Page 10 of From the Wreckage

Brielle

My chest rises and falls as Everett’s hand lingers a second too long near my temple, his thumb brushing a loose strand of my hair back into place.

The way he cleaned my wound, his touch careful but steady, sent a shiver through me. A strange flutter in my chest I’ve never felt before.

Joey never makes me feel this way.

I swallow hard and push the thought away before it can take root. I stare at the mysterious stranger standing in front of me—so tall, dark, and handsome. Something radiates from him that’s slightly dangerous. Yet, I’ve never felt safer.

It’s peculiar but not unpleasant.

I break eye contact with him, trying to gather myself. I’m unraveling, and it’s not from the accident. It’s from him . The intense way he looks at me, as though he’s peeling me apart, layer by layer, breaking through my barriers and seeing things I don’t want him to see.

I look out his kitchen window and catch a glimpse of my cabin in the distance. For a moment, I freeze… and then the panic wells inside me.

“Oh, God. My car.” Pieces of the accident flash through my mind, ending with my SUV crumpled on the side of the road like a discarded toy. The thought of my dad driving home from the garage and seeing that makes me ill.

“My purse,” I blurt out, vaguely aware of Everett setting it by my feet after he buckled me in the passenger seat.

“I’ll get it.” He turns, his long strides carrying him from the cabin and out to his truck.

My hands shake, and I wince as my fingers bump the bandage on my forehead as I brush my hair back from my face. It’s a nervous habit, running my fingers through my hair.

Everett comes back inside and hands me my purse. I grab it with shaking fingers. I click on my recent calls and press his name.

“Dad?” My voice wavers when he answers.

“Bri? Are you okay?” His voice is sharp with alarm. He fires off questions. “Where are you? Are you hurt?”

“I’m okay, but—there was a deer. I… wrecked the SUV.” My shoulders slump under the weight of the guilt raining down on me. I get up and start pacing. He just bought it for me. I haven’t even had it for a full twenty-four hours.

“Where are you? Are you still at the accident?”

“No. A good Samaritan saw it and stopped. Took me to his cabin.”

He blows out a breath, his boots thudding against the concrete of the garage floor as he moves. “You sure you’re okay?”

I nod, though he can’t see me. “Yes, but… the vehicle is all smashed up.”

“Vehicles are replaceable. You’re not.” I hear the garage door slam shut as he closes it, then his muffled voice as he says to Jim, “I’ve gotta go. Bri had an accident.”

“I hate to make you leave.” My eyes dart to Everett, who is standing nearby, watching me.

“It’s no problem, kiddo.”

“What about my vehicle?” My body shakes. Maybe from shock. Or guilt. Or both.

“I’m not worried about it. I’m worried about you .” I hear the jingle of keys as he locks up his shop.

“I’m fine. Just a cut. I’m more worried about the SUV. I didn’t want you driving by and seeing it like that.”

Everett has moved closer. So close I can feel the heat radiating off him. He doesn’t interrupt, but his presence is calm. Grounding.

My dad exhales. “Don’t worry about the damn SUV. I’ll call Walt to tow it to the garage. I’m heading that way now.”

I close my eyes, fighting back the tears. “Dad, please. I promise I’m fine. You don’t have to rush out. Let’s just… Talk when you get home, okay?”

He’s silent for a beat before he mutters, “Alright. But I’m checking it out first. I’ll see you later.” His voice lowers. “Love you, kiddo. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.” I end the call and slowly lower the phone, my hand still shaking.

My gaze moves to Everett, who is watching me like he’s memorizing every word and flicker across my face.

His voice is quiet but steady. “You did good, angel.”

The words settle over me like a blanket, easing my nervousness.

I have the strangest desire to fall into his arms and let him hold me.

I refrain, but barely, Joey’s face floating through my mind.

The reminder feels hollow. What I feel with Everett doesn’t make sense, doesn’t fit inside the neat lines of the life I’ve drawn for myself.

And yet… I can’t deny the way my pulse steadies just because he’s here.