Chapter 78: Let’s go bowling!

Ivy’s pov

"It’s nothing." I forced a breezy smile and waved a dismissive hand. "Just a rash. It, uh, it suddenly spread. Maybe I’m allergic to something?"

It was a pathetic lie, but it was all I had. I couldn’t tell on their best friend without screwing myself over. Kai’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, but Roman’s eyes immediately softened with concern.

"A rash? Vivi, that looks painful," he murmured, his gentle fingers hovering just above the bruised skin, afraid to touch.

"Have you seen Milo?"

My head whipped up to see Gideon rounding the corner, his blue eyes taking in the scene.

"What’s going on here?" he asked, eyes fixed on me- or more precisely, on my neck.

"We were just looking for him," Roman replied smoothly, stepping slightly in front of me. "Vivi’s just having a bit of an allergic reaction, a rash."

Gideon’s eyes flickered from my face to my brothers’, and I just knew they were all practically having a conversation without saying a word, before he murmured.

"Kai, can you get the first aid kit? Miss Harpley, can I see that?"

"Uh, no, it’s fine-"

As Kai jogged off, Gideon moved closer. He was so tall, so imposing, that I had to tilt my head back to look at him. He opened the kit Kai returned with.

My cheeks burned hotly as he gently dabbed the cooling ointment onto my throat. I shivered, biting back a soft sigh when our eyes met and held, and for a moment, the world fell away. His intense blue gaze dropped to my lips, and my breath hitched.

Roman cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing. "Are you done, G?"

Gideon stepped back as if I were riddled with chickenpox, his face once again a cold mask.

"There’s going to be a meeting in a few days at the company, about exploring the historical preservation clause based on your suggestion, Miss Harpley. If you’re available, you can be present."

I blinked, stunned. "Me? Present?"

He didn’t elaborate, just gave a curt nod and walked away, leaving me speechless.

Kai broke the silence, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Sooo," he drawled, his eyes raking over me. "How good are you at bowling?"

"I’ve never bowled," I admitted, shrugging.

Kai looked utterly appalled, his jaw dropping. "What do you mean, never?"

"You’re talking like I just committed a heinous crime," I chuckled, wincing slightly as the ointment stung around the bruises on my neck.

"I was always busy growing up."

I trailed off, realizing what I’d said.

Growing up? What a joke. My childhood had been a long, lonely stretch of years consumed by only one thing.

The single, burning need to make up for what I had done to my father. To be good enough for him. There was no time for friends, for bowling, for anything that wasn’t work or perfect behavior.

I was always alone. When my father had brought Jake home a year after Mom died, I had been so excited, desperate for a friend and a brother. But Jake had hated me on sight and was a full-fledged pretender.

But now... now I wasn’t so sure he’d ever been pretending. My father had known Jake was sleeping with Angel, and yet he hadn’t reprimanded him.

Was he taking Jake’s side? No, of course not, I reasoned frantically. It was probably because my father had no great expectations of Jake, but he had mountains of them for me.

"We have to take her bowling," Roman declared, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.

"Absolutely," Kai agreed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. In one swift, fluid motion, he threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"She rides with me!"

"Hey!" I shrieked, laughter bubbling up my throat as I hung upside down.

"Kai, put her down!" Roman yelled, chasing after us as Kai strode out of the house. "A bike ride isn’t good for Vivi! It’s too dangerous, and she’s hurt, for God’s sake!"

I was laughing my head off, watching them act like a pair of squabbling children. Roman was trying to block Kai’s path, his face squeezed in indignation, while Kai just dodged him, grinning like a lunatic.

"I’m not a sack of potatoes," I gasped, slapping Kai’s back. "I can choose for myself!"

They both stopped, turning to look at me as Kai lowered me to the ground.

"Alright, Vivi," Roman had the most charming smile on his face. "You either ride with me in my Maserati- you know you would love it or with him on his doom ride."

"Hey!" Kai protested. "She’s going to love the doom ride."

I bit my lip, my eyes dancing between them. "I’d like to try the bike ride."

Kai fist-pumped the air, whooping with triumph. "Yes! Take that, Ro! You won’t regret it, little Ivy."

"I’m wounded," Roman clutched his chest dramatically. "Truly wounded. But I’ll forgive you, Vivi, if you kiss me."

I leaned in, ready to grant his request, but Kai was having none of it. "Oh, no you don’t," he grumbled, grabbing my arm and gently dragging me towards his motorcycle.

"You made your choice. You’re with me now."

He stopped by the gleaming black machine and picked up a helmet. Instead of just shoving it at me, he gently placed it on my head, his fingers lingering as he fastened the strap under my chin.

"There," he murmured, his voice soft. "Safe and sound."

"Thanks." I had no idea I suddenly felt so shy.

"Don’t want your brains splattered all over the highway," his eyes twinkling. "I’d have to clean it up."

I snorted a laugh, and he grinned, looking rather pleased as he got on the bike, patting the seat behind him.

"Climb on, little Ivy."

I swung my leg over, settling in behind him. My arms wrapped around his waist, my hands pressing against his hard stomach. He revved the engine, and the bike lurched forward with a guttural roar. I screamed, tightening my grip around him.

He laughed, a deep, rumbling sound I felt vibrate through his back. "Hold on tight,"

The ride was intense. The wind whipped past us as we drove through the city, racing Ro in his Maserati.

At first, I was terrified, but then a sense of freedom washed over me. I loosened my grip, unfastened the strap, and lifted the helmet off, letting the wind tangle my hair. A pure, unadulterated laugh slipped from my lips.

We arrived at the bowling alley some minutes later, and I climbed off the bike, my legs shaky as hell while my cheeks hurt from grinning so hard.

"That was amazing!" I gushed, handing Kai his helmet. "I’ve never felt anything like it!"

He just stared at me, his expression awed and moon-faced. I swiped the billowing hair out of my face, feeling awkward under his intense gaze. "What?"

He reached out, stroking my cheek with his knuckles. "Your laughter is beautiful."

"Kai, stop teasing," I chuckled, rolling my eyes.

"I am not teasing." He leaned in, his breath whipping against my face. "I know that’s not a rash, Ivy."

"Hey, lovebirds! You coming?"

Roman’s voice cut through the moment, and we sprang apart like guilty teenagers. I smoothed down my clothes, my face flushing, as Roman joined us.

"Come on." he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Let’s go bowl."

Just as we turned to walk into the bowling alley, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see the screen lit up with an unknown number.