Beautifully Destroyed (Beautifully Broken)

David lets out a chuckle. “Now I see why Josh refused to leave Southport. You all just band together to get a job done. Thanks, guys.” He glances at his brother. “You fire up the grill while I check the wiring.”

With everyone having something to do, we get to work while Finlay’s voice dies away. The silence instantly makes me feel irritated, and I wish she’d continue singing.

I’m checking every cupboard in the kitchen when Finlay and Quinn come back into the open living space. It takes a lot of effort to not stare at Finlay and the healthy red flush on her cheeks.

They each open a box and start to unpack. My eyes keep finding their way to Finlay, her silky brown strands tied back in a messy bun. She’s wearing baggy denim overalls with a tank top underneath, and for a moment, she looks like a carefree artist.

When she turns toward me, I quickly focus on a hinge inspecting the shit out of the screws. She starts unloading plates and glasses onto the kitchen table, and I move slowly closer as I go from one cupboard to the next.

I hear her clearing her throat, then she awkwardly murmurs, “Thanks for helping.”

My eyes snap to hers. “You’re welcome.”

She doesn’t meet my gaze for long before unpacking at a faster pace.

I’m totally taking it as a win that she spoke to me.

Time trickles away, and soon a mouthwatering aroma drifts through the open windows and door from where Josh’s busy grilling burgers.

“Beer?” David asks as he opens a cooler box.

“Yeah, thanks.”

He hands me a bud light, then gestures to the porch. “Take a break.”

I follow him outside and find a spot where I can lean back against the railing that’s sturdier than mine.

“Everything fine with the wiring?” Josh asks David.

“Yeah.”

“You’re an electrician, right?” Eli asks David.

Finlay’s dad nods. “Been working on oil rigs since my twenties.”

“You both have jobs that take you away from home for long periods,” Eli mentions.

“Just another year, then I’ll find something closer to home.” David glances at his brother. “I’ll probably open my own business.”

Josh lifts an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“Was thinking you could help.”

Josh chuckles. “I’ll electrocute myself first day on the job.”

“You could handle the office work,” David mentions. “Think about it.”

Silence falls around the grill until Quinn and Finlay come out of the house.

“Josh tells me you own the local hardware store?” David asks Eli.

“Yeah, I took over a couple of years back.”

“No wonder you’re handy with a hammer,” David chuckles.

“Our dad taught us at an early age,” Eli mentions.

David’s eyes turn to me. “What do you do for a living?”

I clear my throat. “I run the gym, give self-defense classes and private training sessions.”

“Yeah?” David asks. “I need to stay fit for the rig, so you’ll probably see me around.”

“Great.” I shoot him a smile. “Let me know if you need help with anything.”

“Those self-defense classes,” David asks, “can you give them privately?”

“Sure.”

Finlay lightly slaps her father’s shoulder and shakes her head at him before darting back into the house. David immediately rises to his feet and follows after her.

Tilting my head, I process the puzzle piece I’ve been given.

David wants Finlay to learn how to protect herself.

Chapter 10

FINLAY

While Dad reads the latest John Grisham novel, my fingers dance over the piano keys. I frown, stop, then start over.

‘You took a part of me…’

I shake my head, changing the tune to a lower pitch. I start to hum, searching for the right melody.

‘You took a part of me that wasn’t meant for you.’

“I think self-defense classes will help,” Dad murmurs.

Glancing up, a frown forms on my forehead. His eyes are glued to the pages of the book.

“Why are you pushing the issue?” I ask, turning on the bench so I can face Dad.

He sets the book down on the coffee table. “I want to know you can defend yourself, sweetheart.”

“You can teach me how to shoot a gun,” I mention.

Dad considers what I said. “We can do that too.” He gives me a pleading look. “Just try one lesson. I can ask Ethan to come here, and I won’t leave you alone with him. Consider it a Christmas gift to me.”

Right. Even with the tree up and decorated, I keep forgetting Christmas is only ten days away.

My shoulders slump, but I hear what Dad’s saying. If I had known how to protect myself, things might have been different that night.

“One lesson.” I hold up my pointer finger for emphasis. “If it’s too hard, then you’ll stop asking.”

“Deal.” Dad grins as if he’s just won the lottery.

Getting up from the bench, I ask, “Want some ice tea?”

“Please.” I’m busy taking the pitcher from the fridge when I hear Dad say, “Ethan, how are you.” I swing around, and seeing Dad on the phone, I let out a breath of relief.