Chasing Ivy (Oak Hill 1)

I let out an uneven breath and walked over to the bar so fucking angry that I was almost foaming at the mouth.

My thoughts were only on Ivy and Kip, like I had complete tunnel vison…they were the only two in the room. That’s why Max’s voice startled me.

“What?” I snapped, whipping my head over to him and Becca.

Becca wasn’t even looking in my direction, but Max was eyeing me cautiously.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, raising my hand at the bartender. I needed a drink and I needed it now.

“You okay?” he asked, but I didn’t answer. I looked back over at Ivy and Kip, and then at my brother who was sliding out of the booth.

Good, come over here, fucker, so I can plummet my fist into your fucking head.

I ground my teeth as he approached. He smiled at me with a shit-eating grin and then peeked around and winked at Becca, who was apparently watching the scene unfold.

My finger stabbed his chest and he looked down briefly before bringing his stupid grin back up to meet my face.

“What the fuck are you doing bringing Kip around Ivy? What the fuck are you even doing with Ivy?”

He chuckled and it only heightened my rage. “I will fucking put you through a wall, Emmett, and you know it.”

He sobered up quickly. I may be younger than Emmett, but I was stronger and faster. He knew that.

“I’m with Ivy because she came by the shop earlier to tell me about Carrie stea

ling the money, and then I told her I’d buy her something to eat tonight since she refused when I offered to pay her, then Kip saw her…”

My nostrils flared as I moved my body around his and looked back at their booth.

Ivy was smiling, then she glanced up lazily and found me staring. Her eyes went wide and her face blanched. I felt sick. I felt sick because I knew that I hurt her feelings the other night and I couldn’t do a damn thing to fix it.

What I could do, was pull Kip out by his greasy hair and threaten him never to lay a fucking finger on her.

Yeah, that sounds like the perfect idea.

I went to stand up as my eyes made their way over to him. He was staring right at her breasts and I felt a chill go through my body.

My brother put his hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Dude, calm the fuck down. What is your problem?”

“He isn’t good enough for her!” I shouted, but thankfully, there was so much chatter in the bar that no one heard other than the few people surrounding me.

“So, who is?” Becca asked. I whipped my head over at her and glared. “Surely not you…”

I opened my mouth to say something but Max gave me a dark look, raising one eyebrow as if warning me. It stunned me for a second. Last I knew, he and Becca didn’t quite see eye to eye and they bickered constantly.

“I’m certain you don’t think you’re good enough for her, because from where I’m standing, you’re not the best option either… considering you have a girlfriend who probably wouldn’t be thrilled that you’re so caught up in who Ivy is talking to.”

Becca’s words made sense.

The entire world felt like it was shifting around me. I didn’t say a word. I only stared at her and then I looked at Max, who was staring at me, waiting for me to say something.

But the truth was… I couldn’t argue.

She was right.

Kip wasn’t good enough and neither was I. Hell, I had a girlfriend and here I was, only concerned about Ivy.

What the fuck am I doing?