Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Mmmm,” he groaned.
“I know it’s early, but you’ve gotta get ready for your appointment.”
He stirred, and his eyes fluttered open. For a second, he looked confused, and then he remembered. He glanced down at his wrist and frowned in a way that made my chest ache. But he didn’t complain. He never did. He just nodded and started to sit up.
“How’s it feeling?”
“It’s okay. Just throbs a little.”
He shrugged like it was no big deal, but I could see the pain in his eyes, and it killed me inside. “We’ll see the doctor today, and they’ll take good care of you, okay?”
“And I can get a blue cast?”
“Absolutely.”
“Cool.”
He finished getting ready, and Sutton drove us to the appointment. After a round of questions about what had happened to his wrist, the doctor took a few more X-rays. He determined that it was a clean break that didn’t interfere with his growth plate, so no surgery was needed. Toby got his blue cast, and for the first couple of hours, he thought it was the coolest thing ever. Then, reality set in, and he realized it was just the opposite.
We were on our way back to the house when I asked, “Has there been any word on Zeke?”
“Blade said he had a rough night, but he’s holding his own.”
“Do you think we could go by and see him?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“I’d really like to.”
“You got it.”
Sutton turned around, and a few minutes later, we were pulling up to the clubhouse. As soon as we were parked, Toby hopped out and made a beeline for Dagger and Garrison, showing off his cast. After what he’d been through, it was good to see him smiling. We both needed that.
When we reached the infirmary, I turned to Sutton and asked, “Mind if I have a minute alone with him?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
I hesitated for a moment, then eased the door open and stepped inside. Zeke was lying on the bed with his head propped up with pillows, and there were bandages covering the wounds on his shoulder and thigh. He looked pale but alert.
His lips curved into a small grin, but I could see the pain in his eyes as I made my way over to him. "Hey.”
“Hey.”
My throat tightened as I looked at him, thinking about how easily it could’ve been so much worse. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m hanging in.”
“I’m so sorry about all this. I wish...”
“You got nothing to be sorry for,” Zeke interrupted. “I was there ‘cause I wanted to be. I just hate I didn’t take him out when I had the chance.”
“Well, we’re clear of him now, and I want you to do whatever it takes to get better.”
“Oh, I’m planning on it.” He gave me a wink. “I’ve got a patch to earn.”
“I think you earned some brownie points last night.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I do.” Sutton stepped into the room as he said, “She’s right. You did good last night.”
“We both know that ain’t true.”
“You took two bullets for us. That counts for something. Besides, you got the message to me, and that’s what matters.”
Zeke gave him a nod, his smile a little wider. “Nothing I wouldn’t do for the club.”
“We know. Now, all you gotta do is focus on getting better.”
"Oh, I’ll be alright. It’ll take more than that to keep me down."
“Well, if you need anything... anything at all, just let me know.”
"Will do.”
Zeke was one of those strong, silent types who wasn’t the type to ask for help, but that didn’t matter. Sutton and I would make sure he had whatever he needed. He’d risked his life for us, and neither of us was going to forget that. We sat with him for a few more minutes, then headed out to find Toby. We’d just made it outside when Goose and Grim came up to us.
“How you two holding up?”
“Better than you might think.” Sutton gave Grim a look, then asked, “We good?”
Grim gave him a nod, and that was it.
Goose motioned his head over to Rusty and several of the other guys who were gathering around their bikes. “We’re about to ride out to Broadmoor Lake. You two should go with.”
“We’ve got Toby.”
“Ah, Dagger’s got him. Besides, we won’t be long.”
Sutton looked over to me as he asked, “What do you think? You up for a ride?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never ridden before.”
“No time like the present.”
“Okay, but can we check with Toby and make sure he’s good with staying here?”
“Absolutely.”
Sutton called Toby over, and just as I’d expected, he was fine with staying with Dagger and Garrison. Sutton led me over to his bike and offered me a helmet. Once I had it on, he helped me climb on the back, and I rested my hands on his waist. “Anything I need to know?”