Beautifully Destroyed (Beautifully Broken)

I shake my head. “No, Eli was my friend, and after he graduated, I joined the gym and spent all my time there. I’m close with Barb and Carl. They work with me.”

Finlay pulls me to a stop as she glances over the grounds. “So this is where you broke hearts?”

I let out a burst of laughter. “I wouldn’t say that.”

She gives me a playful look. “Right.” Scrunching her nose, she admits, “I thought you were trouble the first time I laid eyes on you.”

Her words don’t surprise me one bit. It’s a common mistake people make.

“Yeah?” I tug her closer to me. “And now?”

Finlay’s eyes drift over my face. “Now, I think you’re one of the most patient and kindest people I’ve ever met.”

“Is that why you looked terrified of me when you got off the bus? Because you thought I was trouble?” I ask, hoping I’m not ruining the day with the question.

Her smile falters, her eyes lowering to my chest as a shadow darkens her gray irises.

Shit, I shouldn’t have asked.

“You don’t have to answer that,” I say, wanting to set her at ease.

Finlay takes a deep breath, turning to look at the school again. “It wasn’t you.” Her tongue darts nervously over her lips, then she whispers, “Something happened the week before I moved here.”

My heart starts to beat harder when the most heartbreaking expression tightens her features.

“You okay?” I ask softly, even though I can see she’s not.

Finlay forces a smile to her face, but it only makes her chin quiver. She quickly turns away from me, pulling her hand out of mine.

Standing behind her, my arms cramp from having to hold back to not grab her to me while waiting for her to regain control of her emotions.

The apprehensive feeling I’ve had before settles in my gut, and I’m dead sure every time I’ve felt it, it was because of Finlay.

Chapter 16

FINLAY

No. Dammit!

I fight the tears back, refusing to let them fall.

Not today.

Breathe.

I take a shuddering breath, a sob building in my chest.

Ethan places his hand on my shoulder, and I shake my head. “I don’t want to cry.”

“It’s okay,” he whispers, coming around me. He pulls me to his chest, and when his arms wrap protectively around me, the sob makes me hiccup. “It’s okay to cry.”

I shake my head again, knowing if I start crying, it will all come rushing back, and I can’t have that happening. I take deep breaths of Ethan’s scent and focus on how safe I feel.

When I’m sure I’m not going to break down, I whisper, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to ruin today.”

Ethan presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You didn’t ruin anything.” He pulls back and tilts his head, catching my eyes. “I want to get to know all of you, Finlay. The good and the bad.”

“I don’t want you to think less of me,” I admit, realizing how important it is that Ethan sees the real me and not the broken girl.

“I’ll never think less of you.” His features are soft and caring, making me feel better. “Whatever happened before you moved here won’t change how I feel about you.”

How do you feel about me?

As if he can hear my thoughts, he answers, “I like you a lot, Finlay. I think you’re amazing.”

The corner of my mouth lifts as his words warm my heart, making me brave enough to admit, “I like you too.”

He gives me a hot grin that makes my stomach flutter. “Feeling better?”

I nod, then close the distance between us. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I press my face to his shirt. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything,” he chuckles.

“You did,” I whisper, burrowing closer. “You make me feel safe.”

Ethan holds me for a long moment, trailing his fingers up and down my back.

“You keep doing that, and I’m going to fall asleep right where I’m standing,” I mumble.

He lets out a chuckle and pulls away from me. “I can’t have you falling asleep on our first date.” Taking hold of my hand, he tugs me down the street. “Come on. I’ll show you where I crashed my bike and broke my arm.”

Just around the corner, Ethan says, “I was coming down the road at one hell of a speed when Mrs. Parsons opened her car door. My bike slammed into it and sent me flying.” He points to a bush. “I landed there and broke my left arm. Luckily it was a clean break.”

“Aww…” Without thinking, I press a kiss to his arm. “How old were you?”

“Nine.” He grins at me. “I used it to my advantage and had Eli doing all my chores for six weeks.”

I let out a burst of laughter. “He must’ve been upset with you.”

Ethan shakes his head. “Eli’s never gotten angry at me. He’s the best big brother.”