Chapter Three
Harley
W alking back into the club when Rage, Ryker, and I get back, it’s eerily quiet. Carly and the one prospect they have left, Parker, are behind the bar, and then a few of the members sit at the stools nursing beers.
Gripping Ryker’s wrist, I don’t even have to ask before he gestures towards the hall that goes down to the basement. Instead of heading downstairs, we enter a door across from the stairs that opens up to a small medical room. There are three beds, along with some random medical equipment and cabinets lining the wall across from the beds.
Cayden lays in the bed closest to the door, while Doc is standing on his opposite side, reading over something on a clipboard.
Walking over to the bed, my hands hover over him, unsure of where to touch or even if I should. This is my fault, after all. He would’ve never ended up here if it wasn’t for me coming into his life. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away.
Cade is pale and his skin is clammy. He has an IV in his left arm, and a cuff of some sort around his bicep. I take a deep breath.
“He’ll be alright, kiddo. He just needs some rest, and he was extremely dehydrated, so we are giving him some fluids while he’s still out,” Doc explains, but I can’t force myself to relax as this overwhelming feeling of guilt and worry begin to rise.
“Do you know what they gave him?” Ryker asks quietly.
Sighing, Doc runs a hand down his face. “We weren’t sure what he was given at first. Brielle finally had the idea to take his blood sugar because he was showing some signs of hypoglycemia. His blood sugar level was deathly low. Our best guess is that they gave him a shot of insulin.”
“Insulin? Why did it affect him so badly?” Ryker questions, his forehead creasing in confusion.
“Someone who doesn’t need insulin can basically overdose from getting too much of it. It’s the same for people who have to take insulin; if you accidentally inject yourself with too much it can be fatal. Brielle thinks he was given a fairly low dose. They either didn’t want him dead or had no idea what they were doing.
“It was just enough to drop his blood sugar level and start shutting down his body slowly. Luckily, he got back here in time, and we were able to give him a glucagon injection, which causes the liver to release stored sugars into his blood.”
Exhaling sharply, I stare down at Cade, thanking the universe they didn’t give him more. Our lives got mixed together—intertwined, and now I can’t picture not having him or anyone else around here in my life.
Panic tries again to grip me in a vice at the thought of how many people I am beginning to care for and how that means I have so much more to lose now.
Fuck, I don’t know how to handle this.
Doc clears his throat. “Are you good? Anything I need to look at?” he asks, regarding me carefully.
I start to shake my head, but Ryker makes an annoyed sound and grabs my wrist, raising my hand to show Doc my knuckles that are raw, with a few cuts, and definitely bruising.
Doc sighs, “Alright, let me clean those cuts up, and then I can give you a cream to help the bruising heal faster. If you plan to work out—sparring, boxing, or really anything involving your hands, wrap them up really well.”
After he gets them cleaned up and provides me a tube of topical ointment, he leaves the room to give us some alone time with Cade.
I stare down at him, but seeing his unmoving face and pale, weak body is too much. I need out. The room feels like the walls are closing in around me, and I can’t take in a full breath. Everything seems to come crashing in at once now that we are back in a safe space and my mind isn’t racing with a million other things.
I hear Ryker say something and his hand brushes across my arm, but I bolt before he can touch me more. I can’t let him right now. I can’t breathe .
Rushing out of the room, I head down the hall planning to escape outside, but instead I run straight into someone. They grasp my upper arms, and I have to blink multiple times to see who it is.
“Bri,” I breathe out, my heart still pounding.
My shoulders sag as the last wall keeping my emotions locked up collapses. Heavy sobs shake my body as I wrap my arms around her waist, burying my head against her neck.
“Oh, sweet girl, I’ve got you. It’s okay,” she murmurs softly. She wraps her arms around me and holds me tight, running her hand up and down my back soothingly— something my mom used to do.
Another pair of arms wraps around both Bri and I from behind me, and I tense for a split second before recognizing Linc’s soft sandalwood scent.
The words come tumbling out through the sobs, “He told me everything, Bri. He taunted me with it. Every single thing he did to her. How she sounded when she was being–being hurt.” I hiccup and hold onto her tighter. She doesn’t respond and just keeps holding me. “I can picture it all in my head. After he finished making me live through what Mom’s childhood was like, he locked us in the tiny room, and I was left to my thoughts. I was drowning in them. I couldn’t breathe. I can’t breathe,” I gasp, sobbing even harder.
