Aaron

"What are you doing?" I hear Ashton's voice as he pulls me away, an annoyance to it that's hard to miss. I know he must think I've gone crazy, and maybe I have. Maybe I fucking have.

"Just leave, Ash, or is this sudden care because you wanted to do business with this asshole? You guys just wanted to use our relationship for your own gain, right? Mom, and dad already let it slip."

But in pure Ashton fashion, he doesn't admit to anything. "I'm just confused why you're beating the shit out of your girlfriend's dad, and why she's sitting there, letting you."

I have the sudden realisation that Ivy's still in the room, and how she must've watched everything. I should be comforting her right now, not arguing with my brother.

I crouch beside her, her arms hugging her knees, and her eyes staring at the floor. "Take him out of here," I instruct Ashton, and they leave the room with blood trailing behind them.

I quickly turn back to Ivy. "Hey, are you okay?" I ask, upset that we're in yet another situation where my parents have fucked everything over. Where I've also fucked everything over. The bar last night feels like ages ago, and how I wish we could travel through time, and plant ourselves in that moment.

"Ivy..." I nudge. When she looks at me, I see her reddened eyes, and flushed cheeks. I hate myself. I hate myself for all of this. "Are you okay?" I ask again.

"No," she replies. "But he had it coming-whatever you did. I couldn't really watch." Thank god. "And I know," she suddenly gets defensive. " I know I've been so emotional these days, and I should be stronger than this, but I need..."

"Anything," I interrupt. Say the moon, and I swear I'd find a way. Say the stars, and I swear I'd pluck every single one from the sky. Say anything.

And of all the millions of things, she says, "I just need you to hold me in your arms."