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I V Y T H O M P S O N

When JJ leaves the house with Finn a few hours later, I take a breath of relief. JJ is a smooth guy, if he wants to lie about something—he'll get away with it. Sometimes Finn can be oblivious to things so it's unlikely he caught on to anything.

I practically squeal when I hear the door shut. My parents are downstairs but I don't care, I have to let this out in the comfort of my own personal space. My head buries into my pillow and I scream in pure joy.

Holy shit. Was last night and this morning a dream?

My entire body slumps into the bed and I roll onto my back, a permanent smile on my lips. There is a light in my body that has been glowing persistently for the last eighteen hours and it's the first time in a while I've felt this alive.

Like my life actually has purpose.

A part of me is grateful for Daisy taking me out to grab some lingerie to try and boost my confidence. Then getting JJ in my bed was a bonus on top of that and I've never been so scared and so thrilled in my entire life.

My hand reaches over to my bedside table and I grab my phone. I quickly scroll through my contacts and select Daisy's name before pressing the phone to my ear. It rings twice before she answers.

"Bitch, tell me fucking everything!" She screams down the link and I blink at the loudness of her voice.

A laugh falls from my lips. "Nothing happened."

"You liar," she gasps. "I told you to send him the picture and then I didn't hear a single word from you. Don't you dare say that nothing happened, because I know it did. You wouldn't be calling me if it didn't."

"Fine," I huff and twirl my hair around my finger. "We had sex."

My eardrums burst from how loud Daisy screams. I wince from the sound and pull my phone away from my ear instantly. "Jesus," I hiss. "You don't need to damage me permanently."

"Oh my God!" She pants. "You have to tell me everything. This is amazing. I can't believe it—well actually I can. I knew that picture would have done the trick. He couldn't even stay away. So proud of you for owning it and believing in how beautiful you are."

A shiver runs down my spine when I think back to how he faced me towards the mirror and made me tell myself I am beautiful. My cheeks flush at the thought, at the time I believed it was ridiculous but he's trying to get me to drop my insecurities.

It's not something that goes away easily but it can be worked on. And it makes my heart flutter knowing he's trying to help me get out of this shitty headspace. I want to look at myself and not hate the reflection. It's a process that won't happen overnight but it's definitely started.

"Thanks, Daisy," I say sincerely. "Thank you for taking me out yesterday. I'm grateful for you and trying to push me out of my comfort zone. I'm so glad we're friends."

"I'm glad we're friends too," her voice is soft. "Are you happy after last night?"

I exhale a little breath, the corners of my lips twitching unintentionally. "Yeah," I admit. "Very. We even slept in my bed together, had a cuddle. Kissed this morning. It was cute."

"Uhhhhh, don't," she gasps. "You're killing me. He is obsessed with you."

My eyes roll. "That's a little dramatic."

"Wait and see..." she trails off.

I gnaw on my lip for a few seconds. "I want to tell him about Ben, about my past. Everything. I'm ready to be honest and not let that part of my life affect me anymore. I'm tired of being defined by it."

"You want to?" She repeats in surprise.

My head nods even though she can't see me. "I trust him and I need him to understand why telling Finn is an issue for me."

Daisy hums quietly. "Own it, sister. You've already got him wrapped around your finger, he isn't going anywhere and I'm sure he'll understand."

Me too. I think in my head.

"Anyway, I'm going to get in the shower. I just wanted to fill you in."

"I'm happy for you, Iv. You deserve to be happy and if JJ makes you happy, I'm all for it."

My cheeks burn from smiling so much. "Thanks, Daisy."

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Later that evening I head downstairs to find my mother making dinner. I stand beside her whilst I peel a pot full of potatoes. "So how have you been since being home?" She asks sincerely.

I hum as I run my thumb across the skin with the peeler. "It was difficult at first but I'm alright now."

"I heard about Ben and his release is soon," her voice dips.

"Me too," I rasp. I haven't thought about it for a few days but when I do, realisation slams into me once again.

What if I see him?

What if he tries to contact me?

We live in that same fucking town. Something is bound to happen.

"I'm sorry we weren't here for when you came back," she steps closer to me and I stare up at her blue eyes. "My baby," she frowns before kissing my head. "I didn't realise you'd be coming back for summer so soon. I wish we were here to welcome you home with warm hugs."

The corners of my mouth tug. "Finn was here," I say before turning back to my peeling. "And JJ. I've had Daisy too, even saw Isaac. It hasn't been as lonely as I thought it would be."

"I'm proud of you, Ivy," she says and I feel my eyes build with pressure. Hearing it from your parents sets you off instantly. "So proud."

I drop the peeler into the pot. "Don't make me cry."

"Oh baby," she wraps her arms around myself completely, then kisses me again. "We're always here for you, you know that right? If you ever need anything."

"I know," I nod into her shoulder. "I know, mum."

The front door opens and my mother lets go of me. I flick my head over my shoulder to find Finn and JJ strolling inside. "Oh, right on time," my mother calls out. "You guys can help with dinner."

