Chapter 85: Eighty five

IVY POV

I lay there for a long time, staring at the ceiling, the quiet of my room almost too loud.

Sleep didn’t come.

Not even close.

Every time I closed my eyes… it was him.

His voice.

His hands.

The way he looked at me like I was something he couldn’t let go of.

I turned onto my side, pulling the blanket tighter around me like that would somehow block it all out.

“This is stupid,” I muttered under my breath.

But it didn’t change anything.

My phone lit up beside me.

I froze.

For a second, I didn’t want to check.

Because I already knew who I wanted it to be.

Slowly, I picked it up.

Max: You sure you’re okay?

I let out a small breath, tension easing just a little.

I’m fine. Go make out with Zoe, I typed back.

A second later—

Max: just did. But You come first. Always.

My chest softened at that.

I smiled faintly.

I’m okay, Max. Really. Just tired.

There was a pause… then—

Max: Alright. But we’re talking tomorrow.

Yeah, I replied. We are.

I dropped my phone beside me again.

Silence.

But not peaceful.

Restless.

I turned onto my back again, staring up, my thoughts drifting… back to the same place.

Ronan.

Why didn’t he come after me?

Why did that even matter?

I groaned softly, dragging a pillow over my face.

“I hate this,” I whispered.

Because no matter how much I tried to convince myself— This wasn’t just sex.

And that scared me more than anything.

Eventually, exhaustion won.

My eyes slowly closed, my thoughts fading into something softer… heavier.

But even in asleep his all I could think about.

Morning came too fast.

A sharp knock on my door dragged me out of sleep.

“Ivy. Open up.”

Max.

I groaned, burying my face into the pillow. “Go away…”

“Nope.”

Another knock.

Louder.

“Ivy, I swear if you don’t open this door—”

“I’m alive!” I snapped, my voice rough from sleep. “That’s enough, isn’t it?”

Silence.

Then the door creaked open anyway.

I turned my head just enough to glare at him. “You know knocking usually means waiting, right? You can't barge in.”

Max leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, already dressed, already alert. Annoyingly put together.

“You ignored me,” he said simply.

“I was sleeping.”

“You were spiraling,” he corrected.

I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling. “Same thing.”

He didn’t laugh.

That made me glance at him again.

His expression softened slightly as he stepped into the room. “Talk to me.”

I hesitated.

Then sighed, dragging myself up to sit against the headboard, pulling the blanket around me.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said.

“That’s a lie,” he replied instantly.

I gave him a look. “Wow. You and Zoe been teaming up now?”

He ignored that. “You left for work early . You came back pretty late and … off. And you’re pretending you’re fine.”

I looked away.

“I am fine.”

“Was it him?” he asked quietly.

I froze I didn't tell Max about Ronan he would be so pissed at me.

I didn’t answer.

Didn’t need to.

Max exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Ivy… is it the new guy you're seeing?”

“What new guy?,” I cut in quickly, my voice sharper than I intended. “Please don’t do the protective best friend thing right now. I don’t have the energy.”

He watched me for a moment.

Then nodded slightly. “Okay. No lectures. But don't make me look stupid. I know when youve been getting the vitamin D so knock off the act”

“Max!.” I said shocked

A pause.

Then— “Did he hurt you?”

I blinked, caught off guard.

“No,” I said quickly. “No… not like that.”

Max’s jaw tightened anyway.

“Then what is it?” he asked.

I swallowed, looking down at my hands.

“I just…” I exhaled slowly. “I thought I could handle it.”

“Handle what?”

“Him,” I said quietly.

The room went still.

I let out a small, humorless laugh. “Turns out… I can’t.”

Max didn’t say anything right away.

He just walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

“That doesn’t make you weak,” he said.”

“I know,” I replied. “It just makes things complicated.”

“When have things ever not been complicated with for you?” he asked.

I huffed a soft laugh. “Fair point.”

Silence settled between us again.

Then Max nudged my shoulder lightly. “So what now?”

I leaned back against the headboard, staring ahead.

“I should avoid him,” I said.

Max raised a brow. “You really think that’s going to work?”

“No,” I admitted. “But I’m going to try anyway.”

He shook his head slightly but didn’t argue.

“Just don’t disappear on me again,” he said. “That’s all I ask.”

I looked at him, softer now.

“I won’t.”

He nodded once, satisfied.

Then stood up. “Get dressed. We’re getting breakfast.”

I groaned. “I don’t want breakfast.”

“Too bad.. But my baby is starving and I haven't to make her breakfast.”

“Did you just call Zoe baby?”

“Get your ass of that bed,” he said, smiling ignoring me completely

A small smile tugged at my lips despite everything.

“Yeah,” I muttered. “I really don’t.”

As he walked out, closing the door behind him, I sat there for a moment longer.

Then I reached for my phone.

And without thinking…

I checked for his name.

Nothing.

My chest tightened.

“Good,” I whispered to myself.

That’s what I wanted, right?

No calls.

No messages.

No him.

So why did it feel like something was missing?

I stared at my phone a second longer before tossing it back onto the bed.

“Good,” I said again, quieter this time.

But it didn’t feel good.

It felt… empty.

I dragged myself out of bed, forcing my legs to move, forcing my mind to shut up for once. A quick shower, something simple to wear..anything to keep busy, to not think.

By the time I stepped out into the living room, Max was already there, coffee in hand, scrolling through his phone like nothing happened last night.

Zoe was beside him.

She looked up the moment she saw me, her eyes scanning my face like she was trying to read everything I wasn’t saying.

“Well,” she said slowly, “you look… alive.”

“Barely,” I muttered, grabbing a mug and pouring coffee.

Max snorted. “Dramaqueen.”

I shot him a look. “You literally barged into my room like I was dying this morning.”

“You could’ve been,” he said casually.

Zoe smirked. “Honestly, with her love life? Fair concern.”

I froze mid-sip.

“Don’t start,” I warned.

Too late.

Zoe leaned forward, elbows on the counter. “So… are we talking about him or are we pretending he doesn’t exist?”

“I’m choosing peace,” I said flatly. “Which means we’re not talking about him.”

Max raised a brow. “That never works. Especially with this her knew guy.”

Zoe gave me a look.. And I knew what she meant