This Broken Beautiful Thing

by Summers, Sophie

  I make my way down the long hallway when I hear loud moaning coming from one of the rooms, I stop because the voice is familiar.

  Seriously Ashley? We haven’t even been here for fifteen minutes and she’s already screwing someone. Shaking my head I turn to walk away when I hear another familiar voice.

  “Shhh… Keep quiet, bend over!” Caleb says in a menacing tone, one he’s never used on me before. I back away against the wall opposite the door where the noises are coming from. The pain in my heart hurts so bad, my trembling hand sits over my heart feeling it beat wildly as I stand leaning against the wall that’s keeping me from collapsing. I stand there frozen, I try move, try to get away but my legs won’t budge. I knew it was too good to be true, how could he ever be satisfied with me? Ash is the perfect girl for him…she’s everything… I’m not.

  I continue to stand there listening to her moans and his grunting. I feel the tears tumbling down my face and the make-up I did so perfectly to please him running, all ruined.

  “Whoa… Harlz? What’s wrong? You okay?” Brent comes skidding to a halt beside me, I wasn’t even aware he came upstairs. He looks at me then turns and looks at the door, he does this three more times before his eyes widen and he whispers almost out of breath.

  “No…It’s not…It can’t be…” he too can hear the sounds from the room. I nod my head and his face reddens with fury, he tenses his jaw holding back the anger. He goes for the door but I stop him and whisper, “Don’t …just wait…” he nods and pulls me in for a hug while I hear the door open from behind him.

  I peak around Brent’s shoulder. I find a distraught looking Caleb looking at the floor, he hasn’t notice me yet. When a sob breaks out my mouth I cover it quick with my hand and he whips his face up to look at me. His once tan skin is pale as a sheet with his mouth hanging open, he looks at what I’m wearing and the look of lust comes across his face and it only disgusts me as much as it did when the other boys looked at me that way. As if I’m a piece of meat.

  Brent turns around in a protective stance forcing me to stand behind him and I appreciate the distance he’s putting between Caleb and I more than he will ever know.

  Ashley bumps into Caleb while paying attention to fixing her dress. She looks up and gasps. A couple more people have now made their way upstairs and are watching the scene unfold while they whisper to one another.

  “You guys have fun? All finished now? Sure you don’t want to have a quickie in the next room?” I say sarcastically pointing my finger to the door behind me. I’m wiping away the tears from my face but it’s no use, they keep betraying the brave façade I’m trying to portray.

  “Harlz it’s not…I mean …I can explain…she meant nothing. I only love you. I’ve never done this before. Fuck.” He runs his hands over his face then looks up and takes a step toward me but Brent pushes his hands up to Caleb’s chest. “I swear! I’m so sorry …Please… Harley? Say something!” Caleb rambles on looking around Brent to me, he comes closer but I match his steps with my own as I step away.

  “Don’t touch me. It meant nothing to you? Nothing at all? Well it means something to me!” I shout at him. “If you didn’t want to be with me, why not just tell me? Why cheat Caleb? Why?” I yell as the tears begin to fall again.

  “No Baby I want to be with you, I love you Harlz you know that! This was a mistake! My head isn’t clear, I’ve got so much going on right now…fuck I don’t know what I was thinking.” He looks up at me, confused and terrified. “I’m going to marry you remember? Let’s just get out of here so we can talk in private, let me explain…Please Harley.” He pleads and I watch the tears fall down his regret filled face. I’ve never seen Caleb cry before, he always shows this brave exterior, especially whenever he’s around his male friends but right now he’s weeping like a baby.

  I look to Ashley and she has her hands covering her mouth with the same look of regret covering her own face.

  “Harley, I don’t know what I was thinking! I didn’t really think he would take my offer up. I’m so sorry, you’re my sister, my best friend, it was supposed to happen this way. Please don’t hate me. Please!” she squeals as she bursts out in tears.

  I look at the people around me, their faces show the sadness and sorrow they feel for me. Most know the history between Caleb and I. I see the disgusted looks and head shakes they’re giving both Caleb and Ashley.

