Page 69 of Healing Souls

Grayson’s voice takes over. “Harley, stay with us. Remember that you aren’t there. Open your eyes and look around you. See the differences. This is not the same. You are safe.”

My eyes snap open and meet beautiful green ones, with Grayson giving me a soft smile.

“Good job, beautiful. Now, look around me. What do you see?”

I swallow, obeying as my eyes dart around. “White walls, hardwood stairs, light at the top of the stairs, light downstairs. Not the same,” I breathe.

“Not the same,” Grayson and Ryker say back at the same time.

Ryker lifts my hand to his lips and gently kisses the back of it. “Think you can do it?”

Rolling my shoulders, I nod as Grayson’s hands fall from my cheeks. “Yes.”

Ryker grins at me. “My brave little flame.”

I feel a smile break out on my face, and I glance down, taking Grayson’s hand in my other one and starting up the stairs with both of them in tow. There isn’t enough room for all three of us to walk side by side, so Ryker is slightly behind me but still holding my hand as we climb the stairs.

Once back to the main level, I let them know I’m going to shower and then come back downstairs.

Heading into my room, I go into the bathroom and stare at the broken mirror. A few hours ago, I was starting to feel hopeless, like my mind will never be at ease, but now it feels calmer. Something inside me is healing. Like my heart is very slowly being put back together.

Staring at my broken reflection, I know now that I have to stay here. There are so many things I need answers about, and the only way to get them is to face the people here.

Ryker, Grayson, and Cayden calm the storm that is constantly brewing inside me, and I can’t even picture letting that go. As scary as it is to open up to them, I think it hurts more not to let them in. Like my soul knows that it needs them.

Maybe, just maybe, they are the missing piece to what I have needed all this time. Maybe they can help me get the revenge I crave.

Cayden

“Are you going running?” Noah asks from behind me.

I nod but don’t look back as I keep heading towards the backdoor.

“Bear hasn’t been around all day.” His voice is louder as he catches up to me.

“I let him stay out. There was too much going on around here.” I shrug.

Normally, I make Bear come back with me and stay leashed up at night out back or come inside for the night because he will spend all his time out in the woods and probably never come home if he didn’t have to.

I can’t blame the dog. Sometimes I think I would do the same if I could. Be out in the woods with no one around? Sounds fucking peaceful.

“Alright. Be safe,” Noah sighs.

I grunt and take off out the door, jogging across the yard and by Rage’s house before heading towards the woods. When I come across the trail head, I turn down it and start sprinting through the trees, pushing myself as hard as I can.

Not long into my run, a howl sounds before a black furball zooms by me and then slows to match my pace.

I smirk down at Bear as he sticks his giant ass tongue out and runs alongside me. We soon locate the trail that goes along the perimeter of the property and follow it.

I stay out here running for as long as my body can stand, which now is a few hours. It gives me a good distraction. Besides working on my art, running is my escape. I didn’t realize how much it would actually bother me trying to keep my distance from Ryker and Grayson. Most of the time, they drive me insane, and I usually want to punch Ryker, but I feel like something is missing now.

I know Grayson wanted me to just be around anyway and try to be Harley’s friend, but I don’t know if I can do that. She doesn't belong to me no matter how badly I wish she did. She is Ryker’s even if she doesn't know it yet.

I feel things I have never felt before when I am around Harley, and that is a dangerous thing for me. So, keeping my distance until I can drown out these feelings for a girl I hardly know is the best thing to do.

She likes them, and I am no good for her. They will be what she needs.

It’s the only reason I let Steph stay around. She is annoying as fuck, but she is helping me to kind of keep my mind off of Harley. I know Ryker and Grayson hate me for it, but someday they will see why I have done all of this. It’s for them. I want them to be happy however they work things out.

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