Hurting Kind//Del Water Gap

Chapter 31

Holden

Ivy's dad just fucking punched me. In the face. Her brothers jumped between us, Gibsie grabbing her dad and James grabbing me. I wasn't going to do anything back to him but he didn't know that.

"Get this fucking asshole out of my house! Ivy I don't want you to come back. Ever!" Her dad was screaming over Gibsie's shoulder.

"Holden are you alright?" I heard James ask. I ignored him and walked right out the door. I walked down the street not knowing where I was going. I just had to get away from the house. I really wanted to find Ivy. She didn't deserve to be punished. It was my fault.

"Holden." I heard Ivy's voice. Her eyes were rimmed with red.

"Ivy I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for you to get completely kicked. I just couldn't let him speak to you like that. I got up and walked to her. I wrapped my arms around her.

"Thank you for sticking up for me." She said quietly.

"Of course. I'd never let anyone talk to you like that."

"I'm sorry he hit you. You didn't deserve it." She moved her head to look up at my jaw.

"Oh I'm fine. I'd take any beating for you." I kissed her forehead. My jaw was kinda sore, but it didn't matter.

"Now what? We've got nothing to do. I can show you around Mullingar today if you'd like." She offered. I internally started to panic. Today Niall and Natalia were getting settled at the hotel and tomorrow they were setting everything up.

"Can we actually just go back to the hotel? My head hurts." It didn't actually hurt I just needed an excuse.

"Yeah. Are you sure you're alright? Come on let's go get the car." She gently touched my jaw examining it.

"I'm fine. Just have a sensitive head." I grabbed her hand and we walked to the car. I opened her door for her and walked around to get it. But the time I got into the car, James came running out.

"Ivy wait a second!" He ran to her side. She rolled down the window.

"What's up?" She asked.

"Listen I'm so sorry about the way dad treated you both. Please just don't run off again. We really missed you last time. You can even stay with me, just please don't run off." He pleaded.

"I wasn't planning on it. I don't care what he says anymore. I'm almost 31 and don't need my father's approval or permission anymore. I'll be back. I'm not leaving for another 2 days. Come visit me at the hotel?" She put her hand on his arms. She was so strong for ignoring her dad. "Besides, he just hit my boyfriend. I won't be coming back anyways."

"Good. I'll come by the day before you leave. Tomorrow's busy." James let go of a breath. I had told him about our plans so he could help distract her family. I subtly nodded at him.

"Okay. I'll see you then. I love you James." She hugged him through the window.

"I love you too, little sis." He let go of her. "Holden sorry about my dad."

"It's fine. It was worth it." I smiled at Ivy.

"Take care of my sister. I'll beat your ass if you don't." He pointed.

"You got it. If anything happens, I'd let you." I laughed at the threat. He stepped away from the car allowing us to leave. He waved as we backed out of the driveway.

"I like him." I spoke up.

"He's great. Well that was fun." She sat back in the seat.

"It was something." I laughed at the fact that I got punched when meeting her dad.

"What's with you and James planning somthing? Don't act like I didn't see you nod at him." She questioned.

"I don't know what you are talking about. Guys nod. It's just what we do." I played it off. She gave me a skeptical look. I leaned over and kissed her cheek as we drove. We arrived at the hotel a few minutes later. I planned to go lay down because I actually did have a headache now.

"Do you need medicine for your headache? What about an ice pack for your jaw?" Ivy walked up to me and looked at my jaw again.

"I can get it. You go lay down I'll be there soon." I walked.

"No. I'm taking care of you. Go lay down." Her voice got stern. She pointed to the bed.

Throwing my hands up, "Okay fine." I went and laid on the bed. I didn't want to argue with her about this. She walked into the room and gave me the pills and a cup of water. I took the pills and drank some water.

"Here's your ice pack. Leave it on for 15 minutes." She instructed.

"Got it." I laid down and out the ice pack to my jaw. It felt great to have the cold in my sore skin. I fell asleep almost instantly.

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Ivy

Holden was currently asleep. He fell asleep a few minutes ago with the ice pack. I felt horrible that he took the hit for me. He stuck up for me when no one else has. He really opened my eyes to not care about what my dad says. I may not be allowed to come back, but I have James. He'd let me come stay with him. I just really hoped I'd be able to see Autumn and Cillian again.

My phone rang and broke me out of my thoughts. I looked to see it was Gibsie. This was weird. He never calls me.

"Hey Gibsie, what's up?"

"Look I'm really sorry about dad. I know how he is. I don't care what he says, don't leave. The kids love you and they need you. Plus they loved Holden." His voice came through the phone.

"Thank you. I love those kids and would never leave them. You can't get rid of me that easily." I didn't want to leave those kids or him.

"I know how you went to college and didn't come back for 12 years. I don't want that again." He confessed.

"I know and I'm not. I swear." I laughed.

"Listen, no one has ever stood up to dad like that. He wasn't even scared." He switched the subject.

"I know. He's asleep now." I said quietly.

"I like him. I like him and that says a lot. My wife and kids love him. Hang on to him Ivy."

"I wasn't planning on leaving him." I said honestly.

"Do you love him? I see the way they look at him and I see the same look on Ally's face when she looks at James. Even Quinn saw it."

"Yeah. I do." I didn't even hesitate or deny it.

"Good. Don't let him go." He had his 'big brother knows best' voice. I believed him.

"I won't. I gotta go. Love you." I said.

"Love you too sis." He hung up the phone. I put my phone down and walked over to the bed. I carefully took the ice pack off his face and watched as he peacefully slept. I wanted to tell him that I love him, but I didn't know how to. I didn't even know if he felt the same way about me.

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Holden posted a clip of new music and I still can't stop thinking about it.

I'm also living for those mirrors pictures that we're getting. Thank you Amanda!!

I love you all

-Cami <3