Page 12 of Flyboy's Nightingale
I’m fidgeting, too lost in the fact that Riley is gone. I have to find her. I have to bring her back and save her from the unknown threat against her.
“Man, if you don’t wake up, you’re going to fucking hurt yourself!” Torch yells.
“She’s gone, man. I can’t leave her on the road like that. Fucking help me!” I roar back at him, disgruntled that he’s not as upset about her being gone as I am.
“It’s a fucking nightmare, brother. Come the fuck on,” Torch states, his tone calmer.
Slowly, I open my eyes, seeing the early rays of the sun shining through the off-white blinds. Looking up, I see Torch hovering over me, that’s when I recognize that he has one hand on my chest, and the other holding the bicep. about half way up on my bad arm. I look up, and when our eyes clash, the worry I see gives me a moment of pause.
“You straight, brother?” he inquires before letting me go, slowly.
Clearing the clog from my throat, I announce, “Yeah, man I’m straight. What happened?”
“You were having a nightmare that had something to do with you needing to get to Riley. You want to talk about it?” Torch watches me closely, analyzing me.
“Naw, man, I’m all good. What time is it?” I wonder, absentmindedly.
“You know that you don’t have to go at this alone. We’re all here for you,” he tells me with a pointed look.
I have no words, because if I’m completely honest with myself, I don’t know how I am right now. The only feeling I can seem to grab a hold of is anger. The way I’ve handled things, and what I’ve said, is not something I can deal with. The first thing I have to deal with is getting out of here and back to the clubhouse. The elderly nurse from yesterday comes into the room, smiling at me as she does.
“Well, good morning. How are you this fine morning?” she questions me.
“I’m awake. My pain is probably at a level of six. My name is Felix Holloway, and I’ve now been in the hospital for four months, and two fucking days,” I recite to her, not in the mood to deal with the twenty questions quiz today.
“Seems you have all the answers to everything this morning. I see you haven’t had any pain meds since about seven A.M., it seems you are due more pain meds. I’ll get you the Percocets they prescribed for you.” She looks over at me, then explains, “The doctors should be around about nine-thirty to answer all the questions you have.”
“I told the nurses yesterday, and you need to make a note in my file, I do not now, or ever, want an opioid distributed to me.” I know my tone is entirely too harsh, and it’s not her fault, but right now, I simply don’t care.
“I understand completely and will make a note for everyone. In that light, I will get you some extra-strength acetaminophen. All your vitals look great, so hopefully, the doctors have somegood news today about your recovery.” She smiles wide, patting me on the shoulder before turning and walking out of the room.
Using the remote on the bed, I sit the bed upright, adjusting the pillows for my arm so that I’m in a comfortable position. Once I’m reclining, I turn to look at my brother who is scrolling on his phone, pretending not to listen.
“You can stop pretending not to listen,” I gripe, scolding him.
The smirk he throws my way is a far cry from the disappointment and sadness I saw yesterday afternoon. I grab an extra pillow and throw it at him, hitting him right in the face. I laugh long and hard for the first time since I’ve woken up from my coma, finally feeling more like myself. Torch laughs with me, throwing the pillow back at me being sure not to hit my injured side.
“You truly are such a fucking asshole, you know that right?” he asks as he continues laughing.
Shaking my head, I insinuate. “It’s why you keep me around, fucker. How long before everyone else shows up?”
“You have about two hours before the first wave comes marching in. I would use this time to get some beauty rest. We both know you fucking need it.” He winks, ignoring me and going back to his phone.
“Fuck you!” I flip him the bird.
I lean back on my pillows, closing my eyes, finding that sitting up like this is better and more comfortable. It doesn’t take long before the wave of darkness take me under, and thankfully this time, I don’t dream.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Riley
Laying in bed,I scroll through the Indeed ads for job postings in different cities. As much as I loved my night with the ladies, it can’t change my need to move to a different area. Being found by my father and his club isn’t an option for me. I thought putting some major miles between me and them would keep me safe, but it seems the universe has deemed that I in fact, am not safe and might never be. Could I in theory go to the guys and tell them everything in hopes that they would indeed protect me? Yes.
Will I do that to these amazing people? Absolutely fucking not.
My father’s club is not one that you want to trifle with. They are vicious, nasty, and have no qualms about hurting everyone in a rival club. I mean, why would they when they will do unspeakable things to the ones that belong to their club just because they fucking can? Bringing anyone into that life or world is not something I will do. So, a new job and town are what I’m going to be doing.
