Page 63 of Girth (Marked Skulls MC 1)
“Because… we were all here. A-a-and Zoey was there, then you guys came out. Then I pushed her behind me t-t-to… to try and… and… uh…”
“Protect me,” Zoey said.
I felt her hand slip into mine as tears started falling down the sides of my head.
“He was trying to protect me,” Zoey said with a sniffle.
“What the hell was all that bike jumping?” Colt asked.
“Distraction,” I said. “All the guns were… were pointed at… at the… at the… bike. The bike. That Zoey was… was behind. Um. Uh. Th-th-they kept shooting, so I drew…”
“Come on, Rider. Say it,” Zoey said.
“I drew the f-f-fire,” I said.
“All right, kid. I’m not moving you until we get some shit into you that’s gonna help with that pain. We won’t be able to do anything else,” Doc said.
“How far is this fucking asshole?” Colt asked.
I squeezed Zoey’s hand as best as I could, gritting through the pain as I looked over at her. My eyes studied her, taking in the tears barreling down her cheeks. She looked so sad. So desolate. So helpless as she sat there beside me. Zoey brought my hand up to her lips, kissing each of my knuckles as Colt started at us.
I lobbed my head over, watching as my friend’s face morphed from confusion to a blank stare to anger.
“Colt, not now,” Zoey said.
“What the fuck was that?” Colt asked.
“Not. Now,” Zoey said.
“I-I-I… like your… um… she… I’d like to…”
I couldn’t get the sentence out. I wanted to ask Colt’s permission. I wanted to formally ask him to take his sister out on a date. I wanted things to be okay. I wanted to be a part of this crew and be a part of Zoey’s life. I didn’t want to have to choose. I didn’t want to lose my family and the woman that had captured my attention.
“I’m here. I’m here. Where the hell is this guy?” an elder woman’s voice rang out.
“He’s over here,” Doc said. “Get this kid some fucking medication.”
I felt someone unraveling something, and I braced for the pain. The needle going right into my wound was agonizing. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as my legs shook. I wasn’t sure how much more of this I could take. But as the numbing solution kicked in and the lidocaine numbed the skin around the entry and exit wounds, it became easier to breathe.
Easier to speak.
Easier to formulate my thoughts.
“Okay, kid. Here’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna stitch you up real good, butcha gotta keep your arm in the sling I’m gonna give ya. I’ll load you up with pain killers and give ya some antibiotics to take, so ya don’t get infected. Take them. I don’t give a rat’s ass if you don’t develop an infection right off the bat. Take them and don’t ask questions. You got me?”
“I hear you,” I said breathlessly.
“Good. I’m gonna be movin’ your arm around a lot, but you shouldn’t feel anything. Pressure, sure. But no pain. If there’s pain, tell me. Imma numb you up good through this.”
“Thanks,” I said through gritted teeth.
Zoey laced her fingers within mine as the doctor started jerking me around. I rolled my head back over to Colt, his eyes darting between myself and his sister. I was ready for anything he threw my way. I was ready for him to strip me of my prospective status or for him to tell me his sister was off limits. I was ready for him to start yelling and screaming and cursing me out for being a complete and utter asshole for fucking around with his younger sister.
But instead, his anger morphed back into a stern look.
“Thank you for protecting my sister,” Colt said. “That better be only a taste of what you’re willing to do to protect her.”
“I would’ve taken that bullet for her had it come even close,” I said.
“And if you hurt her in any way, for any reason… intentional or not… you’ll have to answer to me. And that shit isn’t fun.”
“I promise you; she’s safe with me. Always.”
I held out my good hand to Colt, and he clenched it tightly. He pulled my fist into his chest, tapping it twice against his heart. The Fallen Reapers had a sign. A signal they had adopted when things got tough and one of the brothers needed comfort. Someone would take their fist, curl it up, and then the stronger individual would tap it twice against their chest. It was a sign of mutual respect, a sign of sincerity, and a sign that shit was gonna get better.
Colt was trying to transfer some of his strength to me.
