“I don’t know, brother. We won't know until Alan tells us everything.” It feels like we’re all in limbo. Until Alan comes over tomorrow, we won't have any answers. We can only speculate at this point. How could he know Everly was going to bind our souls together? How did he know she would be able to save Gar? So many questions. The lack of answers makes me nervous. My time in special forces may be over, but that doesn’t mean I don't still have the instincts it built in me.
I’d joined the army seven years ago, working my arse off to get to the top of the food chain. I earned top secret clearance for the last two years. The shit I learnt about this country. The lengths it would go to in order to fool its people into thinking everything was peachy, is unreal. I can't even think about what this means for all of us. Maybe it’ll be like how it is with Alan, that if we don't spend any length of time away from her, she won't age? God, I hope so. I can’t bear the thought of watching her grow old and die. Alan also spent some time in the army, but he did his time and left when he met his second wife, May.
Obviously, because we don't age, relationships are difficult. He had to fake his own death four years into the marriage. He spent the next ten years in a different town and kept his head low. I couldn’t even imagine leaving Everly like that, breaking her heart by faking my own death.
It's been quiet for a long time upstairs now, so I decide to go make sure everything is ok. I pop some sarnies on a tray along with a pitcher of apple juice from the kitchen. Both of them will be exhausted. They haven’t eaten since dinner. It's eleven thirty at night, they’ll need the energy to fully recover from this shit show of a day. I climb the stairs two at a time and knock on the door to the guest bedroom.
Jesus, I really need to either put my stamp on this place or sell it. I feel like I live in a hospital with all this whiteness. No one answers, so I let myself in. I peek around the door. The lamp next to the bed is on and Gar is propped up on an elbow, awake, so I walk in. Lifting his head to look at me, he smiles. I can't even put into words how grateful I am they’re both alive. I thought we lost them both tonight. “Food, Gar. Ah, look at her. Shit, she's something else, isn't she?” I say quietly when I reach the side of the bed he’s on. My gaze never leaves the sleeping Everly. He lifts himself into a sitting position and I put the tray on his lap.
“Yeah, she is, bro. Thanks,” he says picking up a sandwich, eating it in two bites. “Ungh, starving,” he moans around a mouthful of bread and ham. Ever stirs opening her eyes in a rush. They land on me. She pulls the sheet up to her chin with one hand to shield her nakedness.
“I must've fallen asleep. Oh, food... Gimme,” she says sleepily, her hand reaching out for a sarnie. I pour them both a glass of juice, trying to distract myself from the fact that she’s naked under the covers. “Thanks, Karl. Where’s Le?” she asks around a gulp of juice. Just then, the door opens and Leyland walks in, as if her saying his name summoned him. Ever scoots over and pats the bed beside her.
“You ok, my love?” he asks her as he sits, pushing a lock of her red hair behind her ear.
Fucking smooth fucker. How I wish I could do that.
“Yea, I’m ok. You?” she says between bites. Even with a mouth full of food, she’s sexy as hell. I've got it so bad for this girl who only tolerates me because of my brothers.
“Yea, we ate earlier, didn't want to interrupt you,” he says on a laugh.
Oh, how I wanted to interrupt them, but I couldn't. Bide your time, Karl. Fuck, I'm an impatient fucker, I don't know how to wait. It's driving me crazy not being able to go to her.
“Karl?” Ever's voice brings me back to reality. I was barely in the room, my mind focused on the sight of her the night she knocked me on my arse with a bat. The view from the floor forever seared into my mind.
“Huh, yeah, babe, what’s up?” Smooth, K.
"Why is everything white here? Do you not like colour?” Straight to the point. God, I love this woman.
“I didn't have a hand in it, just hired people to do it.” I shrug my shoulders. This place means less than nothing to me. I hate living here by myself.
“Oh, ok,” is her only reply.
For some reason I feel ashamed, like this place signifies me. Empty. Devoid of any emotions or personality. Shit.
“Karl’s not one for decoration, my love, he prefers his hideout,” Le replies for me.
Telling all my secrets. Little shit.
“Oh, I’d like to see, will you take me?” she asks excitedly.
