CHAPTER THIRTEEN
In her apartment the next day, Ivy lay on her bed. She’d cried so much no more tears remained, but that had left her eyes swollen, red, and achy. Somehow she’d scribbled the words running through her mind, but she wondered if she’d be able to decipher them later to write a breakup song.
The worst part?
She kept hoping Nash would come after her. Tell her he was wrong and make everything better.
A knock sounded.
Her breath caught in her throat. Was it…?
She scrambled out of bed, ran to the door, and opened it.
Her grandmother stood with a concerned look on her wrinkled face. She also held a bag.
No doubt filled with Ivy’s favorite things to eat. Grams always brought food when she visited.
Grams walked into the apartment without waiting for an invitation. “Let’s get a wet rag on your eyes. Though it might be too late to keep your head from hurting later.”
“Thanks.” Ivy wouldn’t try to tell her grandmother she was fine. Anyone could see she wasn’t. “How did you know?”
“Ruby saw you hurrying down Main Street yesterday. You’ve never been the type to work out, let alone jog, and it’s hot outside. I knew something had to be up.” Grams removed a dishtowel from the drawer and wet it in the sink. “Then Betty texted that your boyfriend had a new girlfriend who is going to sing your song with him. Maude checked out a few gossip sites while Nellie baked you brownies. And here I am.”
Ivy sat on the edge of her bed. “I—”
“Lie down.”
She did.
A cool, wet cloth covered her eyes.
“Nash had me fooled,” Grams said. “I was sure he was the one.”
“The one?”
“Your one.”
Ivy’s breath hitched. “He still wants to be with me.”
Grams gasped. “While he’s dating someone else?”
“It’s complicated, but I said no. That I deserve better.”
“You do. I’m proud of you for recognizing your worth. Nash is an idiot and doesn’t deserve you.”
That made Ivy laugh. “Thanks, Grams.”
“What about your songs?”
“I have a contract. He’s still planning to cut…record…three.”
“And your other songs?”
Ivy shrugged. “I’ll try to find a music publisher again.”
“You tried before.”
She nodded. “But that was before…”
