Chapter 66 Luca
LUCA
I get to Hannah’s house and immediately search for Ivy. She hasn’t responded to any of my messages, and I soon see why, she’s smiling and dancing around. I’m thankful she’s not hunkered down and hiding in her bedroom, but this doesn’t seem right either.
There’s a crowd dancing around and having a good time while Brooke and Ivy sway together in the center of the room.
Cain steps beside me as he takes a few swallows of his beer. “They’ve been at it since this afternoon. I saw them drinking when I was heading to the field and they were still there when the game was over.”
“You should’ve called me,” I state.
“She can handle herself. You don’t have to control everything around her.” He finishes off his drink then adds, “Not like anyone is safer when you’re around.”
I don’t argue, because he’s correct once again. Walking over, I notice her smile actually increases when she spots me. Her eyes are glassy and movements sluggish as she throws her arms over my shoulders. She greets me with a hug before moving back to Brooke a few feet away.
I tell her, “Didn’t know you planned on attending the game.”
“I didn’t. We tailgated. It was so much better than watching the game,” she states as Brooke affirms the sentiment.
“Me too. Totally more fun than having to scream and bounce around with spirit and cheeriness.”
“Right,” Ivy giggles before she says, “The entire concept is ridiculous. Who actually enjoys smiling that much? My cheeks always hurt by the second quarter.”
“No one,” Brooke shrieks.
“And the stress on our bodies while we cheer for them to throw around a pigskin.”
“I know, right!” Brooke shouts.
Micah steps beside me and takes in the scene. “They’re plastered.”
“Slightly.” I’m glad she isn’t here alone, but knowing Micah’s been lurking around is unsettling. “When you’d get here?”
“A few minutes ago when Cain called me.” Micah takes a few sips of his drink before he continues, “He said Remy’s parents were at the ball game. Do you think they know the truth or would rather believe the lie they were told?”
“Both hurt in the end so what difference does it make?”
“True.” Micah heads over to Brooke. Ivy does a dancing stroll my way. She twirls around as she finishes her trek to me. “You’re definitely drunk.”
She stares up at me. “Whiskey eyes.”
“Thanks. Love that you compare my eyes to liquor, but they’re the wrong shade for that one.”
“It’s not that the color is the same.” Her lips brush over mine, her tongue slipping in my mouth as I taste the whiskey on her.
“It’s because they’re my favorite ways to get drunk.
And the dick is definitely a bonus.” She tugs at my belt loop, kissing me between words.
“But you’ve been stingy, so I had to resort to other means. ”
My hand instinctively tightens on her. “You’d better be talking about getting yourself off or someone is about to have a bad night.”
Her mouth moves to my ear as she hums, “No one else could handle it like you do.”
Fuck.
She slaps my chest as she says, “But you’re going to have to wait. I’m here with Brooke.”
I adjust myself and watch as she shoves Micah away from Brooke, passing her another drink that they both quickly finish. “You might want to slow down.”
“Don’t be a buzzkill, Luca. We were having a great time before you got here. And everything is under control,” Ivy states as Brooke backs her up with a shouted, “Yeah.”
This night will be interesting to say the least, but I’m along for the ride, whatever she wants to do. Which is hopefully not drink too much more. But she does polish off another as she dances around. When she starts fanning herself, pulling at her T-shirt, I wish she’d just call it. “It’s so hot.”
I take her hand and walk her towards the back door. “Let’s get some air.”
“It’s a fucking sauna out here.” She tugs her shirt completely off, wearing only her sports bra and shorts. And she smiles when she sees me watching her.
Guiding her along the pool deck, I inform her, “We’re not fucking right now, Ivy. You can barely walk.”
“Why not? I don’t have to be upright, and you’re the one who told me to use you.”
I loop an arm around her lower back to support her and keep her from face-planting. “Yes, to deal, not to avoid. You numbing shit never helped.”
She pulls away but only takes one step before dropping down on a bench, her words bitter as she glares up at me. “You don’t get to decide how I deal. Or better yet, you tell me your methods, Mr. Asshole. It wasn’t that long ago you were a complete dickhead and hated me. So how did you get over it?”
I didn’t. She just doesn’t realize it was myself I hated, not her.
Her fingers press against her temples as her eyes snap shut. “I’m going to be sick.” She leans forwards, before dropping on her knees in the grass and pukes.
There’s nothing I can do to fix this. So, I stay beside her, gather her hair as she vomits until there’s nothing left in her stomach. And even then, she lurches and swears she’s never drinking again.