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J J W O O D F O R D

"SO, WE'VE GOT SIXTEEN BURGERS, six veggie burgers, fourteen sausages, chicken skewers, cheese, buns, onions, gherkins, coleslaw, potato salad." Finn lists off as he points to everything on the counter of the kitchen island. "Do you reckon that's enough?"

I turn my head to him. "To feed a football team? Yeah."

Finn rolls his eyes. "It's better to get more than to scrounge around for the scraps."

"True," I nod in agreement and cup my hands around my elbows. "When's everyone getting here?"

He snorts in my direction. "Define everyone."

"Joel, Cal. Is Ivy even coming?"

Finn's eyes gravitate to mine at the mention of his sister and he shrugs. "I don't know but do you know who is coming?" He walks towards me and wraps a large arm around my neck. "Your girlfriend."

I shove him off me with heavy force. "Shut up. She's not my girlfriend."

Daisy will never be my girlfriend.

"Why so uptight man? Honestly, that girl has it for you bad."

I didn't really even want to invite her but Finn forced me to and she should be here any given second. Finn walks outside into the garden to start the barbeque, using the gas canister to light it up and get the food cooking.

The storm that has been brewing is predicted for tonight so we decided to do something for lunch before the next few days are likely to be written off from the bad weather. I hear a knock at the door and I push myself up from the counter and stroll towards the sound.

When Daisy is standing there with two handfuls of booze, I flash her a forced smile. "Hey you," she grins and steps forward, planting a kiss on my cheek. The stickiness of her lip gloss makes my skin itch and when she's out of my view, I raise my hand to wipe it off.

"Hey," I say in response, shutting the door behind her.

She whirls around on the spot, holding the bags of drink above her head. "I brought the goods."

"Hey, Daisy," Finn shouts from outside.

"Hey!" She sets her stuff down on the empty part of the counter. "Who's ready for a drink then?"

Finn nods as he allows the barbeque to heat up, prepping the tongs and plates on the side. "Hell yeah, I'm down."

I watch Daisy as she unpacks beers and ciders, even a bottle of wine. Part of me is impressed with how she carried it in like a champ, as if it weighed absolutely nothing at all.

"What do you want?" She calls out to him.

"A beer."

She clutches it in one hand and as Finn turns she throws it to him-thank God he caught it before it smashed against the kitchen floor. "JJ?"

"Yeah, sure. Thanks."

Daisy takes two out of the cardboard holder and punches off the caps with her fist and her ring. She hands me one and then clinks the glass against mine, deep chocolate eyes glittering at me. "Cheers," she says slowly before latching her lips onto the bottle and taking a long, unneeded sip with far too much eye contact.

"Where's Ivy?" Finn questions, brushing his hands against the fabric of his shorts.

She reaches into her pocket to tap the screen. "Should be here soon. I told her to invite Isaac. She's coming with him."

My eyebrow twitches without permission and I turn my head. "Good on her," Finn nods and heads back outside. I keep my eye on Finn as he starts putting the food on the barbeque.

"Who's Isaac?" I ask as simply as possible.

"Oh," she presses a hand to the counter and turns to me, perching on one of the stools. "He's this guy from school who has always fancied Ivy but never said anything to her. But now she's back and his glow up is literally to die for. I really hope it works out for them."

I clear my throat and nod, taking a big sip of my beer. "Right."

"So, JJ," Daisy flicks her dark hair over her narrow shoulder. "How have you been? I haven't seen you in a few days."

That's because I've been avoiding you.

I flash her a small smile. "Yeah good. Just been spending some time with Finn and his friends."

Her lashes flutter against her tanned skin. "Oh, yeah of course. You probably want to make the most of the summer."

"Yeah."

Daisy's mouth opens only for someone to knock at the door. I step back from the counter and yell, "I'll get it."

I press my hand down onto the handle and open the door to find Joel and Cal standing on the other side. I give them a quick greeting with even more beer in their hands. Just as I begin to close the door I spot a familiar set of blonde hair whipping in the distance-the storm is definitely closing in soon.

Beside her is a tall guy with a fresh dark trim and a beaming grin. I don't recognise him from town or the party the other day. But I do notice as Ivy giggles beside him at something that he's said and it turns my stomach into cement.

They make their way up to the house and Ivy glances up, realising that I'm standing here watching them. Her expression falls when she notices me, Isaac studying her face to find out why she's no longer laughing.

"Hi," she mumbles under her breath quietly.

"Hi," I nod.

The guy who I'm presuming is Isaac steps closer and holds out a hand. "Hey man, I'm Isaac."

I glance down at his brown hand for a second before I take it. "I'm JJ."

After shaking his hand for a moment too long, I step out of the way for them to come inside. I have no idea how I've ended up on door duty but let's pray no one else decides to make an appearance because Isaac being here is enough for me.

