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Chapter 23
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2022-10-26 14:22:23Related chapters
The Siren Song Series Chapter 24
Two hours later, somehow my Fish had turned into an entire school. Not only had my friends shown up, but Sutton had told Fisher they were coming over and why, and it resulted in the entire horde making an appearance. The Wrights, the Coopers, and my girls had all arrived in support. The encouragement from people who knew little about my circumstances but wanted to figure out how to help me deal with the public onslaught and put Josh Fost behind bars was overwhelming.When the topic of our gathering finally came to mention, the opinions of each person were deafening. I felt myself retreat to escape the verbal assault. My Fish normally talked over each other and everyone still managed to hear what was said, but add seven loud-ass men and a tiny Julie to the mix, and my brain couldn't function. Times like these made me realize how much of myself I'd lost-the ability to take charge and herd cats was a foreign concept. I found myself tucked under Dax's arm and buried in his chest, taking
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 25
The next few days were a total whirlwind. Dax and I visited my lawyer, who agreed there needed to be a public statement made from our side. He also conceded that I didn't need to be the one to make it before he put us in touch with a lawyer in town, who specialized in nonprofits so we could start to organize our new foundation. Dax and I had decided we wanted to do this together. Since neither of us were working, and we had the resources to get something established, we made it our project. Suzy Crane, the lawyer, made time to see us. When we arrived, I instantly liked her. I had to wonder if we were referred to her because she had a passion for our mission. She wasn't a big name in the legal world, but we were small potatoes, and right now, we needed someone who would invest in this project, not just try to profit from it.Walking into her office, she stood and came around the corner of her desk to greet us."Hey, guys. Douglas said he was sending a couple over. I'm Suzy. It's
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 26
"Kitten, what are you doing?" Dax hollered."I just got out of the shower." The sound of a thousand bulls trampling up the stairs startled me until I realized Dax was the stampede, and it had just dawned on him I was nude and wet. I turned toward the noise just as he came barreling through into the bathroom. I gazed up at his tall frame, finding his eyes. They were fierce, and he was looking to play. Our time together was limited with the start of Healing Wings. He didn't say anything, just assessed my face. Slowly, I released the towel wrapped around my chest. As it fell to the floor, I followed, tucking first my right foot under me as I reached my knee, then my left. When my butt hit my feet, I cast my glance downward. Placing my palms on my thighs, I waited in a pose that drove him wild.His bare feet peeked out from under his jeans-his toes were cute. I fought the urge to reach out to touch his leg, to run my hand up his pants, to caress him. Instead, I waited. The time drag
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 27
Working with Rachel lost its appeal after the second building we stepped foot in. This was about as much fun as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. My patience was wearing thin as I neared my breaking point. "Rachel, none of this is what I had in mind. I don't want to be in a building where other people run businesses. I want to be secluded where our organization is the only tenant. Our patients need anonymity. They can't feel exposed as they walk in. I don't want people to know why they're here just because of the floor they choose on the elevator. Downtown Greenville doesn't offer that in a high rise.""Look, Cammy, these are places offering discounted lease rates to non-profits. I think as a courtesy, you owe it to them to look at the space. Quit being a whiney bitch and suck it up. Welcome to the reality of starting a business and the bullshit details involved in that process.""She's right, Cam. You may see something that really wows you for the price." It didn't happen o
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 28
The board approved the lease for the space downtown, which sent me into a flurry of activity where everything moved at the speed of light. While I was busy setting up a help hotline and securing volunteers to man it twenty-four hours a day, my team was in search of donations and benefactors, and Dr. Wright was in the throes of interviews. The number of candidates had grown exponentially since it had become a paid position instead of volunteer. My phone rang, and Dax grabbed it off the counter. "Hello?" he answered with it on speaker."Hey, Dax, it's Shelly. I've narrowed the applicant pool down to three general practitioners and two psychiatrists. Can you get with Cam and find out when the board wants to interview?""Yeah, I'll talk to her and have her send out an email to find out what date works best for everyone. Do you want to do group interviews?""I think that would be best and would require the fewest number of meetings for the candidates. They're all currently working
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 29
We agreed collectively we would rather dedicate an entire Saturday to interviews than stretch it out over several days. This would make for a really long day, but hopefully, at the end of it, we would choose our first two employees and have a date set to open. We settled into our newly established boardroom in an upstairs office, and Shelly introduced us to each candidate. The discussion flowed easily between the group and each prospect. None of our interactions seemed like interviews-just great conversations with new friends. The most important questions I posed to each candidate related to their interest in working with Healing Wings-their motivation and their commitment to this facility. No matter whom we chose, Shelly had picked perfect physicians. There was little time for us to discuss the previous candidate before the next came in. I didn't know who each board member's pick was for the general practitioner position, but the deal was sealed with the psychiatrist when I pose
