Page 28 of Chasing Shadows
I glance over at him, sipping his beer and laughing at something Brady said. His shoulders are tense, though, when Conrad and Tom join them. I don’t know what he told them, but I decide on the truth. “He saved my life.”
All three girls stare at me wide-eyed. “Well, that’s a story we need to hear,” Wren says.
I force a laugh. “There’s not much of a story. It’s pretty embarrassing, really. I almost got hit by a car. Harley pulled me out of the way.”
“Holy shit.” Ronnie brings her hand up to cover her mouth. “That’s intense.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I take a sip of my drink, the whiskey warming my insides.
“Now you’re in Blue Haven.” Ivy’s gaze is curious but not unkind. She’s protective of him.
I nod. “I needed a… break from city life. I remembered Harley telling me he was from here, so I thought I’d check it out for a bit.”
“You’ll love it here,” Ronnie gushes, pushing her glasses up her nose. “I’m from Adelaide, and it was a change, but you get used to it. We’ll be happy to show you around.”
I smile at her. She seems like a genuinely nice person. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“How long are you staying?”
I take another sip of my drink before bringing my gaze to meet Ivy’s. “I’m not sure.” An awkward silence falls as the girls share a look. I steel my spine. “Something I should know?”
“No…” Wren says slowly.
“Harley and Tom are dealing with a lot at the moment,” Ivy interjects. “We’re just looking out for them.”
“Ivy–” Ronnie says.
“It’s fine,” I interrupt. “The guys are lucky to have you.”
Tom chooses that moment to join us, sliding up behind me and resting his hands on my shoulders. “I hope the girls are making you feel welcome.”
“Of course.” I smile up at him.
The band starts their set, and Tom shoots me a sly grin. “Come on, let’s dance.”
I grab my glass as he pulls me off my chair and over to the dance floor. The others follow, and we spend the next hour dancing and drinking. When the band takes a break, I head to the bathroom, and when I come out, Ivy’s standing at the sink fixing her lip gloss.
“I want to apologise,” she says, catching my eye in the mirror.
I move next to her, washing my hands in the basin. “For what?”
“I’m sorry if it felt like I was giving you the third degree before. I’ve grown up with Harley, and he’s like a brother to me. I didn’t mean to give you a hard time.”
“I appreciate that. So, brother, huh? You’re not the complicated ex, then?”
Ivy’s eyes widen. “He told you about Ellie?”
I shrug. “I didn’t know her name.”
She looks like she wants to say something else, but instead she offers me a small smile. “He seems to really trust you.”
A lump forms in my throat as I think about all of the secrets I’m keeping from him. But it’s the only way to keep him safe. “Harley’s a great guy.”
“He is. But he’s also got a lot going on at the moment. Just… look out for him, will you?”
I wonder why she’s asking me this, but she’s being friendly so I’m not going to push. “I will.”
“Welcome to Blue Haven, Lily.”