𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 19 : Mason

The grey SUV is parked in front of the house with Tyler and Mason inside. They watch as Ivy tries to escape from Alex, who seems to be dead set on tackling her to the ground.

"She hasn't laughed like this in two years," Tyler notes.

The pair is blissfully unaware of the men observing them from the car as they take turns poking at each other.

Mason agrees with a nod, "she's brighter with him around."

"That's what I'm worried about."

The amount of trust Tyler has in Alex is frightening. But he knows his sister. He knows the issues Ivy has yet to overcome, the battles she's still fighting. He's awfully aware that there might be a moment where he will have to choose between his sister and his best friend when Alex realizes that Ivy cannot give him what he wants.

Mason places a hand on Tyler's shoulder, "You don't know what's going to happen. I don't know Alex as much as you do, but you have to admit he has a way with her, and it's obvious his intentions are good. Let it play out, Ty. You might be surprised. And if it does come crashing down, we will handle it, like we always do, as a family."

Mason offers Tyler a comforting smile, and they both turn to check on Ivy and as she lets out a shriek when Alex finally catches her.

"We should go out there. She's going to be sick, and Alex is too much of a child to get her inside." Tyler shakes his head fondly at his best friend's antics and steps out of the car.

"You're back !" Ivy beams, stretching her arms, "save me, Ty !"

Tyler marches towards Alex, who still has his arms around Ivy's waist, and grasps Ivy's shoulders, pulling her out of Alex's hold, "release my sister, you oaf !"

Alex laughs but retracts his arms, allowing Tyler to throw Ivy over his shoulder.

"Unhand me !!" Ivy cries, swinging her legs.

Tyler does eventually, dropping her into Mason's skinny arms and grabbing her again from him as if she were some sort of volleyball before putting her down.

"I missed you, pup. How was your day ?" Tyler asks as he rids Ivy's face of her wet hair with a careful hand.

"Remember," she starts breathlessly, swallowing before she continues, "when I told you that you chose your bestie well ?"

Tyler laughs and nods his head.

"I'm glad he's here."

Tyler doesn't have the words to express how brave he thinks she is, so he kisses Ivy's temple instead, "It's what matters then."

They're all standing under the rain, and Ivy is the first to point it out, so they make their way back inside the house, sending Alex to fetch some towels after a game of rock, paper, scissors.

Once he comes back, they all dry off and take off their shoes, leaving them in the doorway.
Mason follows Tyler into his room to change as Alex and Ivy disappear to do the same.

Ten minutes later, they are gathered around the dinner table.

"Where were you ? I thought you were supposed to finish early today," Alex questions Tyler.

Mason is the one who explains to Alex that he missed his 'dear friend, Tyler' and that he had to kidnap him for lunch.

Mason is in the middle of rambling about this old lady who approached them with heart eyes when he feels his chest burn, so he inhales sharply.

"Are you okay ?" Alex asks.

Mason nods but can't answer him because he goes into a coughing fit.

And suddenly, he's on the ground.