a frown. "You're welcome."

"You too, Rhys; we still need to catch up," Grayson said. "If you have time, we should get together soon. Like old times."

I nodded and watched them gather their things and leave the ranch. Once they were gone, I turned to face Ivy.

"You should be thanking me." I finally said, straightening up a bit. I tipped the drink upside down, and we both stood there watching the vodka seep through the cracks of the deck. "I'm pretty sure Charlie was getting the wrong impression."

Ivy's eyes widened, and her chest rose up and down, heavily breathing. Her mouth dropped in shock, and her eyes glazed over. She was pissed. Without another word, she leaned in quickly and smacked the glass out of my hand. It smashed all over the deck, shattering into tiny jagged pieces.

I could feel the adrenaline kicking into my veins. My muscles tensed, watching her plump bottom lip twist in anger; when did Ivy get so damn feisty?

"You work in the morning. You've had enough to drink. You should go to bed." I kept my voice calm and steady even though I was vibrating inside. I swallowed the rest of my drink, realizing I was out of my mind. I should have just locked myself in my bedroom tonight. Being around her was nothing but trouble.

Without another word, Ivy marched her sweet self across the deck. I didn't follow her because I was afraid I would be able to smell her, and I'd want to press her against a wall with my hands and have them all over her in minutes. She didn't dare look back at me when she yanked open the patio door, stepped inside, and slammed it shut.

Once I finally cooled down, I followed her footsteps inside the ranch. I held my breath for a few beats because I could still smell her strawberry and wildflower scent as if it were ingrained in the walls. I found an open whiskey bottle on the counter and poured myself another drink. I had no idea where she had gone, and I was better off not knowing. When I walked past the guest bedroom door, I stopped dead at the sound of Ivy's soft cries on the other side. Shit.

I knocked once.

"Ivy open up."

"Go away!" I felt my stomach tighten at the harshness in her voice.

I clenched my fist, pressing it to the door and rested my forehead against it. "Please, Ivy. Open up. I'm sorry." I muttered against the wood. I never apologized to anyone, ever. This was a fucking first.

The moments of silence were unbearable until I heard the door click open. She stood before me, wearing a silk nightie, with tears trickling down her cheeks. I hated seeing her so upset. And I hated knowing I was the reason. All I wanted to do was reach out and wrap her in my arms.

"What do you want?" she sucked back some tears, her voice low with irritation. The worried little frown scrunching up her nose made me crumble. I couldn't do this. I couldn't be hard or cold with Ivy anymore.

"I'm sorry." My heart pounded in my chest at the realization that it was destroying me seeing her so upset. I stepped backward to put a safe distance between us and ran a hand through my hair. Ivy pulled down on her silk nightie, and my eyes drifted to her chest. It was hard not to look at something so incredibly perfect. What the fuck was wrong with me? Ivy's sad green eyes met my blue ones, and my chest ached a little at the sudden pull I felt towards her. "I shouldn't have talked to you that way...and I'm sorry."

A tight frown pulled between her brows. "Is that all?"

I nodded. "Yeah." Because really, what else could I say? I needed to remember that Ivy was dating Blaine. She wasn't mine to worry about. I couldn't let what happened in the past affect our current situation. I needed her at a distance, and I needed to keep her there. God, I was a fucking idiot.

"Great. Good night." The coldness in her voice as she closed the door on my face was enough to bring me to my knees. I had crossed the line. I never knew when to stop. I had no business sticking my business to Ivy's. Tonight, she made that loud and clear.