Entwined Souls (Soul Sister Book 1)

by C. M. Youngren

  “Fine,” Alley huffed. “Let’s go, ladies before my brother gets his boxers in a bunch because he hasn’t moved his girl to his place fast enough.” And with that parting shot, she left the room, with Summer trailing right behind her.

  Brax moved in closer and stood in front of me. With a worried look on his face, he dropped his forehead to mine. Aww, it’s the sweet moments like this that are going to be so amazing to live with. “You sure you want this? Because if you're not ready, I’ll understand.”

  I knew he would, that’s the kind of guy he was, but I wanted it like my next breath. Was I nervous? Sure, but I loved him, and this was my chance for true happiness. Bottom line, I was taking it.

  “I do, Brax… trust me, I want this.” Raising up on my toes, I kissed the man of my dreams, then pulled back and looked him straight in the eyes. “I’m ready for this with you. Only you.”

  The mega kilowatt smile that he bestowed on me was so powerful it almost took me to my knees. Lethal, I’m telling you the man was like my own type of crack, and I was addicted. But hey, this was legal and only good for my body, unlike the other stuff. Like every night type of good. I giggled like a schoolgirl. I seemed to do that a lot around him.

  “Let’s go, Dimples, you can explain your sinful thoughts later.” After winking, he turned and pulled me out of the bedroom.

  Everyone was waiting outside and ready to go. Heading out, I locked the door and glanced at the house, Braxton right beside me. Then, I looked at him and smiled. “To new beginnings,” I said.

  It didn’t take long to put everything away and now we were getting food ready while enjoying each other’s company. The guys were outside all standing around the BBQ and the three of us girls were in the kitchen. It was different, but at the same time, I felt at home in Braxton’s house too. Shit, he kept reminding me to say our house, so that was something I would have to get used to.

  Our house, I never would have thought this would happen, but here I was. “Someone pinch me.”

  “What the hell are you talking about, you Ding Dong?” Summer asked, wearing a cheesy grin.

  “Well, I was just thinking how crazy this all seems that I’m living here with the man I had a crush on so many years ago. Did you two ever really imagine me with Brax, or living with him right after he came home? I didn’t, even if I am ecstatic at the turn my life has taken, so I was telling one of you to pinch me so I knew it was real.”

  They laughed, and Summer and Alley both leaned in and pinched an arm.

  “Ouch!” I squeaked, arms crossed, rubbing the spots where they’d pinched my skin. “I didn’t mean that hard or the both of you!”

  “You asked for it,” Alley said, shrugging. “Whether or not any of us thought this would happen, I for one am happy for you both. Although, the way you two watch and look at each other is a little sickening.” Now it was my turn, so I leaned over and punched her.

  “Hey, what was that for?” she asked, shocked. “I was just being honest.”

  “I, for one, think it’s sweet. Our little Jurnee is all grown up and has caught one fine man. Geez, Alley, you wrote all those sappy romance novels, you would think you would be used to all this. Don’t you want the same thing?” Summer gave her a look like, well?

  Alley glanced at the big French doors that led onto the deck where the guys still stood, and a look of longing crossed her face. But it was quickly replaced with one of utter pain. I knew that she was thinking about Landon and didn’t understand what exactly he made her feel and why, but she was so torn up. I knew she would blow me off, but I spoke up anyway.

  “If he makes you feel so many things, that they pour off you for all to see, why not just go talk to him, and maybe you two can work out whatever the issue is?” Alley stiffened, but I didn’t stop. “You guys used to be good friends, he talked to you Alley, almost more than he talked to the guys. What happened?” The look she gave me stopped any more words from falling off my lips. I never wanted to hurt Alley, and that’s exactly what it looked like I’d done.

  “Okay, I’m sorry. We won’t talk about that.” I told her, wanting things to go back to the way they were seconds before. “We could talk about Summer and Gyth if that makes everyone feel better.”

