Page 9 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

“That they are,” he looks at Mom briefly. “Founders has a good swim team, but if you need extra coaching let me know. I can find someone to come here when it’s warm and work out a deal for after-hours use of the school’s pool when it cools down.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. That’s an exceptionally kind offer for having just met me and clearly knowing nothing about me.

“I have this for you as well.” He pulls a credit card out of his wallet and hands it to me.

“What’s this for?” I ask.

“To buy things,” he grins at my confusion. “Clothes, food, incidentals, going out with friends. There’s a limit on any purchases over three thousand, I’ll get a call for those so just give me heads up if you know you’ll be spending over that in one store.”

“Um, thank you. That’s very generous.” I should reassure him that I would never spend that much in one place, but the only thing Mom and I have in common is our love of shopping. I can easily drop that much in some of my favorite stores in Manhattan.

“I know how your mom loves to shop,” he smirks at her. “She said you two love hitting up stores together.”

Nice, she’ll share my shopping addiction but not my passion for swimming.

“Shall we get ready for brunch, darling?” Mom stands and reaches for Frank’s hand. “The Volkovs and Potters will be there.”

“Of course,” Frank stands. “Levi should be up soon, Ivy, have you met yet?”

“We did,” I nod.

“Great, why don’t we do a family dinner tonight?” Frank’s face lights up as he suggests it. Mom’s face looks about as enthusiastic as I feel about the idea but much like I could never say no to Levi, I’m having trouble shooting down Frank’s smile.

“Yeah,” I force a smile, “sounds good.”

* * *

I hear a knock on my door right at six. I’m still putting on some makeup, so I yell for Levi to come in. He fills my bathroom doorway a few seconds later. I allow myself one glance to appreciate him. He’s wearing a gray polo that stretches across his broad shoulders and is just short of too tight with black golf shorts. He’s wearing Nike flip-flops and an athletic watch with a pair of sliver aviators tucked into the collar of his shirt. His hair is short on the sides and long on top, styled off to the side. He looks good.

Too damn good.

I look back to my reflection and finish putting on my mascara and swipe on some lip gloss while he watches me silently.

“Frank and Mom want to take us out for a family dinner,” I say as I pick up my favorite body splash. Isaac’s high school girlfriend gifted me a bottle of it on my tenth birthday, and I’ve used it ever since. It’s one of the only things that masks the chlorine smell that never seems to leave my skin.

Levi’s eyes flare when he smells it, and he walks toward me. “I didn’t know that.” He leans down and runs his nose along my neck, inhaling deeply. He grips my waist in his hands and squeezes gently. “I’m not happy to hear that.”

“Well, I’m not too excited about spending time with my mom either, but your dad was excited so,” I trail off as I step out of his embrace. I step far around him to grab my purse from the closet.

“We still need to talk.” He says as he walks toward the door.

“Mmm-hmm,” I say noncommittally. He’s blocking the door now. “We’ll be late if we don’t get down there,” I smile up at him. I probably look deranged. I just need to get out of here. He’s taking up all the oxygen in my room and clouding my judgment.

He opens the door and gestures for me to go first.

“Did Dad say where we’re going?”

“No, he was too busy checking out my mom,” I say dryly. “How long were they together before she got her hooks into him?” I’m not going to put on an act around Levi, he could probably see through it anyway.

“About a year? I’m not her biggest fan, so I try to avoid her when possible,” his hand lands on my shoulder. “She never mentioned you by name, so I had no idea you were her daughter. I didn’t even know you were moving in until last week.”

“I’m not surprised,” I scoff. “I didn’t even know she was married until two weeks ago. I didn’t realize I’d be moving here until last week. She and I aren’t close. I’m already looking forward to my first weekend at my dad’s house.”

He pouts and a flash of hurt crosses his features. “When will that be?”

“In two weeks.” I squeeze his forearm. “My wanting to get away has nothing to do with you or even your dad and everything to do with her toxicity.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything. I follow him to the garage. It’s full of high-end luxury cars.

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