Page 50 of Bend Him, Break Him

Colton seemed more surprised than intrigued as the woman sauntered down the hallway. The click of her heels carried a thunderous charm, and her outstretched arms came with a smile that craved a hug.

“I’m glad to have run into you.”

Without a moment of hesitation, she wrapped Colton in a tight hug.

The shock on Colton’s face matched the bewilderment on Isaac’s, but after a few seconds, the woman’s face became familiar to him.

It helped that so many of her features matched her son’s because Isaac had only seen Colton’s mother a handful of times when he was younger.

Their mothers were club friends at best and rivals in almost all other aspects.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” Colton finally broke free from the hug, staring at his mother with the most perplexed expression.

“You think I’d let you weather this storm alone?” She scoffed, genuinely offended. “The Lennox family lean on each other in a crisis and conquer it like all things in this world.”

Isaac rolled his eyes at that. Colton didn’t bad mouth his family, but he’d shared how much they’d distanced themselves when he broke away from tradition to follow his heart and aim to play baseball professionally.

Hell, the last crisis he had to conquer involved his coming out scandal, and the way Colton described it, his parents took a very “don’t ask, don’t tell” stance on their son’s bisexuality.

Colton’s mother, Mrs. Lennox, turned her attention from her son and onto Isaac. The demure of her sweet smile turned sharp as her eyes locked with Isaac’s.

“Mr. Parker, correct?” She removed her sunglasses and delicately placed them in a small pocketbook she’d kept tucked beneath her arm. “You must be the one who’s been piledriving my son.”

Colton’s entire face turned beet red. Isaac choked on the air itself, somehow forgetting how to breathe.

“Ah, yes. News of your scandalous romance reached home,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve been fortunate enough not to view the video, though I hear congratulations are in order.”

Congratulations to who? Isaac wondered.

“The ladies at the club really were running their mouths for some time.”

“I’m so sorry,” Colton blurted as if he had anything to apologize for.

“Nonsense, dear.” Mrs. Lennox gave a dismissive wave.

“It allowed me a chance to remind the busybodies that they shouldn’t mock someone who knows where they hide their bodies.

Honestly, it’s been a whirlwind of entertainment.

I haven’t truly aimed to ruin a life with words alone since I was, well, your age. ”

“You’re welcome?” Colton quirked a brow.

Isaac had forgotten how much the town of Straight Arrow thrived on gossip and elitism.

It was its own world of scandal and privilege and power.

His family survived it by blending, which made Isaac a threat because he never tried to fit in with the crowd.

It seemed Colton’s family thrived by riding the waves of scandal and demonstrating why they differed from the rest of the town.

For a few fleeting seconds, Isaac wondered how his life would’ve changed if his family had more takes like Mrs. Lennox.

When Colton finally composed himself, he gave his mother an almost stern stare. “And what exactly are you doing here?”

“Well, I needed to have a word with your dean. After the audacious way your assault was handled, I reminded him that some families don’t tolerate such incompetence,” Mrs. Lennox explained.

“He squirmed a lot, but we came to an understanding. Truthfully, it was easier talking with your coaches about—”

“You talked to my coaches?” Colton’s voice went high and pitchy for a beat. “Mom!”

“What?” she responded, sincerely baffled by Colton’s outburst. “They needed to know it’s not appropriate to bench their best player on the team because of a tiny scandal. And I made it clear that in the future if…”

It was in that moment, as Mrs. Lennox explained her agenda and expressed her devotion, that Isaac realized she’d kept a much closer eye on her son than Colton ever dared to believe.

Most of the time, Colton felt alone because his family didn’t approve of how he chased his dreams, and Isaac shared in that pain.

He found solace with Colton, noting how their families and lives might’ve differed, but they were each left to fend for themselves in one manner or another.

But it appeared that Mrs. Lennox was finished with that facade and sought to demonstrate a show of elite family support, something the administrative team at Clinton University likely didn’t contend with much.

Seriously, Lennoxs, much like Parkers, typically roamed the halls of Ivy Leagues, buying wings or donating scholarships or simply threatening careers.

“I’m meeting with Roger later, but perhaps we can do lunch?” Mrs. Lennox said, finally pulling Isaac from his thoughts.

“What the hell is Roger doing here?”

“Who’s Roger?”

“A friend,” Mrs. Lennox replied.

“Family lawyer,” Colton corrected.

“What?” Mrs. Lennox shrugged. “He’s ensuring this tragic excuse of a police department does its job.

Three suspects in your assault, and can you believe they only had charges for one of them with the intention of making a deal with another and letting the last one walk away unscathed? Oh, no. I think not.”

Isaac wondered which of the two the police or the prosecution intended to use to testify against Leon.

Obviously, Leon had a swarm of charges to contend with, especially given the recorded confession.

Isaac wondered if William made a deal considering his involvement in drugging Colton or if Devon made a deal since he must’ve helped Leon illegally film and upload the sex video.

It didn’t seem to matter who wanted a deal and who intended on slipping away since Mrs. Lennox made it a point of pride to eviscerate anyone who had a hand in harming her baby boy.

“And the absurdity they were wasting resources looking into this one.” She waved her hand up and down, gesturing to Isaac. “As if he were any threat.”

