Page 49 of Thunder

“They’re my family,” she said at the same time they shouted, “We are her family.”

“Well, then you can fill out some paperwork and wait until we’ve had a chance to look at her.” The nurse closed the curtain, effectively shutting the men out and her in.

“Can you tell us what happened to you?” Her brain was still sluggish, like it was covered in honey. But she did know the Phantoms would have their own version of things. So instead of saying the wrong thing, she simply answered, “I don’t remember right now. My head hurts though, could you give me something for this headache?” This was all too familiar. The headache and the lying.

The nurse turned and threw open the curtain and ran into the two men who hadn’t moved an inch. “I was just coming to ask you two if you knew what happened?”

Taps smiled at her, before turning that blinding smile to the nurse. “She was involved in a break-in at the place where she works. She fell defending herself and hit her head.” Taps leaned around the nurse. “Ripley just called and said thanks to you, nothing was stolen and the would-be thief fled after knocking you down. You did good, sweetheart.” Then he winked. If Andy hadn’t already lost her heart to Thunder, it would have been in serious danger from that charmer.

Oh god, she groaned aloud, but that only hurt her head more. She’d lost her heart to Thunder.

23

THUNDER

Thunder waited nervously for Lexi to bring his woman through their apartment door. He wanted her at the clubhouse, but he wasn’t sure she would go for that. Ultimately, he wanted her in his house on the compound. Safe, and with him. He just didn’t know how to make that happen.

She’d been home, released from the hospital for a week. They’d kept her overnight for observation and sent her home.

They hadn’t seen each other but had exchanged texts and a few calls. She’d been a bit closed off and had an excuse every time he wanted to see her, but she wouldn’t fail to text him right back. It was a little strange how much better they’d gotten to know each other through text than they ever would’ve if they’d actually been in the same room.

He was running scenarios in his head about how to win her over when Lexi entered the apartment with a complaining Andy right on her heels. The sound of her voice was sweet and soothed his bristling soul.

Thunder stood there holding and surrounded by gifts his brothers assured him,chicks dig. He wasn’t so sure, but he took their advice since they had more experience with groveling than he did. A bouquet of wildflowers Blast had said she would find endearing. A dozen donuts becausebitches love sweets, Taps’ words, not his.

Trip and Lexi’s suggestions were back in his room. He may not know groveling, but he knew that sexy underwear and a new sex toy were not the right way to say, I’m sorry for everything I’ve ever done wrong or will do wrong in the future. Will you please be with me for all time and let me play with your tits?

Priest added his input, a weaponized key chain with Thunder’s key on it. A mid-range bottle of wine with a “cute” label, because according to Granite, good women only cared if the label was cute, not pricey.

“What in the world is all this?” She looked stunning. A few days in the hospital did nothing to dull her shine. Andy was his world. Wow. When that wisp of knowledge floated through his mind, it rocked him back on his heels.She is my world.He knew it when he blurted out a declaration of love as Taps carried her out of Horns. She hadn’t brought it up, so he wasn’t sure she’d even heard him.

“This is—” Thunder had nothing. He’d spent so much time thinking about getting her the right gifts and not saying the wrong thing, that he forgot to figure out what to actually say.

“This is,” Lexi answered, turning to Andy. “Your delayed homecoming, you can thank me later. But this awesome welcome home comes complete with a groveling smoking hot biker and a rock star of a best friend who emailed you her wish list just in caaaaase.” Lexi drew out her last word as she made her way down the hall. “And FYI,” she shouted from her room. “I’m putting on my noise canceling headphones and won’t leave my room until eight a.m.”

Thunder couldn’t hide his smile when she rolled her eyes at her friend. Thunder didn’t want to be insensitive to her injury, but on the other hand, he didn’t want her to think this distance was okay or that he didn’t want her. He’d spent hours on the internet learning about head injuries, even spoke with a doctor hypothetically.

Andy was in no danger or anything like that, but Thunder still wasn’t sure how to touch her or even if she would allow it. “Andy,” he started. Words just didn’t come for him, not where she was concerned. She had stepped into the apartment and was fiddling with an imaginary string on the corner of the couch.

He’d seen her pissed, hurt, a little scared, happy, sated, a range of emotions, but never like that. So unsure, almost timid. Thunder would never forgive himself if that was now woven into the fabric of who she was because of him.

“Fuck it. I suck with words.” He breathed as he closed the space between them. Pulling her into his body, he sat with her slung across his lap. His kiss held every word he had. When she returned it, he groaned and dragged his hand around the front of her throat. Not to apply pressure or choke her, but to connect with her pulse points and her breathing. To experience the kiss, not just feel it.

It took on a life of its own. Their very breathing was dependent on each other. He didn’t want it to end, but he felt he needed to apologize again. Beg her forgiveness. They’d gone through so much via texts, but there was something to be said for looking into someone’s eyes. Reluctantly, he pulled back with just a few hit and run pecks.

“Babe. I’m sorry for what I had to say and do. I didn’t mean any of those things. You have to believe me. I would never purposely put you in danger. I thought I was making the right moves. I stand by them, right or wrong. But I need you to know I did what I thought was best. I meant none of what I said that night.” Thunder knew he was repeating himself, but he couldn’t help it. His heart was racing, and his stomach was in knots. He wasn’t even this nervous on his first combat flight, but the stakes weren’t as high. Death is over and done, but a broken heart can linger for eternity.

“You have to stop apologizing. I told you I understood, and I meant it.”

“But you’re still hurting.”

That look crossed her face again. “I am, but that’s not on you. My logical mind understands, but in those moments, I still felt what I felt. I know what it was and what it wasn’t, but regardless, I went through it the way I did, so it feels different in my memory. Does that make sense?”

Thunder nodded.

“No amount of groveling or apologizing can change that. But I have moved on and in time, the memories will fade.”

Thunder brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. It trembled slightly under his touch. “Then why are you still so sad?”

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