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“No, dumbass, this is my project. My last piece for the club.”
“Go for it. Let me know how much you need and when.”
“You’ll see. One day, your sister won’t ever feel alone again, and the kids will grow up together even closer than before. It’ll be easier to protect everyone.”
“I see it.”
Times are changing and if the Lost Souls are to grow stronger, shit like this needs to be made a reality.
Chapter Ten
Holly
The club is preparing for a party and even from the outside always looking in, I love times like tonight. Everyone is in a good mood and Leo even wants Rayna with him over in the bar. Sitting on the front steps, I watch brothers carrying crates of beer and listen to the bottles of liquor clink against one another in the bags. Glancing at my watch, Rayna doesn’t have long left of her nap and my thoughts trail off to Leo. He’s visited my room every night this week and his touch has been permanently scorched into my soul. I crave his lips on mine like an alcoholic craves the liquor lighting up their taste buds.
Each night he buries himself inside me, my feelings for him become buried under a web of confusion. But like an addict, I can’t stop myself. Two days ago, I told myself one more night with him and I’ll back off, tell him I can’t do it anymore, but then last night, I told myself the same thing. He was gone when I woke this morning, causing the web to spread.
The prospect opening the gates brings me back to reality and JJ drives through with Harper. I’m glad I thought to bring her gift now.
I make my way over to my car as they kiss and split off from one another. JJ walks into the bar and Harper comes toward the house.
I follow her into the kitchen, aware she doesn’t even realise I’m following her, so when she jumps, finally seeing me, I’m not surprised. I place the gift basket on the table and offer a small smile. I keep the gift bag from Rayna to the side.
“I’ve been waiting to catch you. This is from me to say congratulations on little Gunner. Alannah showed me pictures. He’s so cute.”
She pulls the basket toward her, and the silence is unbearable. Apart from when she was ill, Harper’s always been nice to me, but we’ve never gotten close.
“Rayna has a gift for Gunner, but I thought you deserved something for yourself. It’s not much, just something to make you feel good after pushing out a little tiny human.”
“Holly, this is… thank you.”
“Like I said, it’s not much.”
“Not much? This is too much.”
She picks up the fancy shampoo and conditioner set, the expensive bath salts and face packs. She opens the perfume and sprays it on her inner wrist. I also picked her up some gift cards—one to the hair salon in town and one for the clothes boutique. I heard the old ladies talking about how they felt frumpy and whatnot after they gave birth and how they all wanted to feel like themselves again. Everyone was so worried about Harper’s health, it gave me the opportunity to plan for when she gave birth.
“I thought you’d like to pamper yourself, and with Gunner still in the hospital, I guess it’s hard to feel good when you’re worrying so much.”
She puts the perfume down and walks around the table. I stand frozen when she hugs me, and I swear I feel her shudder. Is she disgusted I hugged her back and puts on my hands on her?
When she lets me go and steps away, she wipes a tear from her eye. The revulsion crippling me ebbs away and I take a deep breath.
“I love it. It’s so thoughtful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. No one’s ever thought to do something like this for me.”
A blush creeps up fast and I shake my head. “It was nothing.”
“It’s everything.”
I smile and move out of the way, hearing someone come up from behind. JJ and Leo enter the kitchen and I lean back against the counter.
“What’s all this?” JJ asks her as she sniffs the shampoo.
“My gift from Holly. And talking about gifts, I don’t see one from you. I’ve just given you a beautiful son.”
I hear the playfulness in her tone and smile.
“I’ve got you a gift, just gotta wait for the doctor to give the okay.”
