“Why don’t you girls take her to the table we all sit at so she can get off her feet?”I suggest, bending down to grab her bags so she doesn’t have to carry them.
Rory and Dakota talk a mile a minute as they lead Annistyn to the table at the back we typically occupy.Everyone in the room acknowledges her and says hi as she greets them all back.There is no more hiding away from the men of the club and they can all see it.Cali steps up to me with tears in her eyes as she watches Annistyn interact with the kids and greet everyone.
“Best decision she ever made,” Cali whispers and I know she’s right.
I head for the table and take a seat right next to Annistyn.I move as close as possible because I’ve been away from her for far too long and I can’t help but think she’s not really here.That I’m having a dream I’ll wake up from to discover she’s still on the ranch with Roger.If I’m dreaming this time, I don’t ever want to wake the fuck up.I’ll gladly live this dream for an eternity and never get tired of it.
Chapter Seventeen
Annistyn
SITTING AT THE tablewith Kreed’s family because that’s what these men are to him, I’m immediately at peace.There isn’t the overwhelming need to disappear and fade into the background I used to feel before going to Roger’s ranch.They all welcome me back with open arms and I feel truly seen and treasured for the first time in my life by someone other than Kreed.Dakota climbs up in my lap the second I’m sitting down and wraps her little arms around my neck as if she’s scared I’ll disappear from her sight again.My heart hasn’t stopped beating out of my chest since I pulled open the door and my eyes landed on Kreed for the first time in a year and a half.I drink in the sight of him and knew I’d never leave this man again for any reason.
I almost broke several times while I was gone and begged Roger for my phone or left in the middle of the night to come back here.Those were the really hard days and nights and it took every ounce of strength I now possess to remain on the ranch to continue my treatment so I could heal and become this new version of myself.Kreed’s hair is a little longer than when I left and his clothes are rumpled as if he climbed out of bed and threw on the first thing he found.There’s a bit of grease under one of his eyes from working at the garage all day long as well.For a minute he doesn’t move as his eyes roam every inch of me.Then, it’s like he finally realizes I’m standing here and he jumps out of his seat to make his way to me.Being wrapped up in his strong arms again feels as if I’ve finally come home and a feeling of complete peace washes over me.I can’t stop the tears from falling in happiness this time.It’s not because of my past but because I’m finally where I’m meant to be—back in Kreed’s arms and in his world.
Kreed doesn’t take his eyes off of me as he takes the seat next to me and moves it as close as possible.Our legs are touching and his shoulder brushes against mine.I’m not going to complain at all because I’ve truly missed him and need to know he’s right next to me and I’m not on the ranch and just imagining this.
“How have you been?”Tank asks me, a smile on his face as he watches me.
“So good.A lot better than the last time I saw you,” I answer him, not sure I’m ready to talk about my time away yet.
“I can tell.You look really good, Annistyn.I was worried about you when you left but I can see you made the right decision.So fuckin’ proud of you for doin’ what you had to do,” he says as I tear up once again because this man really doesn’t know me and yet is proud of the steps I’ve taken on my road to recovery.It does nothing but heal another piece of my soul that couldn’t be touched until this very moment.Kreed healed another piece the second he touched me.
“There’s my girl!”Kreed’s mom says walking up and pulling me into a side hug with the largest smile on her face.“I’ve missed you so damn much.Kreed didn’t tell me anything other than you were okay while you were gone.”
“I’ve missed you, too.All of you if I’m being honest.It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life but the best one.This is what I needed to do and I don’t regret a single second I was gone.Well, I mean I regret the way I left and not contacting any of you while I was gone.I just wasn’t strong enough then to do things any other way,” I say as I look around the room to include everyone in that statement.Even the guys I didn’t really interact with before the ranch.
“None of us blame you at all, Annistyn.You know yourself better than anyone here and did what you had to do,” Luca says walking up and giving me a smile.“I would have done the same thing if I were you.I’m glad you’re back.”
“He’s not wrong, Annistyn.I’m glad you’re back and can’t wait to spend time with you,” Cali says, sitting next to Reckless as he places his arm over her shoulders and kisses the top of her head.“Do you have to go back to the ranch?”
“No.Everything now I can do with a video call.My therapist, Debbie, is happy with my progress and wants me to live my life.Going to the ranch every week or when I need her wouldn’t allow me to live because everything would have to revolve around those appointments.Now I just need a quiet place for the video call and then I can go about my day when we’re done,” I answer her honestly because this was the best option for me moving forward.
“Are you hungry?”Kreed asks me, already preparing to get out of his seat and head to grab me something.
“No.I ate lunch before heading back here.I don’t really snack as much as I used to, but I keep my favorites on hand.I’ll be ready to eat again when it’s dinner time,” I answer him knowing he’ll like how much I’m able to eat at one time now.“I have a journal to write my meals down in and it seems to help me keep track of when I have good and bad days.It’s something my therapist did when she was really bad with her own eating disorder.I typically use my phone and keep track of each day in the notes app.”
