Page 37 of Joker
“Jason,” I croak. God, my throat is sore.
“Fuck, Babydoll, you scared the shit out of us,” he puffs out with a nervous laugh as he swipes his hand across the top of his head.
Jason has tears running down his face. Beau is dancing next to him, singing something about me being awake.
“Don’t swear in front of Beau,” I chastise him
“Awake two seconds and you’re already busting my balls.” He smiles as he says this causing me to smile too.
At that moment, my dad, Scott, Johnny, and Doc burst into the room.
“Hi, guys,” I croak.
Dad rushes to my bedside and grabs my hand, tears running down his face. Scott moves closer to Jason, placing his hand on his shoulder as a gesture of support. Johnny stays near the door, seeming unsure of where his place is.
Reaching out my other hand toward Johnny, I say, “Johnny, come here.” He takes a moment and slowly shakes his head.
“Kid, she’s okay,” Jason confirms.
Beau walks over to his uncle and tugs on his sleeve. Johnny looks down at him while Beau slowly takes his hand and pulls him over to the other side of my bed.
“It’s okay, Uncle Johnny, Momma’s a badass,” Beau declares.
The silence in the room is broken when we all burst out laughing. God! My kid rocks! I can’t even be mad at him for his language. Johnny sits on the side of the bed, and I reach for him.
“I see you grew up good.”
A huge smile stretches across his face.
“I missed you, sis,” he says as a lone tear escapes from his left eye.
“Missed you too, kid,” I reply as I quickly wipe it away.
Looking at the cut he’s wearing, I start to smile.
“Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Everyone laughs.
“Yeah, the brothers found me and took me in. I’ve been living here at the compound since then,” Johnny confirms.
I’m really glad Johnny had the guys to help him while I couldn’t. At least he had a loving family.
“Angel, what can you tell us? What do you remember?” my dad asks, using my old nickname he had called me when I was little.
I know Dad and probably the rest of the guys want to know what happened and where I have been all this time. I vaguely remember hearing bits of conversations while I was asleep.
“Come now, brother, plenty of time for all that. Why don’t you all go tell everyone the good news while I check the patient over,” Doc orders.
With kisses and hugs, they all leave, except Jason. I knew he wouldn’t be going far. Doc checks me over. I hiss a little when he checks my ribs, causing Jason to leap out of his chair and race to my side.
“Fuck Doc, she’s hurt enough,” he exclaims.
Giving him a side-eye, Doc continues his examination.
“Sorry, son, but I’m going as gently as I can. Need to check if any are broken. The good news looks like they’re just badly bruised. You’re going to be sore for a while,” confirms Doc.
He’s looking like he wants to say more, but is debating saying it.
