Page 35 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

“Is there any other new girl?” He holds his hands up at my glare. “Sorry, yes. He attacked her in the back stairwell of the science building.”

“Fuck,” I dig my phone out of my backpack. I never check it during the day, and today it’s biting me in the ass. “She okay?”

“Yeah, Volkov beat his ass and then took her home.”

I nod while I check our group chat.

Con: I’m gonna fucking kill that motherfucker tomorrow night.

Griff: How’s Lilith? Took care of Jameson for you both.

Con: She is fucking shook. I didn’t think she could get any paler, but she was white asa ghost when she went up to her room.

Levi: Ferguson has been a problem for three years. Time to end it.

Con: Agreed.

Griff: I’ll get him expelled.

A text notification from Ives pops up on the screen.

Ivy: Lilith was attacked at school today. I’m going to have to miss your game to go hang with her. I’m sorry.

Levi: It’s okay, I’m glad she’s okay. I’ll let Dad know, so he isn’t waiting around for you.

Ivy: I already told him. I’m still wearing your lucky shirt though

Levi: You better. See ya later.

Ivy: Kick some ass.

Levi: Always do

I switch back to the group chat.

Me: Ives is going to stay with Hoodrat tonight.

Con: Good.

Con: Silver lining is that Peasant also had to cancel a date with one of our groundskeepers. Think I’ll fire him anyway.

Griff: We’ll be in our usual spot.

Levi: Should we skip the after party tonight and check on the girls?

Griff: Yes

Con: I will be

“Marsh!” Coach yells from across the locker room. “Get your ass in the huddle!”

“Sorry Coach,” I toss my phone in the locker and slam it shut.

He launches into his pregame speech, reminding us that our team is mainly made of seniors. That this is first game of our last season of high school ball. He hits on the main points of our game plan and then looks to me to give the captain pep talk and chant.

It’s easy for me to stand up and tell these guys we’re family, because we are. Out on the football field it’s just us, most of us have been playing together so long we barely have to look at each other to know what our next move will be. We put our hands in, and Mason yells the chant.

We bust out of the locker room, across the track, and onto the field led by some really half-assed cheerleaders. Aside from football, soccer, and lacrosse, sports aren’t a big deal here at FPA. Since Ives joined the swim team, they’ve gotten more clout, but it’s not a big sport regardless of talent.

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