How He Broke My Heart

Chapter 27

Jonas fetches me ice as I examine my side. A bruise is already blooming on my hip like some deadly flower. I poke at it and feel the subtle waves of pain. I take the ice pack from him and press it against my skin, laying on the couch in my swimsuit.

The front door swings open and Brandon rushes inside. Jonas hurries to him, explaining, "I heard her yell and when I went outside he was holding her, grabbing her face and—"

Avoiding eye contact, I stare at my hip even though I know he's watching me, waiting for me to look. He walks around the couch and crouches beside me. "Emma—" He starts, but knowing myself, I can never just sit and listen.

"I'm fine. You didn't have to come. It's not like he punched me in the face or broke my arm." I still stay fixated on the icepack.

"She's acting crazy. I don't know what's wrong with her, Brandon."

"I'm not crazy," I fight back, already breaking my mental rule by looking at him. "I'm fine, really. He just pushed me down."

"Alright," Brandon says, finally able to speak, "let's go upstairs."

He helps me up and walks behind me as I climb the steps. Entering his bedroom, I head straight for the bed and sit down. He closes the door, but before I can mutter another lie, he asks, "Are you done?"

Wordless, I bite down on my lip and watch him. Brandon stands in front of the door, arms crossed, waiting. Instead of saying 'yes,' I breathe out and bring my hands through my hair. Brandon comes over and I stand up to hug him. One arm wraps around me as his other hand cradles the back of my head, and I latch on tight. When we separate, I turn to show him the forming bruise. "Is it bad?"

"It's bad, Emma. He threw you to the ground," Brandon says, taking in the mark. When his eyes reconnect with mine, he asks, "What happened?"

"He—He just came through the back door saying he loves me. I told him to leave but he wouldn't. I ran for the door but he grabbed me, and he wouldn't let go while saying disgusting things in my ear. I yelled for Jonas, he came out and told Kaden to leave. He threw me down, threw a chair in the pool, then left."

"We have to do something about this. No more letting it go and hoping it doesn't happen again. I'm not going to let him terrorize you, hurt you."

"The summer is almost over, I just want—"

"Don't even try. I don't care if the summer is almost over. It only takes him a minute to grab you, harass you, then physically assault you." Brandon decides, "You need a restraining order against him, anything to show him that there are legal consequences. And, you should have called the police. Why wouldn't you let Jonas?"

"I-I don't know. I just want this to be over. I don't want to go through any legal processes, and I don't want to get him arrested. I don't want to be up all night thinking about how he's sitting in some jail because of me. I know I probably sound stupid, but I can't be the reason Kaden's life is ruined. If he does end up in jail, I'll never forget about him."

Brandon sighs. "Well, we can't just do nothing."

"Then I'll... I'll call Mr. Lane. I rather he be in rehab than the back of a police car."

"You're going to call his father?"

"Yes. I met him last summer. Kaden's Mom and Dad came here for a couple days to celebrate his Mom's remission. I'll get his phone number from Austin or someone. I'm sure he'll remember me."

"Okay. As long as he's away from you."

I nod, thinking about how to approach Austin. "I'll try to call tomorrow; see what his father says. But right now, I really just want to change," I say, looking down at my dried swimsuit, reeking of chlorine.