Love You Better (Better Love 1)

“Can we just not talk for a while? I need to think.”

“Sure.” I wince and nod.

When we get to Jacob’s school, Ivy is out of the Jeep and striding up the steps before I can even shut my door. I jog to catch up to her right as she’s turning the corner into the office.

“Hi, I’m Ivy Rivenbark,” she speaks hurriedly to the receptionist. “Principal Grey called me. I’m here for Jacob Rivenbark.”

The receptionist gives Ivy a sympathetic smile. “Yes, have a seat please. Principal Grey will be right out.”

Within minutes, a tall, balding man I do not recognize appears from behind the desk and asks us to follow him. He’s wearing a rumpled black suit, a red tie, and bags under his eyes.

I place my hand on the small of Ivy’s back as a show of comfort, to let her know I am here as backup if she needs me, and she sends me a tight smile. Then she turns slightly, forcing my hand to drop, and a chill of unease runs up my spine. Shit.

When we enter Principal Grey’s office, there are four people waiting for us. Jacob, another young boy about Jacob’s age, and a man and woman whom I am assuming are his parents.

The tension is thick, and I watch as the couple look Ivy over with distaste. I bristle at the attention, even though Ivy is unaware. This kid’s parents probably see Ivy’s messy bun, messenger bag, leggings, BU sweatshirt, and Chucks as a sign of immaturity. They are probably wondering why Ivy, of all people, is in this meeting to represent Jacob. They are most definitely underestimating her, and I have to hide my smirk.

Big fucking mistake, assholes.

Ivy rushes to Jacob’s side, and when he turns our way, I notice his right eye is starting to swell shut and his lip is busted. I am murderous, but it’s nothing in comparison to the fury rolling off of Ivy in waves. She sends a glare at the family in the other set of chairs, and I notice the other boy has a bruise forming on his chin. Good. I hope Jacob got a hit in on this little shithead.

Ivy takes the seat next to her brother, and I take the seat next to her.

“Principal Grey,” Ivy begins, “I would like to know why my brother looks like he just stumbled out of a cage fight, and I would like to know it right now.”

“It seems as though Jacob and Kyle got into a scuffle in gym class. And as you know, we have a zero-tolerance policy for fighting.”

Ivy flicks her eyes to Kyle, then to his parents. “A scuffle? And what started this scuffle?”

The principal opens his mouth to speak but is immediately cut off by Kyle’s father. “Your brother,” he sneers, “attacked my son. My son is innocent, and I want that boy,” he flings a finger in Jacob’s direction and glares at the principal, “expelled.”

Ivy, cool as a fucking cucumber, stares down the boy’s father. Gone is the nervous, frantic girl who rode here with me. In her place is a glimpse of the stern, no-nonsense, fearless attorney she will soon be. My heart swells with pride. This woman is brilliant.

After a moment, Kyle’s dad fidgets in his seat, and Ivy turns to Jacob. I don’t have to see her face to know it’s awash with compassion and patience.

“Is this true, Jacob?”

“No, Ivy—”

“It is so! He hit me! He—”

Ivy whips her head around to the boy and interjects, “—it is not your turn to speak, Kyle. Exercise some respect and restraint, please.”

“You don’t speak to my son that way!” the mother yells, and Ivy glares at her.

“If your son knew basic decorum, I wouldn’t have to reprimand him. Now, wait your turn. I’d like to hear Jacob’s side of the story.”

Ivy turns, dismissing the woman. Kyle’s mother is fuming, but she clamps her mouth shut and stares daggers at the back of Ivy’s head. I smirk at her, and she huffs at the same time her husband sneers.

“Go ahead, Jacob.”

“H-he s-stole my gym clothes again, Ivy. W-when I told him that I w-w-wasn’t.” Ivy puts her hand on Jacob’s, and he takes a deep breath, never breaking eye contact. When he starts speaking again, his voice is stronger, and the stutter is barely audible. “I told him that I wasn’t going to take it anymore, and if he didn’t give them back, I would go to the office. He called me some names and blocked the door. When I tried to push past him, he shoved me to the ground and started hitting me.”

Ivy’s body is tense, and I hear Kyle start to protest, but his mother halts him. Good thing, because I am about thiiiis close to snapping on them. How dare this little punk fuck with Ivy’s brother, with my brother, because that’s what Jacob is. He’s family.

“Did you hit Kyle back?” Ivy questions.

“Yes. It’s how I got him off me.”