Page 30 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

“Be right there.”

Ivy and Edward are chatting in the foyer when I get down to them. Ivy is holding a giant paper bag with another tote slung over her shoulder. Her dark hair is swept up in a messy bun and she’s dressed super casual like me, leggings and giant t-shirt that says Marsh on the back. Interesting. Marsh is not her last name. That must be one of Levi’s shirts. I wonder what’s going on with that.

She turns around and launches herself at me in a huge hug. “Are you okay?” She pulls away and squeezes my shoulders, biceps, and then grabs my hands while she inspects me.

“Yeah,” I look over at Edward nervously. I don’t want anyone to know what happened and tell my dad. “Let’s go upstairs.”

We don’t talk as we go up to the apartment. I use my direct access door to my bedroom and make sure dad hasn’t come back from work yet. When I turn around she’s pulling a tube of something out of her tote.

“What’s that?”

“It’s arnica. It should help with your bruising.” She points at my legs.

“How’d you know about the bruising? I didn’t mention that earlier.”

“Griff came over and told us about what happened. I just assumed you had bruising. I can’t believe he had you pinned under him on the stairs.” Her eyes get glassy. “He’s been accused of date rape before, he would have assaulted you if Con and Griff hadn’t found you.”

“Really?” My stomach hollows out and I run to my bathroom just in time to get sick. I feel Ivy pull my hair back and secure it in a low ponytail. After I flush the toilet I lean back against the shower wall and close my eyes. I lived, worked, and played in one of the toughest and most crime ridden places in America and never came close to this level of violation. One week at a prep school for the wealthiest of wealthy kids and I’ve already been assaulted. A bitter laugh escapes me and I stand up to brush my teeth.

“Are you okay?” She asks from the doorway.

“Currently? No. It comes and goes. I was okay earlier with Connor. I probably just need a minute to calm down. Do you mind if I take a quick shower?”

“Not at all. I told Lev I’d text him and let him know how you were. I’ll do that then I’ll help you with the arnica.”

“He was worried?” I scrunch my face up in surprise.

“Yeah,” she draws out, “of course he was. He is your biggest supporter out of the three of them. If you ever needed him I’m sure he’d be there in a second. Why do you think the football guys left you alone today?”

“I figured it was because of him but not because he cared about me, just respect for Connor.”

“Nah,” she shakes her head, “the Titans aren’t scared of each other. They do things that piss each other off all the time. Their bond is too deep to worry about stepping on each other’s toes.”

I pull up the Spotify app on my phone and flip to some vintage Kanye for my shower. All Falls Down fills the air and man, if that song doesn’t fit my life right now.

It seems we living the American dream

But the people highest up have the lowest self esteem

The prettiest people do the ugliest things

Preach, Ye, preach.

I finish the shower and call Ivy in, somehow I’ve ended up with a bruise on my back as well as the ones on my leg and shoulder.

“Jesus.” Ivy says looking at my leg. “I hope Con tears him apart tomorrow.”

“What do you mean?”

“The party tomorrow is at The Abyss for Con’s birthday. It’s an old granite mining pit. There will be racing and poker. Sometimes the guys will challenge each other to fights. My best guess is that the only way Griff got Connor to stop beating Ferguson was to remind him there’ll be no limits tomorrow.”

I do remember Griffin whispering something in Connor’s ear that made him stop punching Ferguson.

“Surely that kid wouldn’t be dumb enough to show up to Connor’s birthday party? I mean, Connor was raging.” I sniff the arnica gel before rubbing it into my bruises. “What does this stuff do?”

“Speeds the healing of the bruising. Helps with pain. I use it during swim season and Lev does during football season. I think it’s better than Icy Hot.” She grabs the tube from me and rubs some in on my back. “As for your other question, he will probably be there. Everyone will be there. Tomorrow night might as well be a school event. If he shows Connor will be fighting him. He’ll fight over the smallest things. This isn’t small though.” She meets my eyes in the mirror. “Do you feel comfortable going?”

“Yes,” I reply with no hesitation. “I’m not going to cower for the assholes in this school. I’m not one of the future one percenters but I’ll be damned if I roll over for them. Nelsons don’t back down.” I put Z’s hoodie back on over leggings. “Let’s go down to the theater room and watch a movie. Victor told me to make myself comfortable in the common areas of the house.”

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