Voices whisper around me, but I can’t hear anything except my pounding heart and short gasps. Linc pulls away from my back, and an involuntary whimper slips past my lips. Bri tightens her arms around me, and another soft, gentle hand touches my shoulder.
“Come this way,” a voice I can’t quite recognize says.
Bri tucks me against her side and walks me out the backdoor, then across the yard towards Gabriel’s house. We head past the back slider and around the corner to where a bench swing sits.
Bri takes a seat and pulls me down to sit next to her, and then Presley sits down on my other side. I watch her cautiously, but she gives me a gentle smile.
“I can stay or go. Your choice; I don’t mind either way. But I am here for you, whatever you need. Another shoulder, ear, friend.” Presley shrugs. “Anything. I may even be able to relate a tiny bit to some of the emotions you’re dealing with,” she whispers before glancing away, wiping under her eyes before looking back at us.
Bri takes my hand and gives it a light squeeze. “Do you want to talk about it? Just sit here silently? Talk about something else? Whatever you want, sweet girl.”
Taking her in from head to toe, I see she wears a light pink maxi dress and her blonde hair is curled around her shoulders. “You’re here,” I say, trying to get my messed-up brain to fully take that in.
She chuckles softly, “I am. I told you I’d be back.”
I shrug. “I know. But it’s hard to trust someone’s word.”
Right as I finish speaking, Bear, Cade’s great Dane, comes around the corner and spots us. Strutting up, he stops right in front of me and plops down. I reach out and pet his head, and he lays it in my lap, staring up at me with his big, dark eyes.
Bri rests her head against mine and asks, “What do you need right now, Harley?”
Sighing, I glance out at the woods that are directly across from us, everything David told me flashing before my eyes. “Your mama was my girl for years. Always did what I wanted and got rewarded with my cock every time.”
— No, no. Stop thinking about it.
Shaking my head as I shove my trembling hands in between my thighs, I say, “Tell me something good about my mom. I need to remember all the good things right now.”
“Oh boy, where do I even start?”
A while later, my chest feels lighter than it did before, and it’s a little easier to breathe. I know everything David said to me won’t just disappear overnight; honestly, it'll probably never fully go away. But for right now, I feel a little peace and comfort hearing memories about my mom and Bri and how their friendship was.
They were both the awkward, shy girls in school, and they used to get into arguments over who would walk into a room first, or who would ask a question, because neither of them ever wanted to be the one to do it.
Presley stayed with us, sharing a few stories about her time here at the club. This is where she bloomed and became who she really was and wanted to be.
She told us about bringing her son, Jayce, home to the club and how terrified these grown men were when they’d be holding him and he’d start crying. She said they all were like lost puppies and so many times they’d just kind of thrust Jayce back at Presley with a pained look on their faces.
She said Colton was the worst. He was even scared to hold Jayce in the beginning. It’s hard to imagine Colton, my large, bearded, biker uncle, scared of a tiny baby.
The sun has fully set, and it’s starting to get chilly, so we decide to head back in. Presley told me that we would be having the BBQ tomorrow as long as I was feeling up to it.
But I want to see how Cade is first. They said he is already looking better and should wake up at any point, but I can’t look forward to anything like a large family BBQ until I know for sure he’s going to be alright.
Heading back inside through the back door to the main clubhouse, I plan to head straight to see Cade in the medical room.
As I turn the corner to walk down the hall, I pause when I spot Gabriel, Noah, and Ryker all standing outside a door that is next to the medical room. Noah and Gabriel are talking quietly, and Ryker is running his hand through his hair while biting his lip.
Walking closer, I clear my throat. “Ryker? What’s going on?” As much as I try to keep a steady voice, I know my slight panic that something is wrong with Cade is leaking through.
Ryker drops his hand from his hair, his eyes softening as he steps up to me, placing a hand on my neck and slowly moving it to the back under my hair. He uses his grip to pull me against his chest, and I automatically wrap my arms around his waist.
I feel his lips touch my forehead as he says, “Grayson is in the bathroom, and we can’t get him to come out.”
Pulling back slightly to look up at him with furrowed brows, I murmur, “What? Why?”
“There is something you need to understand about Gray. When we were younger, his parents pretended he didn’t exist,” Ryker sighs. “I’m pretty sure they would’ve even denied having two sons if they were asked. They blamed him for his brother's death. Specifically, his mom—she really started to hate him. Once Cade, Gray, and I became close, we’d spend most of our time here. Gray would usually call Noah, and he would come get him and he’d stay here for the weekends.”
