Writing On The Wall (The King Brothers Duology #2)

Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

ETHAN

Did I purposely wear my favorite pair of jeans and that blue button down shirt that makes my eyes pop for a cake tasting with my brother and his bride? You bet I did. I’m not usually one to fuss over my outfit, but I know when I look good. And today I’m using every bit of ammunition I’ve got to show Ivy what she’s missing.

Slightly juvenile? Maybe. But it’s just a small step in my game plan to win the fair lady over. And let’s be real, these jeans? They’ve earned me the seal of approval from Opal and Gail. I get catcalls and whistles every time I wear them.

I haven’t seen Ivy in four days. She’s been busy with school things in the evenings, making me wonder how she’s coping. Is she taking care of herself? Is Ross causing any more trouble over the music box? I know she’s a grown woman, but it’s not easy to turn off the need to protect someone when you care about them this way. And we’ve been no better than ships crossing in the night, passing with nothing more than a few notes written on the wall .

Those notes feel like tiny drops of sustenance to a starving man.

She says her life is too complicated right now, but I’m about to show her how much better it is with me in it. I tried playing it cool and keeping it in the friend zone for a whole day, but the electricity between us was off the charts, and I officially can’t let this go. I’ve never experienced this before—this yearning to know everything about someone and the unquenchable desire to be a part of her future. I’ve never felt this drawn to anyone before Ivy. And I think I owe it to her and to myself to see this through.

I walk through the doors of the hotel and into the restaurant where Ivy, Ember, and Colton are already seated at a large, white table next to the kitchen.

“You’re late.” Colton frowns as I approach them.

“ Brodo , don’t be the dude who has to blur out the bits on Naked and Afraid . It’s only five past two. Hey, Flames,” I say, greeting Ember before venturing a look at the woman who always manages to rile up the butterflies in my stomach. I swallow, suddenly feeling awkward. I’m desperate to touch her in some way, but that fluttering morphs into an ache, because I have no right to reach out to her.

She’s not mine.

“Ivy,” I manage to croak out, taking a seat opposite those eyes that drive me wild when they’re lit up. The same eyes that are currently cataloging every inch of me.

My mouth turns up in a smirk. I knew these jeans were magical.

“I hope you came hungry,” Ember says, raising her eyebrows. “You’re about to consume more cake than you’ve ever eaten in your life.”

“Doubt it,” Colton and I say in unison. The ladies roll their eyes in response as a server steps near .

“Hi! I’m Jesycca, with a y. ” She giggles, curling her hair behind her ear. “Is this your whole party?”

“It is. We’re ready to be stuffed. I mean, not in a taxidermy way. That would be weird. Just the regular way, when your tummy wants to be happy and full. I’m rambling. Um…feed us cake, please,” Ember waffles while Colton morphs into the heart-eyed emoji beside her.

“Perfect! Get ready to embark on a flavor adventure. Pace yourself, though—we’ve got five mouthwatering creations lined up for you. Our opener is a real head-turner. Picture this,” she gestures enthusiastically with her hands, “a bourbon-vanilla sponge cake, oozing with mango cream filling and topped with a mango drizzle that’s got a bit of a kick. Trust me, it’s a real flavor bomb. It’s also my absolute favorite, ‘cause it’s got that spicy twist that keeps you coming back for more,” she says, tossing a playful wink my way.

I can’t help but chuckle under my breath when I catch Ivy aiming her icy glare across the room toward Jesycca’s oblivious backside.

Well, well, well. Looks like things just got a tad more interesting around here. Ivy avoids looking at me while her dainty hand pushes the rim of her glasses.

Jesycca glides back to our table, carefully balancing a tray laden with four plates. She places a generous slice of goodness before each of us. I flash her my warmest smile, and the corners of her cheeks flush pink as she invites us to savor the first bite.

“The rest of the flavors are pretty standard,” Ember assures us. “But I wanted to try something a little out of the box.” She flashes a giant grin at Colton, who’s smiling proudly.

“It’s definitely unusual.” I eye the cake, cutting a piece with the side of my fork.

“Hmm, it’s…interesting.” Ember hums, her eyes narrowing wh ile she swirls a bite in her mouth. “I don’t hate it. But I’m not sure I’d want it for a wedding cake. What do you think, Vee?”

“I don’t think I’m adventurous enough for a flavor like this.” Ivy mumbles, her eyes flashing to mine for a second before returning to the piece of cake she’s shifting around on her plate.

