Ivy’s eyes narrow, accessing my threat.
“I won’t mind either,” I gloat.
Ivy lets out a long breath but doesn’t lose all of the attitude.
I press my lips to hers firmly and that’s when the tension in her body relaxes. “Need another round?” I inspect.
“No,” she mumbles.
“You can’t stay mad at me,” I laugh.
“I can,” she claims.
“No…you can’t,” I reply. Pulling her into me, I make it seem like we’re going to have a second round. Then, I open the door behind her, offering her the chance to leave.
Ivy looks back and forth between the hallway and me. She smiles and then darts out the room.
I take a few extra minutes to calm my raging hard-on and toss on my shirt. I adjust myself and consider leaving through the window for only a split second. I think better of it and head downstairs to join everyone for breakfast.
“How’d yah sleep, Henry?” Mrs. Abney inquires as I enter the kitchen.
“Great, thanks,” I reply.
“Suellen’s making waffles,” Mr. Abney announces. “Want some?”
“I’d love some,” I reply with a smile, taking the open seat next to Ivy at the table. “I’m sure you still have the town’s best waffles too.”
“You know it,” Mrs. Abney returns with a smile.
“Well, looky here,” Mr. Abney exclaims. “It looks like our boy has made the papers.”
My gaze darts around to everyone, hoping he’s not referring to me and what happened last night with Mrs. Summerlin.
“And, it’s not for doing something stupid,” Ivy chimes in teasingly.
“Shut up,” Grady replies, shoving her shoulder.
I let out a breath, glad to know Mr. Abney isn’t talking about me.
“Why you in the paper?” Mr. Abney asks.
“‘Cause of work,” Grady states.
“You ain’t in trouble, are ya?” Mrs. Abney inquires.
“Why does everyone keep thinking it’s ‘cause I did something bad?” Grady whines.
“Because, it used to be,” Mr. Abney laughs.
Grady’s head shakes a little in defeat.
The guy can’t deny the stupid shit he and some of the other boys in town used to do. They’ve only gotten caught for half of the shit people claimed was them. Most of it was harmless fun and pranks, but in this little town, gossip is gossip.
“What does it say?” I ask, wanting them to hear what it says about Grady. I cringe the second the words leave my lips, knowing that Ivy will know the truth.
Ivy gets up, offering to help her mother with a few things at the stove.
“It says he presented the naming of the lodges for the new ones they built awhile back…you know, the ones that were put on hold for a long while,” Mr. Abney states.
“Really?” Mrs. Abney exclaims. “How nice! Grady, I’m so proud of you.”
Grady’s cheeks flush, almost as if he’s surprised for the praise. “Thanks.”
“You working for the company?” Nana checks.
“Sure is,” Mr. Abney confirms. “Says he’s one of the head managers for the property.”
“Wonderful,” Mrs. Abney praises.
His grandparents, who’ve been at the table with us, congratulate him as well.
“How’d you get the job?” Ivy inspects.
“Why?” Grady asks.
“Just wondering,” she says, shrugging her shoulders. “Do you know the owner directly?”
“Maybe…why?” Grady checks.
“Because, they could use Abney and Sherman Solutions to market them,” Ivy states.
“I’m sure they could,” Grady replies. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Awesome,” Ivy returns, coming back to the table with a plate full of food.
The conversations flow as the rest of the food is set on the table and everyone gathers around for the meal. Mr. Abney continues to read the paper silently and there’s no mention of my company name, which relaxes me. It’s not that I want to hide anything from Ivy, I just don’t want her to get any misconceptions about the business or me. I know that we’ll need to discuss certain things like where we might live and I don’t want her thinking that I’m tied to Blackburn just because of the business.
“So, Henry,” Mr. Abney says as Ivy and her Mom clear the table. I grab a few plates, trying to help.
“So?” I reply.
“How’s the widower life treating you?” he asks.
“Papa,” Ivy scolds.
