She grabs two and gives one to Con. “Do you guys mind if I join boys’ night? With Ivy in Connecticut this weekend, I’m alone.”

“Not at all. What do you want to do?” I ask.

“I don’t want to go to Leighton’s party, that’s for sure.”

“Same,” Griff grimaces. “How about dinner at Chauncy’s and then back to my pool house for a movie?”

We all agree and head out for the night. I can’t help but be a little jealous of the smiles and sly touches that Con and Hoodrat share all night. The way he can publicly claim her, which he does any time he catches a guy look twice at her. I want that with Ives.

15

IVY

“Ivy, can I come in?”my mother knocks on my door.

“Yeah, it’s unlocked,” I roll my eyes. I’m not getting up to let her in. I’m tired after my weekend in Connecticut with Dad.

“I won’t keep you,” she looks at me with distaste. I’m wearing leggings and one of Levi’s hoodies. “I made an appointment for you with Dr. Samuels on the sixteenth.”

I search my mind for a Dr. Samuels but am drawing a blank; it’s not my general practitioner, and it isn’t my sports medicine specialist. It does sound vaguely familiar though.

“We’re having a family dinner in twenty-five minutes, so you’ll need to change in appropriate clothing.”

“Is it just you, Frank, Levi, and myself?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m staying in this. I’m tired and not in the mood to change clothes.”

“You can’t come down to dinner in those rags, if you don’t change you don’t eat.”

Fuck her.

“Okay,” I flash thumbs up at her and then switch it to my middle finger when she turns to leave my room. I’m not changing and because Frank is home, she won’t be able to throw one of her nasty tantrums.

The door to my room swings open and Levi strolls through. “Smells like evil in here,” he sniffs, “Jennifer must have just been bothering you.”

“Indeed.” I reach for him and hug him tight. The door is still open, so I won’t kiss him, but it’s all want right now.

“You look cute as fuck in my hoodie.” He squeezes my ass, and I swat his hand away. “How was your drive back from Hartford?”

“Long.” I flop down on my bed, and he sits in what he calls the Muppet chair. “How was your weekend?”

“Good, hung out with your bestie last night. She and Con are so grossly affectionate.”

“I know,” I chuckle, “I’m pretty sure half the time he’s just trying to mark his territory.”

“Oh, one hundred percent yes. I’m surprised he doesn’t lick her face. I’m pretty sure he growled at our server last night for smiling at her.”

I pull my phone off its charger to check the time. “Looks like we better go down for dinner. Mom told me to change so expect some fireworks,” I tell him as I stand up.

“I’ve got it covered, Ives.” He pulls the hoodie he’s wearing over his head revealing a tight light pink shirt that says, ‘RIOTS BEFORE DIETS.’ “She’ll be so distracted by me she’ll forget all about your casual clothes.”

“Is that a women’s shirt?” I finally manage to say when I get my laughter under control.

“Yes. It’s an XXL, and it’s still tiny. I don’t understand women’s sizing at all,” he shrugs. “Even as big as I am, I should fit in an XXL without tearing the seams.”

“Oh, honey.” I shake my head, “You have no idea. I have a four-size range depending on cut and designer. It’s insane.”