Ellie stood on my porch.
She was looking down at her feet, but the moment I appeared her tear-streaked face snapped up to meet mine. Her eyes were red, puffy, and glassy, like she’d been crying for hours.
“Ace?” I breathed, disbelief and worry tightening in my chest.
She didn’t speak. Just stood there, trembling. Her breaths were shallow, like whatever she was carrying inside was too big to name. Her body shook with quiet sobs, the words clearly stuck somewhere between her heart and her throat.
I stepped out into the cool night air and pulled her into my arms. She collapsed into me as her sobs broke free. I held her close, wrapping my arms tight around her and pressing her into my chest like I could shield her from whatever happened.
“Let it out,” I whispered, resting my chin on top of her head. I ran a hand through her hair, gentle, rhythmic, hoping to soothe her enough to breathe, to talk, to settle.
I didn’t care if I stood there all night. I would if that’s what she needed.
“Do you want to go inside?” I asked softly, leaning back just enough to take her in again.
That’s when I noticed bright red marks on her arms. My stomach dropped.
She gave a faint nod and pulled away, wiping her cheeks as we stepped into the house. I closed the door behind us, watching her move to the couch. She curled up instantly, tucking her legs under her, resting her cheek on her knees like she was trying to disappear.
The TV still played quietly in the background, sitcom laughter echoing through the living room like a cruel contrast.
I moved into the kitchen, grabbing her a glass of water and the stash of sour candy I kept in the cabinet—just in case she ever came over. I didn’t speak until I returned to the couch, settling beside her with one knee bent and an arm stretched along the back of the cushions.
“What’s going on, El?” I asked gently.
She sniffled, staring at the wall like she couldn’t bring herself to look at me. Silence stretched between us, broken only by her soft breaths. The worry consumed me, but I tried not to let it seep through the cracks.
“I went to see Miles tonight…” she finally whispered.
My jaw tensed so tight I thought I might crack a molar. My entire body went rigid, fury stirring hot and fast beneath my skin.
I looked at her arms again. At the marks. At the pain in her eyes.
“I wanted to tell him I didn’t want anything more than friendship,” she said, her voice shaking. “I tried to say it, but he dismissed me, talked over me. I gave in, figured I’d get through dinner and then try again. It was fine at first… honestly, it was nice. But after we ate, he tried to kiss me. I told him no. He didn’t listen.”
My vision blurred with red. This fucker was going to wish he’d never stepped foot in Faircloud.
“It’s not the first time he’s been… persistent,” she added, almost too quiet to hear.
Every word she said pushed the temperature in my veins higher. The only thing holding me together was her voice, but barely.
“I’m going to kill him,” I said, the words bursting from my mouth before I could even think.
I’d never felt ire quite like this before.
“Logan, don’t.” Her hand landed on my forearm, grounding me instantly.
I snapped my eyes to hers, my voice gravel when I asked, “Did he lay his hands on you?”
She hesitated. Swallowed. Then gave the smallest nod.
That was all I needed.
I stood without a word and headed down the hall, straight to my room. Fury marched through every cell of my body. I flung open a drawer, yanked out a pair of jeans and a clean shirt. If he thought he was getting away with this, he didn’t know who the hell he was dealing with.
Just as I tugged the jeans to my hips, I heard her voice behind me.
“I said, don’t,” Ellie repeated, standing in the doorway, her voice softer now but no less certain.
