Page 34 of Bloom: Part 2

“Yeah, got out yesterday.”

“You really got yourself shot for that doctor, huh?”

“Well, it wasn’t planned.”

He laughed. “I should hope so. I can’t stay for too long on the call. We’ve got limited external calls here. I just wanted to let you know I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Me too. Listen, Win—”

But he was gone. The call disconnected. I stood rooted to the spot, phone clutched in my hand. I let out a long breath, a shudder rippling down my spine. At least he was getting help, and Crowe wasn’t putting up with his usual bullshit. He visited every week and gave the rest of us updates, since Winter refused to see us.

I pocketed my phone and left my room. After chatting with Winter, my high spirits had dipped. I needed Logan. I needed his arms, his hugs, his kisses. What if I were in Winter’s position? I would have wished I were dead if that happened to me. Just the thought of another man touching my body made my skin crawl.

I couldn’t imagine what Winter was going through, but it couldn’t be good, and I hated that for him. It made me want to kill that fucker all over again.

“Bloom?”

I blinked, surprised to find myself in the mess hall. I remembered leaving the bedroom but not walking down the hallway and through the door into the main area. My steps hadbeen on autopilot, my mind consumed with what had happened to Winter.

“Bloom, are you okay?”

I shook my head to clear the mind fog away and focused on Logan, frowning. He was standing over Ben, who had his shirt off and his arm propped up on the table. Next to Ben, Gunner hovered, his face white and jaw clenched.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Because he didn’t seem to believe me, I smiled. “Just thinking. What’s going on here? You weren’t in bed when I woke up.”

He looked good, dressed in dark jeans and a snug burgundy shirt. “You were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake you. I went out for a bit and got back to find this one bleeding out on the floor.”

Gunner balled his hands into fists. “Fuck, Ben,” he growled. “I thought I told you to be careful. What are you doing getting stabbed by some punk?”

“It’s just a graze,” Ben said. “Will you calm down? Dr. Collier, please tell him you were joking about me bleeding out.”

“That remains to be seen.” Logan winked at me. He was teasing Gunner, loving to see the biker president on edge over his man getting hurt.

“Does he need to go to the hospital for stitches?” Gunner asked.

“I don’t need stitches,” Ben said. “Just a Band-Aid.”

“Actually, you need a few stitches, but nothing I can’t do here.” He tossed me his car keys. “Bloom, do you mind getting my medical bag from the trunk of the car?”

“What do I get for being your errand boy?” I asked.

“Whatever you want.”

“You’re on.”

“For god’s sake, stop flirting and get the damn medical kit!” Gunner yelled.

I excused him. He was obviously worried about Ben. Before, I wouldn’t have understood it, but I would be the same if it were Logan.

To put Gunner’s mind at ease, I didn’t follow the evil voice in my head telling me to walk as slowly as possible to the car. I retrieved the medical kit and rushed back.

“What took you so long?” Gunner griped.

“I was gone for two minutes! You want me to take it back, and you go for it yourself?” I jutted out my chin, challenging him.

“Don’t provoke him, Gun, and stop overreacting, for god’s sake. I’ve been shot before, you know. This is just a minor wound.” Ben took Gunner’s hand and squeezed it. “I promise you. I’m fine.”

“You better be.”

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