Not Broken, Just Bruised

[23]

"you are every reason, every hope and every dream I've ever had."
- nicolas sparks

•

I let go of it all.
I talk, on and on, letting all the words fall out.
From my relationship with Matt at the very beginning all the way to now, today.

Ian listens.
He doesn't speak over me, or talk back.
He simply listens to everything I have to say - and that is exactly what I needed.

By the end of it all, I'm more of an emotional wreck than I was before.

"God, Ivy. That's horrible. I'm so sorry."
He rests his head on my shoulder, swaying us back and forth slowly.

"It's okay.."

"It's not okay."
He mumbles.
"You're so strong, you know that?"

A true smile forms on my lips.
"Thank you."
I whisper back.

We stay silent for a couple of minutes, our breathing patterns identical.
There's something extremely comforting about being in Ian's arms.
I sound love-bound, but I'm not going to deny it, I probably am.

"Do you want to go back to my house?"
He hums.

I nod.

As we get inside his car, I peer out the window - watching the coffee shop slowly fade away in the distance.
That was one hell of a visit.

——————

"Man, I'm tired."
I groan.

Ian tosses the keys onto the counter, walking up behind me.
He slips his arms through mine, wrapping them around my waist securely.
I giggle, resting my arms on top of his.

"Ian?"

"Hm?"
He hums in response.

"What happened back at the coffee shop?"
I question, biting my bottom lip anxiously.

He doesn't respond right away and I instantly regret bringing it up.
Maybe we just got so caught up in the moment..

I mean, he's always been a touchy type of guy - and I didn't mind - but we kissed.
That's not something that you go around doing whenever you please.

"Did I overstep a line?"
Ian finally speaks, concern layered in his voice.

I untangle myself from his arms, turning around to face him.

"No."
I mumble.
"I was the one that leaned in first, I-"

"-but I went through with it, Ivy. This wasn't just on you."

I blink a couple of times, trying to slow down my thought process.

"We kissed?"
I sigh, although it more-so came out as a question.

Ian walks a bit closer, placing his hands on my hips.
See what I mean? This guy's touchy.

"Is there a problem with that?"
He asks, a smirk plastered on his face.

My cheeks turn cherry red, but as much as I want to rude and hide - I can't.
Ian's got his hands secured on me, stopping me from being able to flee.