Ivy laughs at something that Finn says, and someone might as well dig me an early grave because at this rate, I won’t make it to the end of the day. Not when I can’t act how I want around her with Finn in the picture.
God, I want to clasp the back of her neck and tilt her head until our lips meet. Listen as she pants out my name before I press a kiss to those lips that have been begging for attention since I last kissed her.
My fist clenches, and I glance away. I’m not doing myself any favours by fantasising.
“I can’t believe the lobster attacked you.” Ivy chuckles and lifts her glass of wine up to her lips. “You’re such a crybaby.”
Finn gawks at her. “It hurts, alright?” He holds up his fist that has a massive blue plaster across his skin. My eyes scan the plaster, and I smack his hand, only for him to jolt back. “You asshole.”
I look at Ivy. “You’re right, total crybaby.”
Ivy’s cheeks heat, but she continues to smile at me before her eyes slip to something behind me. That smile disappears from her face within seconds, and I tense.
“What?” Finn asks, noticing her change in expression.
He glances over his shoulder, and I do the same. My eyes collide with a group of guys, but I don’t recognise any of them. Finn’s shoulders tremble as he turns back to the table.
“Ugh,” he murmurs and drags his hand down the back of his head. “Ignore them. They won’t come over here.”
Ivy gulps, and I despise the way her face pales. “They did before.”
“What?” Finn hisses under his breath, and for a moment, I see fear flash behind his eyes. “When? W-what did they say to you? Did they say anything?”
She nods, and her hands immediately begin to judder, and I despise every second of it. I resist the urge to cup them with my own, to calm her, to do something. But I can’t. “When I was with Daisy.” She takes a breath. “They came over then.”
Finn curses. “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
Ivy’s eyes flick to mine, and she gulps. My brows draw in together. “I-I don’t know,” she stammers.
“What did they say to you?” I ask, leaning into the table more.
“Just being assholes. As usual.”
“Did they mention Ben?”
Ivy drags her eyes to Finn, and she pauses for a moment before nodding again.
“I hate them,” he grumbles, his jaw tensing so hard that I can see a vein pulsing in his face. “I knew they’d do something like this, backing Ben for his disgusting behaviour. They will never change.”
“Do you want to leave?” I ask Ivy, sensing her severe discomfort.
After a few moments, she shakes her head. “No,” she rasps. “I don’t want them to win.”
Finn leans over and presses a hand to her shoulder. “It’s fine, we’re here. Nothing is going to happen, Iv. I promise.”
Ivy blows out a shuddering breath. God knows I’ll deck anyone who dares to belittle her. I don’t care who they are.
“I know.” She flashes him a wary smile and then covers her mouth with her glass again.
Finn changes the subject, but it’s obvious Ivy isn’t in the conversation; her eyes keep moving between our heads and glancing at the group behind us. They get louder and louder by the minute, intoxicated by alcohol and slurring their words.
“You need to get your grades up this year,” I tell Finn. “You barely scraped a 2:2.”
He waves him off and takes a big swig of his beer. “I’ll make up for it this year, I was too busy partying and?—”
“Fucking,” I cut in.
Ivy pulls a face of disgust. “Please, let’s not go there.”
