Page 18 of Thunder

My laughter doubles as I picture the brothers chasing the thing, and Doc growls on the other end.

“Stop laughing, fucker, this is your fault!” Doc snaps, “You need to get on your bike and come fucking home!”

My laughter dies down as I lock eyes with Axel, who winces, and I sigh.

“What?” Doc demands, “What am I missing here? You got the traitor right?”

“We got the traitor,” Axel confirms, “Sophie is currently seeking therapy to help with her need to always be right since losing her mama. Ink had looked into a separation agreement, that scared the fuck out of her…but...”

Axel raises a brow at me as Doc demands, “But what?”

“But I need surgery, and I don’t want you doing it,” I admit, and Doc quiets for a moment before demanding coldly, “Fucking explain!”

Shit.

Clearing my throat, I lock eyes with Axel, and I admit, “I have a trapped nerve in my shoulder, and Hawk’s dad said I’ve gone too long without treatment.” Doc cuts me off and confirms, “He needs to intervene surgically?”

“Yeah,” I admit, then confess, “I also need a nerve graft in my knee…”

I wince as Doc curses up a storm just as I hear, “Asher? Is everything alright?!”

“Not fucking now, Brit!” he snaps in return, and fuck, even Axel’s eyes widen.

“Fuck Doc, she’s going to bring several animals home for that,” I choke, and he growls, “I don’t give a fucking shit, you’ve just told me you need surgery, Bradley!”

Oh shit, he called me my legal name, he’s pissed…

“Wait, what do you mean he needs surgery?” Brit shouts, and I groan.

Fuck’s sake.

“All those times you’ve been snappy, or not yourself, you were in more pain than I thought, weren’t you?!” Doc demands, ignoring my sister, fury lacing his tone.

“Why do I have a feeling your clubhouse is about to be bombarded?” I mutter to Axel, and he looks everywhere but at me, knowing I’m right, the fucker.

“We’ll be there this evening, I just need to call Dad and speak to Mama,” Brit says, and I snap, “No!” causing Axel to wince while Doc and Brit go quiet.

I don’t want Kathleen here, fuck, I don’t even know why I call her my mama when she didn’t want me.

“Fuck’s sake, that fucking goat pissed on my bed!” I hear Trigger shout, but I don’t laugh even though I really want to. Even Axel is biting his lip to stop his from escaping.

As soon as we laugh, Brit will flip.

“Why don’t you want us coming?” Brit asks quietly, hurt lacing her tone, and I mutter, “I don’t mind you and Doc, little sister, as long as you keep out of my medical care. I mean, you keep your mouth shut and allow Dr. Thomas to do his thing, but Mama, I don’t want her here.”

“Brittany!” I hear Trigger shout before he asks, “What’s going on? What’s with the sour faces?”

“Thunder needs surgery,” Doc admits, and I slowly close my eyes as he explains, “All the times the fucker hurt himself to keep the club together, he ended up causing nerve damage. The pain is too much for him to handle now. So, surgery is the only solution.”

“Three, two, one,” I mouth just as Trigger snaps, “I’m packing a fucking bag, Mama can have the kids!” and Axel grins wide while I shake my head.

“Axel, set up rooms for at least four brothers. I'll try to limit the fuckers because there will be a lot of angry family members. Stone will be staying to take care of the club.”

“Done,” Axel replies without hesitation, and Doc snaps, “Get ready to have your ass kicked, brother!” before hanging up, and I mock-glare at Axel again, who just laughs, and I shake my head as I drop my phone on his desk then slowly rub my thumb over my bottom lip.

“You think your Doc could–”

He cuts me off and denies, “He can’t fit you in for surgery until next week, so don’t even think about swinging it before your brothers arrive.”