Without looking in JJ’s direction, I speed walk to the seat I was occupying before, ignoring my heart thrashing against my ribcage. Why the hell did I say that? I should have stayed at home.
I try to pick up the conversation between Daisy and our old school friends when her words begin to slur. At least one of us is having fun.
Later on, I’m standing with Daisy by the fire, trying to keep warm now that the night is upon us. “You’re my best friend, you know that?” She wraps an arm around my shoulder and slumps her weight on me.
I huff out a laugh. “I know, Dais.”
“You’re so good to me,” she mumbles in my ear, almost tipping her drink down my arm. “I’m so grateful for you.”
“I love when your drunk confessions come out.”
She gawks at me. “What do you mean confessions? I tell you all the time how much I love you.”
I smile. “I know.”
Daisy whips her head over her shoulder and then jumps. “JJ!” she yells, and I find myself tensing. Oh god,don’t come over here.
“You guys good?” JJ’s voice floats through the air.
I close my eyes in defeat. “Yeah!” Daisy exhales as JJ stands in front of us. “I was just telling Ivy how amazing she is, she’s amazing, right?”
For some unknown reason, I decide to look JJ directly in the eye. He smiles straight back at me and nods. “Sure is.”
She points her finger between us as she sways on her feet slightly but doesn’t let go of my shoulder. “I know about you two. I know about your date. I know your dirty little secret.”
My blood runs cold, and I step out of Daisy’s hold. I know she’s drunk, but I didn’t expect her to bring it up at a party, surrounded by people who know us. JJ doesn’t seem startled by her confession, which has me raising my brows in confusion.
“Daisy,” I warn her.
She scowls at JJ. “I can’t believe you told me Ivy wasn’t even your type,” she slurs. “But you said I’m your type.”
Everything begins to slow as I take in her words.
“That’s like saying she’s not attractive. Do you even find her attractive?”
I blink and look at JJ, he’s staring back at Daisy in horror, and I feel like the size of a grain of sand on this beach.Absolutely nothing.Of course I’m not his type. I’m not surprised someone like Daisy is his type. A busty natural beauty who has enough confidence that she could give a top model a run for their money.
The ache in my heart isn’t unexpected, but it still hurts. I glance away because suddenly my breath has slowed. I could have spared myself this embarrassment.
“Right,” I whisper, my voice becoming hoarse as I step away. “I’m gonna go.”
Before Daisy can protest, I walk towards the main road as quickly as I can, wrapping myself up in my cardigan and keeping my eyes on the ground. Pressure builds behind my eyes, but I refuse to cry.
My insecurities crash down on me once again.
I never want to compete with Daisy, but sometimes it feels like I am, and I despise it. I’ve lived in her shadow for almost ten years and now this… I almost laugh. This is the cherry on top of the cake.
Who was I even kidding?
JJ is JJ, and I’m… no one.
“Hey.” I hear a voice behind me, but I don’t turn. “Ivy.”
Isaac touches my arm gently and stops me from walking any further. One tear rolls down my cheek because I know he’s going to ask me what’s wrong and it’s going to set everything off.Everything.
“What’s the matter?”
I duck my head, but he tilts my gaze towards him.
