Page 10 of Beautiful Scars

Without knowing anything about her, including her name, I'd been willing to risk everything to help her. And even after everything was said and done, and all I got out of it was a warning to stay away, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The stupid piece of shit had it coming. I saw those bruises on her arm and it was like holding a lit match to gasoline. One look into those big, brown eyes and I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do for her.

Yeah, I have no doubt that she’s trouble. Big trouble. I’m just waiting for Ryan to tell me how truly and deeply fucked I am.

“Huh. What’s her story?” My eyes settle on her, and I take a deep pull on the bottle I’m holding.Easy boy, not too anxious.

“She's been through a lot the past few years," he says. He's lost in thought for a moment as he rolls his empty bottle along the edge of the table. "All of us pretty much grew up together. Sunny was always cool as hell. Everyone loved her.”

“But, then, her dad disappeared. And things kind of fell apart for her. And her mom." Ryan looks out, his attention still focused on Sunny.

"What happened to her dad?" I ask.

"No one knows exactly, but people talk. Rumor has it he pissed off the wrong people." When he continues, his voice is laced with a tinge of sadness. "It destroyed Sunny."

"After that..." Ryan trails off, taking another sip. "Her mom moved that guy Garrett in and started dancing out at The Foxhole." He glances at me. "You been out there yet?

I shake my head, jaw tight.

"Yeah, well, it's a dump. Brings in the worst kind of people." His voice turns razor-sharp with disgust as he scuffs his feet against the weathered deck. Leaning back, he tilts his face to the sun, eyes closed tight. "But Garrett? The things I've heard about what goes on in that house—" he breaks off, jaw clenching. "He's the worst of the worst. Everyone knows to stay out of his way."

I nod and pick at the pieces of sticker that didn't come off, trying to remember to breathe. My heart feels stuck in my throat.

The worst of the worst.Fuck.

"Zack is the one and only guy who ever asked her out. They went to the movies. Garrett showed up halfway through and threatened to kill Zack right there in the theater. Caused a huge scene and dragged Sunny out like he owned her or some shit." Ryan shakes his head. "He's a sick bastard."

My grip tightens around the bottle. If I’d been there...he wouldn’t have walked out with her.

Ryan opens his eyes and looks at me. He must see something on my face that concerns him. Frowning, he holds up his hands in front of him. “Hey, don't go getting all pissed off. Sunny's been through a lot, but it's not like no one's tried to help her,” he says defensively. “She doesn’t want anything to do with anyone and I don't blame her."

Ryan whistles through his teeth, “But damn, she’s easy to look at, right? Maybe now that Garrett’s out of the picture for a while, I’ll—”

“Don’t.” The word is out of my mouth before I can stop it, a low warning rumble in my throat.

Ryan pauses, glancing at me. “Whoa, calm down, man. Didn’t mean anything by it.”

I clench my jaw, turning away from him, and stare down at Sunny again. She’s sitting under the tree now, reading, completely unaware of the conversation going on up here. She's oblivious to the fact that now, more than ever, I'm determined to make sure she knows I'm here for her. That she never has to worry about anyone hurting her like that ever again.

Ryan stands up and walks over to the railing again. I stand up, and again, it takes every ounce of control I have not to slam my fist into his face. My glare burns into his back, but he’s too busy drooling to notice. I turn away before I do something we’ll both regret.

"Listen man, I gotta get out of here and get ready for tonight. I'll be back about eight." Ryan hands me his empty bottle and grabs his backpack off the table. "Look, I didn't mean anything. I’m gonna say it again though. Forget about Sunny. There will be plenty of girls here tonight who can't wait to get their hands on the new guy," he says with a chuckle.

I don't answer him, but silently lead the way down the stairs, through the kitchen and hold the front door open for him. "See ya later, man." The words slide out between gritted teeth. As Ryan heads out the door, I finally let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

I take my time heading back inside, stopping in front of the refrigerator and grabbing a fresh, cold beer and twisting the cap off. I take a deep draw off the bottle trying to cool down. Once I feel like I can breathe a little easier I head upstairs to hit the shower. I'm definitely not in the mood for a party tonight. But it's the best way to find my way in and make it easier to stay here for a while.

I’m halfway up the stairs when my mind locks on to a single, unshakeable truth that's as solid as the ground beneath my feet. Sunny’s going to be mine. She just doesn't know it yet.

Chapter Six

Sunny

Ican'tsleep.

The music coming from the back of the house is too loud. The bass is thumping hard enough to rattle my bedroom windows. It's annoying. I've been tossing and turning for what feels like hours and can't get comfortable. The harder I try to ignore the noise and forget that there's a party, the louder it seems to be. It's impossible.

I keep telling myself that I don't care—whatever happens on the other side of the fence is none of my business. I'm talking but I'm not listening. The problem, as much as I don't want to admit it, is that somehow Levi's managed to find a way inside my head.

---