  “Omg, Jurnee!” Cheeks red, Summer rolled her eyes. “There is no Gyth, he is just a friend. To everyone, by the way.” Alley cleared her throat.

  As for Summer—she froze as if knowing she was busted.

  I immediately turned to see what Alley was looking at. Yup, just as I thought, and I was sure Summer caught on too. Gyth and all the guys had started in the house, with Gyth in the lead. Summer slowly turned and their gazes met. I’m not sure by the look on his face he fully agreed, but just like our girl, he was fighting their mutual attraction too. Why I had no clue, but one day it was gonna blow up in their faces.

  Kace being his usual self, helped break the tension. “Hey, Jurnee, you sure you want to live here with this guy?” he asked, gesturing over his shoulder to Braxton. “I mean, if you ever get sick of this shithead you could always move in with me.”

  Braxton growled low and deep, then smacked Kace in the back of the head. “Shut it, asshole, you don’t even have your own place, you’re still mooching off Gyth here.” Kace sure gets smacked upside the head a lot.

  Everyone got a laugh at their banter, and the serious moment was over. The guys finished pouring into the kitchen with the food off the grill and everyone started making plates. Taking our dinner to the outdoor table, we savored the beautiful evening and good conversation. Sure, there were some awkward moments here and there, with my friends trying their hardest to fight off their undeniable feelings for the men around us, but for the most part, it was light, carefree and a great first night in my new home. As I looked around the table, I smiled, thinking how special all our friends were. I didn’t have much to bring, so we didn’t need everyone, but they still wanted to be here for us today.

  The evening had wound down and the guys said their goodbyes first, then headed out. Now I was standing by the door with my besties thinking how weird it was I wasn’t going home with them. This was it, the first night away from them in a long damn time. It was like taking off your training wheels and learning to go it alone. Would I fall, coast, or ride like the wind?

  Once again, I found myself sandwiched between my two girls and almost squashed to death. Then pulling back we said our see ya laters.

  “Remember what I said earlier, you always have a place with us, but embrace your new home. You belong here. I can feel it, as well as see it.” Alley gave me a sweet smile. “The two of you played perfect hostess to your friends like an old married couple, and it’s only been a few hours living in the same house. What’s meant to be, will be. Enjoy it, girlfriend.” With that, she gave me one last squeeze and let Summer do her thing.

  “I’ll just keep it short and sweet. Live like there’s no tomorrow. So in other words, have wild monkey sex and enjoy every minute of it. Love ya girl.” Then she hugged me too. I swatted her arm playfully. “You are crazy, but I still love you too.”

  Damn, I was glad Braxton was giving us girls some time alone. Busy cleaning up in the kitchen, which was just awesome from my standpoint, he thankfully didn’t hear Summer’s racy comment.

  “First of all, I love both of you more than words can say, thank you for your support. And Summer, I may just take your advice.”

  “Closing my ears now,” Alley said.

  We all laughed, threw our arms around each other one last time, and then they left. Shutting the door and locking it behind them, I leaned my back against the wood and looked around, letting out a sigh. Wow, this is where I lived now. All my life I was scared to truly let someone in like this, but with Braxton it was different. He’d broken down my walls, and damn fast too I must say.

  “Hey, Dimples, you good?” Brax asked as he walked into the entryway. Then he held his arm out and extended it towards me with his hand open for me to take.

  �
�I’m perfect,” I replied and reached out and took his palm in mine. His simple touch warmed me all over and I smiled at him.

  “That you are, babe, let’s go to bed.”

  Bed, with Brax. Sounded freaking awesome.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Jurnee

  My head had been in the clouds all day at work. I was so excited that it was Friday and Brax and I were both getting home at a decent time tonight, as we were planning to cook and watch a movie. Just the two of us relaxing at the house sounded amazing. It had been a whirlwind two weeks since I had moved in.

  In fact, it had been perfect.

