Page 35 of Hearts Held
Tilly cocks her head, interested. “What game?”
“The game we need two nurses for,” Everett vaguely explains as he takes a drink of water. I notice the strong, scarred muscles along his neck and the way his throat bobs with each swallow. I’ve never realized these small details that can make a man so attractive.
In a moment I feel something pushed into my left arm, and glance over to find a glass of water.
“Thirsty?” Tilly asks as a mischievous grin dawns upon her face.
Grabbing the glass, I clear my throat and sheepishly mutter, “Thank you.”
“We will be playing hockey with some of the guys. We do it before they get inducted into the Afton Adders. Something fun and bonding before the more serious ceremony,” Bobby explains.
“I love hockey! May I play?” Tilly asks, her eyes glimmering up at Bobby, full of joy and anticipation.
“You wanna play hockey?” he asks, giving her the same look back, as if they were the only individuals within the restaurant.
Tilly responds, “Yes! I have three brothers and I’m familiar with hockey, wrestling, cricket and more!” She lists each sport on her dainty fingers as Bobby leans in, eating up every word.
Then Bobby grabs her hands and states, “Will you marry me?”
I nearly spit out my water as I hear Everett make an incomprehensible sound beside me.
“You just fucking met!” Everett growls.
Bobby outstretches a hand at Tilly, presenting her like a royal heir. “A woman that appreciates sports and is a nurse. So, she is much more intelligent than any of our gents on the block, and is as gorgeous as an angel. I’m in love. Fuck you, you romantically impotentbellend.”
Everett glowers at his enthusiastic younger brother just as our food arrives at the table, ending the conversation.
Once finished with lunch, Bobby invites Tilly to embark on a ride to the hockey rink on the back of his motorcycle. Tilly doesn’t hesitate in reaching for his hand upon leaving the booth. As we leave for our respective modes of transportation, Bobby gives Tilly his motorcycle helmet and turns to face me.
“Bri? Will you be all right riding with him alone?” The look in his eyes is one of genuine concern. Though Bobby loves his brother, he knows what a dangerous creature he is.
Tilly’s helmet-adorned head pops up from behind Bobby’s towering side as she remarks, “Oh, she will bemorethan all right. Let’sgo!” She winks up at me then excitedly pulls Bobby’s attention back to the motorbike. He looks down on her and proceeds to cup her face. So much adoration is contained within his glance.
I think this is what the phrase “love at first sight” looks like.
“You’re so fucking cute,” he states, then gets onto the bike and waves a hand at Everett’s driver, parked behind him in the black Morris Cowley.
After admiring the adorable interactions between Bobby and Tilly, I turn to find Everett standing next to his vehicle with his hands in his pockets, staring at me. Something I’m slowly getting used to.
Though his looks are not soft or full of adoration, as Bobby’s are for Tilly.
Everett’s stare is observant, hard to read, and quite frankly I figure he’s judging my dumb arse, for I’m utterly lost in this world.
I have no idea how to have fun and flirt the way Tilly naturally does.
“Dove, if you feel uncomfortable with me, I can find another means of transportation to the rink. Just say so. I expect complete transparency from you,” he says, softening his facial features. I wonder if his brother’s question impacted him in some manner.
I move toward the vehicle.
Toward him.
Daring to step outside my comfort zone and “tap into something,” as Tilly mightsay.
“Strangely, I’ve never felt more comfortable with a man than I have been near you.” I look into his amber eyes, hoping he can feel how sincere I am—for being comfortable around men is a very difficult feat for me.
He cocks his observant face to the side. “Really? What about my brother Bobby? You seem very comfortable around him.”
I smile and retort, “I know he would protect me, but I do not agree with some of his questionable life choices. For example, my first time meeting him, he pissed off the Italian mafioso in London.”
