The Scars Keeper

by Scarlet Wolfe

  “Let’s hope his name’s not written in that journal.”

  “Yes, let’s …”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Avery

  Carrying the picnic basket and blanket, I reach the clearing of the woods and see Hayden hasn’t shown up yet.

  Walking over to the left, I peer down the path to the dock. The noon sun is casting a glow over it in the distance that’s calling for me, so I amble to it, figuring Hayden will find me.

  I’m spreading the blanket out when someone grabs me from behind, picking me up off the ground. I squeal, and he chuckles, letting me know it’s him. Lowering me to my feet, he shifts me toward him and steps back to eye me.

  “Damn, baby, you look sexy in that dress.”

  Glancing down, I straighten the yellow sundress. It has spaghetti straps and flares out a bit at the hips, hitting barely mid-thigh.

  “Thank you.” I’m sure he’ll have his hands on my legs often, which he does anytime they’re exposed. Now that it’s May, the temperatures are creeping higher each day, allowing me to reveal more skin.

  He’s in navy athletic shorts today with a white t-shirt, and his hair is extra wavy, curling up all around his cheeks.

  “Sorry, but after getting home late from prom, and having Dad put me through conditioning this morning, I only had energy to put together sandwiches and chips for lunch,” I say. “However, I did make you brownies.”

  “Cool, but time alone with you is all I need.” Giving me a swift kiss, he then helps me get our food laid out, and we sit next to each other facing the pond.

  While we eat, I survey the muddy water that’s masked by sporadic patches of mossy green algae. The old logs that have fallen into the pond, and line the water’s edge, sway forward and back as if they’re paddling.

  My nose catches the aroma of spring flowers and fresh blooming trees. Whites, pinks and greens are decorating the perimeter of the pond and reflecting on the water from the sun.

  Glancing around, I notice a wooden box sitting behind Hayden. He must’ve set it down earlier before he scared me to death.

  “What’s that?”

  “A gift for you.”

  “Another one?”

  “Yep, and I’m sure it won’t be the last, so you better get used to it.”

  “You’re spoiling me.”

  Hayden twists his body to grab it. He sets it in front of me, and I admire it. It’s about six inches tall and a foot wide and has silver hinges on the back so it can open and close. It’s a light brown wood and plain.

  “What’s it for?”

  “It’s not finished yet, but I couldn’t wait to show it to you. I’m gonna finish it tonight. I still have to stain it, and I’m putting a lock on the front. I thought you could keep your journal in it, along with anything else private you want.”

  “You’re too sweet.” I open the box and inside is a lone red marker. I hold it up and smirk. “And I can’t wait to hear the story behind this.”

  “Let’s clean up our food, and then I’ll explain.” Dusting the rest of the sandwich crumbs from my hands, I stuff everything in the picnic basket.

  He chuckles from my urgency. What can I say? I’m curious about this marker. I sit back down with my legs crossed and pick it up.

  “OK, I’m all ears.”

  “Lie down on the blanket with me.” Smiling, I do as he orders, lying on my back and fanning my hair out behind me so it’s not in the way. He stretches out, too, but on his side, and props himself up on his forearm.

  “Do you trust me?” he asks.

  “Of course.”

  “Then hand back over the marker.”

  Puzzled, I give it to him. He holds it in his palm as he latches onto the bottom hem of my dress and brings it up to my waist.

  His fingertips graze along my belly in the process, sending a chill throughout my body. My eyes close briefly, and I search for the air my lungs are starving for.

  No longer do I wish to hold my breath so as not to feel anymore. I yearn to breathe deeply and live forever if it means I get to experience this rich life with Hayden.

  Sitting up, he faces me and rests back on his heels. Hooking his fingers over the top of my satin cream-colored panties, he inches them down until all of my abdomen and my hips are exposed.

  Hayden’s eyes become consumed with yearning as they travel from my toes up to my eyes.

  “I can never get over how gorgeous you are.”

