40. Big Sis #2
“I didn’t get a single text from you about you getting your shit, Ivy.
I showed up and your stuff was gone. Landlord confirmed he had your key, and that was it.
” Before I could even make sense of what he was saying, he took a step forward, forcing me back into the bathroom.
He slammed and locked the door behind him, my heart rate skyrocketing.
Nothing ever prepares you for what you’ll do when in a situation like this. Options ran through my mind at warp speed as I took another step away from him.
“Todd—” I began. Maybe I could reason with him. Try to figure out what he was talking about.
“I’ll repeat myself once more, Ivy. To your face this time, so I know you hear me. I have years of tapes of you, of us. Come back home where you fucking belong, or they get posted on the internet. Easy as that.”
My heart sank all while speeding up at once. “I don’t—I’m not. What are you saying, Todd? Tapes? Of us what?”
It was almost like I was stuck between fight or flight.
What was the stage called when you were gathering information in order to try to believe what you were being told directly to your face?
That was where I was right now. Even though I knew what he meant.
I knew, without ever knowing facts from fiction. I knew.
He smiled, a face that said so much his words just weren’t. “You know exactly what I mean, Ivy, and I know you’ll make the right call. You’ll be back where you belong because the outcome isn’t something your precious family can handle in this town. This small town.”
I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of my parents, two people who worked so hard to be respected members in our community.
“What about Becca?” Out of all the questions, I wasn’t sure why that one was the one I focused on.
He shrugged. “I told you already. Nothing needs to change with us, and I meant it. You wanted kids. Well, now you’ll be a stepmom. You should be thanking me. Now you can keep your perfect little figure and get to play mommy when it’s my turn to get the kid.”
I could feel the disgust showing on my face. How had I ever felt like I loved his man? It was beyond me when he spoke like this in front of me. Had it all been a mask? Like maybe this was the real him standing before me, smirking as if he had it all figured out.
“I have to go,” I said, my voice flat, the shock beginning to truly settle into my bones.
He didn’t move as I walked around him, pulling the bathroom door open.
“Think about what I said, Ivy. I’ll give you some time, but don’t think your lack of response will go unnoticed.”
My steps didn’t falter as I kept walking.
My palms were shaking by the time I made it outside, my anxiety through the roof as I dialed the only person I could think right now. The phone rang three times before her voice filled the speaker.
“Hey, baby sis,” Tessa said cheerfully.
I let out a breath, her happy tone centering me. Since the last time she’d come home, we’d made a point to talk every few days, making up for lost time and years of both of us being ridiculous, it seemed.
“Hey, Tessa.” I knew the moment the words left my mouth she’d know something was up.
“Oh no. What’s going on?”
I leaned against the brick wall out front, people walking in and out of the bar. Some smoking cigarettes, among other things. No one paying me any mind, thankfully.
Clearing my throat, I pushed myself back up and walked a little way down the sidewalk and away from the entrance.
“This is sort of random, but have you talked to Becca at all? Like, since she…announced?”
Silence met me before she sighed into the phone.
“Yeah, but don’t be mad at me, okay? I think she just needs a friend right now.
As you very well know, Toad isn’t the nicest of humans in the world.
He apparently took those photos with her and then ghosted her.
She’s got her sister and mom, but they’re all very ‘I told you so’ right now. ”
“I’m not mad, Tess,” I reassured her, and I wasn’t mad at all.
I couldn’t imagine how I’d feel in that situation without knowing I had my girls in my corner.
“I—um, I talked to him a few minutes ago. He cornered me in The Raven’s bathroom and he just…
threatened some things. I don’t want to talk about it.
But he made it seem like they weren’t together, and I wanted to ensure she was okay. ”
“Do I need to fly out?”
I laughed softly. “No. Worst case I have a burly cowboy in my corner. I have a feeling he could take him.”
Tessa hummed. “You sure do. I’m happy for you, sis.
I will say, I know Toad was mad because he wanted Becca to move in and help with the apartment bills.
He was freaking out, saying he’d have to stay with his dad if she didn’t, but she told him she had no interest in that because with her mom she can save up more money to take some maternity leave.
That could definitely have something to do with the foul, shitty mood he’s in.
Try not to let him bother you, okay? Ask the cowboy to take you home. Save another horse for me.”
I smiled, the movement easy with her jokes. “Thank you, Tess. I will. And I am glad Becca has you in her corner.”
“Me too. I love you, baby sis.”
“I love you, big sis.”
We hung up, and I slid my phone back into my pocket.
“Oh Ivyyyy,” Aspen’s voice hollered from the now-open front door.
Her gaze swung to meet mine, a smile lighting up her face that I couldn’t help but return.
Not as if I didn’t want to tell her about what Todd had said, just that, what was the point in ruining the night for everyone else?
“There you are! My dancing partner, that’s you, left me!
And if you don’t come back inside in like, ten seconds, a certain cowboy is going to start flippin’ tables! ”
I let out a laugh. “Just needed some air and Tessa called. Every-other-day check-in and all. Can’t leave her hanging.”
She threw an arm over my shoulder. “I thought I’d be jealous that you were rebuilding that relationship, but I find I’m just overwhelmingly happy for you. Is that character development?” She smiled, another giggle that told me she was slightly tipsy.
I reached up, holding the hand she had around my shoulder. “Absolutely character growth. Plus, she couldn’t replace you. Who else would bond with me over coffee and bagels? I don’t think Tessa even believes in carbs.”
“Your sister is an odd duck.” We walked back into The Raven, and Aspen threw her free arm into the air. “Look who I found!”
Oliver took one look at me, an arched brow in question, but I just shook my head. He handed me a glass of water and Aspen released me, collapsing on the bench next to Rowan, her head leaning on his shoulder.
“I knew letting you do shots with Payton at the bar was a poor decision,” Rowan mumbled, setting his arm around her and pulling her close. “You ready to go home, little angel?”
Her eyes were closed, but she nodded. “Ivy is safe once more. I can bail now. Bed is calling name…my name.”
He shook his head and looked up at Oliver and me. “I’m going to take her home now.”
Oliver’s hands settled on my waist, and he leaned down, a kiss to my cheek. “You ready to go too? Payton is a mess at the bar, but Damien is going to drive her home in a bit.”
“Yeah. Let’s go home.”
My hand slid into his effortlessly, as if this were something we’d been doing for years upon years. A feeling that felt so good, I almost didn’t notice my ex on the other side of the room glaring daggers at the two of us.