I rolled my head to the side, and I was shocked to see Rocket across from me. I looked him over. Brock didn’t seem to be hurt. His arms were crossed over his chest, his long legs stretched out in front of him, and his head rested on his pack.
He was so fucking gorgeous, but more than that, Brock Jones was innately good. I was a lucky man to be the one he’d deemed worthy of his time and attention. Of his love.
“How are you feeling, Senior Chief?” the medic asked as she stopped next to me.
I nodded slowly. My thoughts were running without issue, but my movements were sluggish. They must’ve doped me up on base before shipping me out.
“Can I have something to eat or drink?” I knew what the answer would be, but I thought I’d give it a try.
The medic chuckled and patted my shoulder. “I don’t remember you being so funny from the last time I transported you to Germany.”
Her pretty face lit up with a smile. I didn’t remember her, other than she looked vaguely familiar.
“I’d pay good money for a steak,” I called out, wincing in pain from my enthusiasm. My voice carried after her, echoing inside the metal hull of the plane.
“You doing okay?”
Oops!
I must’ve been louder than I intended.
I looked at Brock. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
Brock stood, scrubbing his face and head as he walked toward me. “It’s fine. I’d complain about my lack of sleep, but considering the circumstances…”
I smiled. Or tried to. My face fucking hurt.
“I missed listening to you bitch and moan.”
Brock’s eyes took on a glossy look. He clenched his teeth and nodded.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Like fucking shit. Everything hurts.” From the soles of my feet to the top of my head, I hurt. Everything ached and throbbed, and if I thought about it too long, my emotions started getting the best of me.
“How much longer ’til we land?”
Brock glanced at his watch. “We should be told to buckle up shortly.”
I sighed and closed my eyes. Brock stood next to me, silently, letting me just be until the medic came to check that I was still locked in so we could land. Brock took his seat across from me, but his eyes never left mine. We stared at one another until they wheeled me out of the plane.
My eyes searched for him, continuously scanning until they found him again. After so fucking long thinking I might never lay eyes on him again, my entire body protested when I couldn’t see him.
I never wanted to be without him again.
CHAPTER 16
BROCK
SUMMER 2009
A chopper rideto the base turned into a quick visit to the base hospital, another chopper ride, and then a flight to the hospital in Germany. I’d thought for damn sure I’d be forced to stay in Afghanistan, but Mercer had laughed and said I was on leave and could go wherever the fuck I wanted.
We arrived in Germany after the sun came up. They quickly transferred Adam to Landstuhl. The nursing staff and doctors rushed Adam into an exam room. Then did the same for me, despite my protests.
“Let’s go, Chief.”
I turned toward the voice. I recognized the nurse’s face, but I didn’t remember her name.