  “Thank you.” My voice cracks from nervousness and excitement. “What are we doing?”

  “All kinds of things, but we first need to get the serious stuff out of the way.” Taking the lid off the marker, he tosses it to the blanket.

  “There are ways I perceive you, and then there are ways you perceive yourself. I like mine better, so I’m going to write them on your scars.”

  The first touch of the marker causes me to flinch.

  “Still, sweetheart. I already don’t have the best penmanship.”

  I feel the coolness of the tip of the marker as it traces along my stomach. He moves to a different spot and repeats the process.

  My left hip is where I cut earlier in the week, so he stays away from it. He does glide the marker over my other hip, angling his body to see his handiwork.

  I can’t help but flinch again, and his mouth quirks up in a smile. His eyes tell of his concentration, and his fingertips channel his desire.

  “All finished.” Grabbing the lid, he shoves the marker into it. I lift up at my chest, but I barely catch the sight of red.

  “How am I supposed to see them?”

  His forehead scrunches. “Hmm … I didn’t think about that. I’ll read them to you then.” As he stares into my eyes, I’m left entranced by the black portals that suck me in and never let go.

  “Thoughtful. Smart. Intuitive. Kind. Beautiful. Determined. Sensitive. Fun … You have all these magnificent qualities, and I’m saving others for the next time.”

  Hayden drops to the blanket and scoots up against my side. “If you ever want to cut and the other tools don’t help, write what you’re thinking on your body.

  “No matter how dark and ugly the words, draw them on. Please, instead of a blade, let this marker be your voice.

  “Then, when I see you after, I’ll replace the words with the truth. I’ll do it however many times it takes for you to see it, too.”

  His hand cradles my cheek as I stare in astonishment. “Avery, I wish more than anything for you to believe it, too.”

  “Hayden … I don’t have words to tell you how you make me feel.” I slip my fingers into his soft curls and play with them. “Actually, I do have the words … I love you.”

  Bringing his mouth to mine, I savor the taste of it and the warmth from his tongue as it swirls and caresses. I sense he’s trying to hold back to appreciate our kiss, but he’s too eager, the longing too strong.

  He rolls onto me and hugs my face. His compulsion to be closer resonates through a moan, and I feel it, too, so I wrap my arms around him to convey how much so.

  Kisses,

  kisses,

  kisses, and I’m falling …

  falling,

  falling,

  falling into our abyss of secrets, trust, love and passion.

  He rises to his knees, and as his lungs collapse with a heaviness, he’s thoughtful and cautious, searching my eyes for my approval like he always has.

  My mouth parts and I nod, so he pulls my dress over my head. Reaching behind my back, he unclasps my strapless bra and gradually pulls it away from me.

  He plants a hand at each of my sides and begins using his mouth like a marker. Lips brush and feather down my body, exploring and teasing … tasting me.

  “I love you, too, baby,” he whispers against my chest between kisses. I watch his biceps flex as he ducks and moves, and I grip his hair, whimpering with need and delight.

  “I love you,” he breathes at my waist. “I love you … I love you.”

  His
repeated declarations of adoration blanket my heart, and my nerve endings come alive beneath his lips as they lave my body with pleasure.

  Today, I’m returning it.

  Hayden

  I’ve found one benefit to Avery striving for perfection. She believes in taking her time to master her skills. Damn, I’m certain my mouth is not that talented.

  I can’t begin to imagine what it will be like once I finally get to be inside her. Actually, I can imagine because I fantasize about it every day.

  Now, I’m dead to the world as we lie on the dock together, soaking up the afternoon sun.

  I’m wearing only my athletic shorts, and she’s now in only her panties and bra.

  “Are you awake?” she asks, patting my back as I rest on my stomach. I grumble, and she giggles. My entire body feels like jelly, and that includes my vocal cords. “I’m thrilled I made you feel good, but my intention was not to kill you.

