Page 92 of Wild Hearts

She lets out a snort of laughter through her tears. “Yeah, it does. What happened to your face?”

“Conrad Foster.”

“Asshole.”

I pull back to look my sister in the eyes. “Ives, I’m really sorry about hitting you at the Baptism. You know I would never intentionally do anything to hurt you, and I’ve felt so guilty that I haven’t had the chance to properly apologise to you.”

She shakes her head. “It’s fine, B.I’mfine. Besides, Dad would have deserved it if you hadn’t been so wasted and missed.”

I let out a humourless laugh. “Yeah. I guess.”

“You were right to pull away from him. All he ever does is cause pain.”

I narrow my eyes. “What are you talking about?” Ivy had been so adamant on giving him a second chance and getting to know Theo. She chose to be his godmother. I’m so confused by this change in attitude.

Ivy ticks everything off on her fingers. “He caused you and Wren to break up. He caused your accident. And now because of Theo’s Baptism, Wren was forced to see Flynn, and Jordan and Lachy weren’t there for Maribel.”

She breaks down into tears again, violent sobs wracking her body as she leans against me for support. I pinch the bridge of my nose with my free hand. How the fuck did we end up here?

As much as I hate the old man for what he did to Mum and to our family, I’m starting to realise he isn’t to blame for everything else that happened. Wren and I broke up because of my own behaviour, and if anyone’s to blame for what happened to her, it’s the entitled asshole who thought he could get away with it. I admit when she first told me, I felt an enormous wave of guilt. If we hadn’t broken up, it would have been me taking her to her formal. It was Felicity who helped me realise that the only person at fault was the guy who fucking made the choice to force himself on Wren without her consent.

As for running into Flynn, that was just an unlucky coincidence. Looks like we’re the real-life fucking Brady Bunch. And Maribel, she didn’t want the boys there when she passed, Alfonso confirmed that. She wouldn’t want them to remember her like that.

“It’s not his fault, Ives,” I say, squeezing my sister gently. “All of those things are just horrible coincidences.”

“It’s easier to have someone to lay all the blame on though.” She gripes, pouting up at me. I can’t help but laugh.

“Yeah it is,” I say before pressing my lips to her temple. “But as much as I hate to admit it, we can’t blame him for every shitty thing that happens in our lives.”

Hearing the words out loud, I realise that I need to listen to my own advice. If I’ve learned anything from Maribel’s passing, it’s that life is too short to hold grudges. I need to talk to him, man-to-man, and find a way to move on, to put all my anger behind me. I need to do it for Ivy, for Theo, for our new little brother or sister, and for Mum. But most of all, I need to do it for myself.

We sit there together until my phone buzzes in my pocket. I ignore it, but it buzzes again. I shift so I can pull it out of my pocket and my heart sinks when I see Felicity’s name on the screen.

“Sorry,” she says when I answer. “I know you’re with your sister, but I’m just letting you know Jordan’s on his way to Orion’s. Jem’s gone with him to try and keep him out of trouble, but I’ve got class in twenty minutes.”

I groan. Orion’s is the dive bar on the outskirts of town near Glassons Point. It’s 10:30 in the morning on a Wednesday, and he’s probably still drunk from last night. I have no idea how Jemima is putting up with his shit, because I’m just about done with him.

“Thanks Flick.”

“No worries. I’ll catch up with Kam for coffee after class and grab his notes for you.”

“You’re the best.” I hang up my phone and toss it on Wren’s coffee table where it lands with a satisfying clatter. Right now, it’s my enemy. I need to switch off.

Jordan and Lachy have both been granted special consideration to miss classes this last few weeks, but I haven’t had that luxury. So on top of following Jordan from party to party while he obliterates himself, I’ve been trying to study in the early hours of the morning to keep on top of my classes. I’m fucking exhausted.

“Do you have to go?” Ivy asks in a small voice.

I pinch my lips together. I’m getting so tired of being pulled in so many different directions. I feel like I’m going to explode. I don’t want to leave my sister when she’s like this.

“I’m going to get my stuff,” I answer. “I’m coming home.”

“Really?” Her green eyes light up before fading again. “But Lachy and Jordan–”

“Are big boys, and I know they’re going through a tough time right now, but we all miss Maribel. She wouldn’t want any of us to be moping around like this.” I nudge her shoulder. “Go wash your face. I’ll drop you off at Patty’s with Wren. Harley and I have something we need to do.”

HALF AN HOUR LATER, Harley and I have an intoxicated Jordan grumbling in the backseat as we drive him home. I hated leaving Jemima on her own at Orion’s, but she assured me that Penelope was on her way to pick her up.

After pulling up at the Rossi’s, Harley dumps Jordan on the couch in the pool room with a bottle of water while I take the stairs two at a time and pound on Lachy’s bedroom door until he opens it. I step back in surprise at the site of his bloodshot eyes and hair that’s sticking up everywhere.

---