  So far, we were very compatible living together, working well with one another, and we got along great. My fears of rushing things had begun vanishing fast. Each day that went by was better than the one before it and we kept growing as a couple. Sometimes work would bring one of us home later than the other, but we understood, and the one of us who was home would cook and have dinner ready for the other when they got in. But most evenings we cooked together, then once a week went out.

  Braxton said that tonight was date night, because we needed it, and should always have one from time to time for years to come. When he talked about the future that way, my heart did little flips. I was so happy and was on cloud nine.

  But that cloud came crashing down to earth when I heard footsteps hurriedly approaching, along with a little girl’s familiar heart-wrenching cries. Bridgette, one of the younger high school volunteers rushed through my door with Embry’s hand clutched in hers. Tears were pooled in her soft, baby blues and the sight devastated me.

  “I’m sorry, Jurnee, I haven’t been able to calm her down since one of the kids was talking about going to see his dad this weekend.”

  “That’s fine, you can leave her here with me and go back to the room to help out there with the other kids.” Letting go of Embry’s hand that she held, Bridgette left the room and my little angel just stood there, tears cascading down her beautiful little face.

  Coming out from behind my desk, I sat down on the rug I had in the corner of my office, with all the pillows, some books, and toys. Then I patted my lap, letting Embry know there was a place there for her. She ran right up and flopped down in the center of my legs and cried until she was hiccupping and could barely talk. Rubbing small circles on her back in a soothing motion, the tears finally slowed a little.

  “Can you tell me what’s wrong honey?”

  Her words broke me.

  “I don’t want to s-see my d-daddy ever... he scares me. I w-want to go home with y-you.” Struggling to get her words out as her cries increased again, she smashed her little face to my body and hugged me tightly. As I held her, I knew with every beat of my heart and hers, that we were meant to be together. She was mine, this beautiful little one was meant to be with me. I couldn’t make promises I couldn’t keep, I wouldn’t do that to her, but she had to know how I felt about her. I pulled in a deep breath, getting my emotions in check, so I could talk to her without crying as well. She needed me to be strong.

  “Angel, look at me,” I whispered in her ear. As she leaned back, the mix of sorrow, fear, and tears on her face would have brought me to my knees if I hadn’t already been on the ground. I almost had given in and made a promise I shouldn’t, because I couldn’t stand to see her like this. But, having been a small child who suffered from being let down, I held back. She needed words though, to know how much someone cared about her.

  “Baby, it’s gonna be okay. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but I will do everything I can to make sure you are happy. And I would love nothing more than for you to be with me all the time, but sometimes everything we want just isn’t possible.” Needing her to really hear me, I cupped her beautiful face in the palms of my hands and looked into her simmering eyes. “I’m always here for you little one, I love you, Embry.”

  “You l-love me?” she hiccupped between sobs.

  “Of course I do, you're my Angel. Always will be.”

  “I l-love you t-too,” Embry replied, still highly emotional and wrecked. I prayed that I could help repair her tattered heart, and maybe one day get the chance to make a promise I knew I could keep, but one that would bring her comfort and happiness too.

  We wrapped our arms around each other once again and didn’t let go for a very long time.

  Braxton

  I knew something was wrong the moment Jurnee walked in the door. Face red, eyes puffy, she must have been crying on her drive home. I couldn’t stand seeing my girl that way. Walking over to her as she came through the living room where I had been waiting for her, I got up close and personal, tipped her face up to mine, and kissed each sorrow-filled eye, her nose, then her quivering lips, and last, the cute as hell dimple on her chin. Then, I pulled back to gaze into her sad, broken eyes.

  “Babe, what’s wrong?”

  Her lips trembled like she was going to start crying again at any moment, but she was working hard to hold it together.

  “Can I shower, we get some food, and then talk about it?” she asked, quietly.

  “Of course.” I wasn’t one to deny her anything and whatever she wanted to do, I would be there when she was ready.

  “How about I start dinner, while you go shower?”

