Chapter 12
EVERLY
I wake up with Rush's arm around my waist and sunlight streaming through the window.
For a second, I think I imagined last night, that I'm going to roll over and find my bed empty like every other morning. But his breathing is steady against my neck and his hand is splayed across my stomach, warm and possessive even in sleep.
He stayed. He actually stayed.
I don't move. I just lie there feeling the weight of him against me, the heat of his skin, the solid certainty of his presence.
This is real. Last night wasn't just sex. It was a choice, his and mine, and he's still here.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand and I reach for it carefully, trying not to wake him.
It's a text from Maya.
Maya: Where are you? We were supposed to meet at the lab.
Shit, I completely forgot.
Me: Sorry, something came up. Can we reschedule?
Maya: Something or someone?
I glance at Rush. His face is relaxed in sleep, younger somehow without the tension he usually carries.
Me: Someone.
Maya: DETAILS. NOW.
Me: Later. I promise.
Maya: You’d better.
I set my phone down and Rush's arm tightens around me.
"You're awake," he says, his voice rough with sleep.
"How do you know?"
"Your breathing changed."
"That's creepy."
"That's observant."
I turn in his arms to face him. His hair is messy and his eyes are still half-closed. There's a crease on his cheek from my pillow.
"Morning," I say.
"Morning."
"You stayed."
"I said I would."
"I know, but I wasn't sure you meant it. You have a history of saying things and then panicking."
His hand comes to my face, thumb brushing across my cheekbone. "I meant it."
We lie there looking at each other and the reality of what happened settles in.
I'm not ashamed or unsure. I'm just aware that everything is different now.
Last night, we crossed a line and there's no going back.
"You okay?" he asks.
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah."
"No regrets?"
"No. You?"
"No regrets."
He pulls me closer and I rest my head on his chest, listen to his heartbeat, steady and strong.
"I should make coffee," I say.
"In a minute."
"Rush, it's already past nine."
"Don't care."
"You're going to be late for the clubhouse."
"Let them wait."
I smile against his chest. "Very alpha of you, making the whole club wait because you're too busy cuddling."
"I'm not cuddling."
"You are absolutely cuddling."
"I'm holding you. There's a difference."
"What's the difference?"
"Holding sounds more masculine."
I laugh and the sound makes him pull me tighter. "You're ridiculous."
"You like it."
"I tolerate it."
"Liar."
Twenty minutes later, we're in my tiny kitchen. Rush is leaning against the counter in his jeans and nothing else. I'm wearing his shirt because mine is somewhere on the bedroom floor.
It's domestic and quiet and surprisingly comfortable.
I make coffee and hand him a cup. He takes it and pulls me between his legs.
"This is nice," he says.
"What is?"
"This, you, being here."
"It's my flat. Where else would I be?"
His mouth curves. "You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do."
I take a sip of coffee and watch him over the rim of my cup. He's relaxed in a way I haven't seen before.
Not tense, not on guard, just present.
The morning light coming through the window catches the ink on his chest and arms, makes the lines stand out against his skin.
"You're staring," he says.
"You're shirtless in my kitchen. I'm allowed to stare."
"Fair enough."
"Besides, you stared at me plenty last night."
"I did."
"And this morning."
"Also true."
I set my cup down and reach up to touch the tattoo on his chest, trace the lines with my finger.
"What's this one?" I ask.
"Ruby's birthday in Roman numerals."
"And this?"
"Coordinates to where I grew up."
"Why?"
"To remember where I came from."
I trace another one, a raven on his ribs. "And this is the Vipers’ sigil."
He nods. "I got it after I joined the Vipers."
"You have a lot of ink."
"Started getting it in juvie, kept going after I got out. It was a way to mark time, to have something that was mine."
The honesty in his voice makes my chest tight. He doesn't talk about juvie much and I know it's not easy for him.
"I like them," I say.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. They suit you."
He pulls me closer and kisses me, slow and deep.
When he pulls back I'm breathless.
"So what happens now?" I ask.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean we slept together and you're still here—what happens next?"
"We keep doing this."
"That's it? That's your plan?"
"Yeah. Why? You want something more complicated?"
"No. I'm just making sure you're not going to panic and run the second you leave here. You have a track record of overthinking and spiraling."
His hand tightens on my hip. "I'm not running."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. I chose you, Everly. I meant that."
The certainty in his voice makes my chest warm.
"Okay," I say.
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay. I believe you."
"You don't sound convinced."
"I'm cautiously optimistic."
He almost smiles. "Fair enough."
