Page 59 of Healing Souls

“Were you raped, Harley?”

My brows furrow as my eyes search his face. “No. Why would you think that?”

He sighs and rubs a hand over his forehead. “Just lots of reasons, the biggest one being you flinching and the screaming nightmares you had when you were first shot. You were abused, though. Weren’t you?”

I nod slowly.

“And your voice? They did something to it?”

Again, I nod.

“I’m not asking you to tell me anything right now, but if you need someone to talk to, I’m around. And if you need or want anything checked by doctors, I can take you to the best I know.” He points at my throat. “Getting that checked out would probably be wise. Sometime soon.”

“Okay.” I can’t muster up the courage to say anything more.

“Alright.” He claps his hands together. “Let’s take a look at these and hopefully get them out of you.”

A little while later, I am stitch free. He numbed the area when he took them out, but I don’t think it would have mattered. I barely felt anything the entire time I had the stitches in. Guess that’s what happens when you are tortured for three fucking years: You become numb to the pain.

As I walk out of the medical room, I can feel my phone buzz in my pocket twice, so I pull it out and read the texts.

Ryker:Sitting in here makes me think of you. I could watch you play for hours. This was my favorite part of the day, the month you went here with us.

The second text is a picture of the piano we used to play last semester when I went there. I smile down at my phone, remembering how that was my favorite class for not only the piano but for him. He always made it fun, and it was fun to play with him. I miss having a piano.

Part of me is scared to really play again. What if all I can think about is Tammy forcing me to play and all the memories it will bring up? I played in school, but that also wasn’t by choice. Tammy picked that class for me.

Piano was Mom and I’s thing. What if…What if Tammy has ruined that?

I never talked about playing or finding a piano at Brielle’s because I wasn’t ready to face it yet, but now staring at the picture and seeing his text, my fingers are twitching to just run over the keys again or play certain notes and pretend I can hear my mom standing around the house matching the pitch with her beautiful, soothing voice.

I walk around the main room, unsure of what to do now. Since I got shot, Ryker or Grayson have been with me at all times. This is the first time I’m alone, and something about it feels wrong. Like being away from them is wrong.

But I’ve been alone for so long that I don’t need them. So why won’t the feeling in my stomach go away?

Maybe I should text Ryker and tell him I want him to come home. I bet he would.

I shake my head at the thought and slide my phone back into my pocket. I decide to just head back upstairs until the boys get home.

As I get to the hall where the stairs are, I hear a soft voice say my name. Turning to look at the other end of the hall, I see Presley, the only other woman I have seen around here looking at me from the entrance to the kitchen.

“Yeah?” I raise a brow.

She gives me a soft smile. “Come meet Raven. We’re just getting ready to sit down and eat lunch. You can eat with us.”

“Um, I was just going—” I start but then get interpreted by an unfamiliar voice.

“Bullshit. Come on. Come have lunch with us. We don’t bite. Promise!” A bright, bubbly pink-haired girl pops out from behind Presley. Her face is bright and welcoming, even more so than Presley, and sports a nose ring, her hair falling in long waves.

“Um, alright,” I say hesitantly.

Walking towards them, I notice that Presley is in a lengthy dress that reminds me of Bri. She loves wearing dresses and Raven, despite how bright of a person she seems to be, dons all-black leather pants, a cropped top, and a leather jacket.

Attempting to be friendly, I say, “I love your outfit.”

She beams, “Thank you! I’m Raven, by the way. I am dating the broodiest member of the club, Stone.”

“Come on, Harley. We were just going to take this outside to eat since it’s nice and sunny. Grab a bowl and get some pasta and come out with us,” Presley says.

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