Undone (32 page)

“You did?” She couldn’t help but smile at his giddiness. “When?

“When you were in class the other day. I took a little day trip.”

“What? Where?”

“Be right back.” He twirled his keys around his finger and shot her a wink.

“Frustrating man,” she mumbled.

“He’s very handsome,” her mother whispered. “And he clearly adores you, honey.”

“You think so?” Embry grabbed a dishtowel and began to dry the dishes her mother had washed.

“I know so. The way that man looks at you, well … it’s the way your father looked at me when we first started dating.”

That made Embry smile. The majority of her friends’ parents were divorced, but her parents were happily married and going on thirty years. She always joked about how gross it was, but she hoped to find a love like that. One to last through years, tears, and fears, someone to share it all with. She didn’t want to think too far into the future—she knew they had a lot on their plates already—but she was starting to hope that maybe Luke could be that person.

“You seem so … happy.” Her mother was hesitant, as if she thought that pointing out Embry’s happiness would spook her.

Embry had kept her parents—and everyone else for that matter—at arm’s length since she left New York, but had she really kept herself so closed off that her mother was scared of pushing her too much? “I am, Mom.” She put down the dish she was drying and pulled her mother in for a hug. “I’ve missed you and Dad. I’m sorry I’ve been so distant.”

Her mother began to shake it off, probably about to blame it on school, but Embry saw something shift in her eyes, a decision not to brush it under the rug like they’d done for so long. “Whatever it was, we’re just glad to have you back, sweetheart.”

Embry had never wanted to tell her mom about Jack … until that moment. “Mom, I—”

Luke interrupted them, walking back in with a square bakery box in his hands. She’d recognize the logo on that box anywhere. He’d gone to the best pie shop on Long Island. People drove from far and wide just to get their pies for Thanksgiving.

“You didn’t!” Embry was completely stunned by Luke’s thoughtfulness.

Luke nodded. “I heard they’re the best. I took a ride out there to check them out.”

“What kind?” Embry pulled the box from Luke’s hand, set it on the counter, and pre-heated the oven.

He gave her a devious grin. “Guess.”

Before she had the chance, her mother opened the box. “Oh! Pecan pie! This looks delicious, Luke! Thank you!”

Embry rolled her eyes dramatically but couldn’t hide her smile. “Could you be anymore southern?” She loved how sweet he was but couldn’t resist giving him a hard time.

Celia pushed past her and set the pie in the oven. “Ignore my rude, teasing daughter, Luke. It was very thoughtful. Dean just loves pecan pie. Why don’t you go relax and we’ll get everything set in here.”

“Thanks, Celia.” Luke headed out of the kitchen, but as he passed Embry, he brushed his lips against her cheek. “I’ll show you just how southern I can get later, baby.” He left Embry in the kitchen with her mother, blushing furiously.

Embry and Luke snuggled on her parents’ big leather couch, sipping spiced cider and warming up in front of the fire. She was stuffed and content. Her parents seemed to like Luke, and he appeared comfortable around them. Her father and Luke had just begun a discussion about fishing spots when the doorbell rang.

“Did you invite someone over, Embry?” her father asked.

“You know I always extend an invite to Morgan, but she and Brett were going to spend time with their families. She told me she’d call if they were stopping by.”

Her father looked over at his wife, who sat quietly, awkwardly. “I’ll get the door,” he said, heading toward the front of the house.

Embry’s mother stood and smoothed her sweater, an uncomfortable look on her face. “I seem to have made a bit of a mess of things.”

“What are you talking about, Mom?”

Her mother gave a sheepish smile and shrugged. “Remember I left you that message a few weeks ago? You know, about Jack?”

Embry stiffened beside Luke.

“Well,” her mother continued, “I happened to run into his father in town, and I thought it would be nice for you to see him again. I didn’t know about you and Luke at that point, or that you’d be bringing him. I just got so caught up since then that I completely forgot …”

“Forgot what, Mom?” Embry said slowly, trying to control the tremble in her voice.

Her mother offered Luke an apologetic look before returning her attention to Embry. “I invited the Stowes to stop by after dessert.”

At that moment, Jack walked into the room, his gray eyes trained on Embry.

Embry went completely rigid. She literally felt the blood draining from her face. She was frozen, paralyzed. All of the air left her lungs in one big whoosh, and she fought to suck in another breath.
He’s here.
No, no, no, no, no.

He stood directly in her line of sight. She felt as if she were in an alternate universe. Things were moving in normal time around her—Jack’s parents exchanging hellos with hers, friendly chatter everywhere—but in her world, everything was suspended, stock-still. She stared at Jack, his intense eyes boring into hers. She had loved those eyes once. She’d loved everything about him. But none of those feelings were surfacing. All she felt was numb.

He was tall, handsome. His black hair was shorter than she remembered, but the smile on his face was the same. That was how Jack had sealed the deal. His charm and that smile. It was more dangerous than any weapon he could have wielded. It could tear her down or make her feel alive. She once saw the world in that smile. But in that moment, all she saw was hate.

“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.”