“Yeah, he knows,” I respond like it’s no big deal.
“And he hasn’t castrated him by now?” Tim presses. “That’s not the Eric I remember.”
“Well they beat the crap out of each other, if that makes you feel any better,” I say, dabbing my eyes with the cuff of his shirt. “And that’s as far as it goes. You know what the Prices are capable of. Ryan is virtually untouchable. His father has every judge in the county on speed dial. Any charges I bring against him wouldn’t stick. And if I did pursue it and Ryan kept provoking Eric, we both know what would happen. Eric would be behind bars and Ryan would be walking around scot-free. Don’t delude yourself like your brother and believe in some fairytale type of justice. You know the Prices get away with everything.”
“But it doesn’t make it right. If we all stood up to them, maybe we could take them down. If you came forward, so would Ben. You wouldn’t have to face the firing squad alone,” Tim urges, his voice animated.
“What do you mean so would Ben?” Instinctually, I inch closer to Tim, placing my hand on his chest.
“Ivy, you’re not the only one Ryan’s done this to. My brother is so screwed up because of him. The only reason I keep holding my tongue is that Lauren threatens to out Ben if I speak up. She’ll take away everything he’s worked so damn hard for—his place on the team, his scholarship opportunities, his self-worth. She’s even okay with destroying Ryan if she has to. That’s how sick and twisted she is. She doesn’t care what she does to her own family.” Tim keeps going and going, his heart thudding against my fingertips.
We’re both unburdening our secrets, telling each other things we’ve never shared with anyone. It has to be a release for him. It was for me. He probably hasn’t told anyone the real reason he’s hiding out here, forgotten and off the grid. He gave up everything to save his brother. That has to count for something.
“Tim, it’s going to be okay. I promise.” I reach up and cradle his face with my hand. “After I have this baby, I give you my word. We’ll see what we can do. I’ll stand with Ben when he’s ready. First, let him get his full ride at some Division I school. Then we’ll go after them. Once they can’t hurt him anymore.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?” Tim whispers, his hands finding my waist as he rests his forehead against mine.
It feels so good to be held by a man, even if it’s not the right man. I close my eyes and get lost in the moment. If I pretend hard enough, maybe I can convince myself I’m in Eric’s arms right now and not Tim’s. I’m sick of crying and bemoaning my fate. I need this right now. I crave the comfort that Tim is so willingly to give me. It’s just a hug. I can allow myself one hug.
But Tim doesn’t stop there. Instead, he cups my chin, tilting his head. I feel his warm breath tentatively hovering over my lips. What is he—?
My eyes flutter open just as his mouth meets mine.
I don’t have time to think as the back door is kicked off its hinges and Eric comes storming in, grabbing Tim by the back of the neck before slugging him right in the face.
Chapter Ten
Eric
“How dare you think you can touch her, you piece of shit!”
I knock Tim off the chair, and we tumble to the floor. I can vaguely hear Ivy yelling above us, begging me to stop. But I can’t. He’s taken too much from me. He has to pay.
I get in another punch to Tim’s ribs before he comes alive, hurling me off of him. He staggers to his feet, getting a firm grip on the front of my coat before slamming me against the wall. The impact is jarring, and for a moment, I’m rendered senseless. He presses his advantage as his hands find my neck, cutting off my air supply.
“Are you gonna knock it off now?” he bellows, his right eye already starting to swell from the sucker-punch I landed.
“Tim, let him go! Please! He can’t breathe!” Ivy screams, pounding on Tim’s back.
My eyes are locked on Tim’s as we engage in a silent battle. Somehow he always manages to kick my ass whenever we fight. I’m bigger, but he’s a lot more agile, figuring out my next move before I even make it. I hate how he knows my every weakness.
“C’mon, bro. Enough,” Ben pleads, stepping forward, urging his brother to relent. “You’re scaring Ivy.”
At the sound of her name, Tim releases his hold on me. I feel lightheaded as I double over, gasping to fill my burning lungs.
“You’re an animal. You know that? You don’t deserve someone like her. You never will,” Tim snarls in my direction.