Page 69 of Ivy's Venom

Sitting here with him, watching movies, and eating pizza, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I miss Charlotte and at the same time I can feel something solidifying between Neil and me.

He senses my eyes on him and turns to look at me, quirking a brow.

“What?” He asks.

“Do you have full sleeve tattoos, too?”

“Nah,” he shakes his head. “Ma would kill me. Just my chest and back so I can cover them when I’m a doctor.”

“You still want to be a surgeon?” I’m surprised because I remember him saying that when we were younger.

“No,” he chuckles. “Sports medicine now.”

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

“What about you Ivy? What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“Race Car driver.” I reply.

“Still?” He has a huge smile on his face.

“Yeah, but Mom says I have to go to college for something. So, I’m going to major in business.” I shrug.

“Nice.” He smiles.

“What are they?”

“Huh?”

“Your tattoos, I saw them briefly… before,” I gesture towards the kitchen and then feel my face heat when he grins.

“I have a lot of things for family on my chest and then my back is a full dragon.”

“That’s cool.” I nod.

We settle back into the movie and by the fifth movie, he’s snoring softly beside me. I turn off the TV and stand from the couch, nudging him with my foot.

“Sorry.” He stretches and his shirt crawls up his stomach.

I panic a little because what if he thinks this is like his last few visits and he wants a quick fuck before he leaves? I can feel the blood drain from my face and my chest begin to tighten in fear.

He stands and his brows come together in the center when he looks over my face.

“You look like you’re going to be sick, Ivy.” He reaches out to touch my face and I stumble back a few steps.

“I can’t sleep with you right now.” I blurt out and then slap my hands over my mouth.

“What?” He looks confused. “I didn’t come here for that. Is that why you think I’m here?”

“I just…” I begin to shake my head and my vision blurs as my eyes fill with tears.

“I’m going to text you when I get home.” He walks by me and heads to the front door. “Then I’m going to text you tomorrow. Answer me okay?”

He’s putting on his boots and jacket.

“Okay.” I whisper.

“Goodnight, Ivy. Make sure you close the gate behind me.”

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