4. Ivy Thompson
IVY THOMPSON
A small huff of pain escapes my lips when I shift beneath the soft sheets. My head pounds at the same time I try to dampen my mouth, but it’s drier than the desert.
Water. I need water before I burst into dust from the lack of moisture inside my body.
My eyes crack open as my cheek nuzzles further into the pillow. For a moment, everything is blurry, but when I blink myself into reality, I realise this isn’t my apartment.
I push myself back into the headboard and rub my eyes furiously for better vision, then I glance down at the bare-chested male beside me.
Last night. My date. My shoe. Sambuca shots. JJ. Unexpected orgasms.
I almost choke when I remember everything that happened. Oh fuck. I’m in his bed naked. Double fuck.
JJ is still sound asleep despite having moved around like an earthquake. I grab my phone from the bedside table and tap the screen to discover it’s barely nine in the morning. I run a hand down my face and lean out of the bed to grab my clothes as quietly as possible.
When the floorboards creak, I whip my head over my shoulder to look at JJ. His eyes are firmly shut, and he’s breathing evenly. I take another step forward and slip on my dress quickly, my bottom lip between my teeth.
I grab my bag and shoes and walk towards his bedroom door. I pause for a moment and look back, hesitating if I should say goodbye. But what’s the point?
It was a one-night stand.
We both ended up here for one thing. Sex is natural.
There would be no point hanging around, waiting for him to wake up so he can make me breakfast and swoon over how amazing last night was—that’s if he didn’t want to chuck me out after seeing me in his bed. I’d rather throw up all of yesterday’s alcohol instead.
It won’t work. I’m moving home. We both go to university.
A night of fun doesn’t need to end with the swapping of phone numbers or awkward goodbyes.
We both had a shit start to the night, it ended with a fantastic bang. Literally. There isn’t much more to the story, and honestly, I hate to admit it. JJ is far out of my league. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see.
With one firm nod to myself, I twist open his bedroom door and creep outside as I order an Uber on my phone. A vibration lets me know that my driver is two minutes away, and I almost sag in relief.
When I finally make it downstairs and onto the street, the driver pulls up to the curb and looks down at my bare feet, then at the shoes in my hand.
Ah, the trusty walk of shame.
As soon as I get home, thirty minutes later, I run upstairs to my flat and jump straight in the shower, followed by downing a litre of water and placing two crumpets in the toaster.
My body stiffens as I rethink what I’ve just done. I left without saying a word.
I slump against the counter and bury my head in my hands, my wet hair tickling my cheeks. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I glance at the screen. Multiple messages from Erin. Oh god. She’s probably worried sick.
Without hesitation, I click on the call button and hold the phone to my ear.
It takes two rings until she answers.
“Oh, Ivy,” she shouts through the receiver, and I wince. “You didn’t answer my texts. I was freaking out. What happened?”
I watch my crumpets pop up in the toaster and pluck them out, pressing my phone to my shoulder and holding it with my ear.
I spread a little too much butter over them as I say, “Sorry, I’m so sorry.
” I exhale and grab my plate before heading to the living room.
“Things were a little hectic last night.”
Erin is silent for a long moment. “Don’t tell me something happened with your asshole date because I will?—”
“No,” I cut over her. “Nothing happened with him. But it did with someone else.”
“What?!”
I pull the phone back and put it on loudspeaker. “It’s too early for all the shouting, Erin. Please turn it down a notch. My head is aching.”
“You need to spill it all. Now.”
So I do. I tell her everything. Every last detail.
“Holy shit, Ivy. I’m—” She pauses. “I’m in shock.”
I throw my head back against the sofa. “It’s so unlike me, isn’t it? I’ve never had a one-night stand in my life.”
“But it was good?”
“Yeah,” I rasp. “It was almost too good.”
“Did he make you come?”
“A few times. I didn’t know I could do it after drinking,” I admit. “But he made me feel comfortable and safe, and nothing was rushed. It was far different from what I expected a one-night stand to be.”
Erin hums with glee. “So, a gentleman then?”
“Yeah.” I smile softly. “I guess so.”
“Do you think you’ll see each other again?”
I snort and lick the crumbs from my fingers. Those crumpets didn’t even touch the sides, I need at least three packs of them to fill me up. “We won’t be seeing each other again.”
“Why?”
“Because I snuck out of his apartment this morning without saying anything. We didn’t swap numbers. It’s better this way.”
Erin is so quiet, I think the line has gone dead. “You didn’t get his number?”
“No. I didn’t.”
“Why on earth wouldn’t you get his number?”
I close my eyes. “It’s not going to work, Erin. You know I’m going home for the summer, and I’m not sure if I’m coming back.”
It’s taken me almost two and a half years to pluck up the courage to visit home. Especially after what happened.
Erin groans. “Don’t remind me,” she whimpers. “What am I going to do without you?”
“You’ll do just fine,” I reassure her. “You have art school coming up, and you’d barely have time for me anyway.”
“Oh, shut up,” she huffs. “How are you feeling about going back home?”
I open my mouth to speak, only to shut it again because I’ve been deflecting the answer for weeks. I want to be confident in my feelings, but I don’t know what it’s going to be like after these last few years.
“Not sure,” I admit. “Hopefully it can just be a clean slate and a fresh start. Push out all the bad memories. It’s my hometown, I grew up there. It holds such a special place in my heart, and I don’t want to resent it.”
“You’re strong, Ivy.”
I wish I thought the same.
“Do you think you’ll see Ben?”
For a moment, I hesitate at the mention of his name. I wish I could say that I’m numb to it, but I’m not. The memory of him lingers no matter how many therapy sessions I’ve gone to.
I clear my throat. “He’s still meant to be in prison.”
I haven’t heard anything about his release, but he doesn’t deserve to get out for the rest of his life. We all know what the justice system is like. You can commit a heinous crime and still get out for good behaviour. It churns my stomach.
“Well, let’s hope he’s rotting away in a jail cell and doesn’t plan on getting out soon. He doesn’t get to have this hold over you anymore.”
My eyes shut tightly. “I know he doesn’t.”
“You deserve happiness.”
I’d like to think so, too.
And as much as the thought of going home scares me, I’m trying to be optimistic. I haven’t seen my brother, my friends, or even that beautiful sandy beach in what feels like forever. I’ve missed everything more than I realise.
“Thanks, Erin.”
“Don’t forget about me, whatever you do.”
I release a slow chuckle. I could never forget Erin, even if I wanted to. If only she hadn’t thrown her drink over some guy who was being a little too friendly to me at the bar we met at two years ago. A friendship was born out of instant loyalty.
“Well, come see me before you leave, yeah?”
I hum and sit up, leaning over the coffee table to look down at my phone. “Of course. I’m going on Tuesday. I still have some things to take care of at the flat and with my landlord.”
“Okay, swing by tomorrow?”
“Definitely. See you then.”
“Love you.”
“Love you.”
Erin disconnects the call before I do. I slump back against the sofa. I should get packing, but I could also do with twelve hours’ sleep. I ponder for a few moments before leaping towards my bedroom for a well-needed nap.
Except, I have to force myself to think of anything other than JJ and the way I smelt of him this morning.