Page 14 of Intertwined Souls

“Liam would come and visit on occasion. He told me about Grayson being born, and I saw pictures as you were growing up. I made a trip down once; you were about three years old, so I imagine you don’t remember me. But life just didn’t always work out for us to see each other more often.”

Running a hand down his face, he lets out an annoyed sigh.

“Your mom told me that you guys were doing a small funeral with just the three of you and it wouldn’t be a good idea for me to show up because of your dad. I respected that, and I always tried to check in to see how you were. Your mom always said you were doing good.

“Then one day Helen called me. She never called me, so I knew something was going on. She said that you, your dad, and her were moving to the West Coast. Somewhere in Nevada, I believe. They wanted a fresh start and said you needed one, too. I couldn’t get a hold of you after that.

“Atlas and I have talked about looking for you all, but my dad is still a big part of my life, and he is vastly against anything that has to do with his brother,” he says with a slight sneer. The dislike for his own father is evident just by the way he tenses up when mentioning him.

“So, this is just a really, really odd coincidence?” I question with a small chuckle. Harley puts her hand on my thigh and gives it a squeeze.

Lincoln offers me a small half-smile. “Seems like miss troublemaker brought us together.” He glances over at Harley, his face becoming softer and lighter when looking at her, like one would their younger sibling or child. “How long have you been here? How did you end up here?” Lincoln directs at me.

Gulping, I force all the words out at once to get it over with. “My parents never really liked me or wanted much of anything to do with me. After Lia–my brother died, it got worse. My dad was never home. He basically lived at work. But my mom… she started drinking super heavily and would just ask me to leave and go somewhere else whenever she was in a mood. So I would always come here because I was friends with Cade and Ryker through school.

“Then one day, my mom yelled at me to get out. I called Noah, and he showed up with a few others. They talked to her, and then I came here and never went back.” I shrug and drop my eyes to the ground.

I think there is a small part of me that worries he will see whatever my dad and mom saw: the waste of space. A child that is good for nothing. He’ll treat me just like them or want nothing to do with me. I mean, he already isn't here for me. He’s here for Harley.

“I’m so sorry that I didn’t try harder. Really, I know that sorry doesn’t do much, but—”

“He doesn’t need your useless apology,” Noah spits. “What now? Tell him what you want, what you would like to happen. Don’t leave the kid to spiral into his own head that you’re so sorry but then don’t do or say anything else.”

I bite my lip to hold back a small smile that wants to form. Noah is being quite harsh, but I can’t be upset with him. He is one of the few people who have shown me countless times that he is always here for me. It feels really good to have that reminder now.

Clearing his throat, Lincoln doesn’t even bother looking at Noah who is now standing to the side, arms crossed, glaring down at him.

“I would like to be a part of your life. Get to know you. I mean, we will probably be around more often now that Harley is here, so maybe we could spend some time together too,” Lincoln explains. “You are also welcome to my home in Virginia whenever you want to come. It’s an open invitation.”

I open my mouth to speak, but Noah does so first, “He isn’t fucking going anywhere. This is his home. With us.” At this point, he gives up keeping his cool and pulls out a small pocketknife before starting to twirl it in between his fingers.

“Blade, I don’t think that is what he means,” Rage explains, trying to soothe the tension.

“He’s not wrong, though,” I begin hesitantly.

When everyone looks at me, I feel heat rise to my cheeks. Clearing my throat, I square my shoulders and glance between everyone before my gaze lands on Lincoln.

“This is my home. Thank you for the offer. I think–I think I would like to get to know you too. It’ll be nice to talk to someone who knew my brother.” I smile slightly, offering an olive branch.

Lincoln lets out a breath, and Brielle rubs his back softly, relaxing him further.

“Alright, well, I don’t think there is much more we can do about anything right now. It’s getting late, so everyone should get some rest,” Rage commands. He looks at Lincoln and Bri. “Sugar should have your rooms ready soon. I believe Atlas was with him.”

Harley perks up next to me at the mention of his name; Brielle notices and smiles at her. “He was giving space…” she hesitates to finish her sentence.

“Because of my meltdown earlier. It’s okay,” Harley says with a nervous chuckle. Looking at Ryker and me, she adds, “I want to go stay with Cade until he wakes up.”

We both nod and stand up. After Harley says goodnight to Brielle and Lincoln, we head back to the medical room.

Cade is still out like a light, and Doc is there checking him over. He looks up at us when we come in. “I took more blood and had it tested. Everything is back to normal. He should be waking up at any point now. He might even be extra hungry and thirsty when he does. However, he also might feel weak for a few days, but he will be fine.”

After cleaning up his stuff, Doc leaves and bids us all farewell.

I excuse myself and run upstairs to grab some blankets and pillows. Harley’s door isn’t locked, so I grab her some clean clothes and bring everything downstairs. Walking back in, Ry raises a brow at me with a large grin on his face.

Shaking my head, I drop the blankets on the other beds in here and then hand Harley the clothes. “There should be showering stuff in the bathroom next door. I’m sure you want to shower after everything that has happened today,” I murmur softly.

Harley takes the clothes from me, but before she walks away, she leans up and kisses my lips quickly. “Thank you, Gray.”

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