  “Your tattoo is mind-blowing.” I feel her fingers tracing the ink of a knight on my shoulder blade. “The intricate details of the horse, and especially the knight’s armor, is impressive.

  “I also love how the color of red on the shield and bloody sword pops against the greys and black.” She sighs. “I won’t ask right now why you chose a knight tattoo, but I hope one day you’ll tell me.

  “I can’t imagine not being with you,” she adds. “The way you make me feel is indescribable. You see me, and I love that you let me see you, too. You’re patient and loving … and falling asleep on me. Wake up, Jamison.” Shoving her hand against my shoulder, she shakes me.

  I grunt, and she giggles before moving away from me and standing. “I guess I’ll be eating all the brownies myself.”

  I imagine getting to see her bent over the picnic basket in only her panties, but she left me too damn sated to even open my eyes.

  A splash of water hits me next, and I barely flinch.

  “Shit!” I roll over and sit straight up after ice cold water pours over my back. Avery’s smirking as she holds up the two red Solo cups we were drinking from.

  “It says in Appendix C that you must talk to your girlfriend after she … you know.”

  I grin up at her. “Say it, Ave.”

  “No, I’m not saying it. It’s embarrassing.”

  “If you hadn’t made me feel so damn good doing … you know, I could chat. It’s payback time, baby.” Reaching my arm over the dock, I drag it through the water and bring it up to splash her.

  Joining in with the birds above us, she squawks and bends her leg up, along with shielding her face, but I don’t stop. I do it over and over, soaking her good.

  “Hayden, don’t! It’s not funny anymore.” Oh, man, that was her mad voice. Jumping to my feet, I circle her waist with my arm and bring her in for a hug.

  “Ah, baby, I’m sorry. I was just playin’.” Hearing someone behind me, I glance over my shoulder. “Oh, fuck.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Hayden

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the one and only Hayden Knight,” my cousin Ricky says. Turning my body to face him, I shove Avery behind me at the same time.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “That’s how you’re going to greet your favorite cousin? Next month it will be a year since we’ve seen each other.”

  I feel Avery’s head come around me, taking a peek. “Avery, get dressed,” I say assertively.

  “But why did he call you Knight?”

  “Get dressed!”

  She huffs but moves to grab her dress from the dock. Ricky grins. His long dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and he’s wearing a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt.

  “When your aunt told me where I could find you, I thought you might be back here sulking, but I should’ve known you’d be getting a piece.”

  He’s looking around me, watching Avery dress, and I want to jab his eyes out.

  “Damn, she’s hot.”

  “Ricky, shut it.” Looking back, I see Avery straightening out her sundress and slipping on her shoes.

  I grip her hand and pull her down the dock toward him. When we’re almost there, I come to a stop and spin around.

  “You need to go straight home.”

  “Why can’t I meet him?”

  I groan. “Go home like I said!”

  “Geez, fine.” Jerking her hand away, she stomps around me. I catch up to her, and she veers off to the right, away from Ricky. Her head turns back, and she eyes him hard.

  He’s staring, too, his gaze following her until she’s on the path and out of sight. His eyes finally settle on mine again.

  “I see you’re keeping yourself busy in Indiana.”

  “Let’s go up to the house and talk.”

  “Why can’t we hang out here?” He’s looking around the clearing. “This sure is different than back home. I’m diggin’ all the green.”

  I can’t tell him I don’t want him back here because this is my sacred spot with Avery now, so I start walking toward the house, giving him no choice but to follow me.

  Once we’re in my room, he plops down on my bed and strips off his jacket. “That damn drive wore me out. I could use a nap.” He falls back, leaving his legs hanging over the end.

  “I thought you’d be patched in by now. Why aren’t you wearing your cut?” I ask as I search for a t-shirt to put on.

  I thought for sure he’d be wearing his vest from having become an official member of the Knights Union.

  “Yeah, so did I until our fight last June. Apparently, the members told Watts and your pop I’m not mature enough because of the shit that went down, so I have to bide my time.”

