Kidnap My Heart - Chapter Nineteen

Ivy spent the day with Avery's family. It was full of memories and luckily not the bad ones. She tried to come around and talk to Avery but whenever they were alone it had been interrupted by a family member. She had tried to get him alone but it was impossible. Ivy knew his family was trying to fill in every moment they had with each other to be less tense but little did they know Ivy needed this. She needed to talk to Avery and let this unsettling past they had disappear. She wanted him back in her life even if she had to settle as friends. She didn't know what else she wanted from it. "Ivy? You still alive?" Avery said as he tapped her bare shoulder. Ivy flinched and Avery winced too. "I'm here, don't worry. I was just thinking about something." She said as he pulled his hand back. He looked away from her and listened as his parents droned on about their recent adventures. "What are you thinking about?" Avery said in a whisper.

Ivy shivered lightly and smiled. "Nothing you need to know about." She said in a singsong whisper. Avery smiled and sat next to her on the dull living room couch. "Look Ives. No need to get all sassy with me." He said with a smile. Ivy eyed his smile and felt her heart pound ungracefully. This needed to happen before her heart took over and she decided now was the time. She groaned and stood up. "You, me, in your room, now." Ivy said as she pointed up the stairs. Avery looked up at her in disbelief and walked toward the stairs with a smile. His family stared at their display and Ivy felt a blush creep up in her body. "That was rather forward of you. You know how much my parents love gossip." Avery whispered as he walked close behind Ivy. They ran up the stairs and into Avery's room, which had suddenly become disorganized. They both got in and Ivy shut the door behind her.

She turned to face Avery and braced herself against the door.' Crap, this is awkward', Ivy thought shakily. "So what was your purpose of this little get together?" Avery asked with a raised eyebrow. Ivy wiggled in her position and played with the door knob. "Um I uh actually have no idea?" Ivy said as confusion filled her thoughts. Avery chuckled and gave her a knowing look. He stood up from his position on a chair and walked towards her. He stopped in front of her barely far enough to feel her anxiety. "Is that so Ives?" he said with a dark chuckle. His hand came up to her arm and his fingers dragged along her bare arm. Ivy felt the hair on her arms stand and she shivered unconsciously. She couldn't respond to his utterly unexpected actions. Her body was betraying her. She wasn't supposed to be enjoying his closeness. She felt the warmth from his body emanating towards her.

As usual, his masculine scent was too sinful and Ivy felt as if it was attracting her towards him more. It was too unfair for her. His hand stopped at her mid shoulder and he propped his arms on the wall behind her. Her mouth went dry and she turned her head to face away from him. His hands came to her face and tilted her head to his face. Avery smiled deviously and placed his hand on her shoulder. "You sure you don't have a reason?" Avery whispered. The warmth of his breath triggered memories and she couldn't help but blush uncontrollably. Her breaths became labored and fast. What was he doing to her? All her instincts revolved around him at the moment. His smell, the way he looked, the feel of his soft hand on his shoulder. Everything. He was everywhere and everything on her mind at the moment. If it was love or lust she didn't care. One thing was on her mind.

She needed to set it straight. She needed to clear the air between them. She prayed to God that this wasn't the end. "We need to talk Avery. That's why I'm here."
Avery's eyes widened and he backed away from Ivy's winded body. He sighed and rubbed his face vigorously. He knew this was gonna happen at some point yet it was so unexpected. He felt relief and panic at the same time. Her blunt response was all he needed to understand her mind. She was practically surrendering to his touch moments ago. He didn't have an explanation worth her time and thought. She must have worried about the subject for a long time but he felt as if he was going to disappoint her more than he already had. "Look Ives. I can't give you an exact reason for that mistake. I know I screwed up but I don't know why I did it. That's all I can say and truthfully I don't know how to make it up to you.

I guess it was because I was scared." Avery said casually. Ivy felt her heart pound and threaten to break yet again. "What do you mean you don't know why?! Are you kidding me Avery? To think after 10 years you would have really thought that through and be ready to give me an answer! Don't you think that I was heartbroken by that? My parents were getting worse as a couple and I thought you were the one who'd be able to be there for me. Instead you were just another face in the crowd who watched as I went through it all alone. Didn't you even think about me in this?" Ivy shrieked. Avery scowled and paced around the room. "I'm telling you the truth alright? Trust me just this once! I knew you were going through all of this and I wasn't thinking about past the fact that I couldn't be with you. I wanted to be with you but everything seemed to be in the way. College was right around the corner and I had my dream ahead of me. I didn't know what to do. I guess I chose what I wanted after you since I knew at one point you'd hurt me in the end. Turns out I screwed up incredibly and hurt my only chance at happiness with you.

So don't say you were the only one who went through some pain, alright?" Avery said firmly. Ivy gasped and clutched onto the wall behind her. "If you're just saying all of this to make me buy it, save it. You already hurt me once I don't know why you should do it again." Ivy whispered. Avery pulled her to him and he held her shoulders. "Trust me on this please. Quit being stubborn and listen to me. I wouldn't have said it all if I were telling you my true feelings. You should know me better than that!" Avery said pleadingly. Ivy pulled away from him and crossed her arms. "Fine. Let's forget about it. I know I'm dying to. That is, about everything." Ivy said as she walked out of the room. "Ivy wait for a second will you?"

Avery said as he chased her down the stairs. Ivy was already getting her stuff together and Avery reached out for her arm. He gripped onto her arm and she didn't turn to face him. "Look. I know you wanted this to work out better and be less dramatic so try to make me understand what you want me to since I don't know." Avery said calmly. Ivy closed her eyes and sighed through suddenly tear filled eyes. "It's alright now Avery. We don't have problems with each other at the moment and I guess that's how we should leave it. We said everything we needed to right? " Ivy said as she tugged her arm from him. She bid his family their own special good byes quickly and she stormed out of the house just like she had entered.