Quinn comes to sit down on the chair, and seeing the worry shimmering in her eyes, I want to burrow beneath Ethan and hide from everyone.
I have no strength left.
“You okay?” she asks, her voice soft.
I nod even though I’m far from okay.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had a stalker?” There are no accusations in her tone, only worry.
“You had your own trauma to deal with,” I whisper, my body pressing harder against Ethan’s.
“Can we talk alone for a moment?” she asks, her eyes darting to Ethan.
I grip him tighter, and it has him saying. “Maybe another time, Quinn. Finlay’s exhausted. It’s been a long day.”
Her eyes lock on Ethan, then she moves them to me. “Are you coming home with me?”
I shake my head. “I’m staying with Ethan.”
“Okay.” Her tone is still soft. “I’ll check in on you tomorrow.”
I nod, giving her a pleading look. “I just need time.”
“I understand.” Quinn nods quickly. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
The door opens again, and the Jacksons come in. Eli places my bag and guitar down by the kitchen table, then says, “I locked up.” He sets the keys down on the table then looks at his brother. “Need anything?”
Ethan shakes his head, not moving a muscle to let go of me.
“Let’s go home,” Eli says, and my cousin climbs to her feet. She comes to lean over me, pressing a kiss to my temple before leaving with Eli.
Mr. Jackson walks closer to us. “Let me see your gun.”
Ethan shifts forward, keeping one arm around me while he reaches behind his back. He hands the weapon to his father, and we watch as Mr. Jackson inspects it before giving it back to Ethan.
“Carry at all times. No exception,” Mr. Jackson says, his eyes locked on Ethan. “And you don’t hesitate.”
“I won’t.”
God, Ethan’s willing to kill my attacker.
There’s not a part of me that feels bad when hope starts to blossom in my chest, because if he’s dead, he can’t hurt me again.
“I’ll come by to check on you first thing tomorrow morning. Call me if anything happens.”
“The sheriff said they’ll patrol the area,” Ethan says, probably to set his dad at ease.
“Call me.”
“I will,” Ethan murmurs.
Nina gives me a warm smile as she comes to press a kiss on Ethan’s cheek. She gives my shoulder a squeeze before they leave, pulling the door shut behind them.
I let out a heavy breath, relieved we’re finally alone. I appreciate everyone’s help and concern, but after giving my statement to Sheriff Miller, I feel drained.
“You need to eat,” Ethan says, his tone gentle. “It’s almost eleven.”
Reluctantly I pull away from him, but I don’t have the energy to follow him to the kitchen. I lean against the couch, my eyes glued to him as he fixes us a couple of sandwiches.
With the fear breathing down my neck and my attacker out there, I find a beautiful thing to focus on.
Ethan.
The man who’s keeping me from losing my mind.
ETHAN
After we forced ourselves to eat, I pick up Finlay’s guitar and drop down on the couch next to her. “Want to play something for me.”
She straightens up, the corner of her mouth slightly lifting as she takes the instrument and tucks it against her chest.
I’m hoping her music will distract her a little from the fucked up day so she can relax.
Her fingers strum over the strings, and I instantly get goosebumps. She hums as she plays something I haven’t heard before. The atmosphere around us calms, the turbulent energy easing.
Finlay’s eyes drift closed, then the words float over her lips.
You took a part of me that wasn’t meant for you.
You left me feeling black and blue.
Not from blows.
There are no scars to show you left me black and blue.
You stole what wasn’t yours.
Left me crawling on all fours.
You left me black and blue.
Sometimes I pray for death.
Dream about the ocean.
The waves carrying me far away from you.
They say time heals all, but it goes slow,
With no way to show it’s real.
That you left me black and blue.
You stole what wasn’t yours.
Left me crawling on all fours.
You left me black and blue.
Listening to her expressing herself through her music, after hearing the horror she suffered, I realize nothing in the world will stop me from loving this girl.
God, she’s so strong.
Her voice fades away, and her eyes blink open while I stare at her with my heart exposed.
“I’m falling in love with you,” the words leave me, unable to remain my own.
Finlay’s gaze meets mine, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Even after everything you heard today?”
“Especially after everything I heard.” Lifting my hand to the side of her neck, I brush my thumb over her jawline. “I heard how brave you were and how much strength it took to talk about what happened.”
She leans the guitar against the coffee table, then turns her body to face mine.