Finn cooks up the food and I help him set up the utensils and condiments on the kitchen table so that everyone can help themselves. I spot Joel and Cal outside laughing away with Finn as he flips the burgers, drinking beer and becoming increasingly tipsy by the second.

Daisy is latched to my hip, explaining what jobs she's applied for this week for her gap year that she wants to take. I would honestly rather watch paint dry in slow motion than listen to her talk right now, not when I can see Ivy and Isaac across the kitchen.

I have to give it to him, he's a good looking chap. I have no idea what he looked like before his glow up but I understand now why Ivy might be interested. I've seen many sharp jawlines in my time but nothing like his. He might as well be a knife pulled from the kitchen drawers. It's that sharp. It's extraordinary.

She's staring at him like he's the only man in this world that can crack a joke. My fingers clench around the base of my beer bottle and it's seconds away from smashing when Daisy places a hand on my arm. "Are you zoning out again?"

I glance towards her to find her pouting at me, those glossy lips so shiny that I can almost see my reflection. "Sorry," I huff. "You were saying?"

"I can't believe they rejected my application," she grumbles. "I even had a telephone interview and they said I talk too much. Can you believe that?"

My eyebrows raise subtly. Sure can believe it.

"Guys," Finn tucks his head into the kitchen, the word slurring slightly. "Come get some food. It's all done."

Ivy walks by her brother and grips his hand. "Thanks for this, Finn."

He leans down to press a kiss to the top of her head. "I told you this would be the best summer ever and I will make sure it is. Even if the food is a little burnt."

She chuckles quietly. "Still, thank you."

We grab platefuls of the food, my stomach growling at the smell of it wafting into the summer air. Joel catches me in a conversation about an upcoming party and then it changes to Daisy within a matter of seconds, I give blunt answers and focus on my food instead.

Finn attempts to pile up the empty plates once we've finished eating but ends up dropping them in the sink, Isaac rushes to his side to help. He'll definitely need to go to bed soon, he can't handle his drink ever.

"So," he slurs to Isaac. "What are your intentions with my sister?"

"Finn!" Ivy bellows from across the room, turning her attention away from her conversation with Daisy. "Don't."

Finn shrugs her off and rolls his already rolling eyes. "I presume you like my sister."

I glance at Isaac who seems a little taken back and every time he says, 'my sister', it makes my skin crawl. "Yeah, Ivy's great." Isaac responds.

He steps closer to the poor lad who has done nothing but attend a barbeque with Ivy's company. Now I realise how protective Finn really is-either that or it's the drink. "You hurt her," he points a finger. "And I'll dig your grave for you."

My eyes flicker at the harshness of his tone. Ivy storms over to him and grab's Finn's arm, he sways at the motion. "That's enough and you need to go to bed. You're drunk and being annoying and trust me, it's not cute."

"Whatever," he grumbles. "I'm barely drank-drunks. I'm barely even drunk."

Ivy breathes out a heavy sigh through her nose. "Leave Isaac alone, alright? I don't want your overprotective shit right now, especially when you can barely stand up and you wouldn't even win against a plastic bag let alone Isaac. So stop it."

I glance at Joel and Cal and they nod, stepping towards Ivy so they can take Finn into their arms. They carry him through the house and upstairs-needed for the storm before he decides to go and do something stupid.

Daisy stands up to help clean away the food and wrappers, Ivy and Isaac whisper under their breaths by the sink but I can't hear what they're saying. I frown at her tone.

A loud gust of wind rockets through the back door that is still open, Daisy walks towards it and pokes her head out at the dark grey sky. "Yikes," she mutters. "I think the storm is starting early."

"You better get back," Ivy says and then glances at Isaac, "you too."

Isaac nods. "Agreed."

I say goodbye to Daisy and then Isaac offers me a smile. "So good to meet you, JJ."

I want to hate him but I can't. He's a nice fucking guy and that makes this situation a thousand times worse. "You too."

Isaac offers Daisy a ride and she happily takes it, Joel and Cal come downstairs to say that Finn is safely in bed and they're heading home before the storm becomes a disaster.

Then Ivy turns back to the kitchen once everyone is gone and packs the kitchen away, uneaten food in the fridge and buns in the bread bin. I stand beside her and help, quickly going outside to grab the utensils Finn used for the barbeque.

"Does Finn always get drunk like that?" She asks.

I puff out a breath of air through my nose. "You have no idea."

"He's a mess. I swear he had like five beers."

"He did," I chuckle.

"Such a liability."

"Tell me about it."

I flick my head across the kitchen to find Ivy glancing up at me at the same time. My eyes gravitate towards her arm that's still bandaged. "How is the arm?"

"Hmmm?" She hums and then follows my eyeline. "Oh, right. Yeah it's fine. Thanks again."

"You don't need to keep thanking me," I tell her with a ghost of a smile on my lips.

Ivy's cheeks turn to a pretty shade of pink and she nods, turning away from me again. Soon the kitchen is practically spotless and the weather has taken a turn for the worst. Never have I heard it rain so hard and aggressively, splattering against the patio.

