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J J W O O D F O R D

After a long run on the beach, I am sweating from every angle of my body to the point I had to go shirtless for the last twenty minutes. Even though the beaming sun was dipping in and out of the clouds, I could feel the sweltering heat. It's almost blistering.

I purposely left my phone at home because I needed some alone time. Not that anything is wrong but sometimes it's good to step away and embrace the environment around me. Soon summer will be over and I won't have the luxury of visiting this beach. It's the perfect spot for refreshing your mind and body–lungs included.

My chest heaves as I reach the house, pushing my way in. Andrea and Finn are around the kitchen counter making food. I wave at them as I pass. "Dinner in fifteen minutes, JJ," Andrea calls out to me.

"Thanks. I'll be down after a shower," I say, running a hand over my head and feeling sweat bead through the growing strands. It's been a while since I had a haircut and I'm in desperate need of one, wanting my clean buzz cut back.

I glance at Finn who keeps his head down, I walk up the stairs tearing my eyes away. He hasn't been the same since Ben got out of prison last week, I don't know if he's been drowning himself in alcohol but he seems sober right now.

It's something I know I need to tackle soon but I have to admit that I've been paying a lot of my attention towards Ivy and making sure that she's okay, when I should be focusing on both of them. I'm certain Finn is avoiding me, people for that fact. He's been going to work this week, coming home and sleeping. Nothing more.

But I know I need to figure out what's going on with my best friend. I owe that support to him after what we're doing behind his back. I'm going to talk to him as soon as I can, gauge what's going on in that mind of his and help in any way I can.

I jump straight in the shower to rid myself of my sticky skin, the cool water feeling blissful. I bask in the sensation for a few moments before getting out and wrapping the towel around my waist. My phone lights up on my bed and I glance at it, my heart stopping in my chest when I find three missed calls from my father.

"Shit," I curse before reaching for it and tapping on the notification. I look at the screen, my phone beginning to ring. Then when I place it to my ear, I anxiously chew on my lip. I haven't heard from my father in a few days but multiple missed calls? Something is wrong.

My stomach flips like a rollercoaster. Oh fuck. Something is so incredibly wrong.

I perch on the edge of my bed, my knees giving out because I physically can't stand anymore. My teeth clamp down on my lip so sharply that I taste blood in my mouth.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"Pick up the phone, dad," I heave, dropping my head into my hand. "Pick up."

The line cuts and I hear his voice. "Hi, son."

"Dad?" I gasp, lifting my head and staring straight at the wall. "Is everything okay? What happened? Did something happen?"

Every question I want to ask falls from my lips. All I can think about is mum. My eyeballs burn and I shake my head, pursing my lips at the same time. My father breathes and I grit my fist together. "JJ–" he starts. "Everything is okay."

I exhale a breath, one of relief. Okay is better than the nightmare that could have been unleashed on me. "Okay?" My voice wobbles.

"More than okay, in fact," he says and I can hear the smile in his voice.

My chest blooms with warmth. I quickly remind myself that everything is okay. No matter what he says–he wouldn't start a call like this if something terrible had happened.

"Tell me," I beg.

"The new treatment the hospital has been trying with mum," he says slowly. "They've been showing results. Good results."

Tears gather in my eyes. "Really?" I whisper under a shuddering breath. "Oh my God."

"Amazing, isn't it? We've still got a long way to go but it's a start and she's been fighting." My dad's voice cracks but there is so much happiness and relief behind the words. "She's always been a fighter and us being here, supporting her every step of the way is exactly what she needs right now. As much optimism as possible."

I drop my head back down into my head and release a small sob. "Fuck," I cuss because I don't know what else to say. My chest feels a thousand times lighter than it did before. The most amazing news I have heard in a while. "She's getting better?"

My dad hums softly. "They say it's very promising. They'll have more to report on next week when they can see what exactly the treatment is doing but they're certain it's going in the right direction."

"Can I talk to her? Is she there?" I mumble out my words, wiping my face free of tears.

"Of course," he says before there is a scuffle on the other line.

