GAUGE
“He’scomin’ ‘round,” agruff voice said, bringing me back through ahaze.
Atouch as soft as silk glided over my skin so gently that Ibarely felt it. Like butterfly wings or some shit. Irealized that the gruff-as-hell voice and soft touch didn’tmatch, and Ifelt my face scrunch up in confusion.
Ifelt hollow. Emptied out of everything. Noises and smells bounced all around me, never finding purchase.
“‘Course he’scomin’ ‘round. Motherfucker is hard as nails. Little beatdown like that ain’tnothin’ to him, ain’tthat right, fuckface!” Casa’svoice sounded louder than anyone else's.
Iforced my eyelids open, the world spinning and twisting as my eyes tried to focus on something, until Ieventually realized that one eye still hadn’topened.
Casa’sface filled my vision. “‘Sup, fucker. You doin’ okay?” He grinned. “Ya see my ma down there? Did you tell her Isaid hi and I’ll be seein’ her real soon?” His smile grew wider.
“How’dyou know Iwent down and not up, fucker?” Imanaged to eke out from atoo-tight throat, and Casa laughed until he was dragged away.
Shooter took up the space Casa had just occupied, his expression dark. “How you doin’, brother?”
How was Idoing?
Imentally assessed what was hurting, eventually deciding upon everything. My face felt like it had been in afight with asteamroller, my shoulder felt like it was covered in lava, my stomach felt like someone had carved out my insides, muscles up and down my body throbbed and hummed with pain. Was Idead? Was this hell? Sure fucking felt like it.
“I’mfuckin’ dandy,” Iwheezed. “Where’smy cigarettes?”
Moments later, alit cigarette was pushed between my lips and Iinhaled deeply before coughing and spluttering between my pinched lips. The nicotine hit my body and Ifelt calmer.
“Whiskey,” Igrunted.
“Can you sit up?” Shooter asked.
“Didn’tknow Iwas laying down,” Ireplied.
“I’dsay that’snot the best idea but Idoubt you’dlisten to me,” agentle voice said from somewhere in the room.
Ilooked over, trying to find the speaker, until my eyes found purchase on Belle, Beast'sold lady.
She gave me astern look that dissolved into yet more softness. Goddamn, that Beast was one lucky bastard. Beast was abeauty, pure as fucking snow only ten times warmer. She was far too good for aman like him and yet they were also perfect for each other.
Ifelt hands reach under my arms and hoist me upward into asitting position, my back against something hard. Someone pulled out my cigarette and aglass was brought to my lips so Icould swallow down the burning taste of whiskey. Idrank the whole glass and then blinked up with my one good eye into the room around me.
Iwas in one of the spare rooms at the clubhouse, Irealized. Shooter, Rider, Casa, and Dom were standing next to the bed Iwas on, their expressions forlorn. Casa was smoking two cigarettes, and Iscowled up at him.
“Gimme that back,” Iwheezed.
He chuckled and pushed it back to my lips and Itook adeep drag on it.
“Jesus, who died?” Isaid, still trying to gather my thoughts.
“We thought you did, brother,” Rider replied, and my scowl deepened.
“Not fuckin’ likely.” Itook another drag and tried to breathe slowly. My heart rate was racing; Icould feel my blood pounding through my veins making everything spin.
“He needs to rest,” Belle said. Her hair was tied back into aloose ponytail, but some stray curls had escaped it as she leaned over me with alook of concern.
“He’ll be fine,” Casa said calmly, until she shot him astern glance and he held up his hands in surrender. “Jesus,” he muttered, stepping away.
The room was still spinning, my head pounding.
“Give him some space, quickly,” Belle said, snatching the cigarette from between my lips asecond before Iturned to the right and brought up everything in my stomach. The puke hit the floor in wave after wave, whiskey and burgers, blood and beer. It came up, exploding past my lips and teeth and hitting the floor like atsunami, only just about missing her.