I walk towards the open door and glance up, the clouds so dark they might as well be a midnight sky. I grimace at the night we're going to have.

To my surprise Ivy stands beside me, leaning on the opposite door. "I love it when it rains here," she says so quietly that I'm not even sure if she wanted me to hear. "Sometimes it just takes me away from everything."

"Same. Summer storms are the best."

Her blue eyes glisten as she turns to me. "It's relaxing. But living by the beach always makes it a thousand times worse. Sometimes we have to prepare."

"Does it flood here?"

Ivy purses her lips and shakes her head. "Not here but on the beach front sometimes. It has to be a real bad storm for that to happen. I don't think this one is going to be too tragic, I'm praying anyway."

I keep my eyes focused on her as she speaks and she catches me staring-again. Always staring because that face deserves to be worshipped, even if it's inside my mind.

A strike of lightning flashes through the sky and Ivy's lips part slowly, wrapping her little cardigan around her body that is oversized on her arms. Then she sits down on the floor beside the back door and stares up into the sky with open eyes.

I sit beside her, drawing my legs into my chest. She doesn't protest because she's not looking at me, she's fascinated by the storm and I can see the excitement reflected in those eyes that could hold so much light. But that light has gone out and at the moment it's only on half beam.

She deserves to get that light back. And I want to know who the fuck took it from her.

The clouds are lit up by strikes of silver lines over and over until the thunder erupts and I'm sure that the floor vibrates. Is it louder in seaside towns? It sounds like something from an apocalypse.

Ivy turns to me after we sit in silence for five minutes, she copies my actions and hugs her knees into her chest from the cool whipping air. "How is your mum?" She asks with such delicacy that it sparks something inside my heart.

I open my mouth and then lick my bottom lip. "Okay," I lower my head to glance at my arms cupping themselves, "she's started her experimental treatment. Gone with my dad. That's why I came here because I couldn't be sitting at home by myself all summer waiting for an update. But so far she's reacting well to it but it hasn't been long enough to figure out if it can help her in the long run."

"Well I hope the treatment works," she speaks again with equal quietness but it's obvious she cares. "I'm pleased she can be somewhere to experience the experimental treatment, to try something new. She's in good hands."

My teeth clamp down on the inside of my mouth. "I'm a little surprised you remembered."

"Why?"

I shrug. "People don't like talking about sick people. That's what I've realised."

Ivy's brows pull down into a tight frown, I've never seen her look so frustrated. "Really?"

"Yeah," I exhale through a long breath. "A mention of illness, treatment, possible-death. People don't want to know. So I appreciate you asking about her, it honestly means a lot. No one else has really stopped to care."

She stares back into my eyes, the whites of them glistening as she listens to me talk. I'm not sure what flashes past her face but it looks like empathy or consolation. The spark from earlier has practically set my heart on fire from the way that she looks at me, not with pity or sorrow but genuine understanding of how I must feel.

"Well, if you want someone to talk to. I'm here."

I glance down at those lips that have been torturing me for these past few weeks and I want to kiss the shit out of her. Until neither of us can breathe and she's panting into my mouth. I can't even deny how much I want her.

"Thank you, Ivy."

Her shoulders raise in a silent, 'no problem'. A gust of wind sends the rain splattering into the kitchen, the droplets coating Ivy. She yelps at the coldness of the quick rain shower and before I know what I'm doing, I lean over to grip her waist and I tug her along the floor by her ass to where I'm sitting. At least it's dry over here.

Ivy's lips have parted and she blinks at the action, not enough time to protest. I can feel the warmth of her leg spread into mine, stretching across my skin with comfort and calmness. She glances up at me and I tilt my head down at the same time.

I can feel her breath tickle my lips. We're that damn close.

Her throat tenses, eyes becoming wider and then dilating as she takes me in.

My eyes float back down to her lips again and her cheeks spread with a more intense shade of pink. I lean closer, just an inch until a line of lightning zaps through the sky at the same time a roar of thunder claps in the air.

We jolt apart and Ivy turns away, hiding her heated face behind her blonde hair.

I bite onto my lip, scolding myself for not acting faster. My heartbeat rattles in my ears, blood soaring around my body like an adrenaline rush because I want another taste of those lips.

God, I've been dreaming for one simple taste. Even if that's all I'm allowed to have, one more time. I'll take it in a flash.

We sit in silence again, enjoying the storm with her agonisingly tempting lips on my mind.

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Author's Note

Hello my loves. What did we think of this chapter???👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Subtle jealous JJ is literally my fav haha, who thinks Ivy hanging around with Isaac is going to stir the pot?😬

Also Ivy is so caring towards JJ despite wanting to put distance between them, are they going to be able to resist in the future?

I would love to know your thoughts on Finn, he's very protective of Ivy!🫣

PLEASE if you enjoyed, don't forget to leave a vote. It takes a second and means everything to me. Thank you for reading!

Love Savanna x

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