Page 13 of The Daughters of Nyx

KERRY:girls miss U xx

KERRY:R U ignoring me????

I hit call instead of responding, because I knew she’d automatically call me once she knew I was alive and well.

The phone rang twice before she picked up. “Hi Ivy! How are you? Did you get my texts? I’m not sure if they went through. We’ve been having some really weird service up here. Have you had the same trouble?”

I stifled a yawn and shook my head, despite her not being able to see it. “No, reception has been fine here, Mom. And yeah, I got your texts. It was a late night last night. I was on the evening shift.”

Thea and I ended up staying up until two, eating pizza and ice-cream, and guzzling the cheap wine until we were both too fuzzy to continue watchingOutlander. Not even Jaimie could keep us awake. But somewhere during the episode, we’d begun talking about our newestguestsagain. By the time we were finished with the bottle, Thea was fully convinced that the Cullens had rolled into town and I was their newBella.

“That’s okay,” Kerry replied. “Are you coming to dinner next weekend? It’s Eloise’s birthday and I know she misses you and wants you there. And you can bring Thea!”

I knew for a fact my soon-to-be thirteen-year-old sister didnotwant me there for her birthday. It had more to do with the fact that she’d rather have a moreelegantnight out with her friends: dress up, put on make-up and high heels, and pretend like they’re thirty, go to one of those fancy restaurants for dinner, and see a movie. But Kerry was too over-protective for that—and thick headed, I thought, because Eloise was pretty clear on what she wanted.

And I’d said no to her and her friends getting free rooms at theCamillawhen she’d asked.

The large age gap between us was a huge part of us not quite meshing. I was almost ten when she’d been born, only

eight when Mom up and randomly married my step-father. They pumped out three kids before he left, and we’d never seen him again. That’s the other reason why we didn’t mesh.

“Let me talk to Thea,” I replied, falling back onto the bed. “And I should check my roster first. It’s going to start getting busy soon, so I might have to pick up a few extra shifts.”

Kerry made aharrumphsound on the other end as little Maisie yelled at Ginny, the middle child, about something to do with bacon. “You don’t make time for us anymore, baby. I miss you.”

You miss the free babysitting.I’d never say it aloud, but guilt from thinking it immediately washed through me. There was still a sting of resentment towards her that hadn’t quite healed yet, and I wasn’t sure if it ever would.

“I’m sorry. It’s just been so busy recently. I’ve got Thanksgiving and Christmas day off. I’ll be there. Just let me figure out next week.”

My mother made another sound. “So, what about that mysterious boyfriend? Maybe you could bring him around?”

I cringed, because therewasn’ta mysterious boyfriend. He was concocted as a way to escape one particular dinner after a very long day at work, when Thea and I wanted to drink and watch movies. It had never meant to escalate beyond that.

Except it had, and now I was stuck scrambling for some excuse as to why he couldn’t make it.

Or, you know, tell her you guys broke up.

“Actually, about that—”

The door to my bedroom slammed open. Thea, hair a rumpled mess, eyes wider than the soup-mug of coffee clutched in her hands, motioned for me to shut up.

“It’shim,” she whisper-yelled, pointing to the door.

I frowned, and Mom asked, “Oh! Is your boyfriend there?”

Thea motioned to the door again, and I climbed out of bed. I followed Thea to the door, as Kerry kept talking on the phone, but as I checked the peephole, all words ceased to exist.

No. Fucking. Way.My mouth fell open as I stepped back. Not only washehere, standing in my freaking hallway, but so were the two other men—the blonde and the scary handsome one.

“Ivy? Are you still there?”

I brought the phone to my ear. “Sorry, Mom, I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later.” I hung up before she could reply and stared at Thea. “What the fuck?”

She grabbed my arm and pulled me into the bathroom, where she locked the door and turned on the shower. I frowned and watched as she did, keeping my face as neutral as possible.

But once she turned back, I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “What are you doing?” I asked, laughing.

She held up a hand, taking a sip of coffee, then offered me the half-finished mug. “I’m making sure their super hearing doesn’t work.”

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