Page 53 of Writing On The Wall

Colton’s hands lift in surrender. “Hey, I didn’t say anything.”

“Thanks for coming.”

He nods with a thin smile. “Need any more help?”

I let out a swoosh of air. “Nah, I’ve got this. Thank you.”

I’m actually not so sure I’ve got this, but I’m forming a plan. Before I can put it in place, I need to do something else unpleasant—I’ve got to deal with Sandra.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

IVY

I don’t know where I’m going. I’ve been driving around in circles for twenty minutes like a neighborhood creeper. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised to see flashing lights behind me. I’m sure it’s safe to go back now, anyway. And if Ethan’s truck is still parked outside my house when I get there, I’ll just pick a new neighborhood to drive circles around.

I could visit someone, but there’s a prideful gash in my ego that makes me want to lick my wounds alone, without the pressure of having to pretend everything is okay.

So Ethan has a date. Why am I so butthurt about it? I’m the one who drew the boundary lines in our relationship by keeping up the fake boyfriend ruse in front of him. Not to mention, Ethan’s a well-known serial dater. I scold my heart for getting so excited and fluttery. The flirty banter and lingering looks were never meant to be taken seriously. That man has always had heartbreak written all over him—case in point.

Today should be a reminder that, ultimately, Ethan and I are enemies. That’s how our relationship began, and it seems we operate best within those parameters. He growls; I dosomething that pisses him off. Hating him isn’t as fun as liking him, but it’s certainly safer for my heart. And today has proved that straying from that dynamic is too risky.

I wish I could say I had the heart of a lion, but mine’s more of a chocolate covered marshmallow that I keep patching up with more chocolate. It’s melting and sticky, and my insides are all warm and gooey, but I still can’t help offering a piece of it to everyone. Call it my toxic trait. I’m a people pleaser.

By the time I get home, Ethan’s truck is thankfully nowhere in sight, allowing me to sulk up the front porch steps. But I scrunch my forehead in confusion when I slide my key into the lock, only to find the front door open. Ethan has been nagging me to keep it locked, yet he goes and leaves it unlocked, himself? It’s another strike against him. Maybe it’s inconsequential, but at least it’s something and right now I’m looking for any excuse to add to hisconslist.

“Ross!” I yelp after flinging the door open and discovering my brother standing in the living room, looking awfully fidgety. “What in Bilbo’s butt are you doing here?”

“Still doing that weird thing with curse words I see.” He tries to smile, but he’s obviously on edge.

“How did you get in here?”

“Door was unlocked.” He shrugs with a jutted out lip.

Dang it.Ethan hadn’t forgotten to lock the door. My dear brother just has a particular knack for getting into places he shouldn’t. “Right. Well, next time, wait outside, will you?”

“Sure. Sorry. Uh…you good?”

I narrow my eyes. “Why are you being so weird?”

“Can’t a guy just pop in to say hi to his favorite sister?”

I’m suddenly so angry I could scream. He’s never available when I need to get hold of him, yet now he shows up out of the blue, only to gaslight me? “If this was a normal occurrence,sure, but you’ve been MIA for weeks, so excuse me if I find your reappearance in my home a little strange.”

“Right. Sorry. I’ll get out of your hair,” he gestures to the door, attempting to make a quick exit.

“Oh no, you don’t!” I hold up my palm, stopping him. “What’s going on here?” My face is frozen in a permanent frown as I search his eyes for any semblance of the playful little boy I once knew. But right now, I can’t even recall the last time Ross seemed like my older brother, the last time I felt a true connection to him.

He inhales, holding his breath while his gaze wanders to the kitchen. His eyes narrow before returning to me with an exhale.

“Look, Ivy. I know I’ve messed up. I’m trying to fix it, though.” His face looks pained and he shakes his head remorsefully. “I’ve gotta go. Sorry for showing up like this.”

My mouth hangs agape as he walks past me, and this time I let him go, dumbfounded wondering what in the heck he expected from me.

Ross shuts the door behind him, and I let out a heavy sigh. How am I going to shake off this poop storm of an evening, now? There’s still plenty of work to be done, but I need something to cheer me up, something that’ll renew my determination.

I’m too scared to explore Gran’s secret room by myself, so I leave that for another time. Getting locked in that tiny space all alone would basically be my worst nightmare.

Maybe I’ll ask Toby to come over and help. Ha, that would serve Ethan right!

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