Ryker pauses, gnawing his lip, like he’s unsure how to continue.
Noah, who I didn’t realize had moved closer and was listening, steps up next to Ryker and puts his hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
“About three years ago, Gray called me like normal, but things were definitely worse than before,” Noah explains. “His mom was telling him to just get out when she’d usually just ask him to leave or not say anything to him. I knew something was off, so Rage, Sugar, and I went over there that time.”
“I pulled his mom aside. She was drunk off her ass and said that her husband was on his way home, and they were going to finally get the fuck out of this town and away from Gray,” Rage growls, also having stepped up to us on Noah’s other side. “She wouldn’t listen to reason, and she said she didn’t care if he just rotted away with their house. She wanted to be away from him.”
Noah nods, his expression dark. “We had him pack everything he wanted and move here. We kept an eye on his house, but his parents up and left the following day and never came back. Even till now, they’ve not tried to contact him in any way.”
Ryker’s hold on the back of my neck tightens slightly, and I glance up at him. “Gray is, well, he can be sensitive. More so than Cade and I, at least. He had his brother growing up, and then that was ripped away, and he has always struggled knowing that his own parents hate him and just left him. Lincoln? The guy with Brielle?”
I nod, confused why he is coming up right now.
“He recognized Grayson. Last time when they were here, there was so much going on and everyone was everywhere, so we all didn’t get to properly meet. But we just did, and he knows Grayson.” Ryker frowns.
It clicks in my brain what happened, and my heart aches at what he must be feeling right now. I pull away from Ryker and walk a few feet to the bathroom door. Knocking lightly, I ask, “Gray? It’s Harley. Can you let me in please? Just me. The others can stay out here.”
The lock clicks, but the door doesn’t open, so I reach down and twist the knob slowly, pushing it open just enough to slip in and shut it behind me.
There is a simple counter and sink on the right, with a toilet next to it, and then on the left is a shower and tub combo. Where Grayson currently sits on the edge of the tub, staring straight ahead, a storm in his eyes.
Moving towards him, I take a seat on the floor, leaning my back against the tub right next to his leg. One thing I learned during my time at Bri’s is that sometimes, sitting in silence with someone can do more for them in a moment of grief than filling the room with useless words.
A few minutes pass before Grayson slides down the side of the tub, sitting next to me on the floor, stretching his legs out in front of him. Reaching over, I take his hand in mine, lacing our fingers together and resting them in my lap.
“I grew up with the assumption that the only blood family I had was my brother and my parents,” Grayson starts, voice thick. He lets out a shaky breath, squeezing my hand. “When my brother died, I lost a piece of me. He was my everything, and I idolized him. He was my best friend, my mentor. Then I lost him in the blink of an eye and my already distant parents became ghosts.” he chuckles humorlessly. “They were really distant growing up. I spent more time with my brother than them. But after he died, my dad spent almost all his time at work, and my mom started drinking really heavily and blaming me for his death.
“Luckily, I found Ryker and this club and have this amazing family. And don’t get me wrong, I am extremely grateful for them. I love them all and can’t imagine my life without them. But sometimes watching Noah and Cade interact, or when someone's family comes to visit, it hurts because I have no one— had no one.”
Resting my head on his shoulder, I ask, “What did Lincoln say?”
“He kept staring at me when we all were in the main room. Then Noah introduced Ryker and me. The second he said my name, Lincoln’s eyes went wide, and I saw it. Before he even had a chance to say anything, I knew he was related to my brother and I in some way. For some reason, we all have the same shocked face. It felt like I was staring at a slightly older version of my brother.”
He exhales and rests his head on top of mine.
“Lincoln said he’s my cousin. He’s my dad’s brother’s son. As soon as the words left his mouth I, well, I kind of ran. I just panicked. I don’t even know why.” Grayson shrugs.
“It’s overwhelming. You don’t want to feel all the emotions you're currently experiencing standing in a room full of people,” I say softly.
“Yeah,” he sighs, staring at the floor.
I stay quiet for a while, giving him space to think but not feel alone. My heart hurts for him and everything that must be rattling around in his mind.
I can understand how he feels to some extent; I dreamed and hoped for a dad who would come and save me. Then I found out the truth about my mom and how I came to be, and I lost any sense of hope I had about having a good dad.
