Page 81 of Yours To Hold
Ivy deserves better than that. She’s not nothing. She’s become the air I need to breathe. I have no idea how we’re supposed to make this thing between the two of us work.
I want to. I really do.
But she’s leaving in a few weeks. I can’t do long distance. Hell, Willow can’t do long distance. My life is here in Dixon. I can’t pick up and travel at the drop of a hat. It’s a twelve-plus hour drive to Seattle from here.
“Why aren’t you bugging Logan about this?”
Logan gives me a deadpan stare. “I can barely walk without needing someone’s help. You think I’m going to be able to go out on a date?”
“What’s that girlfriend’s name you had in Denver? Why isn’t she here?”
“Because we broke up. Way to be a dick, Mason. Kick a man while he’s down.”
“Then don’t bring up my love life.”
Peter scoffs. “You never want to talk about your love life.”
“When was the last time I had one?”
“I don’t even think you had a girlfriend when I spent my summers here,” Nash confirms. “You’ve never been a one-woman kind of guy.”
“And you say I’m being the dick. I’ve never been the playboy you’re making me out to be either. So sue me if I don’t have time to focus on women.”
All three of them are looking at me. I hate being the center of attention. Especially when this is the topic of discussion.
“Can we watch the game that I came over here to watch?”
“Someone really doesn’t like us talking about him.” Logan laughs. “It’s what you get for being a dick and bringing up Audrey.”
I flip him off. “Hey, at least you’re up and hanging out. I’ve missed you, bro.”
“Feels good.” Logan gives me an easy smile.
It feels really good to be sitting here and having a few beers with my brothers. With Logan’s leg causing so many issues, I was worried I’d never get something like this with him again.
But with him firmly on the road to recovery, my fears are somewhat assuaged. While I may not have let Logan down like I think I did, I know Gemma is going to be pissed if she finds out about me and Ivy.
There’s not much I need in this world to be happy.
Willow. My family. Hell, even my job lets me work with family.
I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Except Ivy. I can’t figure out how I get to keep her in my life. It’s like a speeding train is racing down the track to her leaving, and it’s only going to end in a terrible crash.
With the two of us at the center. If only there was another way. Another track we could get on so it doesn’t end with heartbreak.
If only…
ChapterTwenty-Three
IVY
Of all days to be late. My alarm didn’t go off this morning, and now I’m rushing to the medical center to sit with Mason during Willow’s procedure.
Poor thing was scared to pieces last night, and I hated leaving her. The entire Winchester family was with her, so it’s not like she needed me. But when she asked for me to come to the hospital, sticking out that pouty lip she’s mastered, I couldn’t say no.
I love that kid something fierce, and it’s going to hurt like hell when I leave in a few weeks.
