Page 39 of Hearts Held

He chuckles.Chucklesat me.

“That’s all right, little dove. I like a little pain.” With that statement I hold up, the suture needle with my right hand and place my forehead into my left palm. “I can’t handle you right now,” I mutter, drowning in discomfort.

Then I feel him shift closer to me, and he mutters into my ear, “I’ll teach you how to handle me.”

“Everett!” I shout, then lift my head up too swiftly, knocking the back of my head into his nose.

“Fuck!” Everett shouts.

I clutch the back of my head with my free hand. “I’m so sorry! Oh God, I’m so fucking sorry!”

Ireach out with my right hand, which is still clasping the needle, and gently brush my other fingers across his nose.

“It isn’t bleeding, so that’s good,” I exclaim sincerely.

“You are absolutely adorable,” Everett tells me, and I feel my face flush.

I take an inhale through my nose. “You really have a way with words. Are you like this with all women?” I ask.

His eyes search mine. “No. You’re the only one I have ever wanted to belike this—” he gestures between us “—with.”

“I don’t appreciate you lying to me,” I boldly state as I finish up my sutures on his eyebrow.

Grasping for the gauze from my pack to clean off the blood from his brow, he carefully grabs my wrist. “I would never lie to you, Brielle.”

We sit entranced with one another, our faces so close.

I can feel his breath on my cheek as he leans in closer, appearing to wait on bated breath for a kiss.

Slowly we move toward each other.

His nose caresses mine.

Then I jump as loud cheers come from the ice rink.

Peering over, I find that Bobby scored the winning goal for their team, ending the third period.

How long have we been sitting here?

Looking over to Everett, I find him standing, taking off his elbow and knee pads. “We need to get ready to go to the induction ceremony.”

As everyone leaves the rink, we return to the vehicles and embark toward “the farm.”

We sit in the back of Everett’s vehicle, but with Douglas riding along with us.

My mind is preoccupied, thinking of the kiss that almost occurred. I touch my lips, wondering what his would have felt like and realizing I haven’t kissed a man in years.

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Douglas state, “I’m a bit nervous, boss, but thank you for letting me do this. I’ve been wanting to since you saved my family.”

Everett doesn’t say a word but smiles back at Douglas and nods.

Night has fallen by the time we arrive at the farm. We encroach upon a large wooden barn. A vast forest surrounds the area, alongside horse stables and a couple other barns.

Everett helps me out of the vehicle and we embark to the largest of the barns.

As we enter, I feel his hand on the small of my back. “You may not agree with our ways, but I would like you to understand. This is a ceremony that brings individuals into our family. Not just any individuals, but those we can trust. It is a tradition that has withstood the test of time.”

I watch as Douglas shakes hands with different Adder members, the various Afton brothers, Lyle and Lloyd, Clint and Biscuit. His face is alight with excitement and joy as he goes around the circle of bodies that surround the small fire in the middle of the barn. A table at the far side is covered with spirits, a cake and small appetizers.