“Uh…” I trail off. “Maybe.”
“Oh, come on,” Kayleigh pleads. “Let’s go do something fun. Do you remember when you told me you wanted to get your nose pierced?”
My forehead creases. “Over a year ago, yeah.”
Kayleigh’s face lights up. “You still want to get it done?”
I purse my lips and nod. It’s something I’ve wanted for ages.
“Then let’s go. I know the best place, and they have the most delicious pizza restaurant across the street.”
Ava claps her hands together and stands from her stool. “Sounds good to me.”
“What about Aurora?” I ask.
“Lucy is looking after her with Albie.”
Despite not wanting to see anyone today, I can’t deny the fact that this is probably good for me rather than rotting away in bed, and a new piercing? It’ll definitely take my mind off what’s going on right now.
It doesn’t take long to get to Stonebridge, where Kayleigh used to go to university. We head into the piercing shop, and a wave of adrenaline hits my nervous system.
I’ve wanted to get my nose pierced for years, but never had the courage to.
Today is the day. A new piercing and a new start. Okay, that’s a little cliché, but I’m willing to believe in it.
No more self-harming. No more letting people walk all over me. No more being treated like a fool.
The needle pierces my nose as the piercer secures a small ball to the back of the jewellery. “Let it heal for at least six to eight weeks,” she says as she hands me the mirror. “If it’s not fully healed, leave it a bit longer before you change the jewellery. Especially a hoop, you don’t want to aggravate it.”
I stare back at myself and my first-ever piercing. “Oh, I love it.”
“Yeah?” She grins. “It looks great on you.”
My head twists from left to right as I continue to stare in awe. “Yeah, thank you.”
Kayleigh and Ava approach me as I leave the small room, and Ava grins with excitement. “Holy shit. It looks great.”
“Oh, you were born to have a nose piercing.” Kayleigh nods with approval.
I laugh hesitantly. “You think?”
“Most definitely.”
“Come on.” Ava slides her arm through mine. “Let’s get pizza.”
When we returnto the pack house after an afternoon I needed, I’m relieved to feel a little lighter than before. Even if my nose throbs, my heart feels fuller. Ava and Kayleigh know how to cheer me up.
But the second we walk through the door to Jaxon’s private annex, I immediately know who’s here before even seeing them. I gulp at the sensations flowing through me without permission.
I hover by the door as Ava and Kayleigh walk ahead, and I have no choice but to follow them. Around the kitchen counterare Jaxon, Kayden, and Caleb. They’re in deep conversation until we disturb them.
My eyes land on Caleb’s automatically, and I try to look away, but his intense gaze keeps drawing me back. It’s impossible to tell myself to do what’s right, but my wolf won’t listen.
“Hey,” Kayden calls out with a grin. “You guys have a good day?”
Kayleigh’s eyes immediately light up. “The best. Took Evan to get his nose pierced. Doesn’t he look so good?”
Everyone’s eyes in the room turn to me, and I feel like I’m under a spotlight. I shift from foot to foot.
