Ivy Anderson

Ivy lifted her head and looked over at Val. “What do you mean?” She asked when the other woman commented on her being a terrible liar. “I am not a terrible-” Then Val said something that made her take pause. If it wasn’t just sex, then that meant.. She shook her head. “I- I can’t. I don’t. I couldn’t.” Or could she? Did she? There was a sudden racing in her chest that sobered her up. “It... wouldn’t matter anyway. C-come on. Let’s.. go dance.”

Ivy thought about Val’s words and while they made sense and there was always that possibility, she couldn’t find herself believing it. Jon wasn’t like that. He was a good man who was loyal to a fault. He’d said awful things to her and maybe it was because she’d been too clingy after they slept together. “It’s fine,” she said finally, faking a smile. “It’s not like there was anything more going on there than sex, and even then it was just that one time.” She shook her head and sat up, reaching and downing another drink. “Just sex.” She said it as though she was trying to convince herself more than Val. 

Ivy leaned into Val’s embrace and let out a breath she’d been holding. She knew Val was right. Stevie and Stephan had always been there for her and helped her.. but so had Jon. He’d been a part of her family and her life since she was young. After the other night, she felt like they were getting somewhere new and it had felt good. “Yeah,” she said in a small voice. “I guess. I just never expected that from him. We were so close and then all of a sudden, he wants nothing to do with me. It’s not like him.” After a small pause, she pressed her lips together. “I knew there was a chance nothing could happen there. If my dad found out, he’d kill both of us. But I guess I liked getting to find out what could be there.” Finally she shook her head. “But it was just sex. Which is fine, I mean. Why wouldn’t it be?”

Ivy waited a minute before having another drink. She wasn’t going to need much more, of that she was sure. She hadn’t drank in a long time so she’d become a pretty serious lightweight. Setting the empty glass aside, Ivy brushed her fingers through her hair and tried to pretend like she wasn’t as hurt by it as she was. “He.. I don’t know.. Everything kind of just changed.” She started, looking out towards the crowd. “We were hanging out, testing the waters with each other, really. He was supposed to come to the show opening night and then he wasn’t there.” She shrugged. “I texted him and he was saying that he had more important things to do, kind of just brushed me off there. Then last night he showed up after a show.” She became silent then. She hadn’t wanted to relive it but there it was. “He basically told me to fuck off and leave him alone, in not so many words. I know it’s stupid to be upset about that. We weren’t dating or anything but we’ve been so close for so long. Hearing him say that all I am is a hot fuck with daddy issues pretty much punched me in the gut.”

@thebadassonerose

[TEXT]: Sleeping like.. you napped with her? lol

“Oh my God, I need to drink a lot more if we’re going to talk about private dance shows for my father,” she said with a laugh. Ivy pulled out her phone, checked the screen to see if there were any calls but as soon as she saw it was blank, she put it away. She really wished she didn’t feel so disappointed that it was empty. Val’s question drew her attention up and she felt her cheeks flush. “Hmm? Yeah. Yeah, it’s..” Ivy looked across at the other woman and had a realization. She couldn’t talk to Stephan or Stevie about this. The only other person she went to didn’t want anything to do with her. “No. Not really.” Her thumbnail trailed the bottom of her shot glass. “Jon and I had a- well, not really a fight but.. we’re not talking, to say the least.”

I still find it weird that you had a secret kid or something but whatever the case, Happy Mom Day. I’m proud to call you my surrogate mom and big sister. I know that kid is gonna grow up awesome thanks to you. @itgirlanderson

“That sounds perfect to.” Valentina could tell something was bothering Ivy. They’d known each other for many years already and there were just little tell signs that were tipping her off. But Ivy didn’t want to talk about it and Val wasn’t sure if she should push it. So instead, she waited and held out her glass again. She laughed at the way Ivy made the toast, but it was exactly what she had in mind. She loved her husband and her children, and she couldn’t even think of going a day without them. But only a few hours wouldn’t hurt and soon enough she’d be back home with them. She tilted her head back, letting the alcohol run down her throat as if she was setting fire to gasoline. That shot alone ignited her body, reminding her what she was there for.

“Oh please. You know it’s not he same. Otherwise you wouldn’t be up there.” Val grinned widely as they sat, waiting for their drinks to arrive. When Ivy spoke again, a sense of pride washed over her. It was still insane for her to think she was an Anderson. She fought so hard to be where she was today; it was nice to know someone recognized it. She loved the family; all she wanted was for them to love her back. “I don’t think Anderson’s with three month old babies can, but I can at least try!” When the shots were set in front of them, Val picked up one. She was about to make a toast when Ivy downed her first one and reached for another, not even giving Val a chance to speak. “They’re wonderful. Isaac stayed with them. But I don’t want to talk about them or I’ll start missing them. Let’s just celebrate tonight and your amazing success.”

“You know you don’t have to do that. With how much I sing all the songs around the house, I’m sure I could replay the whole thing for you.” Lowering in the lush seat, Ivy looked out at the crowd before being distracted by what Val said. “You’re an Anderson, and Anderson’s can hold their liquor,” she smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll drink what you don’t.” She wanted so desperately to get the memories from the previous night out of her head. This night was supposed to take it away. The show was supposed to take it away. Her dinner with Stephan was supposed to take it away but nothing did. When the drinks came, Ivy took one of the shots, downing it before reaching for a second. The first would just get her started. “How are the kids?”

“I’ve gotten one every show like that. I thought for a second it was-” But as soon as Ivy realized what name was about to come tumbling from her lips, she swallowed it back like poison. “Well, good because it has plenty of both.” Just forget it Ivy, she told herself. “It’s good. We’ve been sold out every show so far, even the weekday ones with almost never get completely sold out. I’m still glad you guys could come to opening night. It’s probably my favorite performance,” she said as they walked the block towards a line of patrons waiting to get into the upscale club. Ivy led Val to the entrance and didn’t even have to show any identification for the guy to know who she was and open the rope for them. Their VIP came with a personal waitress so as soon as she walked up, Ivy said, “We want shots. Lots of them.”

“Well I’ll take a double break tonight,” Ivy said. She waved at the security guard but he stopped her to tell her someone had left her flowers again. Like the others, there was no note. Her brows wrinkled but she asked him to leave them at the front. Turning back to Valentina, she smirked, “I just wish I could a card so I knew who to thank.” She hooked her arm through Val’s and knew in an instant that Val needed the night off as much as Ivy did. “I was going to take us to Belle Reve but-” I can’t stop thinking about what Jon said to me and I don’t want to be around either of my boyfriends right now “-I figured we could try something new. Zero is open and we have VIP. It’s just a block away so we can walk, and Katie is performing tomorrow night to give me Sunday off so I plan on getting plastered.”