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 30
My opportunity never presented itself. I think Piper knew I planned to interrogate her, so she came down with a migraine and sent Moby by himself. As much as I loved him, I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to grill him for answers, and no matter how many times I gave Dax the look to get him to ask, he just smirked and shook his head. I was like a kid waiting on Christmas morning for the go-ahead to open presents-I couldn't sit still and had to restrain myself from interrogating Moby. I figured the best thing I could do was remove the temptation, but since I couldn't ask Moby to leave, I kissed Dax on the cheek, hugged his brother goodnight, and set off to take a bath.Piper hadn't made an appearance today at the center, and when I texted to check on her, she legitimately had a migraine and had been in bed since late yesterday afternoon. I told her I wasn't going to push the issue now, but when she was feeling better, I needed the lowdown on Moby. She assured me she'd give me i
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 31
I had preconceived notions about what Healing Wings would be once we opened the doors; it was nothing like the reality of what hit. I expected people to slowly drift in and have plenty of time to work with each person and cultivate our programs. I never anticipated the barrage of calls from physicians and psychiatrists all over the county the day we opened trying to place patients. The phones rang off the hook, and we all answered calls trying to work in appointments, but sadly, we still had people on a wait list. It appalled me that this need existed and no one knew. This should've been something our community met with arms wide open, but the people we saw and talked to daily were hurt and scared. They were afraid to tell anyone their secrets, and many had lived with the shame and guilt they felt for years. We offered anonymity; we didn't request social security numbers, and giving us contact information was optional. We issued all patients an identification number for our staff to
Last Updated : 2022-10-26
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The Siren Song Series Chapter 111: Moby-Epilogue
Six months ago, I moved back home. I thought things would be simple. I figured once I was physically back where I needed to be, everything else would just fall back into place. It didn't. It took work, lots of fucking work, and continues to take work daily.Emotionally, Piper was in a far worse place than any of us realized. She had developed abandonment issues and separation anxiety, not just with me but everyone she's close to. The great thing about working at a crisis center is the resources available to her. Just like Cam, Shelly has become her confidante. They meet a couple times a week, and together, we're all working on putting our relationships back together. It's a slow process and maybe one we'll work on for the rest of our lives. I'm just thankful to have the chance to do it. Whenever I see Shelly, I wonder if she comprehends just how many times she's really saved one of the Cooper boys' asses. Our journey through treatment is made a little more difficult in the last fe
The Siren Song Series Chapter 110: Piper
Waking up, still wrapped in Moby's arms, his nose nestled near my ear, I stare out the same window that brought so much disdain yesterday, and wonder if it's possible the world has righted itself and is back on the correct axis.Twenty-four hours ago, the same sun shone through the same glass onto the same face, but its warmth did nothing other than start the repeat of another mundane, dismal day. Today it holds promise and wonder.I observe the clouds move as the light becomes brighter, not wanting to wake my sleeping husband, and instead opt to just enjoy the dawning of a new day.He begins to stir beside me, but I'm unable to tell if he's still in the throws of sleep or going to attempt to join me in the wake of the morning. He answers my unasked question by nudging his hard member against my butt, just letting me know he's there. His smile moves across my neck as he begins to scatter soft kisses over my skin.As his hands begin to wander, I tense in the apprehension of his
The Siren Song Series Chapter 109: Piper
I don't have the energy for this. Between last night and today, I'm out of fuel to pretend like I give a shit anymore. I refuse to perpetuate a sham of happiness in my own home. I have no idea why Moby came back here, but if it's to rub my nose in how content he is, I wish he would've saved it for another day. Collapsing on the couch, I stuff my hands in my hoodie pockets, finding the little memento someone so graciously sent me. I haven't had time to really study it, but from the quick peeks I've taken, it's stunning. I rub my thumb over the inscription using it to soothe my weary soul.I watch in awe as Moby strolls across the room, not a single sign of the stroke visible. Whatever he's been doing for the last five weeks worked. He looks fantastic, and his confidence is soaring once again. I fight the attraction I feel seeing the man I married emerge again. It will only end in heartache. When he takes a seat across from me, I know this conversation is going to be more than I can
The Siren Song Series Chapter 108: Moby