Another soft chuckle escapes me, and I shake my head. Her words echo our last few conversations, when she fed me all kinds of excuses about not wanting to clip my wings and me being destined for more adventurous things. Little does she know, I’m more than eager to embark on the grandest adventure of my life, and I want her right there beside me. I realize blurting that out would make me seem like a total weirdo right now. But I can’t ignore this feeling in my gut that’s telling me she’s the one I want to share every twist and turn with. So here I am, seated across from her, pining over her and watching helplessly as she repeatedly takes out her frustration on a poor piece of cake.

Although, I did come here with the intention of getting a rise out of her. So if she’s going to pretend I’m invisible or sit there sulking while she attempts to convince herself we’re still not a good idea, then I’m going back to the basics, back to where it all started between us—I’m going to push her buttons. And she’s revealed some new ones in the last few minutes that my fingers are just itching to press.

Jesycca returns, smiling sweetly while she expertly whisks away our plates, replacing them with new slices of heaven. She explains the flavor, a chocolate one, thank God, because I’m not adventurous enough for that mango concoction.

“Thanks, Jess,” I smile as she sets a plate down in front of me.

Ember and Colton are holed up in their own cozy bubble, huddled together on one side of the table. Ivy and I sit across from them, the silence almost palpable and threatening to make the moment awkward. But Jesycca, oh Jesycca, seems utterly content to flirt with me throughout the next couple of courses. I’m barely even making an effort to flirt back at this point, but Jessyca’s attention is clearly having an effect on Ivy. We’re on our third slice of cake now, and she’s only gotten grumpier, glaring at her plate, exhaling short, humorless chuckles each time Jesycca’s hand grazes my shoulder.

Ember finally pulls herself from her bubble long enough to notice little miss sulky-pants huffing and mumbling under her breath, and she calls Ivy over to the side. Then Colton becomes aware of his surroundings again, giving me the ‘What’s going on?’ head shake. I return one with a smile, but I’m fighting so hard to hide the laugh that’s bursting to escape.

Time to hit that last button. I’m hoping it’ll finally prompt Ivy to stomp away, giving me the chance to nab a moment alone with her. Over in the corner, Ember and Ivy are locked in some kind of whispered exchange—mostly Ivy’s attempts to reassure her friend that everything’s fine, from the looks of it. I lean back in my chair, idly toying with the napkin holder.

Ivy and Ember return to their seats, and Ivy stares at her plate, curling her lips in before lifting her head and frowning at something behind me.

Ivy

I roll my eyes, slouching back against my chair, sulking and digging my hands into my pockets. My hand latches onto something in my pocket, feeling its shape to determine what it is when a delightful giddiness begins to bloom inside me. It’s the fake spider I confiscated from one of my students last week. I kept it, remembering Ethan’s spider aversion and saving it for the perfect time. Oh man, this is brilliant.

Sir Flirts a Lot thinks he’s so smooth. While, yes, he does look torturously good in those jeans, his pompous head needs to be yanked back down to earth. There’s a ball of frustration in the pit of my stomach, one he and Miss ‘Jessyca with a Y ’ have stirred up. No—not jealousy. It’s more like nausea or a fit of rage, but I can’t stop to process that response. I so badly want to throw a shoe at his head. However, that would require removing a shoe, and we know how I feel about that.

Preparing to enact my revenge, I point behind him, squinting my eyes in thought. “That wall over there, it’s rather minimalist. You seem to be interested in simple things, tonight, Ethan. Can you expound on that?”

He frowns, doing a slow turn to peer over his shoulder, and that’s when I slip the fake spider out of my pocket and slide it under the rim of his plate. Colton narrows his eyes at the wall, trying to force some meaning out of my awkward segue, but Ember tracks my move, bugging her eyes in question. I give her the death stare, silently commanding her to zip it . I deserve this.

Then Ethan turns back to the table, frowning like I’ve gone crazy, and I plaster on my most innocent smile, blinking like I’m eager for his reply.

“It’s a wall,” he replies dryly.

“Oh. Well, that proves my point then. Isn’t this cake divine?” I smile sweetly at Colton and Ember, picking up my fork.

Ethan’s eyes ping around the table, trying to figure out what he’s missing. Colton gives him a shoulder lift before eating another bite of cake. Ember, bless her heart, is biting the corner of her lip while her gaze bounces between Ethan and me. The delicious silence grows while we all chew, and I fight to suppress an evil cackle when Jessyca struts over. Of course she goes to Ethan’s side first, batting her fake eyelashes as she lifts his plate.

She continues to flirt with him as she walks around the table, collecting the empty dishes. Ember’s eyes are saucers as they dart down to my little prop in front of Ethan. Somehow they get even wider as she glares back at me. It’s all I can manage to stop myself from giggling.

