Page 17 of Sparks Fly

He reaches over and snatches the remote from me, switching the television off. “Don’t bullshit me, Ivy. I saw the way he looked at you last night. Then Harley told me you two had some sort of run in. What was all that about?”

“He didn’t look at me any way, Brady. You’re seeing things that aren’t there.” I hate lying to my brother, but this reaction is exactly why I don’t want him to know. “All he did was try and tell some loser to leave me alone. I had it under control, but he thought he’d take it upon himself to help.”

Brady doesn’t need to know that Conrad’s attempt at chivalry is what had me ambushing him in the bathroom. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. I thought last night would be the end of it–just one quick fuck to get him out of my system. Then I came home and spent the night thinking about all the things Ididn’tget to do. Clearly I have issues.

Brady lets out a deep breath. “Look, Ives, I know it wasn’t easy seeing Lachy and Chiara when they were here, but I just want you to be careful. Conrad is not a nice guy. You know what he’s done to Harley and Tom.”

“Oh my God. Can you just drop it?” My stomach churns, making me nauseous. I need this conversation to be over. Brady was right–itwasn’teasy to see Lachy. But I’m not about to tell him that Conrad made me forget about it–even if it was brief. “Seriously. I’m not even friends with Conrad. Just back off, B. Please.”

“Alright, I’ll drop it. Just think about what I said. Don’t let Conrad try and worm his way into your life.”

“Yep, sure. Whatever.” Anything to end this conversation.

“Where’s Mum?” he asks, thankfully changing the subject as he leans back into the couch.

“Breakfast date with Alec,” I reply with an eye roll.

“What’s that look for? He’s a great guy, and she seems really happy with him.”

“Yeah, I guess. It’s just weird.” Mum started dating Alec Hamling–Brady’s old surf coach–a couple months ago. I’m glad she’s happy, but it’s weird seeing another man around the house. “Where’s Wren?”

“Asleep. I thought I’d see if you wanted to go for a surf? Maybe grab a breakfast burrito from Patty’s?”

I shoot him a narrow-eyed glare. He knows breakfast burritos are my favourite. “No ulterior motive?” I challenge him.

He shakes his head and raises his hands. “None. I just wanted to spend some one-on-one time with my little sis to start off the new year.”

I snort. “Yeah right.”

“Come on, Ives. Things have been pretty crazy. We haven’t really had a chance to just hang out. You’re going to be busy teaching the groms at the surf school next week, as well as working. Then you’ll be in Byron with Dad and Tarshia. Is it so wild that I want to spend some quality time with my little sister this summer?” He laughs when I roll my eyes again. “I promise I won’t bring up you know who, and the surf is cranking.”

I’m not sure whether he’s talking about Lachy or Conrad, but I’m hoping it’s both. “Fine. But you’re buying breakfast.”

“Deal.”

EIGHT

CONRAD

THANKS TO IVY, I ring in the new year with no sleep. After tossing and turning all night, I crawl out of bed at the asscrack of dawn to make myself a protein shake with a plan of working out my frustration at the gym. While her mouth tells me one thing, actions say another. Andfuck,the way her body lights up under my touch…

I’m confused to say the least.

I step into the kitchen, quickly turning around when I spot my father sitting at the table–I’m not quick enough.

“Not so fast,” he calls after me.

I curse under my breath but force myself to enter the kitchen. “What?”

His eyes narrow. “Don’t speak to me like that, boy. This is my house, and you’ll show me some damn respect.”

“What,sir?” I say with a bold arch of my brow.

Dad’s hands clench, but he lets it go. “Where’s your sister?”

I shrug. “I’m not her keeper.”

He slams his hand down on the table hard enough to make me flinch. “Goddamn it, Conrad. When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer me without any smartass commentary.”

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