I shrug, trying for casual. “She got me. Not sure if I got her… yet.”
He huffs out a laugh, giving my back a careful slap.
A few seconds later, the prospect returns—my cut in one hand and something else clutched in the other.
“Here, Prez,” he says, handing me my cut.
Then he slips two tablets of ibuprofen into my palm before heading to the bar fridge.
“Uh…”
Christ, is he—
He’s back with a water bottle and a fucking protein bar. “She told me to—yeah…” he says awkwardly. “I let it slip that you’re… heading out.”
Motherfucking heart—stop beating so damn fast.
I ignore the snorts and snickering behind me and gulp down the meds with the water. After taking two bites out of the bar, I tuck it into my cut.
“She pack you a snack, Ruin?” Hound mutters, absolutely useless.
“Shut the fuck up,” I shoot back, but there’s no heat in it. None at all.
Because shedidtechnically order the prospect to do this.
Charlotte. My girl—
No. Don’t get ahead of yourself, asshole.
But still.
“She also said—uh—to get your dressing changed,” the prospect adds, scratching the back of his neck like he wants to be anywhere but here. “Before noon.”
Ryder straight up turns away, coughing into his fist. Healer isn’t even pretending anymore—he’s smiling like a smug bastard.
I stare at the prospect. “I’ll handle it. You done?”
“Yes, Prez.”
“Good. Fuck off.”
He bolts.
The second he’s gone, Hound lets out a low whistle. “Damn. She’s found the leash, brother. How long is it?”
I flip him off, but I can’t stop the grin tugging at my lips. Can’t fucking stop it. Because she thought of me. Told someone to make sure I’m okay.
For a second, everything else dulls out. The noise, the club, the blood, the mess waiting for us—all of it fades under the quiet, steady warmth blooming in my chest.
“Creepy-ass smile, Prez,” Healer mutters.
“Yeah?” I drag my cut over my shoulders, rolling them back despite a dull ache still lingering in my arms. “Get used to it.”
Ryder bumps his shoulder into mine. “You’re gone, brother.”
I huff, smirking. “Ask me if I give a fuck.”
Gone. Completely.