“What?” Mr. Abney asks, shrugging. “He knows I’m teasing.”
“Too soon,” Mrs. Abney claims.
“It’s okay,” I laugh. “It’s better. Thanks.”
“I see you’re shacking up with Ivy,” Mr. Abney blurts.
“Papa,” Ivy calls with a worried tone as she almost drops a dish.
“What?” Mr. Abney replies. “I ain’t stupid. I know how old you are. Besides, how else do you think I know how my….”
“John,” Mrs. Abney interrupts. She shakes her head with a nervous look on her face.
“I thought Ivy was pure and innocent according to you,” Grady states.
“She is,” Mr. Abney replies. “You know what I mean.”
“What do you mean, Pa?” Grady goads.
“It’s not like I don’t know what happens between two adults you know.” He nudges me with his elbow when I reach for a few more plates off the table.
“Papa, please,” Ivy begs.
“Well…I do,” Mr. Abney states. “That’s the kind of stuff your Momma and I did in order to make you two.”
“Ew, gross!” Grady states.
“Papa,” Ivy whines.
“What?” Mr. Abney chuckles.
“If you want to shower,” Ivy says, looking at me. “You know where the towels are in the hallway, right?”
“Yep,” I reply with a chuckle.
“Are ya trying to hint at something, Ivy?” Mr. Abney goads with a wink at me.
“Papa!” Ivy shouts.
Everyone’s silent as Ivy and I finish helping clear the table. Then, she heads upstairs so I follow. Ivy scolds me for encouraging the topic of us with her father while I defend that I didn’t. Saying that she needs some space and that I’m already here, Ivy instructs me to take a shower and that she’ll get me some of Grady’s clothes for me to borrow. I try to tease her and encourage her to join me in the shower, but that just seems to piss her off more.
“Got any plans for today?” I ask Ivy once I return to her bedroom.
“No,” she replies, keeping her back to me. “You?”
“I was hoping we could go back to my place for a while,” I suggest, snaking my arms around her.
“Not a good idea,” Ivy returns flatly.
“What’s wrong?” I check, turning her to face me.
“I don’t feel comfortable,” Ivy states.
“Why? Because it used to be Julianna’s home? She never really bothered me in the barn,” I explain. “I lived out there not long after we first got married. I only went back in the house when she got sick.”
“It’s not that,” Ivy says, looking away. She moves to grab some clothes.
I nod. “Mrs. Summerlin.”
“I know there’s gossip going around,” she states.
“What’s been said?” I ask, angry at the thought.
“I don’t know,” Ivy replies. “I just know that there’s something though…and, I don’t want to deal with it right now.”
“Fine,” I say. “Let’s get out of town.”
“I wanna stay with Momma and Nana,” Ivy informs. “Pops has been getting worse.”
“Then, I’ll stay here with you,” I suggest.
“Henry…don’t you think it’ll be weird?” she asks.
“Weird?” I return.
“You know…you being here after last night and whatever’s being said out there,” she huffs, gesturing at the exterior wall.
Ivy’s phone buzzes, drawing our attention. She looks at it but doesn’t bother to answer as she silences it. She moves toward the door.
“Ivy,” I call, catching her by the arm.
She avoids my eyes.
“Talk to me, Firefly,” I request.
Her eyes lift to mine and I can see a little bit of pain in them. “I just don't like being the cause of you being seen as a bad person. I’d rather take the blame for everything between you and Julianna.”
“Fuck them,” I say. “I don’t give a flying pig fuck what they think or say.”
Ivy tries to hide a giggle.
“What?” I inquire.
“Flying pig fuck?” she tries to say with a straight face.
“Yep,” I confirm.
“It doesn’t matter,” she continues. “It’s not right.” Ivy leaves the room.
23 Ivy
I let the water wash over me for at least five minutes from the moment I stepped into the shower. Between the stress from last night and the added shit this morning with my family and Henry, I need a long, hot shower to calm down. It didn’t help that Drew was just texting me, saying that everything is going to shit and that he needs me home. Why can’t a man handle things when a woman is away?