Jessyca walks away, leaving the table empty, aside from my unfinished slice of cake, and Colton finally notices what’s in front of his brother.

“Uh…Eth…” He arches his brows with a grimace at the spider. Ethan looks down, prompting a moment I wish I could replay in slow motion.

He yelps, and within two seconds, he’s standing ten feet away from the table, jerkily rubbing a hand back and forth over his hair. He’s panting like he’s just finished a sprint, while Ember and I double over, laughing so hard we’re wiping tears. Colton’s shoulders shake as he attempts to stifle his own laughter. He picks up the rubber spider and throws it at Ethan, who dodges it with a few extra flinches, like there are bugs crawling all over him.

Jessyca comes trotting out of the kitchen, concern on her brow. “Is everything okay? I heard a child scream.” She pouts, scanning the room.

Ethan picks up the fake spider, his head falling back as he runs his tongue over his teeth. I watch his chest rise with a deep inhale before he clears his throat, sauntering over to Jessyca with that charming smile.

They share a hushed conversation, the sound of Jessyca’s giggles scratching my skin as it floats over to our table.

Ugh. Well that blip of joy was rather brief. I shove my seat forward, my lips forming a flat line as I resume stabbing the cake with my fork.

Ethan

Well played, Ivy June. Well played.

The little minx somehow knew my weakness. Yeah, I’m not a fan of spiders. I wouldn’t say it’s a phobia, rather an extreme desire to avoid occupying the same space as one. Tiny ones I’ll squish or spray, but the chunky, hairy black ones—they make me want to hurl.

Arachnid Avoidance Syndrome aside, I kind of love that she had the guts to pull off something like that. To think she had that little fake spider in her pocket this whole time, planning her attack. It’s actually kind of adorable. If she’d seemed unphased by Jessyca’s flirting or sat here happy as a clam, that would have been the real downer. But this just adds fuel to the fire.

Time to press the last button. I just hope this doesn’t backfire.

“Easy there, Marsh—looks like steam’s about to start whistling out of those pretty little ears of yours again.” I flash a smile as I casually scan her face.

She ignores me, pressing her lips together while her chin juts forward. Just as I’d hoped, she scoots her chair back, plopping her napkin beside her plate with a forced smile for her friend.

“Excuse me for a minute. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

Anxiety swirls in my stomach as I stand a few seconds after her, ignoring Colton’s reprimand. This could go very poorly if I push her too soon. But I can’t waste my one chance, either.

I find her scowling at the wall, arms folded as she waits in the hall outside the restrooms. I push aside my nerves, determined to get through to her. But first, I need to poke the bear a little more.

“Ivy Marsh. This is one of the most delightful days one can have, eating plate after plate of delicious cake, and you just pulled off one hell of a prank.” I purse my lips in thought. “I know you’ve got the grumps because you haven’t been waking up next to me, but that’s an easy fix.”

“Why are you here?”

“For the cake,” I retort with a shrug.

“You know what I mean,” she growls. “Why are you here , right now? If you need to pee, the men’s restroom looks open. Or better yet, if you’re looking for a bed to warm, you should find Jess . The two of you seem to be hitting it off. Just keep it PG-thirteen for now, since this is a public place.”

There’s so much fire bubbling inside, she’s like a volcano ready to blow, yet I’m still desperate to look inside. “For someone who told me to move on to other women, you seem pretty upset about Jesycca flirting with me.” I step closer, peering down at her eyes as they dart around nervously, like she’s been caught out. “Why does that bother you?”

“It doesn’t.” She gulps.

“Ivy,” I swallow hard, too. “Tell me you feel something here?” I’m nearly pleading for her to make the first move, to ask me to press my lips to hers.

She ignores my question, ducking under me and she begins pacing. “Oh! And why does everyone else get a nickname? Even Jesycca with a Y gets one,” she adds, her nostrils flaring. But I get the feeling she’s rallying her anger so she doesn’t let the more vulnerable feelings show .

I gently lay my hands on her shoulders, turning her to face me. Once she finally lifts those crystal green eyes, I bring my hands to her jaw, making sure I have her attention.

“You wanna know why I haven’t given you a nickname, Ivy?”

“Yes,” she lets the word scrape out.

“Because I wanted you to know that I see you . I see you, Ivy June Marsh. I see the show you put on to keep anyone from noticing when you struggle. I see the walls you put up to protect yourself. I see how hard you fight and how fiercely you love. And I want to be your champion, I want to support you, to defend you, to brag on you, if you’ll give me a chance. But you gotta give me a chance, baby.”

