Ben

Spark of Hope: A bi-weekly trauma support group. This is my nightmare. When I think of a support group, I think of sad people sitting around talking about their feelings and nothing changing.

And yet, when my brother and his best friend, who happens to be a therapist, presented the idea of holding the meetings at my gym, I caved.

Because I, Benjamin Price, have always tried to rescue the people in my life. But I can't. I've usually failed them.

Now, I'm hosting a trauma support group and desperately trying not to fall into my old habits—of attempting to save everyone.

And then, he walks in. Bruised. But not broken. No matter how exhausted he may feel, a strength in him calls to me.

And there's no way I can ignore the need deep inside me to at least try.

Colby

I'm tired. I'm afraid. And I don't want to go back. Not to the abusive relationship I told myself I was okay with for years.

But what am I supposed to do?

I have no real life skills. All my life, I've been told I'm pretty and that's it. Then I walk into a gym, looking for a job, but I find so much more.

I don't want to trust Ben. I don't believe his help doesn't come with a price. But what choice do I really have?

One thing's for sure: neither of us are getting out of this intact. What we lose though, that's anyone's guess.

Bruised But Not Broken is set around a trauma support group and will, therefore, touch on extremely sensitive subjects. The author handles these topics with care and healing, but please heed this trigger warning should it apply to you.