I clutch my phone tight to my ear, desperate to hear my mother's voice. "JJ?"

I'm crying again, cheeks damp and vision blurry. "Mum," I whisper as I shatter to pieces. "How are you?"

"I'm doing okay, my boy. And you?"

My head shakes. I don't want to talk about myself. This is about her. "Fine," I say as I straighten my spine. "I heard about the treatment. That's amazing, mum. So amazing. I can't wait to see you. I miss you."

I hear her sniffle and it crushes my ribs. "I miss you too, so much." She says, as if she's trying not to cry herself. "I'm so proud of you, you know that? I've always been so proud of you. I hope you're having a lovely summer away, be sure to send pictures. You haven't sent any!"

A laugh rumbles from deep inside my chest. "Okay, okay," I grin. "I will. Sorry."

"Okay, my boy. The doctor is coming over to check on me in a bit, so I'll let you go," she says, her voice full of warmth and hope. "I love you."

"I love you too, mum," I release a breath I didn't know I was holding. "I'll call you soon, okay?"

"Of course, speak soon. I love you more."

My head shakes. "Not true."

When she laughs my heart expands and I wish I could be there with them, holding her hand and supporting my father. A family. But I know I'll see her soon, when she's better. "Take care of yourself, JJ."

Her words have my chest convulsing. "You too."

The call ends and I pull the phone away from my ear. I stare at the screen for a long moment. A smile etches its way onto my lips and I soar with an emotion beyond relief–it's all consuming.

And the first person I want to tell is Ivy.

I want to share this with her, let myself be completely vulnerable to the situation because she's one of the only people I trust. One of the only people who gets me–who says the right thing at the worst possible times.

After getting dressed and heading downstairs, Andrea is setting the table with Finn standing at the kitchen counters plating up. Ivy catches my eyes and she offers me a smile as sweet as cinnamon. I return the gesture, even though my eyes are still slightly blurry from crying a few moments ago.

Her head tilts, as if she knows something's up. I stare at her for a moment, signalling that I'll tell her later. She nods and I smile further, our silent conversations even mean the world to me right now.

God, she fucking gets me. We get each other. Without even trying.

That's what I adore about her, she's always observant, always watching, always understanding.

I can't take my eyes off her as Andrea calls me over to the table to grab a jug of water. I follow her lead but glance back at Ivy as she hands her mother the cutlery and plates.

Today she's in denim shorts and another crop top that flashes off her scar. The confidence she's been radiating has been shining as bright at the sun and it's hard not to miss.

James joins us too as we sit around the table, I thank Andrea for the lovely meal. My gaze turns to Finn as he sits silently at the end of the table. "Haven't you got work tonight?" James directs to his son.

A delayed hum falls from Finn's mouth as he glances up, eyes glazed over as if no one is home. "Yeah," he says weakly. "I'm going after dinner. It's a late shift."

"You've been working a lot lately," he nods before digging into his food.

Finn hums again. "Need to get the money for when I go back to University."

"What happened to your student loan?"

"Spent it," he shrugs.

James glances at Andrea but she flashes him a look to drop the subject. I flick my eyes back to Ivy who is already watching me across the table, then I look down to her hand and I wish I could lean over and grip her tiny fingers.

My god, I want to bury my hand into the back of her hair and tug her to my chest. Douse myself in her affections, her scent, her touch. I grip my fork a little too hard thinking about it, my knuckles turning white.

She's mine tonight. I'm glad Finn is going to work because we don't have to be as careful as we usually are. I'm craving her skin more than I realised.

As soon as we clean up after dinner and we're dismissed from the table, Finn heads out to work and I grab a hold of Ivy in the upstairs hall. She blinks those massive blue eyes up at me, fanned by her long lashes. "Hey," she smiles, which melts my soul.

She has no idea how powerful that smile is. One little flick of her lips and she could send me into an early grave.

"Grab ice cream with me," I say, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her shoulder.

Her head tilts. "Ice cream?"

My eyes gleam with joy. "Yeah," I nod. "Please? I need to tell you something."

"Sure," she nods before rising up onto her toes and kissing my cheek. "I'll meet you downstairs in a second."

