Chasing Ivy (Oak Hill 1)

She laughed. “No, I was at a party and my roommate decided to be a bitch and lock me out.”

Brow furrowed, mama-bear coming out to play. “First off, where is your key? And second off, why did she lock you out? Do I need to make a call?”

Mia laughed, looking at me like I was an idiot. “First off, you’re not scary so stop, and second off, she’s mad because I came home at, like, three the other night and accidently woke her up.”

Confusion started to set in. “Where were you until three? And why the heck are you dressed like that? I demand you change right now!” Mia’s dress was completely inappropriate; I didn’t think I’d ever worn something that short.

Mia laughed again, as did Dawson, who had taken a seat across the room in my other brand new couch. Now that my house was nearly done, I had finally been able to get some furniture in here last week. I went with a lovely loveseat and couch combo – per Dawson’s recommendation for how small my living room was.

Mia rolled her eyes when she answered. “Can you chill, please? I was at a party, and yes, before you get all mad, I’m a college student. It’s what we do and we also dress like this for said parties.”

Dawson cleared his throat. “It’s true, although I’m not sure I’m a fan of you wearing something like that, either. It seems… wrong.”

Mia pouted. “Okay, please don’t tell me that you two are going to gang up on me now that you’re together. Ivy and Uncle Tim are already overbearing enough; I don’t need an older brother, too, Dawson. And, I’m not the loser kid that you used to know. I’ve grown up.”

I snorted. “Barely.”

Mia gave me a death glare, which only made me laugh.

Dawson chuckled, looking totally adorable. “Fine, fine. But if you need me to beat someone up, I will.” He flashed his award-winning smile, all while flexing his arm muscle, and I swooned, right there on the couch.

“We all know I can take care of myself.” Mia popped up. “In fact, I smacked some jock tonight before coming here. Which is why I’m here so early.”

I watched Dawson’s expression grow dark, then I turned and angled my body towards Mia, eyes going directly to her boobs. I’m totally burning that dress. Can you hear that? It’s our father rolling over in his grave.

“What? What happened?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I got all dressed up for his stupid party, that he invited me to, and when I got there, he was sucking face with some chick. The second he saw me, he grinned at me, thinking I would be totally okay with it, and it made me mad so I smacked him, and then left.”

My mouth opened into a gaping hole. My sister was such a little badass. She always had been. I needed her balls.

Dawson’s laughter boomed throughout the room, causing Mia to stand up and bow, declaring, “Thank you, thank you very much!”

I sat back, huffing with annoyance, but really, I was enjoying seeing Dawson and Mia together and getting along. They hadn’t had much of a relationship back when we were younger due to the awkward age gap, so it was kind of nice watching them interact.

“And, piggy-backing off the subject of my now-enemy who goes by the name of Dierks,” she said, coming back to sit down. “Guess who else I saw on campus the other day?”

Leery, I asked who.

“Mrs. Connors. Do you remember her? She basically hated our family.”

I almost yelled. “Why the heck was she there? And did she do anything?”

Mrs. Connors = Breanna’s mom, aka the woman who hated me and Mia, and who was probably still holding a grudge against my parents, even though they weren’t even here to defend themselves anymore.

“She works there,” Dawson answered.

A pit grew in my stomach so large that I think it swallowed my heart.

“Did she say anything?” I asked, looking back to my sister.

Her eyebrows folded. “No, I’m not even sure she saw me. I did a double take because I wasn’t sure if it was her or not. I barely remember her from when we were younger, but she had that stupid, bleach-blon

de hair tied up into a tight bun like she always used to, so I knew it was her. Plus, I saw her name in one of my pamphlets awhile back and then it just kinda clicked. I turned around at the last second because I ran into the person in front of me, causing a near-fall with the sidewalk.” Mia laughed.

I didn’t know she worked there. What did she even do? From what I remembered, she used to help run the dealership…or, something with the books or accounts.

“So you’ve got the clumsy gene, too?” Dawson asked, laughing.