Chapter 17

Stone

"Man, what the fuck else are you going to fuck up?" Gray folds his arms across his chest outside Ivy's front door, and his hands grip his elbows. As if to show Ivy what he's made of, he's wearing a pissed off expression that looks like he wants to punch me. Like she can see us through the door she slammed on our sorry asses.

A grin tugs at my lips as I stare straight ahead at the road. "What exactly have I destroyed, Gray? Whatever issues you're having with Ivy are entirely of your own goddamn making."

Whatever his problem is with me, it's based on nothing more than suspicion. And insecurity. Sure, I damn near kissed those lush pink lips, parted just enough to tempt me.

I'll spend the rest of my fucking life wondering how those lips taste, but the point is that I didn't kiss her even though I really fucking wanted to.

Gray laughs harshly, his head shaking in disgust and incredulity. "Who do you think you're kidding, Stone? I thought we were brothers. I see how your eyes follow her, and I don't appreciate it."

"Ivy's just a friend, Gray. We've been that way since we were kids. You remember, right?"

He scoffs, rolling his eyes dramatically before fixing his gaze on me. "Some friend," he growls, his voice low and threatening. "You managed to push her out of your mind for five freakin' years. And she's not the only one you forgot about. Not a single text, call, or even a lousy postcard."

"Jesus, Gray. Is that what you're all fucked up about? You've been acting like an asshole since I returned to the ranch. Of all the people here, I thought you'd be the easiest one to reconnect with."

"Yeah," he snorts, stepping closer until we're face to face. "Now that you're back, you expect everyone to fall over themselves to welcome you, even though you forgot about us for five long years."

"Dammit, Gray, I didn't have a choice!" I run my hand through my hair, feeling the urge to pull it out in frustration. "Dad ordered me to go to California and start a new life, to forget about Opey."

"And you did just that, didn't you?"

"Hell, no, I didn't. Do you think I wanted to leave? Dad had to handle things. I had no idea it would drag on for so long. Don't you think I missed you? Missed Ivy? My family? They wouldn't even let me speak to my mom." The words tumble out of my mouth, bitter and resentful.

Gray's expression hardens. "And now, because of you, the Skull Crushers are causing trouble. Ivy's more vulnerable than ever."

"I didn't know anything about the Skull Crushers until I got back." A new thought surfaces, one I don't want to entertain but can't ignore. "Did you know about them, Gray?"

"What?" His brow dips into a frown. "Tell me you're fucking kidding me, Stone."

I shrug. "What? I thought we were friends, but now I'm learning that we're not. So, yeah, I'm asking."

"No," he sighs, shaking his head. "Never even fucking heard of them until you came back."

His words cut deep, even though I feign indifference. The idea that Gray, someone I consider family, believes my return is the root of these problems is a serious mindfuck. "Well, I'm here now, Gray. So, you'd better get used to it. You're just a jealous bastard who can't handle that fact."

"You're going after my girl!"

"That's your insecurities talking," I spit out. "Am I into Ivy? Abso-fucking-lutely. But I only realized it when we faced off against those motherfuckers on the road. You've been nothing but a dick since my return, and it's getting old really fast."

"So you admit you want her?" Fury blazes in his eyes, and I know he's itching to lay me out, even if he can't. Won't stop him from trying, though. His fists clench at his sides, knuckles turning white with the force of his grip.

"Hell, yeah, I want her. But I've got too much damn respect for both of you to try and interfere. Doesn't change my feelings, and it doesn't change our friendship." I hold his gaze, unflinching in the face of his anger.

"Your friend happens to be my girlfriend, and I'm telling you to keep your fucking distance." Gray's words are clipped and sharp as a knife.

"Yeah, that's not happening." Given his current demeanor, he's fortunate I'm not actively attempting to steal Ivy away. If I wanted to, I could probably sweep her off her feet without much effort, but I'm not that kind of guy.

His head whips from side to side before his eyes fix on me, devoid of any amusement. "Well, you can't have everything you want, damn it!"

With those words, his posture shifts, and I anticipate the uppercut a second before it connects. The solid punch slams into my jaw with a sickening crunch, forcing me back a step. My vision blurs for a second, and I grin at him as my fists clench, adrenaline surging through my veins.

I lunge forward and land a shot to his jaw before he can retreat, my knuckles splitting open on impact. Ouch, I think. That'll leave a mark.

Seizing him by the shirt, we tussle until we separate, both of us panting heavily and glaring daggers at each other.

Gray's chest heaves with rage as he throws wild punches, one grazing my face and another landing solidly on my torso. "You've gone soft," he says, his breath heaving.

"In your dreams," I hiss as my fists slam into his stomach over and over.

He straddles me, raining blows on my face and forcing me to shield myself while absorbing his punches. "Asshole," I manage to mutter.

I allow a couple hits to gain the upper hand. Many guys won't do this. Take some punches to ultimately win the fight. Gray falls for it.

I lower my arms from my face, and he lands one punch. Then another. As he winds up for a third, overconfident and cocky, I make my move. Two jabs to his left side. Two to his right. A punch square in the chest leaves him gasping.

"Shit," he wheezes, sprawled on Ivy's lawn, the wind knocked out of him.

"Guess I haven't gone soft after all," I say, standing up and brushing off my jeans. I offer a hand to help him up, but he knocks it aside with a scowl.

"I don't need your damn help, Stone," he spits, struggling to his feet.

I raise my hands and let them fall, adrenaline pumping through me like wildfire. "Yeah, fuck you too, Gray." I walk away from the man I consider a brother, angry and feeling like crap.

I know I shouldn't want Ivy, not when she's seeing someone, but I can't control how I fucking feel. I throw my leg over my motorcycle and sit down, glancing back at Ivy's place one last time.

Sage grins and gives me a small finger wave from the front window. Next to her, the blinds clatter closed.

So, Ivy was watching. She witnessed it all.

Perfect.