Her eyes leave mine, and I can see the second she starts making up reasons why this won’t work. “Take a chance with me, Ivy,” I beg as I await her response. This is it. If she refortifies those walls right now, her heart will be so bricked up, it’ll take forever to get her to this precipice again.

But I’d do it. I’d fight for her, again and again.

“Let me support you. Share the load,” I plead one more time.

“Did you just quote Samwise Gamgee to me?” she blinks. I shrug as I watch her eyes bounce around my face, her thoughts warring with her heart. And then, like the dramatic ending of a song, everything goes quiet, and I can see when she’s made up her mind. Peace washes over her face as she allows the slightest curl of her mouth.

“Kiss me,” she demands.

My lips crash to hers in one sharp inhale, my hands cradling her head as she rises to her toes. I don’t know how she manages while wearing those damned wedges, but I can’t pull her in close enough. I’m lost within seconds, savoring the taste of her lips until I’m yanked from my euphoria when she suddenly pulls away.

Her eyelashes flutter as she blinks and brings her fingers to her lips.

“Don’t you dare tell me that was a mistake,” I rasp, trying to catch my breath.

“I couldn’t. Not after that kiss,” she concedes, shaking her head. “I just can’t believe you’re a fan of The Lord Of The Rings …”Then a frown etches between her brows once again as she looks up at me. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I grin. Does this mean what I think it means?

“Yes. But this has to stay a secret, at least for a little while.”

Hell, I’m so elated that she’s not brushing me off, I’d agree to almost anything. However, I reserve the right to be salty about the last part, since I know it technically involves her allegiance to another man. “Fine. But you make up for it with kisses when we’re alone.”

“Deal. Also, I will rip Jesycca’s eyes out if she touches you again.” She squints and pokes me in my chest. Then she spins and trots back to the table, a whole lot less explosive than when she marched over here. I’m a hell of a lot more smug than before, too. Just call me the bomb defuser.

I give it a minute before sauntering over to my seat, just as everyone digs into their fourth slice of cake. Ivy’s piece is spared the fate of her previous three as she happily eats the one in front of her, a hint of a smile never leaving her lips. The ones I just kissed the heck out of. And, man, what I wouldn’t give to kiss her right now and taste the cake she’s devouring…

“What’s going on with you two?” Colton points his fork between us, bringing me back from a trance. My gaze darts down to my plate and away from Ivy’s lips, at least for the moment .

“Is he being a tool about renovation stuff?” Ember adds, narrowing her eyes.

“I’m being a perfect gentleman,” I announce.

If by “gentleman” you mean daydreaming about making out with my secret girlfriend, then I’d give that Mr. Darcy punk a run for his money.

Ivy clears her throat. “We had a disagreement, but we’ve sorted it out. This strawberry cake is definitely my favorite, by the way,” she says, expertly redirecting the conversation the way she always does. But as it turns out, I still love pushing her buttons.

“Yeah, we kissed and made up. No more fighting, so you can relax,” I mutter dryly before finishing the last bite of cake.

Colton and Ember are oblivious to the double meaning of my words.

Unfortunately, my chance to relish that last bite is interrupted as Ivy delivers a swift kick to my shin beneath the table, causing me to inhale a chunk of cake. Cue two minutes of me hacking up a lung while everyone at the table and a few onlookers stare helplessly. Ember tries to assist with pitying pats on the back. Meanwhile, my coughing fit has summoned Jesycca, who saunters over to offer assistance in the most impractical way imaginable. I’m gulping down water, still trying to breathe normally while her hand rubs my shoulder. Ivy stares murderously while flinging napkins in my general direction.

“Thank y-you…Jesycca. I’m good,” I sputter, leaning forward so her hand falls away. I’m just trying to spare her eyes from being removed with the spoon Ivy is currently trying to bend with her fists.

“Right. Well, that was sufficiently awkward, so thanks, Eth,” Colton says with a fake smile and sarcastic sway of his eyes. Then he turns to his fiancée. “Which flavor is it, Em? We could do two if you want. We can have all of them if you can’t decide, although that mango one should be kept to itself.”

Ember lets out a snort, hugging Colton’s bicep. “I’m happy with the strawberry shortcake, if you’re okay with that one.”

“Perfect.” He leans in, planting a tender kiss on her temple, igniting a spark of anticipation within me. I can’t wait until I can freely express my affection for Ivy in public. I turn my eyes to hers, conveying my thoughts with a tilt of my lips, and she smiles back.