𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 18 : Reasons

They sit in silence, legs tucked under the blanket, mugs in hand, as they watch rain slide down the window.

Alex is clearly working to find the right words, and Ivy waits him out, hiding a small smirk whenever he squirms, until she finally decides to give him a break.

"Alex, stop squirming and drink your tea. It's getting cold."

He stiffens. "I'm sorry."

"You've already said that," Ivy replies, a touch exasperated but with no heat behind it.

"And I'll keep saying it until you forgive me. I know you haven't yet. Not fully." He stares at his mug, almost like he's afraid to look at her.

Ivy sighs softly. "I'm not mad," she says carefully. "It's more... complicated than that."

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I just... I wanted to know you better. And maybe that was selfish," he admits.

She goes quiet, watching him for a long moment. "Why?"

The question hangs in the air, and Alex swallows. "Because," he hesitates, choosing his words, "I care about you."

He can feel her eyes on him, a searching look. He knows she doesn't let people close easily, and he toys with a loose thread on the blanket, trying to ignore her gaze.

"Because?" she presses, her voice soft but unyielding.

Alex laughs, a little self-conscious. "Because you're a good person. You care about people in ways I can't explain, and you've got a way of making others feel seen."

A shadow passes over her face, and she looks away. "Not all of me is... nice like that, Alex," she mutters.

"I don't believe that," he replies gently. "I know there's more to you than what happened before. Not all of your pieces are his."

She tenses. "Don't-don't go there."

Alex hesitates, but his voice is soft when he speaks. "I know that part of you exists, but it's not all of you. I want to know the other parts-the little things, like your favorite Sunday movie or why you hate public transport. And if you ever feel like talking about that other stuff, I'll listen. But that's not what I'm here for."

She stays quiet, her face unreadable, and he inches a little closer. "What if you don't like what you see, then?" Her voice is nearly a whisper, her hand running nervously along the edge of the blanket.

"We'll never know unless you let me in."

She gives a short, humorless laugh. "You don't get it... it's too risky."

"Maybe. But I'm not asking you to make a decision all at once. Just give me a chance to be there," he says softly. "I'd never push you, Ivy. I'm just here."

She meets his gaze briefly, then looks down. "You make things go quiet," she murmurs.

"Good," he says with a small smile. "Then we'll keep it down."

---

Tyler finishes setting up the club for the night and is ready to head home when he hears a familiar voice.

"Hello, you beautiful boy!"

Tyler laughs and shakes his head, grinning. "Hey, Mace. What's up?"

"You going home?" Mason asks, his eyes sparkling.

"Yeah, everything's set for tonight, so I'm calling it a day," Tyler replies, tossing a towel over his shoulder.

"How about lunch first? I'll drop you home after. It's been way too long since we had a proper meal together," Mason suggests, giving Tyler a playful nudge.