“Of course, Grizz. I’ll make sure she is taken care of.” Her gaze doesn't waver as she stalks toward me, determined in her approach. “Thank you for saving my only child. You’re a true hero.”
Before I can refuse, her arms are wrapped tightly around my waist. My skin irritated from the unwanted contact. She nuzzles her head into my chest, sobbing loudly for everyone to hear, repeating, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” My arms hover over her back, selfishly not touching her. Brynn can see I don't like this sort of attention and attempts to comfort her, patting her back but that only causes her to cry harder, gripping my top and pulling me closer.
“Alright, folks,” the doctor interrupts. “Everyone is free to go, however, no serious activity for at least forty-eight hours. The only things that are permitted are movie marathons and bed rest.” I unpeel Victoria's arms, stepping away from her so she doesn't resume her cryfest once the doctors finished. “Turn the shower on hot and stand in the humidity if you can, otherwise drink lots of water, and if you feel off or can't stop coughing, call me and I'll come straight away.” He turns to the table he was working from, packing his equipment in his bag. “Grizz, you have my number. Victoria, just call the office and it will transfer the call.”
Hades, Mac, and Axel push through the staff door, Hades putting a hand on my shoulder. We don't often show each other affection. Well, I don't. All of my brothers in the club know I don't like being touched as a general rule. The exception to that appears to be the woman and her daughter standing next to me. When the touch is unwanted or unexpected, I can react, sometimes violently. My skin burning underneath the contact. But when Brynn touches me, it's like a cooling sensation. One of comfort and relief. The same goes for Jovie. Reaching for her hand, I hold onto Brynn to both anchor and soothe me, staring down at her as she listens to whatever else the doctor is saying. Both of my girls are safe. The ache in my chest easing from the intensity of the past couple of hours.
“Oh, and Grizz.” The doctor calls out, walking toward the front entrance. “No serious activities also include the adulting kind. No relations for at least forty-eight hours.”
I can feel the heat rising up my neck, matching the blush now covering Brynn's cheeks as we watch the doctor leave, wiggling his eyebrows as he said the wordrelations.
“Well, that was completely inappropriate.” Victoria huffs. Sarah looking all void of emotion now. Her face expressionless as she stares past us, eyes red and swollen.
“I think you all better head out,” Hades says, gesturing Victoria and Sarah to the front door. “Will you be able to make it home safely, or would you like one of the guys to take you?”
“We’ll be okay, and let me know if you need anything too. The town will rally if we need to.”
Ignoring her offer, “Take care, and Sarah, let me know how you're feeling tomorrow.” Standing at the threshold, he watches until we hear car doors slam.
“That woman must have her ear to the ground with the town gossip. How the fuck did she get here so soon?” Axel says, walking behind the bar and cracking a beer open, holding it to the room, “Anyone else?”
“Water,” Brynn croaks, Jovie nodding and rubbing her throat. Axel throws two bottles of cold water, and I easily catch them. Opening the bottle, I crouch down as I pass it to Jovie. She's covered in soot, with dried tear marks running down her cheeks.
“Grizz?” She asks, eyes wide as Brynn hobbles over, taking a seat next to her and wrapping her arm over her shoulder.
“Yeah, Jon Bon.”
“What'srelations?”
Fucking hell. My jaw drops at the same time as Brynn spills her water all over. Squeezing the open bottle so abruptly, it overflows over the three of us.
“Um,” I sputter. What the fuck do I say to that?
Axel and Mac are laughing behind the bar, Hades even has a smirk on his face, which is unheard of. The man is so serious he barely ever laughs.
“Well…” rubbing the back of my neck, deciding if I start with, when two people love each other very much, or is it better to talk about the birds and the bees. What the fuck are birds doing with the bees anyway? Wouldn't they just eat them? Do birds eat bees? I'd like to eat out, Brynn but I can’t lead with that.
“How about I tell you when you're thirty. It will give me enough time to figure out what to say.”
“Yes, when you're thirty.” Brynn's voice is so high, and she is so flush as she avoids eye contact with me, I'm tempted to push her with how much I want her.
“Is this weird old people talk?” Jovie asks. “You're all uncomfortable. Actually, don't worry. I'll just Google it.”
A collective “No,” is shouted out from all of the people in the bar, including the couple of firemen walking around.
“Kid, you're going to give me a heart attack over here. This is a question for your mom to talk to you about later, but right now, we need to go and see if any of your things have been damaged and pack a bag to come back to the clubhouse.”
“Wait, you want us to come and stay at your place?” Brynn pulls her bottom lip into her mouth, awkwardly nibbling on it.
“There is no way you're staying upstairs, Brynn. We either pack a bag, or I'll buy you new clothes tomorrow. We stay together.”
And if I have it my way, they won't be returning to the apartment,ever.
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 14 - BRYNN
“That doesn’t look good,” I whisper, sitting forward in the front seat of Grizz’s truck. Large, ominous clouds roll across the sky in the distance like white wash from a crashing wave, dangerous and deadly, and swallowing everything within its wake.
