Page 95 of Waiting for Redemption

“Don’t worry. We’ll get you out of here. Quite the dramatic exit you took up there.” I laugh, sending needle-like pain all the way down my back.

“Fuck you,” I groan, making him force a smile as he calls for the MedeVac.

In a blink, we’re at the hospital and all I can hear is the annoying repetition of the machines I’m hooked up to.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Fuck, I don’t remember it being this loud.

“Turn it offfff,” someone groans, but there’s no one in the room but me. I look around again, but still, I see no one.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

“Tank,I swear to god, turn it off,” Ruby’s voice finally breaks through the barrier of dream and reality, making my heart rate steady back out when I see I’mnotback in the hospital. I can feel myself covered in sweat, the stress from that dream taking a subconscious toll on my body.

I let out a tired groan of disapproval when I realize it’s my alarm going off, letting me know it’s time to get back to the grind. I’d much rather stay in bed with my wife all day, but I suppose I am a little excited to get back toThe Veterans Centerthis week.I reach over to silence the noise, but when I do I notice a tiny arm is draped over my face and Maverick is lying across my stomach.

No wonder my back was hurting in that dream. Maverick’s big ass is making it hurt for real.

I lift the arm gently and let my eyes adjust to see Hendrix sprawled out next to me, with his head on my shoulder, arm on my face, and his feet on Ruby. I can’t help but laugh at the fact thatIgot the good end of this bargain.

I slide out of bed, being careful not to wake them, but Hendrix jerks when Maverick jumps down—kicking Ruby in the leg. I hold my breath waiting for her to groan and wake up, but she simply picks up his legs and lays them over her stomach—as if she’s done this a thousand times before.

Which she probably has.

I’m realizing in this moment, that I have no idea whattheirregular schedule looks like together. This is only my second day living here, so I’m sure I’ll be filled in on everything I need to know soon enough.

After letting Maverick outside to do his thing, I flip on the light in the kitchen and start brewing a pot of coffee before getting a quick warm-up workout done in the living room. I don’t like wasting time warming up at the gym, so I always do that at home. That way when I get there it’s straight to the weights.

“If you do this every morning I might not be such a gremlin when I first wake up.” I stop mid push-up and look over my shoulder to see Ruby leaning against the wall, holding a cup of coffee in her hands.

“Mornin’, Honey.” I smirk at her as she takes a sip of her drink, squinting her eyes as a sign she’s smiling back at me. Her hair is clipped back, but pieces are sticking out every which way, and she’s wearing a pair of boxer briefs that hug her curves just right with an oversizedBad BunniesT-shirt.

Perfection.

I jump up and walk over to her, kissing her forehead before going to make my own cup.

“Do you always wake up this early?” I ask as she pulls herself up onto the countertop.

“When I smell coffee I do.” She smiles.

“Noted.” I put the coffee pot back and walk over to where she’s sitting. “Tell me what a normal day looks like for the two of you.”

“It’s so early.” She pouts, shrinking to lay her head on my shoulder. I cradle the back of her head and laugh.

My wife is not a morning person.

“Okay, we can talk about it later. Just tell me what I can do to help make your morning easier.” She leans back and looks at me while she thinks.

“I don’t know. I’m so used to the routine we have I wouldn’t know how to pick something tonotdo.”

“Alright, how about I watch you guys for today and see if I can fall into your groove tomorrow?” She nods sleepily. “My sleepy little wife.”

“Very sleepy.” She pouts again. I bend down and kiss her neck, loving the way she tilts her head to give me better access.

“I’ll try not to keep you up so late from now on,” I whisper against her neck.

“Just put energy drinks on the shopping list, I’ll be fine.” I smile even bigger as I stand up to look at her. She bites her lip, making a subtle ache for her shoot all the way through me. I place my hands on either side of her face, keeping her focus fixed on my eyes.

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