Page 89 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

“Good to know you’re capable.”

Lev pulls into the parking lot right behind me. Ivy and Lilith are disappearing into the building as we get out of our cars. Everyone scatters out of our way as we make our way to class. Lev gets the most furtive glances thrown his way today, his unusual scowl scaring people away. He’s the most approachable of us on a normal day.

Ivy doesn’t look any better. Her eyes are red and watery and her hair which is usually perfectly styled is thrown back in a loose ponytail. Lilith is leaning over rubbing her back and whispering something that makes her laugh.

As if sensing my attention she turns her head and makes eye contact with me. Those beautiful blue eyes hypnotize me and a shot of lust travels my body at her slow smile. She waits for me to get to my desk and wraps her arms around me for hug. I’ve never been big on hugs, especially hugs in public but fuck if I’m not happy to be her personal teddy bear.

“You two are so fucking gross I want to puke,” Lev mumbles despondently.

“Need a hug, Levi?” Lilith asks sarcastically.

“Yeah, my dick could use a mouth hug,” He snaps back.

For a second I think Lilith is going to respond with more snark but she looks at Ivy and then back at Lev. Then bends down and wraps Lev in a hug and gives him a kiss on the cheek. He looks over her shoulder at me, puzzled. I shrug because I’m just as clueless as he is when it comes to Lilith. Maybe she and Ivy talked about whatever went down between Lev and Ivy last night.

I look over at Griff and nod for him to send the video out right as Jameson walks in the door. I don’t miss his look at Lilith, the way his eyes roam up her legs to her chest to her face. Fuck, I want to put my fist through his face.

26

Lilith

My phone starts vibrating at the same time that everyone else’s does. Even Mr. Jameson’s phone and computer sound alerts. A wave of shocked and amused gasps travel through the room as people watch the video they received.

I look up at Mr. Jameson and see him visibly pale. He swallows nervously and looks up at the class. Margaux wails and runs out of the room followed closely by Leighton and Darcy. I pull my phone out and click on the link. The video shows Margaux with Mr. Jameson in his class room. I look back up at him and he’s watching me intently, shaking his head back and forth slowly, imploring me not to watch.

When I look back down at the screen I see Margaux drop to her knees in front of him. That’s when I close the video out. I feel sick to my stomach. I trusted Mr. Jameson and ignored warnings from the guys. That could have been me in the video in other circumstances.

Connor turns around. “You okay?”

“I feel sick. You were right about him all along.” I can’t even bring myself to look at the front of the classroom where I know Mr. Jameson is staring me down. I can feel the intensity of his look.

Connor leans toward me and kisses my forehead. I don’t want to know if Connor was involved in this. I’m sure he is but I am completely fine with staying ignorant about this. I wonder who put the camera in his room.

Oh fuck!

I grab Connor’s arm and turn him back around. “What if whoever sent this out has footage of us?” I whisper in his ear.

He shakes his head. “We’re fine. Trust me.”

The headmaster comes in and sternly asks Mr. Jameson to go with him. Mr. Jameson’s eyes keep searching to make contact with mine and I hear Connor snap.

“Keep your eyes off my girlfriend. You were warned,” Connor growls. Guess that answers the question of who is behind the video.

Mrs. Pryor, one of the librarians, comes in to take over seminar. Everyone is whispering to each other and completely ignoring her calls for silence. Part of me wants to skip the rest of the day. I don’t want to sit in classes and hear the chatter about this all day.

After Mrs. Pryor dismisses us I grab Ivy’s hand. “Do you want to skip?”

“Yes. I need space from Lev today.”

I nod and walk over to Connor. “Ivy and I are going to skip. Can you guys get our assignments and bring them to us tonight?”

“Yeah. Where are you going?” Connor looks back and forth between us.

“The fucking spa. I’m treating Lilith to a head to toe pampering.” Ivy says dragging me away from the guys.

I wait until we’re in buckled in her car to ask, “what’s going on with you and Levi? I know something is happening.” I place my hand on her arm and gently squeeze. “I won’t judge.”

For a minute she stares off into space and I don’t think she’s going to answer. “Lev and I met when we were ten years old. Our parents sent us to the same sports camp every summer from ages ten to fourteen. He was there focusing on football and basketball. I was there for swimming. We were in the same lunch and recreation group. He quickly became my best friend.”

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