Page 102 of Freeing Souls

“I know,” I mutter.

“When something traumatic happens, you run from anything that can draw out your emotions,” Cayden says. My gaze snaps to his, and he just smirks at me. “Play now. Prove me wrong.”

“You know you're right. You're just trying to push me,” I grumble.

“You don’t have to play right now,” Grayson comments, shooting Cade a look. “But this is yours. We all pitched in and saved everything we could so we could get you something better than a keyboard. When the others found out, they all pitched in too.”

“The others?” I question.

“Axe and Presley, Stone and Raven, Nerds, Sugar, and Noah,” Ryker says before he chuckles softly. “Carly wanted to help too, but Sugar wouldn’t let her since she is finishing up college classes and not working right now.”

“Thank you. I don’t know– I appreciate this more than you know, but it’s so much.” I clear my throat and blink away the tears pooling in my eyes.

“It’s alright. We didn’t expect you to jump up and down and be super excited. We just want to see you happy, and this can bring you so much joy if you allow it,” Grayson says, pressing his lips to my forehead.

I’ve played occasionally when no one is around, like now. Since Brielle and her guys are living in Jacksonville, we are all working at the gym the guys own here. It has been a learning curve, but it’s enjoyable since we all love going to the gym anyway. All three of them went into the gym today, Cade to work out, Grayson to do some payroll stuff for the other employees, and Ryker is sitting in on classes because he has been thinking about becoming an instructor in the future.

Not wanting to think about how therapy was a failure and not something I am going to try again, I warm up by running through scales and arpeggios.

My fingers naturally move on after a while into a piece I haven’t played in years, a simple song my mom taught me when I was younger. I used to sit and listen to her play it as she would sing along.

The notes come naturally, and my fingers glide across the keys as I work through the song, emotions clogged in my throat. My eyes fall shut, and I feel as if I can see my mom standing on the other side of the piano, singing and dancing as she listens to me. She used to glow when I would play or master something new. I think if she had been given the chance to live the life she wanted, she would have pursued music, especially teaching in some way because she was always so patient and willing to go over things until I felt comfortable.

A hand glides across my back as a solid body sits beside me on the piano bench. I don’t flinch or panic like I have in the past. Instead, my body melts against his as I keep my eyes closed and finish the song.

The second my fingers leave the keys, my eyes open as he moves his over the keys, and I join in a few moments later as I recognize the melody that he is playing. When we finish, Ryker tilts his head towards me as he reaches over to gently wipe the tears from my cheeks. “Why were you crying, little flame?” he murmurs softly.

“I haven’t played that since before Mom died. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to again.”

“Just a reminder of the fact that you are stronger than you think,” Grayson comments as he walks up next to Ryker and rests his hand on his shoulder. “I take it therapy was good then?”

An embarrassingly loud snort comes out of me. “Fuck no.” Ryker chuckles as I continue, “It wasn’t what I thought it would be, and I just don’t think it’s something I want to do.”

“That’s fine, beautiful. This is your healing journey. You get to decide how it goes.” Grayson smiles softly at me.

“I know. It’s just frustrating when I feel like I keep going backward and not forward.” I sigh and lean my head against Ryker’s shoulder.

“You came home today and played the piano as an outlet. I’d say that’s progress and a step forward. Appreciate every step you take, babe, even the tiny ones.”

I smile and stand, planning to go shower and get ready, seeing as we are planning to head on a trip after Cade gets home. I make it all of three steps before my wrist is grabbed and I’m pulled between Ryker’s legs, who has spun around on the bench so the piano is at his back. “Where are you off to?”

I raise a brow as his hands roam over my ass. “To get ready to go.”

Ry smirks and glances up at Grayson, who is still standing off to the side. “I don’t know, I think you may need a distraction before we go.”

“What kind of distraction?” I ask, tilting my head as I run my hands up the back of his neck and into his hair.

“I think it’s time for what we have talked about and have been preparing for.” A dark gleam shines in his blown pupils as he glances up at Grayson at the same I do.

Grayson’s cheeks are an adorable shade of red as he runs a hand behind his neck. “I–” He stops himself and bites his lip as he glances between us.

Ry grips my hips and gently pushes me back a step before standing and facing Grayson. He grips his chin between his fingers and pulls his bottom lip out from between his teeth. “Ifyou aren’t readymentally,that’s okay, baby. But your body is ready.” Ryker smirks at him.

Grayson groans and glances at me. “Fuck it,” he murmurs and steps around Ryker, pressing his lips against mine as he walks us backwards towards the couch.

A few months ago, Ryker told us about a fantasy of his, and Grayson and I both were intrigued but not ready—mostly Grayson. I know that Gray and Ry have been doing their own thing since then to prepare Grayson to take Ryker and now we are apparently about to do this. My heart thuds violently against my chest, a mix of nerves and excitement as Grayson pushes me down onto the couch and glances back at Ryker, who had been slowly following behind us.

Ryker grins at the both of us. “Strip.”

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