Page 17 of Intertwined Souls

I shake my head. “I think I’ve tried on everything I own, and none of it is working, which is stupid because I spent three years making a few old ratty t-shirts, a hoodie, some old leggings—” My ramble is cut off when Brielle steps up to me and puts her hands on my cheeks.

“Sweetie, that is not ridiculous and it’s not stupid. Your life is changing, and that’s okay. Everything is different now, and it’ll take a while to adjust to that, especially being here now, but Harley, this is how you should be. This is normal.” She smiles at me.

“Right. Okay, well… help?” I ask, trying to shove everything else to the side for now and just focus on today.

Today is going to be a good day. Cade is feeling way better. He’s up and moving, just slowly, which is making him extra grouchy. We are having a BBQ with everyone and relaxing. Something I'm not entirely sure I really know how to do.

It’ll be fine. Everything is going to be completely, totally, fine.

“Well, I vote Raven takes this one,” Presley chuckles, glancing at Raven with a grin. “Since you have experience with helping me through Facetime freaking out about what to wear.”

Raven’s eyebrows furrow before she snaps her fingers. “Oh my God, I forgot about that. God, it’s been like two years now.” She laughs and then glances at me. “Well, sometimes we just need something different. Something new. I think you are more my style than anyone else. Well, maybe Carly, too. But definitely not Brielle and Presley.”

Brielle and Presley are both in dresses. Brielle’s is white with embroidered flowers coming up from the bottom of it which hits just above her knees. Presley has on an emerald maxi dress with a slit up the side. Whereas Raven is in all black—jean shorts with a band t-shirt tucked into the front of her shorts, and Carly is dressed similarly.

Presley scoffs lightly, “I’m not going to take offense to that only because I do agree.” She glances at me. “Unless you want brighter colors that are more on the girly—”

“No, thank you,” I say quickly, and they all start laughing.

“Okay, let me run to Stone’s room. I’ve commandeered his closet.” She grins and walks out.

A few minutes later, the others have helped me get the bed cleaned up and the clothes put back when Raven comes back in with her arms full. She drops them on my bed and starts sorting through the pile.

“Right. Because we didn’t just clean that off.” Carly rolls her eyes at Raven.

“Hush, Carls.” Raven waves her off and then points at me. “Okay, I have three outfits here. If you don’t like anything, that is completely fine. But if you do, you are more than welcome to wear it.” She winks at me.

I walk over and look down at the options, and my eyes immediately zone in on the perfect outfit. Before I can even say which one, Raven picks it up and hands it to me.

“I fucking knew it. I’m so good,” she cackles.

“She didn’t say anything?” Bri questions, visibly confused.

“She had the look. Okay, your hair will look adorable as it is, down and wavy. Do you have ankle boots?” Raven asks, and I nod. “Perfect. Wear them.” She claps her hands and waves the others out of the room.

Presley pauses at my side and gently squeezes my arm. “She can be a whirlwind, but she always has good intentions, and if it’s ever too much, say so. Or tell me if you aren’t comfortable telling her to calm down.”

She giggles and then leaves, shutting the door behind her. Taking a deep breath, I look down at the clothes in my arms. You can do this.

Thirty minutes later and about fifty texts from Ryker asking me what’s taking so long, I head downstairs. Yesterday was tense, and I know there is so much we all have to talk about, but this morning at breakfast Gabriel made us all promise to press pause and just enjoy each other's company today.

I wanted to argue that we have more important things to deal with, but Grayson told me that it’s okay to breathe every once in a while. Like we did at the beach before everything went to shit.

We needed that, and it did help. This is the same. We all need peace today.

The main room is empty since everyone is out in the yard, so I head to the back door and step out onto the patio. I barely make it five feet before arms wrap around me from behind.

Ryker hums, lowering his mouth to my ear. “You look fucking gorgeous, little flame.”

A grin breaks out across my face at Ryker’s words. Raven picked a reddish-maroon flowy high waisted skirt that falls to my mid thighs, along with a black deep V-neck bodysuit. It’s simple but different from what the guys have seen me in—hoodies, jeans, and leggings.

“There’s a few others who aren’t here yet, but once everyone arrives, we all will eat. Sugar has been grilling, and the girls prepped all the food. Oh, and Axe’s mom should be here somewhere. She is going to want to meet you,” Ryker says as he releases me.

Taking my hand, we head down the stairs and into the yard.

He continues explaining, “Most of the time, there’s lots of drinking, random games, someone usually ends up wrestling, and we eat lots of food. Oh, and the club sluts would show up afterwards, like closer to midnight, but Gabriel won’t let them come around right now.”

“Because of me?” I arch an eyebrow.

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