52. Chapter 52
Chapter fifty-two
Ivy
“Here.” Dakota hands me a t-shirt and I tug it on before climbing up into her loft bed in the trailer.
It’s a tight fit, but I’ve slept on beds much smaller with her when we were kids. Sighing, I bring the handmade quilt up to my chest and stare at the ceiling.
“Is that JB Mauney?” I laugh.
“Hell, yeah it is.” She climbs up next to me, pointing to the poster taped to the interior of the trailer over the bed. “Who needs a man when I have JB to keep me company at night.” She winks.
Such a Dakota thing to say.
We both settle back, neither of us talking about the cluster that just unfolded. I felt like I had done enough damage tonight, which is why I’m currently in this horse trailer instead of in the cabin with Maddox. He needs to think. Have a chance to process just like I do.
“I’m sorry I ruined your birthday,” I say quietly.
She rolls her head to the side to look at me. “ You didn’t ruin anything, Ivy. And don’t give that bitch so much credit.”
My throat clogs, tears burning my eyes when I think of the things she said.
I would know. He’s fucked me plenty of times.
The look of betrayal on Brady’s face. The anger on Maddox’s. All because of me.
“You and Maddox did nothing wrong,” she assures me.
I nod silently, swiping at a stray tear.
“And don’t worry about, Emily. She’s found other things to occupy her time.”
“Like?” I ask hesitantly.
“For one, growing in that bald spot I left on her head.” She grins.
“Dakota.” My scolding tone makes her giggle.
“She deserved it for hurting my family.”
My heart swells in my chest. Dakota doesn’t have a family, and I’m honored to be considered for the role.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Always," she says back.
We grow silent, the exhaustion of the night taking over when my phone vibrates.
Maddox: No matter what. I love you.
More tears spill as I send a simple response.
Ivy: I love you too.
I wake up the next morning to a dead phone, and a loud fist pounding on the trailer door. I swear this has become the new norm for my alarm. Dakota groans, so I crawl down, shoving the door open as the sun assaults my eyes. It’s Cooper, his brow furrowed and his face serious.
What now?
“I’ve been calling you since six.”
“My phone died. What’s wrong?”
“Mom called. She’s been at the station all night. They brought dad in for questioning.”
“What?” I blink. “Questioning?”
“About the fire. Apparently, they did it under the guise of just regular questioning, but it turned into an interrogation.”
“Interrogation?” I frown. “They think he did it?”
Cooper tosses a hand up. “I don’t know what they fucking think, but he didn’t do it, Ivy.”
“Ok.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Let me get dressed and we can go get her.”
He nods. “I’ve got the guys lined out. I’ll be by the truck.” He pauses and his eyes veer over my shoulder. “She hungover?”
“A little.” I turn back to hear her snoring softly. “You know, her. She goes big or goes home.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” he mutters before he motions for me to move. “You get dressed. I’ll leave her out some Tylenol and water. If I don’t, she’ll forget.”
I watch him step over her last night's clothes and I wonder when the day will come that Dakota will see what’s right in front of her.