Page 20 of Ajax

Her smile widens. “That’s your real name?”

I nod. “Ajax comes from Greek mythology. He was a big guy.”

She giggles. “Makes sense. What should I call you?”

Swallowing hard, I draw my face a little closer to hers. “I don’t mind. No one else calls me by my real name.”

“Not even your family?”

I snort. “They hated me joining the army. I haven’t spoken to them in years.”

Ivy frowns. “But you’re not in it now.”

I lean back a little. “No, but I found a new family. I don’t think I could be anywhere else but our farm.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip. What’s that about?

“I used to think leaving was my dream, but I’m beginning to think I just needed the right reasons to stay.”

My heart beats out of my chest at her words.Is she talking about me?

“I’m guessing your Dad and brother aren’t the right reasons.” My throat tightens. I’m no good at this emotional stuff. I’ve spent so long hardening my heart after being injured, and then Emma’s betrayal.

Ivy studies me for a moment. “It’s my own fault, but I was hurt when you took that Emma woman home.”

Her dark eyes are full of emotion, and I wish more than anything I could turn back time and see through Emma’s lies.

“I didn’t know.”

“And then you were on a date?—”

“It wasn’t a date.”

Ivy’s brows knit.

I shake my head. “I told you—it was Digby and Cookie’s doing. They put me on some dating site. I showed up to tell her the truth. I had no other way to contact her, and I didn’t want to leave her hanging. I didn’t think that was fair.”

The tension rolls out of Ivy’s face. “Oh.”

“And then … well, you know what happened.”

“She was a bitch.”

I shrug. “She had no warning. Those two used old photos.”

Ivy frowns. “Still. The way she acted was awful. I like your face just fine.”

My head swims. “You like my face?”

She cups my scarred cheek. “I do. I always have.”

“You’re feeling very bold today.”

“I’m angry with the world, and you.” She shoves at my chest, but I capture her wrists.

“Me? What did I do?”

“You were there withher,” she whispers.

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