Page 17 of Ivy

“Fuck someone else. I want this one,” Jay says, flipping the pages to find the tattoo he wants inked on himself. I smile when he flips the image around to show me which one he loves. I see Dex nod his head.

“Matching,” Dex states.

“Hell yeah.” I’m shocked my brothers want a tattoo designed by me. The one they’ve chosen was something I drew while I was in hospital one time while pregnant with Carter. I’d caught a sickness bug and was dehydrated, so I needed a drip and rest.

The design is of a castle wrapped around a forearm. The rocks as its base start at the wrist, then the castle spans up the arm, the arched windows and intricate brickwork bringing it to life, and at the elbow, where it ends, are the battlements. The detailing in the drawing is on point, even if I do say so myself. It’s one of my best pieces. The shading is perfect, as the moon sits to the right of the castle high in the sky, casting its light down on those below.

“You—you want my design tattooed on you?” I manage to ask around the lump in my throat. Their smiles beam at me, making my cry more. The thought of my brothers having a tattoo on them, that I drew, making my heart swell with love and pride.

“Hell yeah, baby girl. This is beyond epic. The shading, the fine detailing… It’s perfect for us. Dude, we are so getting this done, ASAP,” Jay says happily. I can’t help but offer a watery smile at my brothers. They are showing me their love and loyalty through their faces.

“BOOM, motherfucker. We can do each other’s, add in that extra sentimental crap you girls are always talking about,” Dex chimes in, and we burst into a fit of laughter at his enthusiasm. I fall back onto the couch, holding my stomach as the muscles tighten from laughing at Dex. Tears are streaming down Jay’s face, which makes me laugh even harder.

“What?” Dex asks. Jay barks out a laughter, making my stomach muscles clench. He chuckles with us but has no clue why we areacting the way we are.

“I love you, boys,” I say between gasps of air.Their laughter fades, and they stare at each other as if having a silent conversation. When they look back at me, my chest tightens from the emotion in their eyes. But then two beautiful smiles break the tension, and they both lunge for me.

They smother my face in kisses and start to tickle me when I try to get away. This is what I have been missing all these years—having two big brothers.

“STOP,” I pant out between shrieking laughing. They pull back and smile at me.

“Love you, too, cupcake,” Jay says.

“Love you lots like jelly tots, Ives,” Dex says. I snort at his words.

“Jelly tots?”

“Yeah, it’s something Connie always says. It’s cute.”

“Cute sounds so fucking wrong coming out of Dexter Castle’s mouth,” Jays adds. I nod in agreement.

“Whatever, fucker.” He fake pouts. “Hey, are you coming to the Halloween party we’re having at our house?” Dex asks.

“Yeah. Luke said we have to dress up. He wants the three of us to all match, or something. I don’t know; he said he will sort it.” I shrug. I have never liked Halloween, but I do dress up for Carter. He loves dressing up in his superhero outfits. Iron Man is his favourite. Tim always loved Halloween, but for a different reason. He would find an adult party to go to and I would be made to stay at home with Carter. It was his way of punishing me, but what he didn’t know was that I loved it when he left. Me and Carter always had so much fun without him.

“That’s cool. Me, Ads, and Phoebe will be matching as well. What about you and Cass?” Dex asks Jay.

“No clue. I’ll see what Cass has to say.”

“Do you guys want another drink?” I stand and walk towards my kitchen

“Yeah, please,” they both call back. I smile and take two bottles of beer out of the fridge and a can of diet Coke for me. When I return to the living room, I see Dex and Jay once again flicking through my portfolio, and my heart skips a beat. Every picture is a glimpse into my mind, into my past and as artists themselves, my brothers know that. I have kept this side of me hidden for so many years, but it feels amazing to finally share it with someone—well, two someone’s. I smile and take my seat. I push their drinks across the table to them and they bother offer me the famous Castle grin. Lucky for me, we have familiar features. So, our father did leave me with more than the artistic side of him.

Dex looks up and catches me watching them. A smirk slides across his face and he winks at me.

“We’re glad you found us, Ivy. Really fucking glad.” My throat clogs up with emotion. I shift my gaze to Jay, and he isgrinningand nodding in agreement.

“Me too,” I manage to choke out. My words are the truth; finding Dex and Jay is the best thing I’ve done in a very long time. I sit back and take in the moment, treasuring it for years to come.

Chapter 9

Luke

Laughter fills the kitchen at Dex and Addy’s house. The kids are playing dunking apples, but finding little success with water sloshing everywhere and soaking them. Knox is trying his damnedest to sink his teeth into the bright green apple that’s floating in the large bucket of water. Dex, being the mean bastard he is, not only put apples in the water, but also onions and oranges.

“Get your teeth stuck into that apple, Knox,” Adrian, Liam’s friend, shouts. We all laugh at the scowl Knox throws in his direction.

“You got this, little man,” I say. I look at Ivy, who is standing across the room talking to Penny and Cassie. I wink at her and her cheeks redden. Fuck, I love making her blush. Thoughts of how much her skin will blush when she is beneath me, riding me, when she is screaming my name when I make her come later tonight flash through my mind.

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