I get as much done in the bathroom as possible, including getting dressed, knowing that Henry could be super grabby again. I can’t believe he tried this morning with my family awake and still in the house. I can’t believe I let him, which is part of my tension.
When I enter my bedroom, I find Henry lounging on my bed with his hands tucked behind his head. Why are men so damn sexy; more so when they’re pushing boundaries and buttons?
“So, don’t you have work today?” I check, evading his eyes.
“Sounds like you want to get rid of me,” Henry accuses.
“No,” I lie.
“Bullshit,” he laughs. “It’s the rumors thing that’s still bothering you.”
“Not,” I fib.
“You’re not a good liar, Firefly,” Henry informs.
“I’ve got a pretty good poker face when I want it,” I assert.
Henry snickers which riles me a little. “If you really want to let those fuckers run your life…fine,” he says, shifting to a sitting position. “I can leave.”
I watch him, hoping to see if he’s bluffing.
“I don’t think you should give any more fucks as to what others say or think about you,” Henry states. “You’re successful and you got the hell out of Dodge. The only reason why they’d say shit is because they’re jealous of you.”
I lift a brow, not expecting his words.
“But, if you want them to control you like that…fine,” Henry sighs. “I’ll go if you really want me to. But, know…I expect your sweet ass at my house tonight for dinner.”
“I don’t take kindly to people who insist and not ask,” I say with my hands on my hips.
“You’ll take it from them, but not me?” Henry poses.
“Shit,” I huff.
Henry yanks me into him. “The only person who I care to know what she thinks is you, Ivy,” he shares. “Don’t give a fuck about the rest of them…no offense, not even your Momma and Papa. I love them…respect them…but this is between you and me.” Henry takes a hold of the back of my neck and pulls me into a long, lingering kiss.
My body responds instantly, anticipating the kind of release that can come from him touching me in so many tantalizing ways. I toy with the idea of letting him get his fill, and mine too, before he leaves.
“You know where to find me,” Henry states, letting me go.
My body suddenly feels cold as he moves further away.
“You coming tonight?” Henry checks.
I nod despite the fact that my gut is telling me it’s a bad idea.
I hide out in my room until lunch, needing to get some work done remotely and also to avoid my parents. There’s no need to have the awkward birds and the bees conversation or the inquiry as to the full status of Henry and me. The smell of Momma’s cooking finally entices me to come down for lunch. Papa is at work, as is Grady, so the chances of Henry or sex being brought up in a conversation by someone other than me are very slim.
Pops seems to be having a good day, so Momma asks if I can go with her to the food store to make the trip faster. I agree even though I’m nervous about the idea of an outing. The ride to town is short and quiet and the streets seem less busy, which I’m grateful for.
“Talk to him yet?” Momma pries as we round the corner for the third aisle.
“No,” I sigh. “I know I need to…it’s just not that easy with everything that’s going on.”
“What’s been going on other than you two having sex?” Momma quips.
“Momma!” I chide, looking around to make sure no one heard her.
“Why are you acting weird, Ivy?” Momma asks, looking around as if someone is going to pop out from the shadows.
“Nothing,” I lie.
“Did he say something?” Momma checks.
I look at her in confusion.
“You know…something to the effect that he doesn’t want kids?” she inquires.
“No,” I reply softly.
“Then, what?” Momma pushes.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I claim.
“Spill it,” Momma demands.
I take a deep breath, needing to collect myself while also checking to see if anyone is around. Right as I’m about to utter the first word, Mrs. Glidewell calls out Momma’s name.
“Oh, hello there, Mary Sue,” Momma greets.
I study Mrs. Glidewell’s face as she approaches, trying to undercover if she’s one of the people who’s heard or is spending the rumors.
“We missed you at knitting last week, Suellen,” Mrs. Glidewell states. “The ladies said it’s not as lively without you.”