"I mean, you've given me a lot of reasons to be cautious. The whole hot and cold thing, the pushing me away, the—"
"I get it," he cuts me off. "But I'm done with that."
"We'll see."
"You're going to make me work for it."
"Absolutely."
"Good. I'd be worried if you weren't."
We finish our coffee in comfortable silence, then Rush pulls me in for another kiss.
It's slower this time, deeper. His hands slide under the shirt I'm wearing, his palms warm against my skin.
When he pulls back I'm breathless and wanting.
"What was that for?" I ask.
"Because I wanted to."
"You keep doing that."
"Problem?"
"No, just noticing a pattern."
"Get used to it."
We show up at the clubhouse together that afternoon and the old ladies notice immediately.
Gráinne sees us walk in and her eyes go wide, Chloe grins like she won a bet, and Caoimhe nudges Ailbhe, who's heavily pregnant and glowing.
"Well, this is new," Chloe says as we approach their table.
"What is?" I ask innocently.
"You two, together, not hiding."
"We weren't hiding before."
"You absolutely were hiding. Rush was lurking in corners watching you like some intense stalker."
Rush's hand goes to my hip and stays there. "I wasn't lurking."
"You were definitely lurking," I say.
"See? Even she admits it," Chloe laughs.
We sit down with them and the dynamic is different, lighter somehow.
Rush doesn't let go of me. His hand stays on my hip or my thigh—casual touches that claim without words.
"So," Gráinne says, her eyes sparkling. "You two are really doing this."
"Yeah," Rush says.
"And Diesel knows?"
"Yeah, he knows."
"And he didn't kill you?"
"Not yet."
Chloe laughs. "This is going to be interesting."
"Why?" I ask.
"Because your dad is terrifying and Rush is dating his daughter. That's like poking a bear with a stick."
"I'm aware."
"Are you prepared for the fallout?"
I think about it, take a sip of my wine. "No, but I'm not backing down either."
"Good," Ailbhe says. "Because your dad's going to lose his mind, but you deserve to be happy."
"Thanks."
Gráinne leans forward. "How long has this been going on?"
"Not long."
"Define not long."
"Does it matter?"
"Yes. We need details."
I glance at Rush. He's trying not to smile. "You're on your own for this one."
"Thanks for the support."
"Anytime."
Chloe laughs. "Come on, Everly, give us something. We've been watching you two circle each other for weeks."
"Fine. It's new, it's real, and I'm happy. That's all you're getting."
"For now," Gráinne says. "But we'll wear you down eventually."
I'm talking to Ailbhe about her pregnancy when Ciara appears beside me.
"Hey Everly," she says with a bright smile. "Can I steal you for a second?"
"Sure."
We walk toward the bar and she orders a drink. Her body language is friendly and open.
Too friendly.
"So, you and Rush," she says.
"Yeah."
"That's great. I'm really happy for you guys."
The words sound genuine but there's something underneath, something sharp that doesn't match her smile.
"Thanks," I say.
"I just wanted to say, you know, if you ever need anything or have questions, I'm here. I've known Rush for a while now and he can be...complicated."
"Complicated how?"
"Oh, you know, just intense. He has a hard time letting people in, and when he does he can be a bit much. He gets in his head a lot."
The comment is subtle but pointed. It implies I don't know what I'm getting into.
"I think I can handle it," I say.
"Of course, I'm sure you can. You seem really sweet." She pauses. "I'm just saying, Rush doesn't really do serious relationships. He's more of a keep-things-casual kind of guy. At least that's what I've seen."
There it is—the implication that this is temporary, that I'm not special.
"Good thing we're not casual then," I say evenly.
Her smile tightens slightly. "Right, of course. I just meant that he's been through a lot and sometimes he needs space, you know? Like when things get heavy, he tends to pull back. It's not personal; it's just how he is."
"Thanks for the warning."
"It's not a warning, just... friendly advice. From someone who cares about him."
"I'm sure he appreciates having such a good friend."
She doesn't miss the edge in my voice but she smiles anyway. "Well, if you ever need someone to talk to who gets it, I'm here. It can be hard being with someone who's that closed off."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Great." She touches my arm briefly. "I really do hope it works out for you guys."
The concern sounds genuine but it doesn't feel genuine. It feels like she's already planning for when it doesn't.
"Thanks," I say flatly.
Rush appears beside me and Ciara's entire demeanor shifts instantly. Her smile gets brighter and her body language opens up.
"Hey Rush," she says warmly. "I was just telling Everly that if she ever needs anything, I'm here."
"That's nice of you," Rush says.