Hmm, Ever in my private space? Alone? I hold my hand out to her and she takes it, then remembers she's naked and drops it before I can pull her up. She looks to Gar, who nods, then to Le whose face lights up with a big smile, nodding too. She shrugs and grabs my hand again. I give a gentle tug and she stands on the bed. Completely naked. My dick is sore from being hard then going soft, and going hard again with no relief in between. The vision before me has me in such a trance I barely catch her when she falls head first off the damn bed.
“Fucking hell, woman, you should come with a safety warning.” Laughing, I let her slide down my body. Oooh, fuck me. Her eyes never leave mine as her naked body stays pressed against me until her feet touch the floor.
“Thanks...” she breathes out.
I've affected her too, Score! “I... you're...welcome.” Wow, Karl, you are such a Casanova, it’s unreal. A giggle escapes her lips as she slips on Garrot's t-shirt. I guide her down the hall, into my room and to my hideaway in the back of my walk-in. Pushing the hangers aside, I pop open the hidden panel, press my finger to the pad and entering the password within seconds. I've done this so many times over the past two years it's second nature. The door slides back and I flick on the light, letting Ever peer into my sanctum. Nerves flutter in my stomach.
Leyland
Karl’s showing Everly his secret room while Garrot and I lay on the bed in a sanitary room. I need to convince K to move out of here, it can't do him any good living in this sterile place on his own.
“Le, we are so fucking lucky, man. That woman... Fucking fireworks went off, I just laid there and let them burn me,” he says, awe lacing every word.
I know exactly what Garrot is talking about. Everly is, well, there aren’t words to describe how she makes me feel. I'm already addicted to her. Staying downstairs while she and Gar consummated their bond was torture.
“I love her, in a way I never thought I was able to,” he adds. I’m nodding along; I feel it all too. “Thanks for saving my life, by the way. What was that? Never seen or felt anything like it before,” he says while putting his boxers back on. His cock is hard again. I saw Karl’s was too when he walked out of the room with Ever in tow. I could definitely get used to her walking around with barely anything on. Or even better, naked.
“We don't know, bro. Your dad came, told her she needed to reach inside your body and take out the poison. She must’ve channelled our powers or something. Out in the forest, she told me she loved me, then pink light exploded from me and set ten Selkie warriors on fire. It was... magical.” I have no clue at all. What happened with us blew my mind. My heart aches now she's left the room. I stand and take off the t-shirt and joggers Karl gave me, they’re too big for me since he’s wider than I am. I pull back the covers and get into the bed next to Garrot, leaving just enough room for Ever to fit in the middle when she comes back. I hope she lets me sleep in here with the two of them tonight. Even if I have to promise to be good, I'll give it my best shot. No promises.
“Dad said he's coming back in the morning?” Garrot asks, his hands behind his head, a look of pure contentment on his face.
“Yes, he said he’ll put a notice in the shop window, explaining there’s been a family emergency and we won't be open till Monday. Family emergency. I'd say there was, huh?” Alan better be early. We all need those answers.
“Yeah. I’m exhausted. You think they’re snogging in there?” Garrot asks me.
Maybe? No, I doubt it. Everly told me although s
he likes Karl, she doesn't think he’s her type. I told her she doesn’t know him yet. I begged her to give him a chance, and to get to know him before making any choices. She agreed, but whether she puts that into practice is all up to her.
“Has she spoken about what happened when she ran off?” Gar asks me, his tone concerned.
“Nope. Not really had the time, you know? But I'm sure she has a million and one questions.” My breath hitches in my throat as I think about what happened tonight. I nearly lost a brother and my fated consort. I could be a demon right now if they hadn’t survived. I have a sudden need to hold her and never let go.
Garrot’s hand lands on my knee just as Everly comes back into the room. Her eyes zero in on Gar's hand.
“Oh, boys, don't be starting without me, that's just rude.” Running headlong, she jumps on to the bed over our legs. “Oops.” She giggles as she batters us with her arms and legs. I love that sound. I'd do anything to make her giggle. Gar must be thinking the same thing because he reaches for her ribs and starts to tickle her. She bucks around on top of us as she giggles and snorts, knocking the shit out of us in the process. With the cutest noises leaving her, it's impossible not to laugh too. When he stops tickling her, she sits up and looks up at us through her lashes, a wicked glint in her eye.