Knocking on the door to the dressing room to keep from startling her, she calls out to come in.Looking up from her hands, I find she already changed clothes and is back in her hoodie and jeans. It must be eighty degrees outside but I imagine with as little body fat as she's currently carrying around she likely stays cold. When she sees me, she stuffs her hands in the pocket of her sweatshirt in an attempt to hide whatever she was focused on before I interrupted."Are you ready to go home?""Yeah, I'm just getting my stuff. Do you want to meet me there?""No, my car's already at the house. Dax picked me up there this afternoon."She's confused and doesn't understand this has been my plan since she walked out of the hospital. Well, right after Dax and I got into a screaming match, and he punched me in the face. After that, this became my plan.She doesn't resist or argue just rises to her feet, grabs her purse and garment bag. I take the dress from her, holding the door open
The Siren Song Series Chapter 107: Moby
I've never been more thankful in my entire life that Piper and I eloped. I cannot imagine having corralled people the way we have been tonight. I realize it's a huge crowd, but we are people, not sheep. Every moment of the evening has been precisely planned by either Cam or her wedding guru, who seems more like a drill sergeant than an event coordinator. At the very least, there's no way I could possibly be sitting at another table.When guests begin to take their seats after the cocktail hour, I finally spot her. My heart breaks. Brooks was right. There's almost nothing left of my soul mate. She looks like a skeleton. The skin barely hangs on her body. This didn't all happen in the last month. Looking back, I knew she was losing weight-and not in a healthy way-but I was so consumed by my own turmoil I didn't recognize how serious things were. The last month has just about killed her. I doubt she weighs a hundred pounds. The constriction of my chest makes it hard to breathe. My on
The Siren Song Series Chapter 106: Moby
"Brooks!" I chase after my brother the moment Piper's out of sight."Yeah, bro, what's up?""Did you not give her the gift?""Of course. Just like you told me to. Why?""She's cold. She won't even look at me. You guys promised me this was temporary. I've worked my ass off day in and day out trying to prove myself. Why's she brushing me off?" I'm trying not to blow a gasket, but I'm out of options. I don't have any more tricks up my sleeve. I played the only hand I have. For the last five weeks, I've worked out for grueling hours a day, each of my brothers and her friends adding something to the daily regime. I've been in the gym with my buddies and co-workers who've pushed me harder than I ever pushed when I was healthy. There've been days I worked out more than I slept. My muscles have ached, I've been tired as hell, but I stayed focused to show her how much I love her and that I'm committed as fuck. I haven't reached out one time, there've been nights I took my phone to
The Siren Song Series Chapter 105: Piper
Helping grab all the bride's accouterments, we traipse inside, bogged down with more crap than any one person should have. Her hair and makeup are already done, I can't imagine what the hell is in her arsenal, but leave it to Cam to be prepared for any situation. "How do you want to do this, Cam?" Rachel asks after hanging the bags around the room."My mom's bringing in the flowers just before we walk, so really all we need to do is get dressed, right?"I'm just along for the ride. I'll do whatever I'm told."So you guys go ahead and change. I'll do what I can on my own but once I put the gown on you'll have to button it and lace it up."None of us, to my knowledge, have even seen Cam's dress. She's kept it a highly guarded secret, so unless it's made a debut in the last couple weeks, we're all in for a treat.Each of us busies ourselves with lingerie, pantyhose, dresses, and high heels. Every head in the room turns to the door when a knock comes.Sutton gasps when her s
The Siren Song Series Chapter 104: Piper
Waking to the sun shining through the windows, the haze-filled rays warm my skin, the illusion of a beautiful day beaming in. I lie in bed, having stared out into the same creation day after day, I force myself to get up and brave the world. Showering, shaving, and donning the most comfortable clothes I believe I can get away with in the spa we're scheduled to meet Cam at, I put on a fake smile, grab my dress, and get in the car. Mentally trying to prepare myself to pretend I'm enjoying my time with my friends, I blast the radio, singing along to the hottest music I can find, but it does little to lighten my mood. The ride is over too quickly, and before I know it, I'm staring at the entrance, my Fish staring back at me. They're waiting for me to get out of the car to go in together. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Repeat.Grabbing the handle, I swing the car door open, plastering my face with a smile that swears I'm happy to be here. They greet me warmly. My girls seem to
The Siren Song Series Chapter 103: Piper
The dress is better than anything I could've ever dreamed and so much prettier than the original. I haven't bothered mentioning it to Cam and doubt she'll notice when the time comes. I figure it's best not to acknowledge it, stressing her out even more than I assume she already is. She took yesterday and today off work and all of next week for their honeymoon, but I'll see her, and everyone else, tonight at the rehearsal dinner. I'm dreading the entire thing, which pains me. I've been looking forward to Cam's wedding for years, even though we didn't have a groom. Not just hers but all the Fish. I've wanted to watch my friends take the next step, open the next chapter in their lives, each of them. Somehow, the last year seems to have taken all that joy away, sucked it right out from under me. Not only is the joy no longer there but it's been replaced with apprehension and fear. My friends haven't talked to me since I left Moby, even though they all agreed it was what I needed to d
