Page 79 of Healing Souls

“I promise it was nothing. We just have more information, and we want to tell you about it. No secrets, remember? But we have school, so let's talk right after, okay?”

I release his wrist quickly as if it burned me and give him a curt nod. “Fine.” Brushing past him, I head back around to go inside.

I know he isn’t being honest with me. What the hell changed so fast? Why would he just shut down? I’m opening myself up to them and this is what I get back? He distracts me with his body then gives me a half-assed explanation?

Ryker walks past me and heads over to where Cayden and Grayson seem to be waiting for him. Grayson says something and glances at me, but Ryker shakes his head and points out the door. They all turn and leave, and my rage increases. I need to work it off before I do or say something I regret.

Any time I was getting worked up at Brielle’s, Atlas would workout with me, and if he wasn’t around, I would run on the beach. I head upstairs and quickly change my panties and leggings because the other ones are still wet.

Ryker made me feel things. Well, he constantly makes me feel new things, but this is the first time I have felt cautious or worried.

Not understanding what happened this morning is going to bother me all day, and I know I need a distraction. I head back downstairs and look around. Gabriel, Colton, and Noah are in the main room talking and laughing about something. I hesitantly walk towards them, Noah being the first to see me.

“Well good morning, Princess.” I clench my fists at my sides, hating being called that. It sounds so condescending. He knows it too, as he looks at me up and down, the grin on his stupidly hot face widening.

“Mornin’, darlin’,” Colton greets.

“Good morning,” I say back to him. I glance at Gabriel and try to give him a small smile, “Hi.”

“Morning. I talked to Brielle earlier this morning,” Gabriel replies.

My eyes widen. “You did?”

He nods. “She and those two men are going to come visit on Saturday. We will have a big BBQ with them and all of the club. Does that sound okay?”

“Um, I guess, but why?” I ask with furrowed brows.

“It’s just for you, darlin’. We want everybody together for ya. You can get to know people around here more and know that Brielle and her men are always welcome here. They’re your family too,” Colton responds with a soft smile.

For such a giant of a man, his smile is extremely calming and welcoming. It’s hard to picture him as a badass biker because whenever I’ve seen him, he’s been like a giant teddy bear.

I nod my head. “That’s perfect.” Maybe seeing everyone together and getting along will help ease my mind. “Um, I really need to work out, but I wanted to spar. It’s something I used to do with Linc and Atlas. Could any of you maybe do it with me?” I ask, shoving my hands into the pockets of my hoodie and trying not to fidget.

“Of course. I would like to see what you know. It would be smart for you to keep up on that and continue to get stronger,” Gabriel says.

“How are you feelin’?” Colton asks, nodding down towards where I got shot.

I shrug. “It’s fine. Doesn’t hurt at all.” I’ve had a few twinges of pain but nothing enough to bother me. Pain is one thing I’m fairly comfortable with by now.

“Okay, well, let’s—” Gabriel stops talking when his phone starts going off. He checks it and sighs. “I need to go figure out what this is. Sugar?” Gabriel glances at him but doesn’t say anything else.

“No problem. How about you and I, Harley girl?” Colton asks.

I force a smile. “That sounds great.”And slightly terrifying. You’re huge.

“Alright. I’ll come down as soon as I’m done,” Gabriel says as he turns and heads down the hallway that holds the offices.

“Let’s go down to the gym.”

I stop Colton as he moves to pass me with a hand on his arm. “Um, could we maybe go out back? Fresh air sounds really nice right now.” I don’t want to admit that I am afraid to go down there without the boys with me, so hopefully he buys my reasoning.

Colton eyes for me a second before nodding. “Sure.”

We head outside behind the main house. In between Gabriel’s house and the back patio of the main building is a huge grass area. I stretch out and notice that Noah has followed us outside.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at him. “No.”

He smirks at me again. “No what, Princess?” He tilts his head at me before stepping towards Colton and I, ripping his t-shirt over his head. “I’m always down for a good sparring. I also want to see how good you are.”

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