Page 49 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

Part 2

17

IVY

THREE YEARS LATER

“Thankyou so much for letting me stay with you this summer,” I tell Lilith and Connor as we each roll or carry two bags each up to their penthouse apartment at Volkov International’s headquarters in NYC. They are letting me stay in one of their guest rooms while I intern with Frank this summer. Even though he and my mom’s divorce was finalized almost three years ago, he and I have stayed in close contact. He’s followed my swimming career at Yale closely, coming to support me at meets and events as often as he can.

I haven’t spoken to my mother since that night nearly four years ago when she said all those vile things to me. As soon as I moved back in with my dad and brother in Hartford, I told them everything: my history with Levi and the truth about our relationship, how terrible Mom was to me, and the awful abuse she threw my way at every opportunity. Dad immediately got me in therapy, even though I insisted I was okay. I wasn’t okay. Three years later, I’m still working on myself, but everyone has therapist now, so I guess I’m in good company.

Leaving my life in Founder’s Ridge was hard. I missed Lilith; I missed Mason; I missed my teammates; and I really, really missed Levi. I still miss him. I decided when I drove down that driveway for the last time that he and I should take time apart. We both had things to work through on our own. Luckily, Lilith connects us. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around that, to have mothers that were identical twins and to end up in the same small city.

“You know it’s no problem. I’m hella excited to have some estrogen around for once,” Lilith squeezes me into a hug. “Living with Con, Griff, and Levi is a master class in patience.”

Connor snorts, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Speaking of Levi,” I take a deep breath, “does he know I’m staying here?”

“Yes,” Connor answers. “It’s been three and a half years. We’re not pussyfooting around anymore. You guys need to sit down and figure shit out.” He grabs a couple of my bags and takes them down the hall to my room. When he comes back, he gives Lilith a kiss and tells us he’s going to go across the hall and check on Claire, his younger sister who just turned eighteen and got her own apartment in the building.

“What do you want to do tonight?” I ask when he closes the door behind him.

“Take out and girl talk?” Lilith suggests.

“Perfect! We can talk while I unpack.” I grab my last two bags and roll them down the hall. The last time I was in this room was Lilith’s eighteenth birthday weekend. Flashes of Levi’s naked body tangled with mine flash through my memories as soon as I cross the threshold.

“You okay?” Lilith rests her hand on my arm.

“Yeah, just memories from your birthday weekend.” I put my hand over hers and squeeze. “Levi and I,” I direct my gaze to the bed instead of finishing the thought out loud.

“Oh,” her eyes widen, “Ohhh. Do you want the other guest room? It doesn’t have a window or a big closet which is why I gave you this one to begin with.”

“No, this is fine. I just wasn’t expecting the onslaught of memories.”

“You know you’re going to see him regularly this summer, right?” She leans against the wall, watching as I start unzipping all my bags on the bed. “If not at work, here with us.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s been years, and we’re both different people now.” He’s been moved on for a long time, I know because I haven’t. I give myself one night a month to stalk all his social media and the gossip sites for news on him. The rest of the time, I wipe him from my thoughts.

Ha! Keep lying to yourself.

“Right,” the look on her face says she doesn’t believe one word out of my mouth right now. “How were finals?”

“Easy. One year left. I can’t believe this is our last summer of living a somewhat carefree life. Me, more so than the rest of you. I won’t be stepping into an executive level job the day after I graduate.”

“Yeah, I’m so lucky to have Judith, Lake, and Victor guiding me through taking over Dad’s business.” She pulls a few pairs of shoes and starts organizing the way she knows I like.

“Remind me who Lake is again?” She’s mentioned him in passing, but I can’t remember details.

“He’s a few years older than us. He went to FPA and was essentially aTitanof his cohort.” I can practically feel her eye roll when she says the word Titan. She always thought that name was stupid. “He went into the Marines after he graduated and got injured in an ambush. After he was medically retired, he started a private military company with a security offshoot.” She grabs another few pairs of shoes. “Do you remember Grant? The guy who owns Indigo? They’re best friends and co-investors on several projects along with their other two best friends, Nolan and Sawyer.”

“I do remember Grant.”

“I’m sure you’ll meet them all this summer. It’s pretty common for us all to end up in the same bars and restaurants.” She finishes putting my shoes away while I finish hanging my work clothes and dresses. “Are you excited to start working tomorrow? I know Frank is looking forward to having around again.”

“It’s still crazy to hear you talk about Frank in such a familiar way,” I smile. “In a good way, I mean. I don’t know when it’ll stop being a mind fuck that you and Levi are long lost cousins and Frank’s your uncle.”

“I know.” She leans back against the headboard of the bed, “it was hard for him at first, I think. Since I look so much like they did and even though Lana had a drug problem, she was his soulmate.”

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