Page 71 of Pretty Broken Things

“What is it they’re wanting me to do?” I ask hesitantly.

“You just need to come over and they’ll fill you in. Really I think Kyle just wants to get a chance to talk to her without her boyfriend hanging around,” she says, and it sounds like a line of bullshit.

“That’s not going to be easy to do. I’m back in Seattle,” I tell her.

“Tessa, they said they’d let us go if you help. Please, Tess. I don’t know how much longer Lydia can hang on, me either to be honest,” she whispers in a rush.

My instinct is to run straight to her and help however I can, but there’s so many alarm bells going off in my head that I hesitate.

“They won’t let you go. If I go there, they’ll just have all three of us. Tell me where you are, and I’ll get help,” I promise.

She whispers an address that’s just off campus. There’s no Greek system at a community college, but that house acts as a pseudo frat. Basically the guys who live there act like horny animals and drink a lot.

I hear a sound in the background and she whispers quickly, “I’ve got to go. Please find us some help.”

When I hang up, Benji puts his hands on my face, studying me. “Tell me you aren’t going to run straight into danger.”

“I’m going to do the last thing I want to do. I’m going to try and talk to Ford. He’ll know what to do, I’m sure. I know of one of the guys who lives in that house, Jesse, and Ford would love an excuse to kick his ass.”

ChapterThirty-One

Tessa

My hands shakeas I pick up my phone to dial Ford’s number. I deleted it from my phone months ago, but couldn’t erase it from my memory. It didn’t even ring for a second before it went straight to voicemail. I try a couple more times, but quickly realize he’s blocked my number.

As much as I would like to walk away from all of them forever, I know I can’t abandon Tracy the way they have me. I try Shane next, and he at least does pick up. “I thought we weren’t going to ever speak to each other again.”

I knew he wouldn’t let me talk without flipping me some shit. “Listen, it’s about Tracy—”

“Tracy, like you, abandoned us months ago. Whatever shit she’s gotten herself into, she’s on her own.”

“What about Lydia?” At one time they cared for each other. He was the one to end it, so I thought he’d be a bit more tolerant where she was concerned.

“Whatever it is, I can’t. It would make me a hypocrite after I blew up about Jen’s friendship with Ford when we got together if I turn around and get involved in Lydia’s drama. I left that world behind. You should too.” He hangs up without another word.

I throw my phone across the room, and instantly regret it as the glass shatters. It’s useable, but barely.

Benji runs into my room, and picks up my phone. “What is bad enough for you to break your phone?”

“They won’t help. What am I going to do?”

He drops my phone on the bed, and pulls me into his arms. “Have you called the police?”

“No. Won’t I sound like a crazy person?”

“It’s worth a try. While you do that, I’m going to call my dad. He’s got an old Army buddy who might be able to help.” He kisses the top of my head, something he’s been doing a lot more, and lets me go.

Calling the police proves to be a waste of time. The second I give them the address, and the names Jesse and Kyle I’m lectured about the consequences of filing a false police report. The useless officer, who is clearly getting a kickback from one of their dads, then informs me that the woman who filed a false police report about Jesse raping her last year found out those consequences firsthand.

I want to scream, but one childish tantrum is enough for one day. Instead I wander into Benji’s room. He holds up a finger letting me know he’s still on the phone. I can see the frustration on his face, and I can tell he’s having as much luck as I am.

“He can’t help, can he?” I ask.

“Worse. I mentioned the name Jesse, and he immediately knew who I was talking about. This guy is bad news, Tessie.”

“So what am I supposed to do? I can’t just leave them there without any help,” I argue.

“Going yourself isn’t going to help them. Then it will be the three of you in danger. Tracy is my friend too. Let me think. I’ll find and hire some mercenaries if I have to. I don’t give a shit if it blows up some deal my dad is working on.”

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