Extra Time With The Striker Brothers

Chapter 7

Ivy's POV

I watched as Dante slowly turned red when he noticed Voss smiling back at me as he approached, Voss came toward the stairs his eyes not leaving mine all throughout.

"I am sorry I let you leave with my thoughts." He mouthed to me, audibly enough that Dante hears it but also just Dante, and I could tell from the mischievous grin on his lips that he was doing this solely because of Dante.

I didn't protest.

I didn't find a fault in it either, why? Because I was pissed to the bone and Voss, being such a force of nature, was the only person I knew who could elevate this mood, just like he did earlier.

"It's fine." I said back smiling at him, "all that matters is that you are here." I added smiling back at him, when Voss reaches the stairs I found myself leaning in, and freely stretching my hands forward,

he took it and laced a kiss on my knuckles. I felt tingles crawling up my body, and gently warming my heart, so much that I found myself blushing a little.

"Oh wow, both of you are suddenly best of friends? What in under three hours both of you are suddenly so chill." Dante moved forward, or rather he made an attempt to move forward when Solange held his shoulder stopping him from even coming forward.

My eyes slowly moved to him and I saw how the veins on his forehead popped as Solange, who had grown increasingly uncomfortable, tried to hold him back, but Dante looked like he was in pain.

Voss, whose attention was still on me, took a step forward then asked, "How long were you here for before I came? You should have some rest." He said, totally ignoring Dante.

It was a thing they both did.

All through the four years Dante and Voss had been coming back home, they would never smile or talk to each other if their teams weren't playing against each other, or if their father didn't ask them to come perform something together.

I was used to witnessing the coldness and the oddness between them, but I have always been behind Dante all this time, not before him, and most not in support of Voss.

Seeing him physically uncomfortable I had the urge to meet him and comfort him but that wasn't my place anymore, I wasn't his emotional support animal.

I do not have to coax him each time, for all I know, I am the girl Ashcombe calls for damage control and I wanted to stay right where I was placed. So I took my weak heart into my hands and I turned to meet Voss.

As hard as it sounded, I did just that.

My hand was still on Voss's when I said, "Do you think my room is still available?" I asked.

He smiled then swung his bag over his shoulder. "I had it reserved yesterday, you don't have to worry." With that he proceeded to move up the stairs.

I took his hand as he swung the duffle over his shoulder, Dante still bore his frown but just like earlier I still refused to acknowledge it.

I moved up till Voss and I were on the corridor path still holding hands when I pulled my hand away from his.

There was this oddness between us, same one from the plane, and I didn't want to make it obvious.

"Thanks for making it less awkward." I said, scratching my arm and looking everywhere but toward him.

I sensed him move closer then pull away.

"I meant it though, I made sure your room was reserved, yesterday." He added, my cheeks burnt again, feeling flustered by his chivalry.

What's really going through my mind? Why do I suddenly feel this awkward toward him?

Clearing my throat I braced myself to turn to him. With an exaggerated smile I said, "Thank you Mr. Solano, I appreciate your kindness." Then I replicated the bow he had initially done on the plane.

When I turned back down he was smiling at me, not his usual evil smirk that made his eyes dark and presence dark, but a sweet smile that made the corner of his eyes wrinkle without his teeth showing.

I felt my heart thump suddenly.

I could stare at those eyes for the rest of my life and still won't get tired.

He did the bow again, only this time it wasn't as low as he went before, just a mild nudge of his head.

It made me laugh a bit and so did he, just a brief moment of sweetness before that familiar awkwardness befell us again.

While still smiling, he said,

"You are welcome my lady. I hope you keep your word tonight, I already made reservations, it would be quite dishonorable if you choose to bail last minute."

"I wouldn't,"

I didn't want to, truth be told I was curious about him, everything about Voss made every bit of me eager, having a date with him right here would be a change in tradition but I was up for it.

"Perfect." He took my hand again, his thumb still caressing my wrist before he placed a kiss on it.

Not wanting to prolong my suffering any more than I already felt, I decided to turn and leave.

My room was just at the top right from this corridor and it didn't take me long to find it, and at the door knob there was a little sign on it that read

'Reserved for Miss Ivy Hart' on it.

My cheeks warmed again, before I turned it around then walked in.

Nostalgia hit me like a brick on the head, and I found myself panting.

This is going to be quite a different holiday for me.

So much different. Just as I settled my box on the bed, I slumped on it, then my phone buzzed.

I took it from the bed just to see Dante's messages tripping in continuously, one after the other before I could even process it.

's**t'