She's a Little Bit Country, He's a Little Bit Rock N' Roll

I couldn't stop the feelings that were brewing inside of me. I was jealous, scared, anxious, sad, and extremely pissed. The last thing I thought I would see when I came home early to surprise my boyfriend and the father of my children was him embracing his ex bitch of a girlfriend!

How could he do this to me? How could he throw away everything we have built together over someone who never cared about him even half as much as I did?

My thoughts raced as quickly as my feet did. I didn't know where I was going to go, all I knew was that it needed to be anywhere away from Matt.

I wanted to run as far away as possible but the boys made that impossible and I barely made it down the street from the hotel before the nausea started to kick in. I ducked into a small coffee shop before anyone could see me.

The place was empty except for the employees at the counter who looked bored out of their minds. This was a perfect place. I wanted to be alone and away from them.

Matt aside, how could the guys allow him to bring her here? I am mostly disappointed in Jimmy. He was becoming a best friend and brother to me, but how could I trust someone who allowed my entire life to come cascading down around me? I didn't want to hear their excuses, and I didn't want to talk to any of them.

And Pixie? She must not have known about Val because if she had, she would have kicked her ass eight different ways to Sunday for me.

I walked up to the counter and looked around for something that wouldn't make me vomit. I hadn't eaten since early this morning before my flight in, and the boys were beginning to hate me. I settled on a blueberry scone and a decaf latte and found a corner table to relax in while I waited for my order.

About three minutes passed before my name was called. The voice sounded oddly familiar, but it was coming from the back room so I didn't have a face to place with the voice.

"That's funny, I've only known one Ivy in my whole life and--"

My eyes lit up at the sight in front of me.

"And you're her." He smiled.

"Oh my God Sam!" I ran over to the man I've known almost my entire life and practically jumped into his arms.

Sam was my brother's best friend since elementary school. I haven't seen him in years. Right before my brother entered his junior year of high school, Sam's family shipped him away to Massachusetts after his father received a new business offer. We received plenty of letters but life always got in the way whenever my brother and I tried to visit him. There was always something. He couldn't even make it to my brother's funeral and I know it killed him to miss it.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I smiled.

"This has been my home for years, bug! After my dad retired I wanted to start a business venture of my own. I own this shop and a few others just like it around the great state of Massachusetts."

He always used to call me bug or ladybug. I loved it.

"I assume you're in the area with your big rock star boyfriend? Don't think I don't check those tabloids from time to time little lady." He chuckled.

"Yeah, actually. Well, I just flew in on a red eye from Texas. I went to visit Jade."

"Oh, Aunt Jade! I always did have a thing for her." He smirked.

I hit him on the arm playfully and he sat down with me and handed over my order.

"So how have you been? I've missed you so damn much, you wouldn't believe!"

"I'm fantastic, Ives. I love it here, I love owning my own business, and everything has been coming up roses for me. Did I ever tell you I was engaged?"

"What? No way! Not Sam the Man?" I laughed.

He was always a woman eater in school. Once puberty hit him, he was one of the most handsome guys in town and all of the girls drooled over him. He definitely took advantage of it.

"Yeah I know, can you believe it? She's really great Ivy. I love that woman to death. We recently bought a house together and the wedding is in five months. I am counting down the days until the honeymoon. I'm definitely ready to start a family."

"Sam that's amazing. I am so happy for you!"

"Speaking of family, I read somewhere that you're pregnant with two bouncing baby boys. Congratulations! You seem so happy and it makes me proud."

"Yeah..." I chuckled dryly.

"Uh oh...I know that face. That's the infamous 'I'm going to tell you I'm fine when my whole world is on fire' face."

I let out a deep sigh and tried to stop the tears that were already beginning to form.

"I came home early today to surprise Matt. I had a blast with Jade but I couldn't bare being away from my new family any longer. I was supposed to be in Texas another three days but Jade understood and actually bought the last minute ticket for me to make it here. I was so excited to see him but when I got to the hotel room...I walked in on him embracing his ex and...I think he sent me away for the week so he could be with her. I can't even explain the feeling in the pit of my stomach right now."

The tears could no longer be held back as I completely broke down. He slid from his side of the table towards mine and quickly swept me into his arms.

"Did you talk to him, bug? Maybe it wasn't what you thought it was." He whispered stroking my hair.

"I couldn't. I saw them together and I just...fled. This was the first place I could make it into before the boys made me sick from running."

"Ivy, what have I always told you about assuming things? You've done it since we were kids. Don't be fooled by something on the surface, you always have to dig a little deeper."

