Page 74 of Road to Absolution

The female doctor was suddenly next to us, quite concerned. “Doctor Miller, are you okay?”

“W-What?” He adjusted his crooked glasses. “Oh, yes. Fine. Let’s go over paperwork, shall we?”

Keeping it hidden, the pretty doctor jabbed her finger into Diesel’s back while smiling. “Yes, I’ll stay to help with anything I can.” She went to my bed and patted for me to sit back down where I had been.

The doctor actually sighed as if her being a witness made him feel a little safer.

Coming to join us, Diesel mumbled while rubbing the tissue between his ribs. “Was that part of your medical training?” He then smirked at the pretty doc. “I do like aggressive women.”

With her to my right, Scorch stood to my left as Doc stood in front of me, explaining all the dos and don’ts, in a blurry kind of speed. Diesel was between Dr. Miller and Scorch, listening to every word. There were so many things I was to look for, pay attention to, and follow-up appointments to schedule. I was actually somewhat relieved I was being handed a bunch of pamphlets to go over and refer to if I thought something was wrong once home.

Then I was handed a clipboard and being told to sign. I froze, not knowing what to do.

“Doctor Miller,” said the pretty doc. “Maverick said he felt an ‘off’ sensation in his knee.” She took the clipboard and the attached pen from my lap and set it behind me, then pointed to my right knee that, to my knowledge, was perfectly fine.

While Dr. Miller examined, Scorch acted interested in the knee, but his right arm was moving behind my back. Ah, shit. Him forging my signature had me feeling so honored; I could no longer hear the doc speaking. Scorch was breaking a law for me.

He had watched my hospital door for a month, fought for me when I was attacked, paid off security guards, taken me on moonlight strolls, and cheered for me when I shit. That’s true friendship right there.

And the sacrifices kept coming.

Pretty doc placed the clipboard back in my lap then tapped the side of my leg.

My turn.

I told Dr. Miller, “I don’t seem to have any issue there anymore.” I handed him the signed paperwork. “Here ya go.”

The man didn’t ask questions and seemed more than eager to leave the room.

Whew! My shoulders caved. “Thank you, everyone. I feel bad for the innocent guy but I’m sure happy to leave.”

Diesel’s playful manner dissipated. He stared at the pretty doc.

She took the hint. “I’ll give you guys some privacy. Don’t forget our deal, Maverick.”

After pretty doc left, Diesel tugged on my leather vest. “And so, your training begins. Never fuck with the innocent.” He poked at my patch that read, Redemption Ryders. “We are to protect them. Always.”

My head tilted. “But…” I stared at the closed door. “No.”

Diesel slowly nodded. “And never be fooled by a ‘nice’ guy in glasses.”

My jaw dropped.

“I didn’t have your door guarded to dissuade enemy bikers only. I needed to make sure hospital employees understood what they’d be up against if they allowed cash in their pocket to persuade their professionalism. Presence. Statements. Very valuable, young pup.” He tapped on my patch that read, 1%. “Loud bikes. Just ‘cause we like the noise?” His menacing smile gave me chills. “Presence. Unity. Bold.” He leaned his face to mine. “Fuck with one, you’ve fucked with them all.”

My mind raced to the other night… “Tell them he’s a Ryder! Tell them…”

While backing away, Diesel playfully slapped my face. “Miller and the rest will think better next time.”

I thought of my chunky little nurse… The pretty doc… “And if cash isn’t required?”

Diesel pointed to his nose, telling me I was right. “But a thick cock that can get me on the inside?” He gleamed. “We do what, and who, we gotta do for a brother.”

Scorch rolled his eyes. “Thick cock. Your ego.”

Diesel lifted a daring brow. “And a heavy sack. I know you feel me. That’s why you put yours on the line for the pup.” Diesel head-gestured. “Scorch officially vouched for ya.”

I asked, “What does that mean?”

Diesel explained, “It’s how we keep order. Someone has to be responsible for each Prospect. I had just taken on Little Man. So—” he shrugged.

And the honors kept coming, too.

I looked to Scorch and grinned. “Look who is lovin’ himself some Mavy-Wavy.”

Rolling his eyes again, he said, “I’m still not kissing you on our smoke dates.”

My chest rumbled with laughter. “Good. Then Lilah doesn’t have to get all bent out of shape with jealousy.”

He grabbed my bag, which I’d had packed for days. “Why that beautiful girl is all into your ugly mug is beyond me.”

Slipping off the bed, I played flabbergasted. “Ugly? You blind, motherfucker? I’m a specimen of perfection.”

“A bit overboard, but at least you’re man enough to shit again.”

I then said goodbye to the hospital room I hoped to never see again, and the bed that held me while I fought for my life, more than once.