Page 12 of Tangled Hearts
Nic
I’m staring into the eyes of an angel. A fallen angel, and not even from Heaven—just in the middle of the living room, but still.
He’s got long, dark lashes coated in mascara, winged liner, glossy pink lips, a sheen of glitter on his cheeks, and a mess of black hair splayed across a pale, flawless forehead. My heart seems to have taken a tumble right along with him, and now I can’t do anything but stare down at his face. “I’m so fucking sorry,” I hear myself say. “Here, let me help you up.”
I slide my hands into his, pulling him carefully to his feet, and then brush my hands down his forearms to steady him when he wobbles a little.
Holden’s quick steps echo in the room. “Hey, Nic. Oh shit. What did you do to Eli?”
“Eli?” I drop my hands quickly. Oh holy fuck. Not a good first impression to make. “I’m so sorry for knocking you over,” I murmur, losing myself a little in those gorgeous fucking eyes. Holy shit—that’sdefinitelynot a thought I’m allowed to have. This is Eli. The Eli Holden hasn’t stopped talking about once. “Are you okay?”
Eli blinks at me, looking a little confused and a lot dazed, like he has no idea what’s happening around him and how he got here.
I’m getting a little concerned when his face twists into a grimace, his nose scrunching up in the most adorable way, but like he smells something disgusting. “You havegotto be fucking kidding me. Fucking Liam.”
Liam? Who’s that?
I shake my head slowly, honestly a little worried that I knocked out Holden’s favorite person and gave him a concussion or something. That’d be just my damn luck. “Uh, no. I’m Nic. I really am sorry for knocking you over, but I’m so happy to meet you. Holden’s told me a lot about you.”
I hold my hand out to attempt a handshake, and his eyes fall to it before his nose does that wrinkle again. When his eyes find mine, he looks a little disgusted, and it makes my heart sink. He took one look at me and is already disgusted? Ouch. It would be just like me to piss off someone important to Holden before I’ve even had a chance to properly meet everyone. “No,” he says. “Not that. You can’t be Nic.”
“Eli?” Holden says, stepping closer, the same concern I’m feeling mirrored in his voice. “Sit down, little bestie. Let me look at you.”
Holden grabs Eli’s hand, leading him to the couch while I stand mute. Holden cups Eli’s jaw, checks his eyes, and then makes him follow his finger. Holy shit, I may have actually given him a head injury.
“Is he okay?” I ask, finally stepping closer.
Eli’s green eyes shoot to me. “He’sjust fine, thank you,” he answers sharply.
I can’t help but chuckle. Feisty, this one. “Okay, good. I really am sorry.”
“What were you just standing in the doorway for, anyway? Huh? No manners?”
Holden damn near chokes. “Eli,” he admonishes, but it’s unnecessary.
I’m a little shocked, a lot intrigued, and honestly? Thoroughly amused. “Again, my sincerest apologies. Let’s have a do-over.” I sit down beside Eli, feigning more confidence than I actually feel, and hold my hand out again. He reluctantly shakes it. His fingers are smaller than mine, lithe and delicate like the rest of him, and his palm’s a little clammy. Probably my fault for knocking him to the ground like I did. “I’m Nic. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Eli.” Not so pleased to meet me then, it seems.
“Well,” Holden says, pulling my attention from Eli and to him. “This is starting off great.”
There’s a slight hitch in Eli’s breathing, but before I can dwell on it, he’s pushing to his feet. “I’m sorry I was late, Uncle Hold. I lost track of time because my stupid fucking wings weren’t working right.”
Holden grins, cupping Eli’s cheek affectionately, and it makes my chest feel tight. “No worries. You look great. Now come on, Julian’s finishing up dinner.”
Eli doesn’t even spare me a glance as he stands and makes his way into the kitchen. I blow out a breath as Holden watches him go. “I’m not sure he likes me. Kind of sucks to have already pissed off your nephew, I won’t lie.”
“Yeah,” Holden says with a sigh. “It’s strange. He’s not usually like that at all.”
Well, that doesn’t make me feel any better. I hum, standing from the couch. “Should I leave?”
“Of course not.” Holden turns to me with a smile. A genuine smile. “I’m happy to have you here.”
My heart gets a little warm and fuzzy, and when Holden starts toward the kitchen, I follow suit.
When we round the corner, Eli is sitting on the counter and Julian’s standing at the stove. I let my eyes fully take in Eli now that I’m not worried about head trauma. It takes approximately two seconds for me to realize that’s not at all a good idea. His shirt is hanging off his shoulder, revealing a delicate collarbone; a sliver of his stomach is visible, and the jeans he’s wearing look painted on. The massive holes in them are showing off black fishnets, and the entire ensemble is kind of frying my brain a little bit.
“Do you have an issue?”
