His next recollection was waking in a white room. Initially, he thought he was in heaven, a destination he didn’t think he’d ever see. Then, Nurse Ratched came in and the shit got ugly real fast.
Hospital. The eye-stinging stench of antiseptic mixed with the smell of blood. The thick outline of his legs beneath the thin bed linens sent relief coursing through him. Can’t beat Carly in racquetball if I can’t outmaneuver her. Can’t train for the Ironman.
But he had no idea if they worked.
Nurse Ratched entered his room and checked his vitals. When she lifted his head and adjusted his pillows, he groaned.
“Mr. Hott, you have visitors.” Her thick German accent punched through the silence. “I add painkiller to your IV. You like, yes?”
He closed his eyes as the cool blast of medication entered his vein. He wanted to object, but he couldn’t. He wanted to ask about Gunner. Where were the hostages? Were they safe? Did his team make it out okay? So many questions but he couldn’t utter the damn words.
The familiar scent of his father washed over him and he breathed a little easier.
“Son, it’s Dad.” His father’s warm hand blanketed his. “You look good. Can you open your eyes?”
Maverick fought against the constant dull ache and sharp pains shooting through him. He struggled against the drugs, but he couldn’t. I’m trying, Dad, but I can’t.
His father spoke quietly about his work, and about how the mower broke and Hudson tried to fix it, but now it’s a heap of scrap metal in the garage. His father’s laugh made Maverick smile, but he doubted his lips were moving. He lay there floating in and out of consciousness, his dad’s soothing voice a godsend.
“Ashton, you are my life and I need you to pull through. You hold our family together, son. I’m praying hard for you. You’ve been strong your entire life. Dig deep and do it one more time. I cannot lose you.” His dad cleared his throat. “All right, my boy, I brought a few surprises with me.”
His father kissed his forehead and squeezed his shoulder, then spoke to someone else. Maverick strained to hear, but couldn’t.
“Hey, Maverick. You look good.”
Colton.
“You’re in Germany, of all places. Oktoberfest is never going to be the same.”
Maverick could hear the anxiety in his friend’s voice. I’m okay. Just a little dinged up.
“You were quite the hero, per usual. Gunner is okay. We’re going to visit him next. I need you better, Ash, because I can’t get married if you’re not standing up there with me. Plus, you and I are in business together. There’s no way I’m letting you off the hook that easily. You owe me money.”
Jackass. Maverick wanted to laugh, then punch his golden man in the arm.
“We’re staying for a few days, but the nurse standing over us has an iron fist. I’m going to let someone else say hello. I’m pulling for you, my friend. Get better.”
Thanks for the visit, brother.
More quiet chatting. Then, someone sat beside him. He knew it was Sinclair before his brother uttered a single word.
“Jesus, Ash, you smell like a fucking pharmacy.”
Maverick was closer to Sin than his biological brother.
Sinclair wrapped his large hand around Maverick’s arm. “I could beat the living hell out of you and there’s not a damn thing you could do about it.” Sinclair’s chuckle made Maverick laugh, though no sound escaped his lips.
You hit me, you’ll regret it, Jackoff. He wanted to laugh at their familiar childhood warning, but his body wouldn’t cooperate.
“I gotta thank you for getting banged up like this. Because of you, I got a blowjob on the flight,” Sinclair whispered into his ear. “I need you back home, brother. The Ironman is coming up and I won’t train if you aren’t dragging my sorry ass. I’m staying in Germany until you’re so sick of me whispering sweet shit into your ear that you deck me. Get your ass home and I’ll make sure you have a true hero’s welcome. I brought you a surprise. She’s been keeping it together real good. You gotta get better, you hear me? I love you, brother.”
The warmth from Sinclair’s breath on his cheek vanished, as did the firm grip around his arm. The medication kicked in and Maverick stopped trying to fight through the fog.
Warm breath and the softest lips touched his forehead, his cheek, and a delicate peck on his mouth. “Hey, Ashton. Somehow you look good in a hospital gown.”
My Carly girl. I must be a mess if she flew all the way out here.
She held his hand, stroked his skin, combed delicate fingers through his hair. Her touch felt like the best medicine and he relaxed even more. “We haven’t seen your doctor yet, but when I learn something, I’ll tell you. Ash, I’m sorry this happened.” Her voice cracked. “You’ll be okay. I know you. You’ll get better. You have to. You know it and I know it. My life would be empty without you.”
