Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
I reach for the seat and sit down on the edge of it. “I didn’t have an appointment.”
He chuckles. “I know. But you’re the only one I haven’t met with, so I knew it would be any time.”
I nod. Walker is a smart man, and he knows why I’m here. I want to know what my future is here at the compound. “Are you serious about giving me a job here, Walker?”
He pauses, and I hear the creak of his chair as he sits down. “How is your therapy going?”
I tense and sit up a little taller. “I’m at every appointment. I haven’t missed one.”
He laughs, and I know that laugh. Walker knows all, and there’s no getting anything by him. “Yeah, I know you’ve been at every therapy appointment, but I’m asking you how it’s going. Are you participating?”
I shrug.
I hear the shuffling of papers, and Walker starts to talk again. “Mr. Hawk attends every session but he does not talk about the events that brought him here. When asked about his future, he is unable to articulate what his future holds. He is able to function with basic day-to-day life, but I have been unable to evaluate him in other situations.”
I sit quietly, and he shuffles some more papers. “This is from your medical doctor. It is recommended to have further testing. There has not been any improvement with the patient’s vision.”
I lean back in the chair and cross my arms over my chest. “So basically, you’re not going to hire me if my sight doesn’t come back. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Fuck you, Hawk.”
I jerk in my seat and shake my head with a laugh. Walker has always been no-nonsense. He bangs his hand on the desk. When he comes around, the desk grinds as he sits on it. “I want to hire you.”
“To do what? What the fuck could I do here, Walker?”
He changes the subject. “I’ve heard the talk. Some of the guys think I brought you guys here because I feel guilty. What do you think?”
I shrug. I do know that Walker shouldn’t feel guilty, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around why he would bring me here.
“Do you think I feel guilty? You probably know me better than anyone. We’ve both been around the block.”
I shake my head. “Are you calling me old?”
He chuckles. “We’re in our mid-forties, and even though we don’t want to admit it, we’re getting older, Hawk. But no, I’m not calling you old. I’m asking you what you think.”
I blow out a breath. If he wants to know what I think, I’ll tell him. “No, I don’t think you feel guilty. You have no reason to feel guilty. You brought Davis here because even though he only has one damn leg, you couldn’t find someone better to head up your security. Kanan was raised doing landscaping, and he’s perfect for the position you put him in.”
“And Reyes and Colter?” he asks.
I shake my head. “What? You need your ego stroked, old man? I’ll do it. You’re right about them too. Colter, even with a fuckin’ brain injury, is the best hacker. We all know it. And Reyes is going to start going on missions again. He lives for that shit. It all makes sense. They ALL make sense, but you know what doesn’t make sense?” I pause. When he doesn’t answer, I continue. “Me. I don’t make sense.”
He laughs. “I know you don’t feel it. But you’re the same guy that led men on over fifty missions for me. You are the same man that has saved hundreds of women and children, at least a dozen dignitaries, and countless others that would not be alive today if it wasn’t for you. You are that same man, Hawk.”
Fuck I wish I had the same conviction he does. “I want to be that man again.”
“Okay, so now we’re getting somewhere. At least you want it. Now you need to prove it.”
“Prove it?” I repeat.
He’s on the move again, walking around his office. “Yes, prove it. I need you to do more than just show up, Hawk. I need you to do what you do. Be a leader. I need you to take control of yourself. I need you to do better.”
I hate the sound of defeat in my voice. “I can’t control when my vision is going to come back, Walker. Trust me, I wish I could, but I can’t.”
“Fuck, I’m not asking you to see. I’m asking you to feel.” He walks back over to me and pounds his hand against my chest. “I need you to heal, and the only way to do that is to be open to it. I need you to give it your all.”
“And then I’ll have a job… so I can stay in Whiskey Run.”