Page 55 of Warrior

Chapter 25

Lyric

When life handed me back the one person I had given up on, I decided that someone out there was playing with fate. Never in a million years did I think my momma would be right when she told me that someday, if it was meant to be, we’d find our way back to each other. At eighteen, I thought my world was over and that love was something I’d never want again. That breakup was painful and it broke me in ways I never thought I’d heal from, or if I did, I wouldn’t like the person it changed me into.

Everything I had believed and prepared myself for, a life alone, went flying out the door when fate brought the love of my life back to me. I fought and pushed, and in the short time we were together again, it was as if time had never passed. That just pissed me off more. I guarded myself, even when I needed him. Then the jackass went and almost died on me after saving my life.

When we left the hospital, I stayed with Colt for the first two weeks when he was at his lowest and needed the most support getting around. Even walking a few feet would tire him out, so he spent most of his days on the couch and in our bed at night.Of course, since he couldn’t be doing what he wanted and he wasn't healing as fast as he thought he should, he was a grouch. A straight-up asshole, and a few times I threatened not to talk to him for the whole day. He was the worst patient.

By week three, he doesn’t need as much intensive care and is starting to walk with less help. He is able to eat more solid foods, and his pain medication has been cut in half. Zane, Bullet, Dodger and even Jester and Daggerz take turns dropping in to hang out with Colt a few hours every day.

Bullet starts laughing hysterically when he calls Colt by his road name. “Get it.” He elbows me gently in the side. “Karma. He was almost killed after how many li?—”

“Shut the fuck up.” Colt throws a pillow at him. And soon Bullet is running around the living room while even Daggerz is chuckling.

I roll my eyes. “Enough.”

Colt’s eyes widen. “But, baby, I —”

“Colt.” I turn to him, hands on my hips. “How dumb do you think I am? You think I haven’t worked out yet what you do for the club?”

“Oh, shit,” Dodger mutters under his breath and Zane edges his side.

“Lyric, I just meant?—”

Glaring Colt into silence, I turn to Daggerz. “Can you explain to them please that I was Doc way before they came along?”

Everyone goes silent and Daggerz looks at all of them before scoffing. “So, when Doc was here with us last, I sort of made her an honorary member.” I raise my brow at him. “Okay, she's a member. A silent member.”

“Holy fuck.” Colt’s jaw opens and Jester slaps his hands laughing at the shock on all the guys’ faces.

“So there’s still one more then,” Zane says, his brow furrowed. “You said there were two. Who is the second if Doc is one?”

Daggerz and I share a brief glance, but I look away. The less I share, the better. I never want to lie to Colt, and the truth is I really don’t know.

“You’ll never find out,” Daggerz answers. I can tell that they’re confused and eventually chatter just continues on. Zane helps me grill burgers and hotdogs as more people from the club stop by to see Colt.

I’m not surprised when Ari shows up, given her club involvement and the fact that she is friends with Colt and Zane. What does surprise me is that she walks up to me and gives me a hug.

“I’m happy you’re safe now, Doc,” she says lightly before pulling back. She worries her lip with her teeth before meeting my eyes. “I was a bitch to you when you first got here and you didn’t deserve it.”

“Yeah, I didn’t,” I agree with her, and she has the decency to look embarrassed.

“I didn’t know the connection between you all and I just thought I was, I don’t know, protecting them all or something. I overstepped without knowing all the facts.” She blows out a shaky breath before continuing. “I also reacted badly because seeing you again reminded me of what happened four years ago.”

My hand rests on her arm and I feel myself softening towards her. “It was hard for all of you. But you’re strong, Ari. You all are, and your sister is healing. And as far as the guys go, I’m glad they have people watching out for them. Club business is no joke. They need family.”

She nods her head, and I don’t miss the way her eyes flick towards Zane. “Yeah, they do. Thanks, Lyric, for giving me thechance to talk to you. I wanted to earlier, but your man was keeping you under wraps.”

We laugh and this time I hug her before she melts back into the crowd and I’m surrounded by new people I’ve never met, and old friends I’ve been hoping to see—Winnie included, although she avoids me, and I notice her distance from Dodger. I want to help her, but I know I have to navigate the rules of the club.

More than once during the day I catch Colt watching me from across the room with a look I can’t decipher. Honestly, it makes me feel nervous. I’ve been here for weeks now after the incident, and true, I am taking care of him, but he easily could have asked the club or hired someone. Hell, a few of the nurses were practically creaming themselves for a chance to give him a sponge bath.

I know we have to talk. At some point I have to make a decision, a move. My momma asked me if I could open my heart to Colt again, and that answer was easy. I’ve always loved him. When Colt told me he loved me, it was there on the tip of my tongue, but my fear had won out in the end. Colt never pressures me. He hasn’t given me an ultimatum or asked me when I’m going home. I don’t want to read too much into it. I try not to overthink it. Obviously, he’s been thinking about his recovery and we can talk about us after. If there is an us.

Chapter 26

Colt

---