“Alright, you lot. Clear out!” Dr. McDuff shouted, in as clear a voice as I’ve ever heard him.
The rowdy bunch of men did as the doctor instructed, following the doctor out, leaving Uncle Kade and me alone with Thor. As soon as the men were out of sight, Thor grabbed his knee, wincing in pain.
“Here, let me help you,” Kade said, grabbing one of Thor’s massive arms and helping him back onto the table.
“You’re a lot stronger than you look, Dr. Gunnach,” Thor said, surprised.
“Please, call me Kade.”
Thor smiled. “Okay, Kyaade,” he said, awkwardly forcing his name out.
Kade laughed. “Maybe Mama Olsen was right.”
“Mama is always right,” Thor said, with a mixture of sweetness and fear.
“Will he still be able to compete?” Kade asked Dr. McDuff.
“Sure!”
My uncle looked a bit shocked as he asked, “Really?”
“At next year’s games,” the doctor replied with a gravely laugh.
Thor sighed. “I’m sorry, Dr. Gunnach. I was looking much forward to be your champion again.”
“It’s okay, Thor. Injuries happen during competition. I just wish there was something more I could do for you,” my uncle said, giving me an inside look. Both of us knowing that if he was Cauld Ane, his mate could heal him with a touch.
“Who’s this runt Magnus was talking about?” Kade asked.
“Ehhh,” Thor grunted with a dismissive wave.
“Is he Scottish? Someone we could use as a substitute?”
“The puppy?” Thor bellowed. “Replaceme?”
“No one could ever replace you, big man,” Kade said, placing a hand on Thor’s boulder of a shoulder. “But…”
“But, what?”
“Magnus did say this guy was out pressing you.”
“Only because I hurt myself,” Thor said, unconvincingly.
Kade lowered his chin.
“Okay, this pup is strong,” Thor huffed. “I don’t know how. He’s a pip squeak. A skinny little runt.”
“What’s his name? Where’s he from?”
“He’s American. Must be an amateur. I’ve never seen him at a competition before. Ben Johnson is his name.”
“Sounds like we should introduce ourselves to this newcomer,” my uncle said to me with a smile.
“He shouldn’t be hard to find,” Thor said, pouting. “He’s the tiny, skinny shit with all the tattoos.”
Kade nodded. “We’ll find him.”
I followed Kade away from the gorgeous and bigger in real life Thor, my heart racing from being so close to a star.