"Yeah...I know. I can't talk to him right now, though. I just need a little time to regain my composure before I can sit down with him." I sighed and wiped my wet cheeks with a napkin.

"Well bug, it looks like you better find some composure fast."

Our embrace was broken by the bell of the door as it opened.

"Ivy what the fuck is this?" Matt growled.

"Matt...I..."

"Before you go Godzilla on us, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Sam. I've been a friend of Ivy's for a long while. We grew up together."

"What so you saw me with Val and now you're going to reignite an old flame or some shit to get back at me?"

"I think you owe her an explanation as to why she saw you two in the first place, bud. This is my establishment, so you can either converse here respectfully or I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave." Sam stood up placing his hands on his hips.

"I've got him, Sam. Thank you." I patted him on the back.

Matt rolled his eyes at Sam and sat across from me at my table while I sipped my latte, trying to figure out where to begin.

"Matt I'm sorry I fled but...what the hell was that? No one told me she was going to be there. I feel betrayed by everyone."

"Ivy no one told you because no one knew. Not even me. She tracked us down and showed up. She's going through a rough patch and she just needed someone to talk to."

"So she flew all the way here just to talk to you. Val? I have a very hard time believing that there isn't some ulterior motive."

"Do you honestly think I would lie to you? Do you think I would throw away the most perfect life I could have ever dreamed of? If you think I would ever do that to you Ivy, you don't know me at all."

"I didn't know what else to think, Matt. You were holding her so delicately, almost the same way you hold me. I was just...hurt."

"I'm sorry, Ivy. She showed up to my door no more than thirty minutes before you came in. She is pregnant, scared, and on the run from an abusive relationship. She doesn't want to tell her family because they think she is happy and finally moving on from me, but she knew she needed to tell someone she could trust. That person just so happened to be me. I've known her almost fifteen years, and despite our rough ending, there was a lot of trust between us. I still care about her, and I always will, but I will never, never love her the way I love you. You are everything I have ever wanted in this world." He grabbed my hand and I watched as two lonely tears made their way down his soft, warm cheeks.

"You promise me there was nothing going on?"

"I swear on everything I have, on everything we have, on our babies, on my life."

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I doubted you and jumped to conclusions. Sam reminded me that I have a habit of doing that."

"Yeah...did you two ever--?"

"What? Ew Sam is like my brother. He was best friends with Avery growing up, that's how we know each other. He basically lived at our house and him and I fought constantly until we hit the end of middle school. I could never." I chuckled.

"Just checking. That embrace also looked a little too close for comfort...I'm sorry if I overreacted or scared him."

"You didn't scare me, Godzilla. I've seen the way you look at her in pictures. You're just a giant rock solid teddy bear." Sam called out, laughing.

I chuckled and shook my head at him for eavesdropping.

"Do you forgive me, Ives?"

"I forgive you. I am sorry for overreacting. As for Val...are things really that bad?"

"It appears so."

"She doesn't need to go back to that guy, and she at least needs to tell Michelle. I know Michelle, she wouldn't spill to the family and she would do anything to protect Val despite their constant arguments. She should stay on the tour with us until they can figure something out. There's only a little bit left."

He seemed shocked at my offer, but despite the rough beginning that her and I had, no person deserves to live their life in fear, especially trying to protect their unborn child. I would do anything to protect these boys of mine.

"Um...are you sure? That isn't going to create tension between us is it?"

"As long as I know the situation and have nothing to make assumptions about, everything is fine in my eyes. I want her safe."

"Well...alright, then. I'll let her know whenever we get back." He smiled and rubbed my hand.

"You two lovebirds figure things out?" Sam crossed his arms and grinned.

"Yeah we did. Thanks, Sam. For everything." I hugged him.

"Anytime, bug. Here's my number. If you guys are ever in the area again, let me know. The coffee is on the house. Also, it wouldn't hurt to get a call every now and then to hear how you're doin'."

"You got it, big guy. I love you, Sammy. I am so happy for you. I promise we will come visit soon and you can meet the boys."

"I look forward to it. You kids be safe. Go back to that hotel room and make up." He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and held the door open for Matt.

"You know, your boy has a point."

"You're not getting it that easy." I smirked and grabbed his hand as he led me back to the hotel.

The terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach drained away as I looked into Matt's eyes. He was someone that I would never be able to stand losing, and I hope I never have to live a single damn day without him.

Notes

I love Sam. I am thinking of continuing him in places throughout the sequel.

xxoo,
Leagh