“Hello, Embry,” he said, his voice smooth.
“Jack,” she responded. It was a wonder she was even able to speak. Operating on auto-pilot, Embry stood—a saccharine smile sweeping across her face—and walked past Jack, both sets of parents, and straight out the side door. The minute the cold air hit her skin, her composure shattered. She collapsed against the porch rail, gasping. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sucked in air, trying to take a breath.
She hadn’t seen him in five years. Before she’d left home for college, she destroyed every picture, every memory of him. She didn’t want a single piece of him with her. The scar he’d left on her heart was enough of a reminder. For five years, she had avoided her family, her friends, her hometown. She distanced herself from everything she loved just to avoid him. She suddenly longed for her life in Florida: the warm sun, simple friends, easy hookups. No reminders of her past.
Luke walked out onto the porch, wrapped her in his jacket, and surrounded her in his warmth. His arms came around her, and he eased her onto the porch swing. Her head fell to his shoulder, her face against his neck as he stroked her hair.
“Whatever that was in there, baby, I need to know,” he said softly.
Embry nodded but wasn’t ready to speak.
“Just breathe, Bree. I’ve got you.”
She took deep breaths against his neck, breathing in that spicy, masculine scent she could never quite place that was all Luke. She concentrated on the feel of his arms around her, and she began to calm down. Luke’s arms around her were her saving grace. If not for him holding her, protecting her, she felt as if she would fall apart, split into a million pieces. She lifted her head, bringing her tear-filled eyes to his.
“Hi, beautiful,” he said, brushing her hair from her face.
Beautiful. She was in the middle of a complete and utter break down, and she was positive there was makeup streaked down her face, which was probably blotchy with tears. But somehow, he still saw beauty.
“Hi,” she replied, her voice hoarse.
He cupped her cheek and brushed a stray tear from beneath her eye. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Embry took a deep breath before speaking. “He taught me how to run.”
Luke’s face gave nothing away as he waited for her to continue.
“He’s the reason I ran,” she continued. “The reason I picked up and left after high school and have barely been back since.”
“Okay,” he said. “You dated him?”
Embry nodded. “All throughout high school.”
“I know there’s more to it than that. You wouldn’t be this upset if there weren’t. What happened?”
“He was …” She searched for the words to describe him. Mean? Yes, but that doesn’t cover it. “Terrible.”
Luke stiffened. “How was he terrible, Embry? Did he put his hands on you?”
Embry shook her head. “No. I mean, yes. Well …” She was confused, lost and unsure how to talk about it.
“Is that a yes?”
She’d never told anyone, not even Morgan. The emotional abuse took the greatest toll. She never really considered him pushing her around to be on the same level. But she knew in Luke’s eyes it would be.
“Yes.” She watched his jaw tighten and his fists clench. She placed her hands over his, willing him to calm down. “He never hit me exactly, but he was rough when he was angry.” She dropped her head, staring at her hands and willing the tears not to fall. “His words hurt much worse.”
Luke hadn’t moved. He was statue still, fighting for composure. But his eyes … his eyes said everything words couldn’t. They were soft, pained, and Embry saw the struggle within them. Morgan was the only person in the world that Embry had ever spoken to about Jack’s abuse. But she wanted to tell Luke everything, bare her soul to him. The love pouring out of his eyes gave her all the strength she needed.
“I want to tell you everything, Luke. You won’t like it. But I need you to stay calm.”
The muscle in Luke’s jaw ticked. His eyes were on fire, boring into hers as he took a calming breath. “I’m trying my best, baby. But a man who hurt you is standing inside that house. I don’t know how much composure you expect me to have.”
Embry nodded.
“How could your mother—”
“She didn’t know,” Embry interrupted. “No one does. Except Morgan and you.”
That got Luke’s attention. “Embry, you have to tell your parents. Your father would lose his mind knowing someone who hurt his baby is standing in his living room right now.”
“I know. I know, Luke.” She knew the next part would put Luke over the edge, but she couldn’t keep it from him anymore. “You know how my mom mentioned that she ran into Jack a while back?”
He nodded.
“Neither of my parents really understood why I up and left right after high school. They always chalked it up to teenage impulses. They loved Jack and assumed that I broke his heart when I moved away.” She realized she was rambling and waved her hand as if to clear away her jumble of words. “Anyway, when she ran into Jack, she mentioned that I was back. He charmed her into giving him my phone number.”
The muscles in Luke’s jaw tightened again. He ran a hand through his hair. “Has he called you?”
She knew Luke’s anger wasn’t directed at her, but she was nervous nonetheless. She chewed at her bottom lip.
“Has he called?” Luke asked again.
Embry nodded. “He’s, um, been calling nearly every day.” Luke’s eyes went wide, and she continued, “But I never pick up! I’ve wanted to tell you. I told Morgan, and she told me I had to tell you, but I could never find the right time. I didn’t want to bring him into our relationship.”
Luke exploded off of the porch swing and dug his hands into his hair. “Are you kidding me?”
She winced.
He lowered his voice and eased back onto the swing next to her, his fingers brushing against her cheek. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, it’s okay. I should have told you. It’s just … things have been so amazing between us. I didn’t want to ruin that.”
“You couldn’t ruin that,” Luke said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “But I need you to come to me with these things. I need to be able to protect you.”
“You did. Without even knowing it,” she said, offering him a small smile. “Remember that night when I called you to come over before we were back together? That was the first night Jack called. He called over and over again, and I thought I was going to break. You were there when I needed you.”
“You need me, Embry, I come running. I don’t work without you.”
Embry nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “I love you.”
“I know, baby.” He pulled her back into his arms and rested his chin on her head.
They sat huddled together in the cold, and Embry recounted her ugly past. The fights with Jack. Running to Florida. The empty hookups and friendships because she wouldn’t let anyone get close. She told him about the calls from Jack, the threatening text message he’d sent just a few weeks prior. She told him every thought and feeling that came to her mind. He listened quietly, taking it all in and holding her tight. When she finished, she felt lighter, more at ease. She didn’t have to carry that burden on her own anymore. Luke could handle it, and he would protect her at any cost.
“This ends tonight, Bree,” he said. “You need to tell your parents. Then we’ll deal with Jack. I’m friendly with a judge who should have no problem issuing a restraining order. I’ll call him first thing on Monday.”
“Okay,” she said quietly. He tightened his arms around her and she felt his body tremble against hers. Embry lifted her head. “You’re shivering.”