  I turn my head in disgust over her, the slut that I see in front of me, “You know how many times I defended you when people would talk shit behind your back saying what a whore you were? Well Ashley THAT was a mistake because you are a fucking whore.”

  I look over at Caleb again and see the tears continue to make their way down his beautiful face, he’s trying to get closer to me but Brent won’t allow him and I can see it’s making Caleb angry.

  I look down at my trembling hands as I say the following words because if I have to look at his perfect face I might just cave in and forgive his cheating ass.

  “Guess you and Ashley don’t have to hide anymore now that I’m out of the picture. You guys can shack up in your little apartment and live happily ever after… without me…” the tears fall. I look up to Caleb as realization hits, my whole future I was planning not even an hour before has just crumbled before me.

  “You can’t leave me Harley! I don’t want to live with her, I want you! I love you!” Caleb roars pushing against Brent’s chest to get to me, a few more of the guys from the team help Brent hold Caleb back.

  “Well… she’s all you have right now because I don’t want you. I can’t even look at you… you both disgust me. I hate you right now, you were the one… good thing… I had and now? I don’t want anything to do with you…both of you! Just stay away from me and I’ll stay away from you.” I back away and when Caleb breaks free from the boys hold, I run. I push through the crowds making my way out the house and toward my car. I can hear Caleb calling me even through the loud speakers; hopefully the guys can hold him off for a while, just until I make my escape.

  CHAPTER 2

  I jump in my car and speed off down the dust road, the wooded area clears as I head towards the main street of our town. The streets are empty and all the shops are closed, this town is so dead. I stop at the red light and burst out in tears, my whole body is trembling, I touch my tummy protectively and whisper,

  “Guess it’s just you and me baby.”

  I look in the mirror and wince as I rip off my fake lashes, I use my black cardigan that lies on the seat next to me to remove the makeup that’s running down my cheeks.

  I don’t understand how Ashley could do this to me, she knew how important tonight was and how much I love Caleb. I was betrayed by the two people that I never thought would hurt me like this, I wonder if she will tell him about the baby. Probably not, she knows he’ll want to be a part of his child’s life.

  The light turn green, I’m not even two meters away when I see a set of lights on the side of my window, I hear the tires screeching but it’s too late. The sound of the glass shattering hits my ears, the airbag knocks the air out of my lungs, I can hear the scratching of the metal as the car rolls. It all happens so quickly but feels like times frozen as I watched the glass fall around me, the car rolls a couple times then slams against the tree on the side of the road.

  My head hurts as I come to, I’m hanging to my side and my seat belt holds my body in place tightly. Without thinking I unlatch it and drop to the floor with a loud thud. I cry in pain as I hit the broken glass beneath me, I hear the metal door above open and feel the presence of someone as they pop their head in.

  I must have died because this guy looks like an Angel. A dark Angel. The most beautiful creature I have ever seen asks me in a gruff voice, “Darlin’ are you okay? I’m so sorry, here… please take my hand.” he leans down into the car and pulls out his hand for me to take.

  I place my small hand in his large ring covered rough ones and I gently stand and squeeze my way through the buckled
seats. He lifts me up and out of the car and carries me to the back of the tree as he sits down leaning against it with me still in his lap. My eyes are beginning to clear but my head still hurts. I take a closer look at his face, he has beautiful blue eyes with black hair, just like Caleb’s although this guy’s hair is much longer, and it covers the side if his face, almost in an “emo” kind of way but it just comes off messy and sexy. He has light stubble on his jawline, maybe a day old. He’s wearing a tight black shirt, with a biker leather jacket on, I look at his patch and smile.

  “So Raven huh? “ I smile and look up at him as he types on his phone. He seems shocked that I was able to read his badge.

  “Hmm Devils Grimm too…” The adrenaline must be running through my body because I feel giddy and my heart is beating really fast. I look at the emblem on the side of the jacket above his name.