  He grins over at me. “It’s still a real struggle for me to stay out of trouble.”

  “I guess some things never change.”

  “Damn, why so serious? I thought you’d be stoked to see someone from back home.”

  “I am, but you caught me off guard. Avery doesn’t know much about my past, and I’ve been trying to keep it that way for her safety. Are you sure you weren’t followed here?”

  “So, she’s not just a piece of ass.”

  “No, she’s not. Answer me. Is there any chance you were followed here?”

  “No. Have you forgotten everyone thinks you’re dead?” Sitting up, he reaches in one of the pockets of his jacket and pulls out a cell phone. “Your dad sent me. You’re supposed to call him from this.”

  “Cool.” I swipe the cell phone from him. “How long are you staying? Don’t you have school tomorrow?”

  “Nope. I didn’t go back this year. Watts didn’t think it would be safe for me to be there after what happened, so I got my GED.”

  Watts is his dad and my uncle Ned. He’s also the vice president of the Knights Union. My dad, Doug, who goes by the nickname Hawk, is the president.

  “Wow, things really have changed.” I smile to lighten the mood. “Just like you’re not that scrawny-ass kid you were a year ago.”

  “Hey, man, I even have a few chest hairs.” We both laugh, and my tension eases. “Everyone does believe you’re dead, man, and every day it sucks.

  “Your dad might’ve sent me here, but I wanted to come and see you. I’ve missed you, cuz. I’m also here to ask you to go back with me.”

  “You know I can’t do that.”

  “Yeah, yeah, Hawk made that call, but if you show up, what’s he gonna do about it? Everyone will see you’re alive, and then there will be no turning back. He won’t want to admit it, but he’ll be ecstatic to have you there, so he’ll get over being pissed.”

  “That would be like hitting the red button for a nuclear attack on Marksmen Steel. Do you honestly think they wouldn’t retaliate?

  “As soon as they saw it wasn’t an eye for an eye, Trevor’s death for mine, they’d seek revenge. They’d especially be angry they were deceived.”

  He waves his arm my direction.

  “Ah, we can take them.”

  “They’ll kill the both of
us, Ricky. They’ll eventually catch us alone or off guard, just like their kids did last summer, and they won’t hesitate to take us out.”

  “Are you telling me you’re really going to stay away forever? We were supposed to run the club one day. You and me, the president and vice president. I don’t want to do it without you. It will be like you really died.”

  Looking away from him, I run a hand over my messy hair.

  “Man, I know, and I’m sorry, but I’m certain Pop is never going to allow me to return, so I’ve decided to move on. I’m going to live my life here with Avery. It’s what my mom wanted, anyway.”

  He stands and paces before pointing a finger at me.

  “She wasn’t a member and didn’t get to make that call. She’s not even alive anymore.”

  “You’re right, but Hawk decides, not you, and he said for me to never return.”

  “I really thought once you saw me you wouldn’t be able to resist going back, but you’re different now.”

  “I am. I finally made peace with this fucked up situation that I can’t change unless I want to die. Unless I want you to die. It’s not happening, Ricky. Hell, Pop and Watts could die, too. I can’t risk that.”

  “Maybe I should go.”

  “No, man. You drove forever to get here. Stay and you can crash in one of the guest rooms. We can catch up.”

  “Alright. Show me where it is. I’ll take a nap while you call Hawk. Just consider what I said. Maybe if you talk to him, he’ll let you come back.

  “We can find a way to deal with Marksmen Steel. There’s always a way. Hell, you can bring that smokin’ hot chick with you, too, and she can one day be your old lady.”

  “I’d never let Avery be a part of that life. Come on.”

  Once I take Ricky to another room, I return to mine and make the call to my father. Walking back and forth across the floor, I grip the back of my neck and wait for him to answer.

  “Hello, son.”

  “Pop.” Hearing his deep, gravelly voice opens the flood gates. I swallow down the cry that wishes to escape.