Honor Rising
Sophie
The Club is on high alert. Ops is utter madness. Cort, Brekan, Maverick, Brinks and Nova are coming here tonight. Asa tells me more are coming but I didn’t get details. Before I get out the door, Mase turns. “Hud is setting down at the Club pad. He needs his brace. Seamus is sending his chair to the pad.”
My heart stops. It feels like the next beat takes forever. “He’s okay?”
Kristos turns to watch Mase for that answer. “Yeah. The ankle joint broke on his foot. He sets down in six. Mucimi is getting another foot printed out. Stella said they’re using titanium. They never had broken parts before.”
I run. He isn’t in a chair. He wouldn’t take the chair from the hospital. He said he was up and walking with crutches from the first day they let him out of bed. He hates the spring prosthetic that looks like a quotation mark but he said he can run in it. He swims daily so I don’t know why he was worried about running. I fly to the house and back with his shower brace. He’s sitting on the chopper deck with the flight crew and Kristos in front of him. He’s filthy dirty and the scratches on his face show blood.
I push my way through and see Doc Statler on his knees cleaning Hud’s stump. I freeze and Pres moves to the side pointing my way. I see it without my eyes moving from Hud’s face. “You’re okay?”
He tries to stand and Pres catches his arm when he tips.
“Hey, settle down, Brother, she’s not leaving, she just got here.”
I move closer so he settles down. “So, you’re okay.”
He pulls my arm so I follow and sit by him. He takes his brace out of my hand. “I’m fine. Havoc is getting stitched. It’s superficial but the vet said it’s deep. Seamus’s ol lady is a vet out of Kumar, I think.”
I nod. “Yeah, Katie is good.”
He touches my face. “You’re okay?”
I feel my eyebrows rise. “You’re the one that looks like someone threw M-80s at you in a pit.”
Everyone laughs and I remember we’re not alone. I tear my eyes away from him and look at Doc Statler.
He takes the brace and smiles at me. “He’s fine. The scratches are scratches. I’ll look at them when he can walk to the medic room. He won’t sit in a chair.”
I nod. “It’s why I ran home.”
“Patients today aren’t easy. Havoc left with Katie, Asa is waiting for Alder and Hud won’t come to the medic room unless he’s walking.”
I smile but don’t tell him Hud gave more shit to the hospital over the no chair rule he’s got. I wasn’t there but I respect the discipline he puts into it. I feel his eyes boring into me and turn.
“They said you took out a chopper.”
With an epic eye roll, I correct that. “I shot for damage but it couldn’t go down in the river valley. Nash shot it down over land.”
Doc stands. “Let’s get to the medic room so I can clean and check what’s bleeding. You’ll be sore but live.” He turns to Kristos. “Give him a couple, Pres.”
“I’m on Alder when he gets here for Asa. I’m fine,” Hud tells them.
I walk beside him while they argue back and forth. He’s not limping and sounds fine. I’m good with it. I bet he puts the spring back on while his new robotic is being built.
§*§*§
Honor Rising
Utah Club
Sophie
The Brothers are loud tonight. I find my guy and smile seeing his eyes on me.
“You are so whipped.” Donna is so childish.