Oh shit. She reaches forward and wraps a small, soft hand round the back of my neck and kisses me softly, making me moan into her mouth.
Jesus. Then she turns to Gar and kisses him too. He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close to him. Just as she straddles his hips, she lets out an almighty yawn.
“Ok, kitten, time for bed,” Garrot says and rests her on the bed, pulling her into his side to snuggle her. She reaches her arm back and pulls me close behind her. I go willingly. More than. I lay there, my arm around her, my hand resting on her tummy and my face in her hair. Utterly happy. I take a deep, soul-grounding breath. They’re both alive, safe, and close to me. I couldn't be happier. If Karl was here, it would be perfect.
Chapter Seventeen
EVERLY
Karl’s secret room is enlightening, to say the least. One wall has nothing but big TV monitors on it showing this house and Alan's from the inside and out, from every conceivable angle. There’s a small army cot in the corner with black sheets and small knick-knacks dotted around. A small LP player is in one corner with records in a case under it. I kneel down in front of it, fingering through them. We so have similar tastes in music. The Beatles? Fuck yea.
“Wow, solitary much?” I comment while looking around. The space is small, plain, and lonely.
“Yea, I hate this house. It's too big and too white. I like it in here a little better,” he replies sadly. I kinda feel bad about my comments now. I stand and move to sit on the cot and nose around a bit more. Looking for something to tell me who Karl is as a person. It smells so strongly of him in here, I take a deep breath and stifle a moan. He smells like... mine.
“I’m sorry, Karl, I’ve really misjudged you. You're a good guy. You shouldn’t be hiding in here.” I lean over and kiss him, just lightly on his cheek. I want to get to know the real Karl. I need to put more effort into it. I’d love it if we all came together, maybe even add him to my little harem? Hashtag why choose, right?
"I really care for you, Everly. I thank the Gods you didn't die today, and Garrot too. Ever... I ... those dreams you have. I've shared them with you. Felt what you felt. Seen what you've seen. I don't know how, I can't explain it, but I just wanted you to know you were never alone."
My gasp fills the small space. I can't process that. He was there? "That...means so much to me, Karl, Thank you for telling me, I’m really tired" I reply dumbly, while stifling a yawn. He saw and felt everything I’ve been through in those dreams? That kinda comforts me, knowing he was there for me. “Good night, Karl,” I say as I kiss his lips, needing time to process it all.
“Good night, Ever,” he says softly as I leave his dark space.
THE SUN STREAMS THROUGH the windows, hitting me in the face. Ugh, someone turn the sun off. I'm so not ready to wake up yet. I lay there between what I suppose are my two boyfriends. Leyland and Garrot, their bodies intertwined with mine.They each have a leg over mine, one of their arms around my waist. I turn my head gently between their faces, looking from Gar to Le and back again. They’re so handsome with their hair in messy mops on top of their heads. They look so peaceful. Lucky bitch. If someone would’ve told me six months ago I would end up with two sexy boyfriends, who aren’t afraid to show they adore me as much as I adore them, I would’ve laughed in their faces. Just three months ago I had felt completely lost.
My adopted mum passed away. She had cervical cancer. It took her quickly and in all honesty, I’m thankful for that. By the time she passed away, she was all skin and bones. The chemo made her really sick. When she was first diagnosed, she told me she wanted to travel. She didn't initially want the medicine, so we travelled for a few months. We toured the UK for a while until she couldn't anymore, causing us to have to go back to Manchester so she could be treated with chemo. I'll never forget our final conversation.
“Everly, I'll be leaving you soon, sweet. It’s ok though. Everything is going to be fine. You'll be taken care of sweetheart; I know you will. Oh, darling, I'm sorry I won't be there to see them. They’ll be beautiful. I love you, Everly. You kick arse, you understand me?” I thought maybe her morphine was up too high, but maybe, just maybe, she was talking about my guys? Or possibly any future children I might have. I wonder if the guys want kids? She passed away that night. The doctor said she had an infection and it went unnoticed until it was too late. Free from the pain, her face looked so peaceful. She didn't look anything like she had a few months prior. Her hair had fallen out, all of it, even her eyebrows and lashes, and her cheeks were sunken in. Free from the agony of her illness, she was at peace. I couldn't ask for anything else. When she was gone, I felt lost and alone until I moved here. Not only had I finally found myself, but I found my guys too. My future. My reminiscing is interrupted when Garrot squeezes his hand on my tummy.