I bathe in the warmth from her kiss, pleasantly surprised from the action but I don't take it for granted. Her affection is my fucking weakness. I could live off her acts of tenderness for the rest of my life.

When I go downstairs and wait for her in the kitchen, I notice her parents watching a movie in the living room. Andrea already knows and I doubt her dad will care or even notice if we leave together–a part of me has stopped caring altogether.

I'm only keeping quiet because of what Ivy wants. If I had it my way, I'd showering her with as much love and affection as possible. In front of anyone and everyone but I know we have to wait until the timing is right.

Ivy comes downstairs a few moments later and offers me another heart stopping smile. "Ready to go?" I ask when she joins me.

"Yeah," she nods.

She tells her mother we're going out, they don't ask where. I lead her down the street until we reach the beach front, the sun setting soon and the air slightly chilly but still a perfect night.

"What did you want to tell me?"

I suck down a breath and shove my hands into my pockets. "I got a call from my dad today."

Ivy's face falls slack. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is good," I turn to her, not being able to fight the smile on my face. "Great, actually. Mum's new treatment has had good results and they think it's the one that will make her better."

She claps a hand over her face, both of us pausing outside the ice cream shop. "Oh my God," she mumbles through her fingers. "JJ, that's amazing!"

Then she's up on her toes again and wrapping her arms around my neck, tugging me as close to her as possible. I chuckle gently and bury my head into her shoulder, telling myself that it's okay to get emotional.

"You're the first person I wanted to tell," I whisper in her ear, holding her tighter than before.

"Thank you," she murmurs into my jumper. "For sharing it with me. I'm so pleased for you JJ, I'm pleased for all of you."

I press a kiss to her neck and pull away slowly. My hands stay on her arms, looking down to her. "I remember when you wished my mum a healthy recovery with your first shot of sambuca on our first date."

Her eyes light up like fireworks. "You remember that?"

"I remember every moment with you, princess," I lean down to nuzzle my nose with hers. "Even if I wanted to forget, I couldn't."

Ivy's eyes flutter shut for a moment, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "You are so special," she whispers and her words make me shiver. "To me, to Finn, to your parents. You are a breath of fresh air in this world. We're all lucky to have you."

I fist the back of her hair, tilting her neck to get better access to her lips. "Don't make me cry. I've already cried today and that's one too many times for the year."

She laughs against my mouth and it comforts me to the bone, savouring every moment. "Let it out, JJ. I don't care but you have to know how much you mean to me. In the short time I've known you, you've changed my life in ways you can't understand."

"I do understand," I groan, kissing her deeper this time. She hums against me in surprise when my tongue invades her mouth. "Because you've done the same to me."

Ivy gasps into the kiss, gripping my shoulders. For a moment I forget we're standing outside the ice cream parlour until the man behind the counter clears his throat. I pull away from her but keep my arms firmly around her body.

She buries her head into my chest, embarrassment swarming her but I'm grinning ear to ear. "Sorry, man," I say to the owner who stares at us like disgusting horny teenagers. "We'll get whatever she wants."

Her head raises and she walks to the counter, looking through the glass at the different selections of ice-cream. I watch her cheeks remain tinted pink as she folds her arms over her chest. I smile at her innocence.

"Can we get one chocolate and one mint chocolate chip, please?" She asks.

The man nods and I sweep my arms around her from behind. "I can't wait to lick the taste off your lips," I whisper in her ear.

Her head turns with wide eyes. "Which lips?"

A loud bark escapes my lips, throwing my head back at her question. The corners of her mouth tug and I know she's messing but it electrocutes something inside me. "Don't test me, Ivy," I say with a grin. "Because I'll taste both."

Ivy's eyes film over with a challenge, that confidence making me stupidly fucking hard. "I'll keep you to that."

Fuck.

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Author's Note

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

Aww JJ's mum is getting better and it makes me so happy!🥹

I love that the first person he wanted to tell was Ivy🥰 I adore them so much

They're so cute together, he really brings out the light in her that she lost!

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

Love Savanna x

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