“You remember my daughter, Ivy, right?” Momma asks.
“Yes, of course,” Mrs. Glidewell replies with a smile. “Good to see you again after all these years. You’ve grown into quite a woman. I’m sure you’ve got all the men chasing after you.”
“Good to see you again too, Mrs. Glidewell,” I return with a smile, feeling a little more confident.
“Ivy’s back in town for a little while,” Momma explains. “That’s why I missed the fun. Tell the girls I’ll be back not this weekend, but the next.”
“I sure will,” Mrs. Glidewell replies.
“There you are,” another woman’s voice booms down the aisle.
I instinctually duck, afraid that something will be hurled at me.
“Ivy, Sweetpea, what in heavens are you doing?” Momma inspects.
“Nothing,” I lie. “I thought my shirt got caught on the cart.”
“Did it snag?” Momma asks.
“Nope,” I confirm. “It’s good.”
“Good,” Momma says, before turning to look at Mrs. Holmes who is standing next to Mrs. Glidewell.
“Good to see you, Suellen,” Mrs. Holmes greets. She looks to me and I swear I see the judgment coming out of her eyes. “Ivy.”
“Mrs. Holmes,” I return sharply.
“I’d say there’s no hurry for Suellen to rush back to knitting,” Mrs. Holmes states. “There’s enough drama going around the town as it is.”
“What do you mean by that?” Momma inquires heatedly. “Are you implying that I bring drama when you and your girl, Adeline, get around more than any other girls in town?”
“Now, ladies,” Mrs. Glidewell officiates, trying to keep the peace.
“Not at all,” Mrs. Holmes states. “We just don’t need you around on account of how quick your daughter is known to spread her legs for Julianna’s husband.”
“Julianna is dead,” Momma reminds. “And, don’t you go on and talk about my daughter like that…not when your daughter is known to have slept with every boy in her class and even a few teachers to make sure she grad
uated from school.”
“How dare you!” Mrs. Holmes exclaims.
“Momma, let’s go,” I ask, not liking the situation.
“How dare you,” Momma says heatedly. “I expect better from you ladies…especially with all of the shit y’all used to pull when we were their age.”
“We never tried to break up a marriage,” Mrs. Holmes claims.
“Henry is a widower,” Momma reminds. “He’s not married, nor was my daughter around during the time they were married.”
“Momma, please,” I beg.
“Julianna was too good for him,” Mrs. Holmes states.
“Why? Because Henry’s not a pure breed?” I snap.
All three women look to me. “Looks to me that none of the people in this town, especially the pure breeds, are good enough for him or the rest of us,” I counter. “If I were you, I’d turn my little ass around and march on out of this store. Don’t look back because I just might put a hex on you with my mixed-blood-voodoo ways.”
Momma tries to hide a smile.
“Let’s be civil, Ivy,” Mrs. Glidewell offers.
“No,” I argue. “I’m done being fucking civil with this fucking town.”
Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Glidewell stare at me in shock, unsure of how to handle me. I was never a child who stood up for myself when I was young, not when it came to adults.
“Y’all need to take those fucking sticks out your asses,” I inform. “Better yet, y’all actually need to shove them up higher so you can fuck those tight asses of yours until you’re no longer a fucking tight ass. I’m sick and tired of people like you. You’re all one to talk when it comes to gossip, yet you don’t know the decades of gossip I’ve had to listen to about each of you.”
“What seems to be the commotion?” Mr. Kirkland inquires, coming from around the corner.
“Nothing,” I return, not letting anyone else speak.
“Why don’t we lower our voices and….”
“Don’t tell me what to do, Mr. Kirkland,” I command. “You’re just as bad as the women in this town with the gossip you spread and you’re just as bad if not worse with your own indiscretions…what with how you like to diddle Mrs. Phillips in the back when you think no one’s in the store.”
“Ivy, I think that’s enough,” Momma states.
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