Read Online Hold Me Tight by Faith Sullivan - Free Book Online

acting like herself, but understandably so. She was fighting a battle on two fronts—for her own life and that of our child. She was drained a lot of the time. Too tired to talk. Too fatigued to want to see me. Even though she pushed me away, I didn’t go far. If she didn’t want me in her bedroom, then I kept vigil outside her door. If she didn’t want me feeding her, then I helped her mom prepare her tray in the kitchen. If she didn’t want me holding her, then I made sure to cover her with an extra blanket whenever she fell asleep. I remained at her side, no matter how much she tried to distance herself from me.
    At the time, I thought it was because she didn’t want me to see her like that. Pale. Haggard. Lethargic. But now, I realize there was more to it than that. She was pining for Tim, wishing he were the one sitting beside her, not me.
    “Will you keep up with me, goddammit?” I snarl as Will lags behind, gazing forlornly back at Ben.
    “Ben went over there, you know. He told me he saw Ivy,” Will states. His words have the desired effect as I grind to a halt.
    “Yeah, so?” I remark, trying to come off all tough, as my voice cracks.
    “Are you freakin’ kidding me?” Will comes up behind me, grabbing my shoulders and giving me a good shake. “You know where Ivy is. You might not have a whole lot of time left to spend with her, and you’re just going to piss it away because of your stupid pride? Give me a break. Even I’m not that much of a drama queen.”
    “You don’t get it. There’s a lot more going on here than you realize,” I growl at Will, yanking him off me.
    “What? That Tim might have—and I emphasize, might have —slept with Cassidy? God rest her soul, but who cares? She’s gone, Eric. That shit doesn’t matter anymore. Ivy’s the one you need to be worried about. She’s not over there spreading her legs for Ben’s brother to get back at you. We both know she’d never do that,” Will huffs, steam coming out of his mouth.
    “Only because she can’t,” I say bitterly, knowing that it’s a cheap shot the moment the words leave my mouth.
    “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Will asks, throwing up his hands.
    “She’s on pelvic rest,” I chuckle mirthlessly at his confused expression. “What? Don’t know what that is? It means she can’t have sex. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to.”
    “You really think that’s how Ivy operates? That she’d screw some guy she just met just to piss you off?” Will walks around me, shoving his hands in his pockets.
    “Tim can be very persuasive,” I argue, watching him trying to make sense of what I’m telling him.
    “Eric, I think you need some sleep because seriously, dude, you’re off your rocker.” Will comes to a stop, looking at me beseechingly. “Go to her. Bring her back. This isn’t right and you know it. You two belong together. And I don’t even believe in true love and all that bullshit. Don’t let Lauren screw this up for you. Listen to Ben. Hear what he has to say.”
    “You mean he actually talked to Ivy?” I inquire hesitantly, my curiosity aroused.
    “He was so mad at his brother that he went over there last night and peered through the windows. He said he saw Ivy sitting with Tim, their heads bent over some book. But then she got mad about something and started telling him off. Ben was afraid she’d see him standing on the porch, so he took off,” Will recounts in a rush.
    “Wait a minute. She was screaming at Tim?” I question, panicked.
    “Yeah, man. That’s what I’m trying to get through to you. She’s not happy there. She doesn’t want to be there. But where the hell is she supposed to go? She thinks you’ll make her give up the baby if she comes back here.” Will looks at me disapprovingly, and I know he’s right. I deserve every bit of his condemnation for driving her away.
    “I’m not going to make her do that,” I say vehemently. “I was wrong to make her