Oh boy.
8
Brothers are Always Right
Jake
I pulled up at Ivy’s house and glanced in the rearview mirror at Addie behind me. She was pretty mellow, much more than I would have assumed considering how late it was. My nieces tended to get wound up the closer it was to bedtime. But Addie’s head rested on the high back of her booster as she stared out the window.
“You good, Miss Addie?” I asked as I turned off the car and prepared to head in.
Addie’s eyes found mine in the rearview mirror. “Yep, just sweepy.”
I grinned and slid out of my Silverado, heading for her door. In the past hour or so, Addie’sl’s had becomew’s. It was adorable.
Tugging open the door, I found that she’d already unbuckled and her arms were outstretched. I scooped her up along with her backpack, and we headed toward the house. The solid weight of her in my arms as she snuggled in took my breath away. Spending time with Addie today had been eye-opening. I’d always assumed I’d be a young dad. Hell, dating Rachel for years, planning our wedding, I’d figured I’d be there by now. However, as my sister liked to remind me,man plans, God laughs.Whatever. Rachel had done a number on me, and I’d avoided anything serious like the plague ever since, but somehow this pint-sized dynamo and her mom had me reconsidering that path.
Ivy’s house was the perfect size for her and Addie. I’d moved in down the street years ago, long before Ivy and Addie moved to town, and often came by her place on my daily runs. It was a small cottage, navy siding with white trim. I knew the older couple who used to live there before retiring to Florida. They would have taken care of the place, which was great for Ivy.
Walking onto the screened-in porch, I briefly wondered if she had parents or siblings close. Was there anyone she could rely on to help her out? What if I hadn’t been able to watch Addie? Who was her backup? What about Addie’s dad? I’d assume this year had been stressful, what with starting a small business on her own. Sully and I had each other, along with his entire family, mine three hours away, and a town that didn’t know how not to show their support as we started our business. Who did Ivy have?
Addie began to wiggle a bit as we neared the front door. “Down please,” she said as we reached our destination. Leaning over, I placed her on the porch, and then she bolted for the door. It was open—I’d need to chat with Ivy about that—and she hauled ass inside.
“Mommmmmmaaaaaa!” she hollered, racing in.
What in the world? Had I thought she was mellow moments ago? Maybe it was all just an act, or she’d gotten her second wind.
I took a step into Ivy’s house and looked around. Good Lord, it was like a greenhouse threw up in here. Her front door took you from her screened-in porch straight into her living room. I didn’t know where to focus. Every surface had plants. I knew shit about plants, but there were ones on some built-in shelves that had leaves flowing down. Every flat surface had a small plant of some type. In front of the windows in giant pots sat larger plants with leaves the size of a dinner plate—some solid, some with holes in them. I’d never tried to have indoor plants. I was sure I’d never water them. I was impressed as much as I was overwhelmed.
Looking past all the green, I had to grin. Ivy’s place screamedIvy. Her couch was a bright blue, but I couldn’t focus much on it. There were pillows, blankets, a crazy amount of patterns between pillows, blankets, and the rug underfoot. My sister would say there were lots of jewel tones, but basically it was a colorful space with a shit ton of plants. Everywhere.
It was a lot. And somehow, it was exactly right, exactly what I would have thought of for Ivy.
“We’re coming, Just Jake!” Addie called from some place beyond the living room. I shook my head and dropped her backpack on the couch. Pounding footsteps headed my way as Addie tore around the corner and ran straight at me again. At least she wasn’t quiet. There was plenty of warning about an incoming four-year-old. I bent down, scooped her up, and stood as Ivy came around the corner.
Damn. Not sure I was prepared for the sight of Ivy in fitted clothing. Her hair was in one of those knots she loved. But I could only assume the leggings she had on were for yoga. They hugged every inch of her, and I didn’t know where to let my eyes rest. Her shirt was a light purple long-sleeved that seemed to match this living room but fitted because God must be happy with me. It had some weird-ass holes that her thumb poked through at the end, but I ignored that and just checked out the way it clung to her breasts.
Damn. It bears repeating. I wasn’t sure I could form words. All the blood flow had left my head, or the top one at least. I needed to refocus on the fact that her daughter was in the room and the woman in front of me was not always my biggest fan.
My phone, of course, chose that moment to begin the vibration dance in my pocket. Sliding it out, I lowered Addie to the ground and gave Ivy what I hoped was an apologetic look. “Just a minute, sorry. Finn, Sully, and I are all out of the brewery tonight, so I just need to make sure Daryl doesn’t need anything.”
Ivy nodded as she moved to pick up Addie’s bag. She sat down on the couch as Addie sat down beside her. I watched as Ivy pulled out a folder and they began looking through what appeared to be a million and two drawings. They all looked the same to me, but Addie seemed to have a story to go with each and every one.
My phone vibrated again. Looking down, I saw that it was Drew, not Daryl. Still, Ivy was talking to Addie. I moved over to the window to give them some space. I opened the text to see if Drew needed anything. He hadn’t wanted to join Addie and me for dinner tonight, said he was exhausted. Maybe I should swing by the brewery to grab him some food before heading home.
Drew:Met Bookstore Ivy tonight. You’re in trouble.
What? I glanced up from my phone to Ivy and Addie curled up on the couch with drawings scattered all over. They were studying one intently.
“You met my brother tonight?” I asked.
Ivy looked up, considered me for a moment, then a grin spread across her face. “Drew? Oh yeah. We had dinner together.”
For no reason at all, a wave of jealousy hit me square in the chest. What the hell? I know absolutely nothing would happen, but there it was and I wasn’t going to deny it.
I looked from her, to my phone, debating. I’d known Drew longer; I’d deal with him first.
Me:Fuck you.
