Honey Cut novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: Stitches

Orla stitched Kieran's eyebrow at the kitchen table with a needle and a bottle of vodka.

"Hold still," she said.

"I am holding still."

"You're flinching."

"I'm breathing."

"Stop that too."

She tied off the last stitch, snipped the thread, and stood back.

Then she looked at her brother, who was leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed.

She looked at me, perched on the counter by the sink.

"I have books to balance," she said, and left with her silver bob swinging.

The kitchen went quiet.

The fridge hummed.

Kieran sat at the table with a bag of frozen peas on his eye, shirt open, his chest a patchwork of bruises.

He wouldn't look up.

I slid off the counter and crossed the floor.

"Let me see."

"It's fine."

"Kieran."

He lowered the peas.

His left eye was swollen to a slit and the stitches stood out dark against the pale skin of his brow.

I put two fingers under his chin and tilted his face toward the light.

His breath caught.

"You can't do that," he said, very low.

"Do what?"

"Touch me. Not here. Not with him standing there."

"Kieran," Niall said from the door.

Kieran went rigid.

Niall came into the kitchen, unhurried, and stopped at the end of the table.

He looked at his brother, who was not his brother by blood.

They had slept down the hall from each other since they were eleven and fourteen years old.

He looked at me.

"I've known you for twenty-two years," Niall said. "Have I ever once asked you to lie to me?"

"No."

"Then don't start."

Kieran's throat moved.

"I want her," he said.

It came out of him.

"I've wanted her since before the wedding. Since before I knew your name was on it. I kissed her in the garage and I've been sick about it ever since, because you're all I have, Niall, you and Orla, and I'd cut my hand off before I did this to you."

Nobody moved.

I heard my own heartbeat.

"I know," Niall said.

"You... know?"

"I've watched you look at her for a week. I have eyes."

"Then why aren't you..."

"Because I'm not angry at you."

Niall's voice was low and even.

"I told Kit this afternoon that I wouldn't be the one who made her choose. I meant it. It's the only thing I know how to say right now." He looked at me. "Go on."

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