  “Thanks, Brax, that sounds wonderful,” she replied as she reached out and gently touched my arm, giving me a small smile. The gesture, especially when she was so upset, was sweet.

  It was so Jurnee.

  Then, she headed up the stairs to our room. God, I loved the sound of that, even if it made me a big old sap. We had been living together now for a few weeks, and it had been so damn awesome. Memories had been made already, some soft and tender, and others were so hot and heavy, I thought the room may combust from the heat we were making. Either way, there was always passion between us.

  As I’d made dinner, I pondered and wracked my brain as to what may have gone wrong for my girl today. I didn’t think it had anything to do with that Jenkins guy or she would have called me from work. I also didn’t think it was about us, because things had been really good, and even though she was sad when she came in, she was still very responsive to me like she usually was, not distant. So maybe it was something with her, Summer, and Alley, or possibly at work. Whatever it was, I would find a way to make it better.

  I’d been looking forward to tonight with just the two of us, dinner in, and some flicks on the TV as we cuddled up together on the couch. We’d had some great evenings like that together already, and it was exactly why I had bought the house. It was all a matter of finding the right person to share it with, and I’d found Jurnee.

  And though I knew someday I wanted kids, which had been another reason for buying my home, I hadn’t known the want would be so strong, or so soon until she came back into my life. But I haven't really talked to her about it much, because I knew it was a hard subject for her. My head said we needed time to grow, but with Jurnee, my heart and soul was always ready to shoot for the stars with her.

  Our dinner was almost done, we were having taco casserole and it had about five more minutes in the oven when I heard Jurnee heading down the stairs. Hoping the shower helped a little, I waited for her to come into the kitchen. As she rounded the corner, I was about to ask her if it had but got tongue-tied.

  Fuck, this woman makes me forget my words.

  Wet hair cascading down her back, boy shorts that had her gorgeous limbs on display, and a tank top with just a glimpse of cleavage that teased me real damn good, certainly had my tongue twisted like a pretzel. All that exposed skin and the sexy look was about to drop me to my knees. My Dimples didn’t understand just how beautiful and fucking alluring she was. Which to me made her even hotter.

  Walking right up to me, she wrapped her arms around my middle and hugged me close. “Thanks for making dinner.”

  “No problem,” I said against her neck where I had dropped my mouth to breathe in her favorite cherry scent. And mine too now.
/>   “Brax, you’re sniffing me again.” She giggled.

  “Babe, I can’t help it. You smell so fucking good.”

  “You do too,” she said as she pressed her nose to my chest and made a production out of sniffing me over and over. It was awesome to see her smile, and not cry, but I knew that would change when we started talking about what was wrong earlier.

  The timer went off on the oven and she pulled away. “Let’s grab some plates and go sit in the living room and we can talk,” I told her. It killed me to see her happy face vanish. But she didn’t argue, just grabbed a plate.

  Sitting on the couch, I left the TV off as we started to eat. We were both silent for a few minutes as I imagined she was just getting her bearings before she told me what made her so miserable earlier, and I was letting her take the time she needed, but she looked so lost I had to ask her.

  “Tell me what has you so upset, so I can fix it.” Her face fell even more, and her lips trembled as moisture started falling from her eyes.

  “Y-you can’t f-fix it...there’s no w-way to d-do that.”

  “Let me try Dimples, please?” I pleaded.

  Setting her fork down, she proceeded to explain about her talk with Embry today and how she couldn’t handle the idea of her being placed somewhere else or the fact there was always the chance that she wouldn’t be around at the center anymore. But she also knew that she deserved a special home and family of her own. It was only a matter of time before her worthless father was out of the picture.

  God, the emotion when she talked about the special little girl, would hit anyone right where it hurts. Hearing how Embry pleaded with my girl to go home with her and explained how she was scared killed me. I now knew why Jurnee was full of sorrow tonight when she’d come home. She managed to eat a little as she told me all about it, but it was obvious she wasn’t very hungry.