“Penny for 'em, sweetness?” His sleepy voice rolls over my aching soul. I look into his eyes.
Shit, he is absolutely gorgeous. How'd I manage to bag a guy like him? “Just thinking about my mum,” I say quietly. It's all still raw. I don't really want to talk about it right now. Alan will be coming over today to tell us what he knows. I can't help but think today will be emotionally draining enough. He reaches up and cups my cheek.
“You want to talk about her, babe?”
"No, I don’t. Not right now." What I want is to brush my teeth, then kiss this guy until I can't think anymore. “Thank you though. I can't...” He kisses my nose and sits up.
"Whenever you're ready, sweetness." He's so lovely. For a guy who likes people to think he's rough around the edges, he's got a soft, gooey centre. I push up and climb over him to pad my way into the bathroom. My hair’s a mess, I can’t get my fingers through it.
I didn’t brush it when I got out of the shower last night. I don't even have a brush here. As I look in the mirror I feel a pang in my chest. I want to go back home where my things are. Looking around for a toothbrush, I finally find one in a wrapper in the medicine cabinet and brush my teeth. Feeling better, I go back to the bedroom where my guys are. Leyland’s awake now. They’re both sitting on the edge of the bed with their heads bent together, talking quietly. Not wanting to interrupt, I stand in the doorway.
“.... Do you think she is ready for today? I've got to admit, I’m nervous about what Alan has to tell us,” Le says.
Yeah, he's not the only one who’s nervous about today. I’m shitting a brick.
“She's a badass, Le. Whatever he’s got to say to us all, we will all be there to support her. I hope she knows that,” Gar answers.
His sweet words send a jolt through my belly. I clear my throat and their heads whip round to me.
“Hey, baby.” Le rises to join me. I sta
nd on my tiptoes to meet his lips. . “Hmm, minty,” he remarks, making me giggle.
“Guys, I want to go home,” I tell them.
“Sure, babe, we can take you back home and have Alan come to your house if you want?” Leyland replies.
God yes, that would be perfect. I’d actually like to put on some knickers and brush my hair.
“Sounds perfect. Will... will you two stay with me?” The look on their faces makes me giggle. You would’ve thought I told them I'm actually the queen of England the way their jaws pop open.
“Shit, of course, Ever. We wouldn’t leave you there to deal with whatever Alan has to tell you, babe,” Garrot tells me. Le nods his agreement.
Hmm they haven't quite got the message. I try again.
“No, I mean... I’m asking... Oh hell. Will you guys move in? There, I said it. I know its sudden, and out of nowhere but...” Before I can finish Leyland wraps his arms around my waist, lifts me up, and starts spinning me around. I squeal in surprise.
“God yes! Ever, are you truly sure you want this?” He puts my feet back on the ground, saying the last part hesitantly.
“I know my own mind, guys. I want this. I want both of you,” I tell them with surety. I absofuckinglutely want this. Leyland kisses me until my left foot lifts off the ground on its own and he dips me to the floor before bringing me back up. Swoon.
Garrot wraps me up in a tight hug before spanking my bare arse, sending shivers all over my body. Oh, thank God! Waking up with these two handsome guys every morning? Yes, please. I want to spend the rest of my life with them.
Ok, well, we’ll get today over with and then we can sort out the details, like do they want their own rooms? The house has four bedrooms so that's absolutely possible. They'll want their own space, right? I haven’t even made a start on the upstairs yet. We’ve only just the front room. Oh, bedding, we need that. I need to pop to the supermarket. I tell the guys all of this and together we come up with a plan. Garrot texts his dad and asks him to come over to our, Huh, ours, place at midday. This gives Gar and Le time to go get some of their stuff. While they’re doing that, I'll be at the supermarket getting supplies. I guess they’ll drop me off and pick me back up because I have yet to get myself a car.
The Everly Davis chronicles Page 12
