Page 111 of Wild Hearts

“Don’t ask me,” Jordan finally explodes. “He’s the one running away.” He paddles away again, and this time I let him go. He’s clearly hurting, but, fuck, this is going to absolutely gut my sister.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Wren

THINGS ARE GOING SOgood with Brady that I can’t believe that I wasted so much time trying to avoid him. He’s been nothing but protective and caring, especially when it comes to the bedroom.

I wish we could stay in our little bubble forever, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that something is going on with our friends. Jordan is still being self-destructive, Harley is still sneaking around with Ellie, and things are strained between Ivy and Lachy.

I figure there is nothing we can do about Harley and Ellie save from hoping Conrad doesn’t catch them, so I plan a breakfast date with Ivy to catch up while Brady’s out surfing with Jordan. My stomach twists as I wait for her to arrive at Patty’s. I’ve been so wrapped up with her brother that I haven’t been a very good friend lately. I hope she’ll forgive me.

“Hey,” I say as she slides into the booth opposite me. My smile quickly fades. Her eyes are bloodshot, and her blonde hair is tied back in a messy ponytail. My eyes narrow at her unkempt appearance. “Ivy, what’s going on?”

“Huh?” She blinks up at me in a daze as if she hasn’t heard me.

I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “Talk to me.”

“He’s leaving.”

My brow furrows. “Who’s leaving?”

She shakes her head. “He said he can’t stay here with all the memories of her, so he’s leaving.”

My mouth goes dry. “Ivy, who are you talking about?” But I have a terrible feeling I already know.

“Lachy. His dad is selling everything. The house, the shop. He’s moving back to Italy to be with family. Lachy told me this morning. He’s leaving me.”

A tear rolls down Ivy’s cheek, but she doesn’t move to wipe it away. She’s staring at the table in front of us. “He said he loves me, but it’s not enough. He needs to get away from here.”

My heart shatters into a million little pieces for her, but all of a sudden everything starts to make sense. Jordan’s self-destructive behaviour, Lachy’s elusiveness. In the last two months, their whole world has been ripped apart. Ivy is just collateral damage.

I slide out of my seat and into hers, wrapping her up in my arms. My touch seems to wake her from her stupor and her shoulders shake as she starts to cry.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, hugging her tight.

“I don’t understand how he can choose to leave me.” Ivy sobs. “I love him. I love him so much and he’s just throwing that all away.”

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