15. Ivy Thompson
IVY THOMPSON
T he storm flew by our town faster than expected, which is a miracle, so we’re hoping there will be minimal damage. As I approach the kitchen, I glance outside to find my brother standing in the beams of sunlight, not a single cloud in the sky.
Finn has his phone to his ear, a face full of concentration. I decide not to disturb him and turn back to the kitchen to make eggs on toast for breakfast.
When the patio door slides open, I glance over my shoulder as Finn stares down at his screen. “Morning,” I call out to him. “Who was that?”
“Hey.” He taps away at his phone before giving me his full attention. “That was Wendy down at the seafood restaurant at the marina. I got a job there for the summer.”
My brows hit my hairline. “Salty Sea?”
“Yeah.”
I stir my eggs around the pan to make them scramble. “I didn’t know you were looking for a job,” I admit. “But congrats. Proud of you.”
He flashes me a grin and rests his elbows on the counter. “Yeah, I didn’t want to get a job, but I need one if I want to fund this summer.”
“What about your student loan?”
His green eyes flick to mine and he tilts his head. “I spent a lot of it last term, and I desperately need to make the money back.”
“A lot?” I quirk a brow.
He grimaces at my question. “I’m in my overdraft.”
“Oh god.” I turn off the stove. “What were you even spending your money on?”
I watch his shoulders rise and drop dramatically as if the answer is obvious. “Going out, takeaways, you know… the standard student stuff.”
For a moment, I pause as I plate up my breakfast and turn to face him. “Has this got something to do with your excessive drinking?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The fact that you like to drink to the point you almost blackout. You were drunk and you threatened Isaac with digging his grave for him.”
Finn’s eyes widen, and relax the next second. “I was only joking.”
“No, you were about to kill him,” I state.
He waves me off. “So? I had one too many beers. I wasn’t going to hurt the kid. I was just being protective. You know me.”
I snort at his choice of words. “Yeah, you’re right, I do know you, and your drinking habits don’t seem healthy, Finn. If you’ve lost all your money from going out, then that explains how much you must be drinking. And if it’s not alcohol, then it’s drugs, and I pray it’s not the latter.”
“Ivy.” He runs a hand down his face. “You’re reading too much into this. Did you not go out and splash a bit of money on alcohol and have a good night out? The last term is always a little chaotic, celebrating exams and papers. It was harmless. I promise.”
I keep my eyes trained on him for a long moment. “Alright,” I exhale in defeat. “But it’s your last year coming up. You need to focus on getting the grades you’ve always wanted; going out isn’t going to help with that.”
“No.” He winks. “But it will give me lots of fun memories.”
“Yeah, if you can even remember them when you’re paralytic.”
Finn shoots me down with daggers. “I got a job, alright? No need to go all Mum and Dad on me.”
My eyes roll. “I’m not going all Mum and Dad on you, Finn. I’m your sister and I’m worried about you.”
“And I’m trying to make it right.” He holds up his arms in defence.
“Alright,” I say, trying my hardest to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Congrats. I’m pleased you’re taking the reins on this one.”
He draws back and shares a small smile with me. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
I dig into my breakfast as Finn looks at his phone.
“There’s another party on Friday.”
My eyes narrow into slits. He can’t be serious. “You just got a job, Finn.”
“And they’re changing the rota every week,” he huffs. “I’m not working this Friday. I need something to live for. You coming?”
I hum suspiciously. “Maybe. Not sure what I’m doing yet.”
“Alright. I’m gonna go take a shower,” he says before turning to the stairs.
When I’m done with my breakfast, I clean everything away and slump on the sofa to find my phone vibrating. Isaac’s name flashes across the screen and I beam. His messages always make my day a little better—I have to admit.
Isaac:
Hey, how are you?
I was wondering if you wanted to go and grab some ice cream or something tomorrow and take a walk down the beach?
My heart warms at his message.
Ivy:
Hey! I’m good.
Yeah, I’d love to. What time?
Isaac:
What about 2 at the beachfront, near that fancy ice cream shop?
Ivy:
You mean the one that charges a fiver for one scoop
Isaac:
Yeah, but I’m paying, so you don’t have to worry about that
My face stretches into a wide smile. His messages don’t necessarily give me butterflies, but they make me feel something. I chew on my lip at the waves that wash through me.
“What’s got you so smiley?”
I jump at the sound of JJ’s voice as he enters the kitchen. I tear my eyes from my phone and quickly lock the screen.
“Oh, umm,” I mumble as JJ quirks a brow with clear interest. I need to ignore how unbelievably good-looking he is because I need to focus on Isaac— I must focus on Isaac. “Nothing. Just made plans for tomorrow.”
JJ’s eyes glitter against the kitchen lights. “What plans?”
“With Isaac,” I admit.
The creases on his forehead push together quickly as he studies me. “Oh, that’s—” He pauses. “That’s nice. He seems like a good guy.”
“He is.” I nod. “How are you and Daisy?”
The words feel bitter on my tongue. We both need to pretend that night we had together never happened, for the sake of my brother and everything that went down all those years ago.
“Okay, I guess.” He shrugs and brushes a hand over his head. “She wants to go out, but?—”
“You should,” I blurt. “Go out with her. I know she really wants to get to know you.”
JJ blinks at me in surprise. His mouth parts, but before he says anything, he stops himself. “Uh, maybe.”
“If you do, I’m sure you’ll have fun,” I say quietly.
“Mm.”
Our eyes remain locked on one another’s for a moment too long.
My heart pounds against my ribcage, the back of my neck beginning to heat.
I can’t find it in me to take a small breath, not when his eyes latch onto mine like he’s trying to unravel my brain and find out how I’m really feeling.
My phone buzzes in my hand, and it drags me away from this silent conversation. Saved. Literally saved.
I give my attention to the next message Isaac just sent me, but I physically can’t read the words. Not when the tension between me and JJ is suffocating me to death.
Goddamn this. I should have just chosen my vibrator that night instead.