Page 5 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

I take advantage of my position behind him and check him out. His shirt is so tight I can see how defined his back is, almost as great as a swimmer’s body. His broad shoulders narrow to a trim waist and delicious bubble butt. Why do football players always have such nice asses?

“See something you like?” He smirks over his shoulder having totally caught me checking him out.

My cheeks heat, and I can’t think of anything to say back.

“It’s okay. You look damn good, too, Ives.” He lets his eyes trail up and down my body.

“We shouldn’t be looking at each other like this anymore,” I say when I regain brain function again.

“Disagree.” He pushes open a swinging door, and we walk through a butler’s pantry. “You can help yourself to anything in here.” He sweeps his arms out in either direction. “There are gummy bears in this jar,” he reaches up and pulls a glass canister down from a top shelf. “I hide them up there, so I don’t have to share, but I guess I’ll have to lower them for you.” He pulls the lid off and grabs a handful, immediately sorting the colors for us.

“You still remember my favorites?” I’m genuinely surprised and a little touched.

“Of course.” His eyes meet mine, twin pools of sincerity, “I remember everything about you, Ives.”

I take the clear and yellow gummy bears from his hand and pop them in my mouth. He gives me the same boyish grin I became so used to those summers we spent together. Part of me wants to fall right back into our pattern of easy friendship, but I know he’s different person here than he was at camp with me. Isaac’s warning plays on repeat through my head as Levi shows me around the kitchen. Apparently, the chef was dismissed early since our parents went out to eat.

I look up when two guys walk into the kitchen. The first one is tall, with dark brown hair, intense green eyes, and a severe expression on his face as he looks me up and down before dismissing me. The other has red hair, a dark red that borders on auburn. He’s slim but still has an aura of someone you don’t want to mess with. His hazel eyes are coolly inquisitive.

“Ives, this is Connor Volkov,” he points to dark haired guy. “And that’s Griffin Potter,” he tosses his head in the direction of the redhead. “Guys, this is Ivy Bane. My new stepsister.”

A hint of recognition passes over both their faces. I guess I can take that to mean Levi has talked about me, at least in passing.

“Nice to meet you,” I offer them both a smile.

“Same,” Griffin says.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Levi asks me one more time.

“Yeah, I’m tired. I think I might just grab one of those protein bars from the pantry and go to bed.”

“Okay. I’ll finish showing you around tomorrow morning, does that work?” he asks.

“Sounds good. Have fun.” I head back upstairs listening to the sound of their murmured voices carry through the foyer behind me.

2

LEVI

Age 17

I swearI could smell her as soon as I walked in the house. That light fruity scent that I used to try to slyly inhale in her presence every summer. It didn’t register that she was Jennifer’s daughter until I opened the door and saw those beautiful, big gray eyes. I was shook.

I can’t even remember what we said to each other those first few moments. It’s all a haze of swirling emotions. Excitement. Happiness. Pain. Anger. Hope. I can’t believe she never got my letters. We’re going to have to sit down and talk about this later. How could she think I would have sex with her and then disappear from her life? She was my secret best friend, not because I was ashamed but because I didn’t want to share her with anyone. I still don’t.

I have two options. First, I can keep living life like I always have. That way I keep Ives to myself, and she and I can figure shit out later. Or I can ditch my brothers and chase the girl who ghosted me for two years. It isn’t as easy a choice as one might think.

“You getting in?” Con glares at me from the backseat of the town car.

“Yeah.” I shake off the last remnants of shock and focus on Con and Griff. It’s our last Saturday night party at The Abyss, an abandoned granite mine turned party scene, outside of town. “Ready for drinks and pussy.”

“Ivy?” Griff asks with an arched eyebrow.

“Jennifer’s daughter,” I shrug with feigned nonchalance.

Griff, that cagey motherfucker, gives a nod, but I can see his mind working through all the conversations we’ve ever had. Looking through his mental files for any mention of her name.

“Didn’t you know a girl named Ivy at that summer camp you used to go to.” Con words it like a question but says it as a statement.

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