Page 93 of Undeniable

But I didn’t feel like celebrating. As was my goal every year, I just wanted to get through the next two days without a complete breakdown.

I took several deep breaths, trying to steady myself and my emotions, before exiting my car. I rolled my eyes at the several missed text messages and calls from Shelby and shoved my phone into my bag as I unlocked the back door.

Walking down the dark back hallway, past the bathrooms and the stairs leading to the second floor, I could hear muffled voices from above.

I headed up front to the main bar to begin my opening duties, only to stop a few steps inside the main room.

Hanging to my left across the wall was a banner that read, “Happy Birthday, Ivy!” in big, bold letters. Around it was an arch of red, orange, and pink balloons. Even more balloons were sporadically placed around the bar, and there were streamers in the same colors hanging from the ceiling.

My shock had grounded me to the spot. And all thoughts filtered out of my head.

The only thing I could feel was panic rising up within me like hot flames burning everything else in their wake.

“Ivy? What—?” Of all the people I thought I might see, my brother was not one of them. He stepped in front of me and scrubbed a hand through his red hair.

“What is this?” I somehow managed to ground out. It was barely above a whisper, but he heard me.

He sighed and threw his arms out to his sides. “I’m honestly not sure. James called me a week ago and said I had to be here today for our birthday. I would’ve been here earlier, but Mom left the chocolate pies at home.”

“Mom?” I questioned.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure everyone is on their way here. And James requested that Mom bake her chocolate pies because he remembered they’re your favorite,” he said with a shake of his head.

For a moment, I let myself feel what I should’ve at the gesture. I let the happiness and surprise wash over me. And I nearly smiled at the time and effort it must’ve taken.

But as quickly as I let them in, all those feelings vanished.

“Why did he do this?” The question wasn’t necessarily meant for Forrest, but he was the only one there, so he answered.

“Seriously? The guy’s in love with you, Ives.”

Stunned by how quickly Forrest had come up with that answer, I muttered, “No,” without thinking.

“Unfortunately, he’s been in love with you since we were eighteen.” I opened my mouth to argue again, but he raised his hand, effectively cutting me off. “And don’t argue. You’re smarter than that. A man doesn’t do this”—he waved his hands around—“unless he’s really got it bad.”

“If… if he’d loved me back then…” I muttered to myself, but Forrest was too close not to hear.

He paced to the other side of the room and stared up at the banner. “What? He wouldn’t have bet on taking your virginity? Would’ve fought harder for you?” he finished for me, and I wasn’t going to answer.

“Are you really doing this again?” he continued, and I turned so quickly that I nearly lost my balance.

“What are you talking about?”

I tossed my keys and purse on the bar, crossed my arms over my chest, and faced him. That sadness inside me was beginning to feel a lot like anger in the wake of his accusatory tone.

“You’re my sister, Ivy. And I’m worried you’re going to get hurt. Actually, Ipromisehe will hurt you again. Just like last time.”

I was shaking my head before he could finish. “You don’t know anything about—”

“I do, though. I heard James talking about you at that party, and with everything that happened afterward, you can’t blame me for being concerned.”

“But you didn’t hear him,” I countered, remembering our conversation as if it had only happened yesterday. Every word, every moment, was ingrained in my memory. I’d replayed it over and over again for so long afterward that I couldn’t forget, no matter how hard I tried. There were so many moments in your life that changed its trajectory. It was hard to remember all of them. But that one I will never forget. The way that moment changed my life was incomparable to any other.

Forrest shook his head. “I know, but just because no one could remember exactly what was said doesn’t mean…”

I stopped listening after that because all I could focus on was my racing thoughts. Pieces I should’ve put together a long time ago began fitting into place.

“No one heard James say it?”

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