Page 84 of Freeing Souls

Doing all our homework at this kitchen table and my dad always popping in to make sure we were working.

Him coming in to bring me my driver’s license when I got it.

This house holds so much, and I will always love it, even if it’s not my home.

“Harley?” someone shouts as the back door is thrown open.

I spin around and spot Raven, Carly, Presley, and Jayce coming inside. “Hush, Raven! She could be sleeping.”

“She’s not sleeping.” Raven rolls her eyes at Presley when she spots me standing in the kitchen.

“What are you guys doing?” I chuckle.

“Looking for you,” Carly says as she walks over to me and wraps me up in her arms.

“We heard about Killer and Tank and wanted to check in on you,” Presley says.

“I’m good. I’m glad they are being dealt with,” I tell them.

“What's on your mind then? Something is bothering you,” Raven says, crossing her arms over her chest.

Taking a deep breath, I explain, “I just am realizing I don’t know what I want to do with my life, but I also kind of do, and I’m just not sure how everyone will feel, because–” I’m no longer able to hold back the tears, and they fall down my face slowly. Jayce’s eyes widen as he walks steadily up to me and lifts his arms up.

“He wants you to hold him,” Presley giggles when I just stare down, wide eyed.

When I bend down to pick him up, he drops his toy car and hooks his arms around my neck, whispering, “Mama says hugs make sad bedder.”

I hold onto him tightly, fairly uncomfortable holding a child but also comforted by his sweetness. He is definitely Presley’s son.

Raven clears her throat. “Anyway, continue?”

Presley nudges her with her elbow. “Give her a minute,” she mutters.

“You guys are what I imagine two sisters are like.” I chuckle through the tears.

Carly rolls her eyes. “More like two twins that are polar opposites but yet the exact same.”

Taking a deep breath, I continue as they turn their serious gazes back to me. “I don’t know what to do.” I wince, knowing I am being vague but not sure how to voice my thoughts.

“How about we raid what snacks may be in this kitchen and curl up on the couch? Jayce needs a nap anyway and we can all talk,” Presley says.

I nod, and we all move to find snacks and drinks before grabbing a bunch of blankets and curling up on the couch. Jayce refuses to leave me, so he ends up laying across my chest, his little face pressed against my neck as he runs his toy car across my other arm.

Then, I find it in me to tell them everything. All the things I have been holding in, I let them help me carry it and decide what to do with my future. For once, I want more with my life.

Grayson

After a long shower, I immediately crash on my bed, not able to keep my legs moving. Today has been surreal. I never thought I would torture someone and find joy while doing it.

It startled me in both good and bad ways. I didn’t know I could be like that, and yet knowing I can made me relax slightly. I’m well aware of the darkness within Ryker and Cayden. Harley, too. I know they can protect themselves and everyone else, but I always wondered, if it truly came down to it, if I had that in me.

So being able to get revenge on someone who hurt the woman I love was empowering in multiple ways. I definitely would prefer to keep to an office with lots of computers and doing everything behind the scenes, though.

And then, there's Ryker… My cheeks heat just thinking about him and what we did. In front of dead bodies no less. I never thought my first time with him would be so…intense. Speaking of the man of my dreams, my door slowly opens, and he walks in, wearing a pair of gym shorts riding low on his hips and no shirt.

Walking over to me, he lays down across me and props his chin up in his hands on my chest. “What are you thinking about?” he asks.

“I thought you were going to find Harley?” I mumble.

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