Page 44 of Protecting his Heart

It destroyed so many lives, but on the other hand, they wouldn’t be where they were today if it hadn’t happened. So, as much as it pained him to say it, maybe it was all meant to be. He just wished Amy hadn’t had to suffer for it.

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Chapter 14

Owen

The need to visit Amy came out of nowhere, but it felt right. Owen hadn’t visited her for a few months, but he wanted to share his birthday with her. As they set out, Evan linked their fingers, their other hands holding flowers and chocolate. They should’ve probably taken the car with how cold it was and how unsteady he still felt from the previous night, but he wanted to walk. It only took half an hour, and the sun was still shining. Besides, they worked up a sweat by the time they reached the cemetery.

As they drew closer to where Amy rested, he remembered the time she borrowed his sleeping bag to take on a school trip, and he filled the bottom with plastic snakes before giving it to her. Apparently, her scream had sent many people running to their room. She had cursed up a storm when she returned.

He stopped beside her gravestone, the marble still looking clean and fresh. His mother visited at least once a month and cleaned it up whenever she did. Owen did it sometimes, too. Only the best for his pain in the ass sister.

“Hey, bumblebee,” he said, crouching and setting the flowers down. He undid the wrapper, and Evan handed him the multipurpose tool he kept in his pocket to help cut the stems down. “Can you believe the news about me and Evan?” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “I remember you shouting at us many times and saying we should be together. It wasn’t the curseyou thought it was because I’d always wanted him. I played it close to my chest, though. Not many people knew. But by god, Amy, you were one smart cookie.” He shook his head, placing the cut flowers into the vase built into the stone.

“You were a pain in the butt, little sis, but we love you,” Evan said. “Dominic does, too. No matter what we do, you’ll always be a part of our family. It’s a shame you didn’t get to see May grow up. Dominic’s little sister is a spitfire, and I’m sure you would’ve been thick as thieves.” He crouched on the opposite side, laying the chocolate bar in front of the flowers.

Owen chuckled. “They would’ve been a menace together. Absolute dynamite.” He finished the flowers, including the ones Evan brought, and it brightened up the black marble. He sighed. “Fuck, Amy. Life can be so unfair.”

Evan stood, and they met at the base of the grave. Evan slipped his arms around him, and Owen relaxed against him. He stared at the grave for a long while, but finally, he noticed Evan’s chattering teeth, and he pulled away, his own body feeling the chill. The sun was deceptive.

“Sorry. Come on. Let’s go back home and get warm.” He winked, and Evan chuckled, his breath puffing a cloud around them. He turned back to his sister. “See you soon, bumblebee.”

They wandered back to the street and towards the house, a little quicker than their usual walking pace, and when they made it inside the house, they both stamped their feet, trying to get the circulation back into them.

“Go jump in the shower to warm up, and I’ll get the coffee started.”

Owen shook his head. “No, you go.” Evan narrowed his eyes, and Owen’s breath hitched. “Okay, I’ll go,” he mumbled, heading for the bathroom.

He would’ve loved to have Evan in the shower with him, but they probably wouldn’t warm up as quickly because the waterwouldn’t reach part of them. So it made sense to do it separately. As he stood under the spray, he closed his eyes. Birthdays were for celebration, but he often found himself thinking about his life and what parts of it he was happy or unhappy with. This year, there were a lot more things he was happy about. Last year, he had wished for Evan to return home, and he had. What could he wish for that year? Long-lasting love? The chance to show Evan how sorry he was? He wasn’t sure, but he wanted everything. And the only way he was going to get that was by taking a chance.

He switched off the shower and dried off, dressing in clean clothes and went to find Evan. May as well start now. Evan was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his hands wrapped around a coffee mug. Owen stopped right in front of him and took the cup from his hands before cupping his jaw.

Meeting Evan’s gaze, he said, “I love you.”

Evan closed his eyes, a shiver working its way through his body that Owen believed had nothing to do with being cold. Owen brushed his thumbs across his cheeks, and Evan’s fingers gripped Owen’s waist. He waited. He didn’t need Evan to reply because he’d heard what he’d whispered the other night, even if he had been half asleep at the time. He wasn’t the only one taking a chance, and that made it easier to acknowledge.

Evan opened his eyes again, heat building inside them. “I love you, too.” He inhaled. “If you ever push me away again, I won’t survive it, Owen. You’re it for me. It’s always been you. And it will destroy me if you back out. I need you to be sure. I know we’ve been together already, but I’ll be honest, I’ve held myself back. If you are at all unsure about this, you need to tell me now.”

Owen gulped. If Evan had been holding himself back, what the hell was Owen in for? But there was no sliver of doubt inside him. “I’m yours. There’s only one way we’re stopping this now…”He didn’t finish the sentence, but Evan understood. He could see it in his eyes.

“That was your final chance to let go. Are you ready for what being mine entails?”

Owen swallowed again and nodded. “Yes. No matter what it is, I know I can take it, and I know you’ll never hurt me.” Evan opened his mouth, but Owen put his finger over the top. “But remember, if I can’t back out, you can’t leave.”

A wave of sadness passed through Evan’s eyes for a moment before it was gone, and then he nodded, and Owen removed his finger so he could speak. “There is nothing on this earth that can make me leave. Not now.”

Owen crashed his mouth to Evan’s, the latter letting him for a few seconds before grabbing his jaw and pushing him back. Evan’s eyes had hardened. “Who’s in charge?”

“You are,” Owen gasped as Evan’s fingers tightened, his thumb sliding into Owen’s mouth.

“This is the last chance for you to give your opinion before I take over and give you what you need. What do you want?”

Owen sucked on Evan’s thumb before closing his eyes. Evan pulled his thumb free, and Owen said, “I want whatever you want to give me.”

“Good boy.” Evan smashed their lips together, biting at his lower lip and sliding his tongue around his mouth as if reacquainting himself with his taste. Owen relaxed his neck, his head falling back, trusting Evan to hold him up. He whimpered when Evan pulled back. “On your knees.”

Owen dropped to the floor like a marionette, uncaring of the hard surface. Opening his eyes, he met Evan’s blazing gaze, waiting for instructions. Evan’s hand brushed across his cheek.

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