“Wait, what?” Isaac practically yelped.

“Don’t worry, deary,” Mrs. Lennox continued. “Roger is expressing how I want this handled and—”

“Mom, you can’t just come here and take over everything in my life.”

“I can if someone is trying to ruin your life. Now that the dean understands where he sits in the grand scheme of things, this should all roll over soon. Your coaches, God help them, now know to keep an eye out for jealous players and realize the mistake of benching their best. Once Roger’s done, we should be able to put this whole incident behind us, and you can enjoy your summer without any hiccups. ”

Colton stood speechless, seemingly embarrassed by his mother’s involvement, whereas Isaac found himself awed and a bit envious.

This was something his parents would’ve never done for him.

It was controlling in the most protective manner, unfiltered love, and Isaac wanted to bask in it a little longer.

A vicarious sensation that Colton couldn’t appreciate at the moment but would learn to value in the long run.

“Can we do lunch?” Mrs. Lennox asked. “I’m famished.”

“Um, well, I uh…” Colton blinked away his confusion, which didn’t help.

“I know a good spot,” Isaac said.

“Perfect,” Mrs. Lennox replied.

With that, she led the way to a spacious town car she’d rented, and they all slid into the back while Isaac gave the driver the restaurant name.

It was a mostly silent ride except for the clickity taps of Mrs. Lennox’s phone.

She kept the keyboard sound on as she typed away furious texts that prompted the ping of even faster replies.

Then the driver reached the destination, and Mrs. Lennox stepped out and took a long pause to survey the restaurant.

“Oh, how I do enjoy a quaint place.” Mrs. Lennox grimaced. “It allows them to focus on the important things like the menu. Instead of the aesthetic and atmosphere.”

Bitchy and refined. Isaac shivered at the way it reminded him of his own mother and her many quick-witted jabs.

After they put in drink orders, Mrs. Lennox eyed her menu for a moment before resting her gaze on Isaac. “You know, Mr. Parker, I spoke with the dean on your behalf as well.”

Isaac swallowed his water down the wrong pipe and took pained breaths as he cleared his throat.

“Mom, you can’t just do that,” Colton said. “You can’t mess with other people’s lives.”

“If he’s screwing my child, I most certainly can.” She made a face. “At least your taste is better than Charlotte’s. Christ, her taste in suitors is more atrocious than mine.”

“What did you talk about?” Isaac asked.

“With Charlotte? There’s no talking. It’s just rehab, screaming, new hobbies she’ll never follow through on, and—”

“He means with the dean,” Colton hissed, clearly in no mood for his mother’s rant about his little sister.

“I merely wanted to ascertain why there was punishment doled out when he was a victim,” she said, giving Isaac a polite smile. “Then, of course, I needed assurance such incompetence wouldn’t be repeated now that he’s gone and protected you from that offish beast.”

Colton got quiet. He turned his attention to Isaac, sending a silent thank you.

Not that Isaac needed the thanks, but he’d likely find himself receiving a thousand more from Colton in the days to come.

It just meant he’d have to find ways to irritate Colton until he stopped being grateful, and they could resume their regular routine.

After they ordered their meals, Isaac checked his notifications to find a few new emails.

One canceled his upcoming meeting with the dean.

Another came with a message reinstating his TA application for the fall.

A third came with a message from the housing department seeking his preference in the dorms. Isaac ground his teeth at that.

He wouldn’t be living on campus anymore.

Though he’d return to his old TA position if Professor Howard would have him.

Once he’d skimmed through his emails, he put his phone away and gave Mrs. Lennox the smallest of smiles.

They all ate in silence for the first half of the meal until Colton couldn’t take it any longer.

Isaac could tell by the antsy tap of his foot, the haggard angry breaths between bites of food, and the confrontational glare he’d shoot his mother for a second before returning to his dish.

Isaac had seen that stare from Colton. It was his argument look.

It meant he was having a mental argument in his head and preparing to unleash it upon the unsuspecting.

“Mom, I’m glad you’re here,” Colton said with an aggravated breath. “But why are you here? Why all of a sudden?”

“I’m done playing your father’s games,” she replied, gesturing with her hand for Colton to quiet himself, which he did almost immediately. “He would sooner see horrors far crueler than what almost happened to you before admitting defeat.”

Ah, yes. Isaac recalled Colton’s explanation about his family’s stance on his college choices. They all but iced him out, forcing him to carry on by himself.

“I’m late when it comes to a show of support,” Mrs. Lennox said, her voice quiet. “But I am here now, and I intend on making up for the lost time. Also, if you spent another year on academic probation, I think my head might implode. You’re far too bright to fail so many courses.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying.”

“Isaac’s been helping me with the work.”

“Well, thank you, Isaac.” Mrs. Lennox smiled. “What about all those lost credits?”

“I’ll get there.”

“There’s always summer school.” Isaac shrugged.

“Tell me more.”

Colton glowered at Isaac, demanding he stop talking, but Mrs. Lennox’s inviting smile overruled her son, and Isaac found himself almost enjoying the family bickering as he went on to explain a schedule that could ensure Colton still graduated on time.