Beautifully Destroyed (Beautifully Broken)

I have no idea how long we cling to each other before Ethan pulls back. “We need to call the sheriff. Wait out here.”

When Ethan goes back into the house, I slump down on one of the deck chairs. My body starts to tremble as another wave of relief crashes over me.

He’s dead.

I’m free of him torturing me.

Ethan comes out again and drops down in the other chair. He’s holding my phone as he dials a number.

“I need you,” he says, and I assume he’s talking to his dad. “I killed him… I’m okay… no… yes… okay.” The words sound foreign on his lips, and it has my eyes searching Ethan’s face, taking in all the bruises and dark swelling on his jaw.

My first instinct is to get something I can wipe the blood off with, and my eyes dart to the front door, but I can’t bring myself to go back inside with the body in there.

Ethan ends the call, then dials another number. “You need to come to my place.” He ends that call as well, then lifts his eyes to me. “Our dad’s are coming. Mine will call the sheriff.”

I glance to my house and see Dad running down the stairs. I still can’t make my legs move, but my gaze follows Dad until he rushes up to the porch. “What happened?”

Ethan tips his head toward the front door. “I killed him.”

Dad darts inside, my eyes following him. Still in my line of sight, I see Dad take in the scene. He rubs his palm over his face, then comes back out.

His eyes scan over me before he pulls me up into a hug. “Did you get hurt?”

I shake my head. “No, but Ethan did.”

Dad lets go of me, and I sink back down on the chair. He crouches in front of Ethan, tilting his head, his eyes searching over Ethan’s body. “Christ, son,” Dad breathes. “You okay?”

Ethan nods. “Just a couple of punches.”

Rushing footsteps draw my attention, and then Mr. Jackson shoots past me. Grabbing Ethan, he yanks him from the chair and to his chest. Nina slams into the two men, gripping her son and husband.

Dad moves to stand behind me, placing both his hands on my shoulders.

Mr. Jackson pushes Ethan back, searching him for wounds. Taking hold of Ethan’s jaw, he inspects his face before locking eyes with him. “You okay?”

Ethan nods, then Mr. Jackson pushes Ethan toward me. “Nina, take the kids to the Drakes’ place and get ice on Ethan’s jaw. David and I will deal with the sheriff.”

I climb to my feet, my legs still heavy from the shock. Ethan takes hold of my arm and tugs me to his side before following Nina to my house.

My mind feels like scrambled eggs. Mushy and all over the place.

Nina cleaned the blood from Ethan’s busted lip and the cut on his cheek. We’re both sitting on the couch, just staring at nothing while Nina presses a towel filled with crushed ice to Ethan’s cheek and jaw.

He’s dead.

He looked so ordinary.

Until he opened his mouth and I heard his voice.

He’s dead.

Ethan.

My mind comes to a screeching stop, and slowly turning my head, I look at Ethan. “Thank you.” My voice is nothing but a whisper.

Ethan nods, his eyes on his hands. He’s leaning forward, forearms on his thighs, hands clamped together with Nina sitting on the coffee table across from him.

Lifting my hand, I carefully rest my palm against his forearm. He’s taken off the sweater that was covered in blood, and feeling how cold his skin is, I get up and rush to my bedroom. I pull the comforter off my bed and hurry back to the living room. I wrap it around Ethan’s shoulders, hoping it will warm him.

“It’s over,” Nina murmurs. She gives Ethan a loving look. “You okay, sweetheart?”

Ethan nods, still not saying anything. It’s only then I start to think he might be in more shock than I am. Sitting down next to him, I worm my hand between his. His fingers tighten around mine.

A breath shudders from him, then he lifts his eyes to my face. “You okay?”

I nod quickly. “Yes. I’m worried about you.”

He shakes his head. “I’m fine.”

Quinn bursts into the house with Eli right behind her, and I get up, bracing myself for the hug before her body almost slams me off my feet.

“Oh God, Fin.” She chokes up. “Are you okay?”

I nod against her shoulder, rubbing a hand up and down her back.

More people arrive, and soon the house is swarming with police.

Ethan climbs to his feet, and reaching for my hand, he links our fingers and pulls me to his side.

Dad and Mr. Jackson handle everything with Sheriff Miller while the deputy takes our statements. Luckily we’re not separated for questioning. Ethan does all the talking, and I agree with everything while Eli hovers right behind us.