“You shouldn’t feel this, but I’m gonna numb ya up a bit more down here. I’m gettin’ down into the sinew of your arm, and I’d rather be safe than sorry. Grit your teeth just in case.”
Colt and Zoey both gripped tightly against my hands as I clenched my teeth. There was a pinch and a bit of dull pain but is disappeared immediately once the medicine started filling up my tissues. I could feel the man tugging, slowly stitching me closed before he turned me onto my side. A through-and-through bullet was a bitch to sew up, but she seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it.
I’d have shoulder problems for the rest of my life, but at least I still had my arm.
“Zoey?” I asked.
“Yeah, Rider?”
“Would you like to come over to my place tomorrow night and eat take out with me?”
“Are you really asking me that now? When you’re on your side being stitched up?”
“Hell of an ask, if you want my opinion,” Doc said. “That’s a man’s proposal of a date.”
“Figured I could get us some sodas, since I’m probably not drinking beer anytime soon. We could order some Chinese. Or maybe some pizza. Or subs from that place up the… the road. Dinner in and a movie? Whaddaya say?”
“I think you’re crazy and you should focus on being stitched up,” she said.
“I think that rejection was more painful than the gunshot,” I said.
“It’s not a rejection. I just… want you to breathe and focus on one thing at a time.”
“Come on, guys. The man’s almost done here,” Doc said. “Let’s give them their space.”
“A few more stitches and you’re good to go,” Colt said. “I’ll talk to Sheila and make sure I get your antibiotics and pain pills.”
“Okay. Yeah. Thanks,” I said breathlessly.
“Come on, come on, come on. Let the kids breathe,” Doc said.
I felt Colt drop my hand, my body moving with the stitches as the strange woman saving my life pulled the last one through my skin. I felt it a bit, wincing as she tied it off. She wiped me down with iodine and wrapped gauze and shit around my shoulder, then slowly helped me upright so I could think straight. The room was still spinning a bit, and I felt Zoey’s hands on my naked chest. Her eyes were studying me as Doc’s friend put me in a sling, my arm resting on the fabric as it hung uselessly in the air.
But the only thing I could focus on was Zoey’s hands. Her warm touch against my skin. Her fingertips curling into my strength. My eyes locked onto her as the rest of the guys made their way to the bar, ordering a round of strong drinks to drown out the shit that had just taken place.
“So?” I asked. “Whatcha up to tomorrow night?”
Chapter 14
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Zoey
I giggled and shook my head as Rider’s insistence. His eyes were red and glossy from the pain medication, but I knew he was all there. My eyes dropped to the wound on his shoulder as I tried not to focus on the nakedness of his chest, and his scars running up his side. My heart was still palpitating with worry. I wanted to know what I could do to help take care of him. To make this recuperation a little easier on him. My hand rose up, hovering just above the blood-soaked gauze as Rider kept his eyes on me.
I wasn’t ready to let him out of my sight. Not just yet.
“Sorry to ruin the moment,” Colt said, “but I got some things to tell you.”
“What’s up?” Rider asked.
“Got your medicine and shit,” Colt said as he held up a brown bag. “The orange bottle with the thick pills are your antibiotics. One a day until it’s gone. Take one when you get home. The other bottle with the smaller, round pills is your pain medication. One in the morning, one in the evening.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Rider said with a grin.
“We got another issue, though,” Colt said.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Rider’s gotta be monitored for the next forty-eight hours. Risk of blood clots and shit. Someone’s gotta be around him to keep his temperature and shit in check. You know, make sure he’s drinking fluids to decrease the risk and all.”
“So… no to the date, then,” Rider said.
“Not necessarily,” I said.
“Figured you’d take the hint on that. You guys have fun. But not too much fun. That’s my sister, asshole,” Colt said.
“Got it,” Rider said with a lazy nod. “Except I don’t know what anyone’s talking about.”
“It’s probably not a good idea for you to come to my place, with my parents and their work schedules,” I said. “But since you need someone watching to make sure you stay okay, I can come to your place. Make sure you take your medication and stuff.”
“So… yes to the date,” Rider said.