Finn groans and pretends to turn around and walk back to the door but JJ grabs him and pushes him in the direction of the kitchen. "Don't be an ass," JJ grumbles and I flick my eyes to his face.

I blink at him and feel my face flush when he smirks in my direction. "Chop these for me, love?" She directs to Finn as she points to a bunch of vegetables on the chopping board.

"Yes, mum," he sighs although it sounds like he'd rather bash his head into a wall.

Her voice fills the kitchen as she hands him a knife. I'm still focusing on JJ as he takes two confident steps forward and walks behind me. His fingers delicately brush the backs of my bare thighs and I tingle all over. My lips part as he shoots me a wink.

My core clenches at the subtle action but it affects my body in ways that I can't explain.

"JJ," my mum says and he snaps his eyes away from me instantly. "You can be in charge of the cooking."

He nods once. "Yes, ma'am."

"Please," she laughs loudly. "Call me Andrea, don't make me feel any older than I already am."

JJ plants himself behind me and starts up the pan with a slab of butter. I feel his eyes flick down to my face as I continue peeling the potatoes. I pick one up, only to let it slip through my fingers straight after. It hits the pot with a thud.The back of my neck heats up and I can't concentrate for the life of me.

"Don't tell me all you guys ordered was takeout..." she says.

Finn breathes out through his nose sharply. "Pretty much."

I scowl at him. "Speak for yourself."

My mother begins to scold my brother for being so lazy, resulting in a playful argument about his bad habits. JJ drops the spatula on the floor beside me and bends down to pick it up. I glance over my shoulder to have a look just as his hand trails up the backs of my calves and over my thigh again.

A gasp leaves my mouth and I clamp my lips shut before someone hears me. He's still smirking when his hand roams across my ass and he meets my eyes before advancing his six foot three height on me.

My eyes glitter in his direction. "Make it obvious, princess," he dips his head to my ear and whispers under his breath.

That's when my eyes flutter shut at his words. Fuck. I am under a spell that I cannot get out of.

As we prepare dinner and plate up, we sit around the table and eat. I try to avoid JJ's gaze at all costs because he's right, I am making it way too obvious. "So there is a fair at the beach on Saturday," Finn comments as he stuffs his face full of food.

My mother rolls her eyes. "Close your mouth when you eat, Finn," she huffs. "We don't want to see it all."

"I heard," I nod. "You going?"

"Yeah, I'm going," he uses his fork to gesture between himself and JJ. "Are you coming?"

I glance at my brother and then JJ who is staring at me hopefully. "Sure," I nod. "Will be fun."

"How lovely for you all," my mum stares at us all. "So glad you're all getting along."

My face heats. Yeah, getting really along with Finn's best friend. "Where's dad?" Finn asks.

"Out golfing, he'll be back later," she offers him a smile.

When dinner is finished and we clean up after ourselves, I head to bed. I'm exhausted after last night. I thought I got a decent amount of sleep but clearly not, I can barely keep my eyes open.

As soon as I'm in my bed and in my pyjamas, I scroll through my phone. It buzzes in my hand and JJ's name pops up at the top of the screen. My heart misses a beat when I click on the text instantly.

JJ: Thinking of me?

Ivy: Why are you thinking of me?

JJ: Always.

I shamelessly squeeze my legs together at the one word. Desperate for a bit of pressure because now all I can think of is the way I came around JJ's cock over and over again.

Ivy: Are you going to the fair on Saturday?

JJ: Yeah. I hope you are too.

I chew on my lip for a moment, my thumbs hovering over the screen. At the fair will be a good time to tell him. It's the closest opportunity I have to being alone with him. I can't keep this to myself anymore. I want him to know.

A part of me believes he deserves to know. Especially if he decides that he doesn't want that extra baggage. I can't trap him into this. He should know how fucked up I've been since.

Ivy: Yeah. I want to tell you something. When we're there.

JJ: Okay... good or bad?

Ivy: Neither? Meet me at the ferris wheel and that way we won't be distracted.

JJ: Can we at least kiss at the top?

Ivy: Depends.

JJ: On what?

Ivy: If you'll still like me after.

JJ: Don't give me that bullshit, princess. Anything you tell me will not change my opinion on you.

Ivy: You don't even know what I'm going to say.

JJ: No but I know you and you're not a bad person.

Ivy: If you believe that.

JJ: So that kiss?

My heart pounds in my chest like an alarm. If he sees past the fucked up parts of me, this might work out. Emphasis on the might. So I suck down some confidence and type out a response.

Ivy: It's yours.

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Author's Note

Hello angels, what did you guys think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

JJ's flirting has me blushing. I love them so much🥰 babies

WHO IS READY TO HEAR ABOUT IVY's PAST???😅

We all know JJ is going to be ready to punch a bitch for hurting our Ivy!

Don't forget to vote, it makes my day!🌟

Love Savanna x

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