Until now, when everything has changed, and my eyes are being opened to every side of the story and what has happened. It’s conflicting and sends your mind spiraling with a million different thoughts and scenarios.
“What do you want to do?” I rotate on the ground, bringing my legs under me and sitting sideways so I can face Grayson. Still holding his hand, I bring it to my lips and lightly kiss the back of it. “I can promise you that if anything, Linc will be understanding. He is the first person I met when I went to Virginia. He had no idea who I was, but he still tried to help me. More than once.”
Biting my lip, I look at his tear-filled eyes and cup his cheek with my free hand.
“If you need space, tell him. He will understand. Whatever you want to do, tell him. Okay?” I whisper, hoping that what I’m saying is helping.
A single tear slides down his cheek as a small grin graces his lips. “Are you telling me to communicate, Harley?” Gray teases.
I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks as I shrug. “I guess I am. Shocking huh?”
We both laugh, and the tension slowly leaves Grayson’s shoulders.
“They're laughing.” We hear a voice from right outside the bathroom door. Ryker.
Grayson snorts, and then we both start laughing again. I lean forward and rest my forehead against his. Slowly, our laughter dies off, a new tension settling between us. Grayson raises his hand that isn’t holding mine and runs his thumb across my bottom lip.
“I know I say it a lot, but you're beautiful, Harley. It stuns me every day that I get to be around you. That you are around me,” he says bashfully.
Furrowing my brows, I ask, “Why would that stun you? Grayson, you’re—” I bite my lip, unsure of how to put into words how he makes me feel. Stop thinking so hard, Harley. “You're my peace, an anchor in this storm I find myself in every day. You know how to calm me with just a look, or a few soft words. Being near you takes away some of the tension, heartache, and pain I am always dealing with.
“You’re smart beyond your years. I haven’t really gotten to see you working with Nerds yet, but I can only imagine how amazing you are at it. You love Cade and Ryker with everything in you. I can see it with the way you watch them. Plus—” I clear my throat and glance down at our hands. “Plus, you're incredibly sexy,” I whisper, feeling my face flush even more.
A single finger pushes my chin back up towards Grayson’s lust-filled eyes. “You’re so perfect. For me. For Ry. For Cade. I really want to kiss you right now,” he mumbles.
Biting my lip, I ask, “Are you going to?”
Smiling, Grayson leans forward. Gently cupping my cheek, he moves slowly, thoughtfully, like he wants to memorize every single thing about me as his lips press against mine.
A burning inferno starts inside me, and I move without hesitation, straddling his thighs, pressing our chests together.
I can feel how hard he is under me, and it takes everything in me not to rub against him. Grayson groans softly against my lips as his hands inch their way under my shirt, caressing me softly. God, I needed this. Maybe we both did.
The door flings open right as his hand reaches the bottom of my breast. “Okay, I’ve been patient enough—holy shit, that is not what I was expecting to see.” A door slams, and I turn my head to look at Ryker, who now leans against the closed bathroom door. “Don’t stop on my account. Give me a show.”
Grayson groans and drops his forehead against my chest, wrapping his arms around my back under my shirt. “Ryker. Stop,” he pleads.
Ryker innocently raises his hands. “Okay, okay. We can continue later.” He shoots me a wink. “There is an audience outside the door, though, so you guys should probably not keep going in here.” He smirks.
Grayson lifts his head, and I glance back at him. “Are you ready to go out there?” I ask softly, running my fingers through his shaggy hair.
Ryker comes over and squats next to us. “Lincoln said that if you’d like him to leave for now, he will. No one is going to force you to face this. We understand that this is new and brings up a lot of shit from the past.” His face softens as he watches Grayson intently, looking for any signs of hesitation.
Grayson stares back at him before glancing at me. “You’ll stay with me?” His eyes swing back to Ryker. “Both of you?” he presses.
“Always,” I respond with a fierce nod.
Ryker pinches Grayson’s chin between his thumb and pointer finger, “You don’t even have to ask.”
Grayson’s cheeks turn a light shade of red, and I can’t help but wonder what feelings lie there. Whatever there may be between them, they both have it shoved so far down. But I’m honestly curious about what could happen if those feelings were drawn to the surface.
Or what fun we could get up to… Shaking that insane thought away, I stand up from Grayson’s lap, moving back to give them space.
Ryker rises and sticks out a hand for Gray to take. He grips it, and Ry pulls him to his feet.
“Ready?” he asks both Gray and I. We nod and leave the bathroom.