  “How do you know all this? You are too pretty and innocent to have any business with bikers…” he chuckles and takes a tissue from his pocket and places it against my throbbing head where I hit the window. I take it from him and look down at the blood covered napkin and place it back on my head feeling the adrenaline slowly leave my body, replaced by panic.

  “Grimm’s my daddy…” I say. I feel him tense underneath me.

  “Fuck, you’re Harley? Your daddy’s gonna kill me.” he says, I can sense the fear coming from him. I suppose I would also be afraid of my father.

  “Nah…don’t worry about him, I’ll tell him it’s not your fault. It’s okay…” I mumble worried that my father might hurt him for causing this accident.

  “No it’s not okay! I shouldn’t have skipped the red light; I was in such a hurry. I’m so sorry Harley. I’ve called for help; the ambulance should be here soon, are you okay?” He says looking my face over, obviously assessing the damage.

  “This night couldn’t get any better.” I mumble sarcastically then notice him wince.

  “Oh, I’m talking about the shit I had to deal with tonight…” he looks at me waiting for me to continue.

  I groan then explain, “I caught my boyfriend hooking up with my best friend…on our fourth year anniversary. So I guess it can only get better right? When you hit rock bottom, there’s only one way out… right? Up.” I bend to take my heels off but he stops my hand and takes them off for me.

  “I’m sorry babe, no one deserves that, give me his name and address and your father and I will pay him and the whore a visit.” He gives me a breathtaking smile obviously trying to lighten the mood; I notice he seems older than me but not nearly as old as my father. Even though in this moment I hate Caleb for what he’s done to me I would never ever want to see him hurt and I don’t think I’d ever be able to forgive myself or my father if he did ever hurt him.

  “No Raven you can’t tell him about that, I’ll keep your secret if you keep this one. Please!” I beg him, “Daddy will kill him.” I say softly.

  He runs his hand through his hair and lets out a deep breath. “M’kay Darlin’. My real names Jace, a pretty girl like you don’t need to call me by my road name.” He flirts making me laugh at his cocky attitude.

  “Jace, how old are you?” The adrenaline continues to leave my body, the pain from all the cuts as well as the impact from the seatbelt against my chest and rolling in the car is starting to take its toll on me.

  “Just turned twenty five baby.” He winks again then his phone starts vibrating in his pocket beneath me. I move and he helps me off him, I slowly stand as he answers his phone. My body is aching and I try to stretch my muscles. My head hurts really bad as well as my ribs.

  I look at the wreckage and notice his large black SUV has only a small amount of damaged by the front metal bars. That’s why he only had a few small scratches. My car on the other hand is a total write-off, there’s glass all over the road and the font of my car is now smoking. I hear Jace talking on the phone but I’m too busy looking at the damage around us, usually the police are quick around here but I can’t hear any sirens. I know the ambulance might take a while because the nearest hospital is half an hour away. I walk back to where we were sitting a few moments before.

  I feel cramps in my stomach then I feel an excruciating sharp pain in my lower stomach, it makes me hunch over and hold my belly while using the streetlight post for support as I cry out.

  “Oh baby, please be okay.” I say as the tears fall, Jace does a double take when he sees me then races in my direction. He tells me my father is on his way. I feel warm liquid running down my bare legs, I look down and see blood.

  “Oh no…” I say crying harder. Jace holds me against his chest tight preventing me from fallen to my feet.

  “W….what’s happening? Fuck…you’re bleeding!” Jace panics when he notices the blood, he pushes me away from him still holding my arms tight looking me over to see where the blood is coming from, I hear the sirens coming over the hill.

  “Jace I think…I think….I’ m miscarrying…” I say dejectedly as look up into his beautiful eyes and feel the tears escape mine.

  “Shit…you’re pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me when I got you out of the car? This is my fault! I’m so sorry Harley.” he says filled with sorrow as he pulls me closer into his chest and kisses my forehead.

  “It’s …it’s…” I don’t even know what to say? Should I say it’s okay and make him feel better about the situation when all I really want to do is scream and shout at him and tell him this is all his fault. I do neither and opt for a different approach.

