Page 1 of Connie
Chapter 1
Connie
Emma grabs hold of me and pulls me back before I get to Ruben, who is still laying into Fin.
“RUBEN, STOP IT,” I scream at the top of my voice but he doesn’t react. He just continues punching Fin. “FIN, DO SOMETHING,” I shout trying a different tactic. Fin is strong enough to hold his own against my brother but for some reason he’s just stood there as if he’s accepting his fate.
I vaguely register Emma also shouting next to me to try to stop Ruben but it’s like he’s in some sort of trance.
We both watch in horror as Fin drops to the floor. I hope that means it’ll be over but unfortunately Ruben just starts kicking him in the stomach instead. Fin tries to curl himself into a ball to stop the onslaught but he doesn’t do a very good job.
Thankfully all our shouting and screaming distracts the party that is going on in Emma’s garden for her and Ruben’s engagement and her book release because both my parents and Emma’s come flying into the room along with Ryan.
I get pulled back and I’m not aware I’m falling until I feel something soft hit my arse. It’s like I’m watching a film as I watch Ryan and my dad run across the room and start pulling Ruben away from Fin. I’ve always known that Ruben has a bit of a temper. I’ve seen him lose it before now but I’ve never seen him completely lose himself like this.
When they eventually manage to pull him to the other side of the room I glance at his face, I actually shiver at the look in his eyes. He looks murderous. His eyes are wide and dark, he’s baring his teeth, his neck is pulsing and all his muscles are pulled tight as he stares down at Fin.
What the fuck have I done?
I knew this was going to happen. It should have been enough to stop me but it wasn’t. Nothing is, when it comes to Finlay Willis. Damn him with his sexy arse, cheeky smile and tongue that...now’s not the time!
A shriek that comes from my mum brings be back to the here and now. I drag my eyes away from the monster version of my big brother. He is heaving out his breaths while staring down at Fin as my dad and Ryan try their best to keep him contained. My heart is in my throat when I take in the bloody mess that is not only Ruben’s childhood best friend but also the man I love, and always have.
Before I know I’m even moving I’m on my hands and knees, leaning over him next to my mum. I run my eyes over the side of his bleeding and swollen face that I can see, taking in what I presume is a broken nose and split lip and eyebrows. He’s laid on his side, curled into the foetal position completely still. If it wasn’t for being able to see his chest moving up and down I would be extremely worried. Ruben didn’t go easy on him. I’m just grateful that Dad and Ryan pulled him away when they did because he didn’t look like he was going to stop any time soon. I shoot a look over my shoulder at him and see that Ruben’s still just as worked up as the last time I looked at him. If they were to let go of him I have no doubt that he would carry on where he left off.
I look him up and down before saying quietly, “what have you done with my brother, you monster. Get him out of here.” My voice is eerily calm. Fuck knows why because calm is the last thing I’m feeling right now.
I watch as Dad and Ryan drag a growling Ruben out of the room then thankfully out of the house. I don’t care where they take him as long as it’s as far away from me as possible.
Emma catches my attention. She looks between me and the doorway where Ruben just disappeared through.
“Go if you want,” I spit at her. I know I sound angry and I know she can’t help feeling torn between staying with me and going with him. I can tell by the look on her face that she’s just as disgusted with his actions as I am.
“No. He doesn’t deserve for me to follow him. I’m with you, Con.”
Her words along with looking back down at Fin are the final straw. Tears instantly drop down on to my cheeks and sobs takeover my body. I fold forwards over Fin’s almost lifeless body and wail embarrassingly loudly.
This is all my fault. I knew Ruben would fly off the handle when he found out, and I knew he would find out eventually. I just kinda hoped I’d grow a pair and tell him before it came to this.
Ha yeah, like that was ever going to happen.
Anyway I don’t think it matters how he would have found out, he would have gone after Fin regardless. My brother is nothing if he isn’t protective of me and he has warned Fin enough times over the years to stay away from me. After all this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. If only I had more control of myself around Fin, I would have been able to save us all a world of pain.
What we all just witnessed isn’t my brother. Yes he can be hot headed but he’s not vicious really. I, we, just pushed him to that. I know that when he realises what he just did that he’s going to hate himself for it. Having said that though it doesn’t mean I’m going to forgive him any time soon.
I have no idea how long I’m curled over Fin’s body when I feel hands on me pulling me up and I hear voices I don’t recognise. I’m moved so I’m sat back on the sofa and I feel arms wrap around me. When I look up I see that the voices belong to two paramedics that someone must have rang.
I watch in a complete daze as they tend to Fin. We are all silent the whole time and it’s not until they have him on the trolley that my mum speaks up.
“I’m going to go with Fin, love. Emma, will you bring Connie to the hospital when she has calmed down please?”
Emma says something but I don’t hear her response because a whooshing noise suddenly fills my ears and my whole body goes weak and starts shaking uncontrollably at the same time. I put my head in my hands while taking deep breaths and willing the strange feeling to subside.
When I finally look up Fin, the paramedics and my mum are all gone. I didn’t even get to argue that I should be the one to go with him. My tears come back full force at that thought. I should be with him. This is all my fault, I should be with him.
It’s not until I hear her voice that I realise I’m still wrapped in Emma’s arms. “I wish you had told me, Con.” I turn to look at her expecting to see an angry face looking back at me for keeping this from her but all I see is compassion.
She reaches up and wipes my cheeks when a few more tears fall.