  “When they take me… don’t leave me alone… please.” I beg as I cry into him.

  “I won’t leave you baby…I promise…I’ll be by your side the whole time.” He promises me as he picks me up and sits us back against the tree with me tight against his chest, he takes my hand and holds it tight on my lap.

  I hear sirens closer now then I hear tires skidding and doors opening and closing.

  I hear Caleb shout out, “Harley! Babe please be okay… Please.” I hear footsteps then I hear someone jumping up onto the car, I can hear them climbing up over the metal and glass. I hear Brent shout, “She’s not here! Where’s the other driver?”

  They obviously can’t see us behind the car and tree. Jace tries to move from beneath me but I tell him I don’t want to see Caleb right now and his body becomes rigid.

  “That’s the fucker who cheated on you?” Jace whispers angrily into my ear.

  “Please Jace, let’s just wait for the ambulance, I can’t deal with him right now.” I say as I clutch my stomach twisting in pain.

  “It hurts so much Jace…they need to hurry. I can’t lose my baby too…I can’t.” I start crying into his chest. He places his hand on my belly over my dress and rubs me gently, he is so big and manly, this little gesture seems so unlike something someone like him would do. It gives me tingles throughout my body and I cuddle closer into him. We hear the sirens head in our direction and Jace picks me up slowly, careful not to hurt me.

  “Come on, the ambulance is here baby, let’s get you some help.” He starts walking me to the ambulance quickly as I lay in his arms cradled to his chest.

  “Don’t let him near me please…don’t let any of them near me, promise me.” I whisper into his chest.

  “Okay Harley, I promise.” He says as he kisses my head.

  “And don’t tell anyone about the baby, okay?”

  “Wait…doesn’t Caleb know?” he asks in confusion.

  “Only my best friend knew, I was going to tell him tonight, just don’t say anything okay.” I whisper yell and he nods tensing his jaw.

  “I’m feeling…really…tired Jace, I’m going…to…close my eyes….just for a little bit. Don’t leave…me alone….okay?” I feel my eyes grow heavy and my body growing weaker. I close my eyes and fall into a deep sleep as I hear Jace shouting at the paramedics and warning me not to sleep.

  I wake up lying on the soft grass with a woman’s hand on my chest performing CPR, “We got her! She’s breathing!” the l
ady says looking at the guy that was removing the breathing apparatus from my mouth. “Harley we need to get you to the hospital but you need to stay awake okay sweetie? You’ve lost a lot of blood and you’re in shock.” the lady says and I nod my head.

  I look to my side and see Caleb calling for me as the cops keep him away, Jace is whispering comforting words to me holding my hand and rubbing my hair with the other. I look to my right when I hear the rumble of motorbikes, I see my dad leading what looks to be the entire club. He parks his bike and comes running to my side.

  “Harley! Are you okay? What happened?” he says kneeling down kissing my forehead.

  “Daddy, it’s okay I’m better now, I wasn’t looking and I skipped the light. It was all my fault I’m sorry.” I say as the tears fall and the salt from them burn the cuts on the side of my face and I wince. I feel Jace squeeze my hand knowing I lied to save him from my father’s wrath.

  “It’s okay baby girl, we’ll sort everything out, luckily I was in town when it happened. I love you Harley. We will see you at the hospital okay? I have a few things to clear up here quick.” he says and I nod.

  He stands up then says to Jace. “Thanks for looking after her brother, take care of her, I need to have a word with the police but I’ll meet you at the hospital, the boys will follow the ambulance.” Jace nods and my dad saunters off in the direction of the police officers.

  “Sorry sir, you can’t come with us if you aren’t family. You need to get checked out too, there’s another ambulance on its way for you.” The male paramedic says.

  “There’s no fucking way I’m leaving her alone, I’m her man let me go with you. I promised I wouldn’t leave her alone.” Jace says as the anger drips from his voice, the lady paramedic tells the male that it’s okay and lets him into the ambulance with me.