MERCS
Luke scowls at me as I take a deep breath preparing for whatever shitstorm he’s about to throw at me. I’m guessing he knows the truth, not the cover, and that’s why he looks so damn pissed at me right now. He shakes his head looking up at the ceiling, reaches out placing his hands on the end of my bed leaning over and staring right at me. His posture is intimidating, and I feel like a fucking dick for everything I’ve done, or in this case, not done.
“You put Effa in danger.” His voice clipped, short and sharp.
“I did, it was unintentional. She was never meant to become a part of my crap. It just… spun out of control.”
He exhales standing back up, in a less threatening manner and rubs his chin. “I thought we had a rapport… you and me? I thought we understood each other, Mercs? You and I both have Effa and the band’s best interests at heart?”
“I always have Effa’s best interests at heart.”
He raises his eyebrow and scoffs. “Bullshit! Then why the hell did you get involved with a bookie? Why didn’t you come to one of us if you were in debt? If you couldn’t go to Effa… if you weren’t comfortable going to your girlfriend for help…” he wipes a hand through his hair. “Jesus I get the whole emasculation thing…” he pauses, closes his eyes and sighs then reopens them. “We had a rapport, Mercs. You could have come to me. You could have explained your fucking situation with your sister…” his eyes soften a little. “I might look like a hardass. Hell, I act like it most of the time too, but I do have a register on the emotional scale. I know what it’s like to love people, to care about people... I have a sister, too. Did you know that?”
Raising my brow, I shake my head. “No, I didn’t know that.”
“No. You didn’t. I think if you’d taken the fucking time to come to me and ask for my help… Fuck! Mercs, I would have given you the money in a heartbeat. It could have been a fucking advance on your salary. You only had to damn well ask. Because like you, my sister means everything to me, and if it were my sister needing the money to help her get better, then I would do anything like you did to help her. I know Jett got to you. I know he rubbed you the wrong way. But not going to Effa was stupid, foolish and idiotic. Not coming to me? Even fucking worse. The only one who suffered because of your stubbornness, because of Jett… is Kiera.”
“I never thought about coming to you, Luke. I just didn’t think for a second you would advance me the type of money I needed.”
He huffs and lets out a small laugh. “Jesus, Mercs, I would have given it to you. I looked up Kiera’s procedure on the net… the cost is anywhere from one hundred to two hundred grand for it. Right?”
I nod, and he shakes his head. “Mercs, I have that in spades. Effa has that in spades. Fuck, all of us do, and any one of us would have stepped up to help your sister. We’re all really fond of her, and don’t want to see her become any sicker. If there’s one thing to come from all of this, I’m thankful that you came to your senses, and let Effa give you the money for Kiera’s treatment before you got into any further trouble.”
“Luke… normally I wouldn’t let people talk to me like this. But you know what? You’re right. And I need to take the slap down and shut the hell up. I need to take this like a man because you, the band, the crew, everyone, have been so damn good to my family and me.”
He smiles. “Yeah, well we like you guys. But I swear to God, if you ever and I mean ever, put Effa in a dangerous situation again—”
“Trust me I won’t. I love her too much.”
He nods and lets out a long drawn out breath. “Good. Glad to hear. Now rest up. The girls are still doing their show, and we have to move on tomorrow, but I suggest once you’re released from the hospital you go home. Spend some time with your family, and then come back to the tour once Kiera is strong and healthy again.”
“Luke, no. I think I should come back to the tour, just for a short time so I can get Tank and Jay up to speed with the adjustments I want for the show. Then I’ll go be with Kiera.”
He frowns rubbing the back of his neck. “Are you sure? I mean you have a broken nose, broken ribs? You really shouldn’t be working. You definitely shouldn’t be up on the rafters.”
“Yeah, I get that. I’ll work the boards… Luke. I need to work. I can’t sit around all day waiting for Kiera’s procedure to take effect. It will drive me crazy. I gotta keep busy, and I gotta make sure Effa is okay, too. She needs her daily meds, and someone to make sure she’s resting properly.”
“Fuck… okay. But under no circumstances are you to leave this hospital until they say it’s safe for you to do so. Then we’ll send someone to bring you to wherever we are. If I notice there are any issues with you, health-wise, I will send you straight home. No questions asked. Understand?”
“Yes, of course. Thanks, Luke. I appreciate it.”
“You don’t like to make my life easy, do you?”
“Now where would the fun be in that?”
He scoffs as he spins heading for the door. “Rest. That’s not a suggestion.”
Nodding, I relax back into the bed and close my eyes to the sound of my door shutting behind him. Thank fuck my time with Hex is over and everything’s going to work out okay. Fuck, I’m a dickhead for leaving it all, though. Seems I have more friends than I thought.
Two Weeks Later
Luminous’ jet picked me up after being discharged from the hospital in New York and flew me to Boston to meet up with the band. They’re playing at Fenway Stadium tonight, and so the cab is taking me directly to the stadium. I’ve checked in with Effa, and she knows I’m on my way, and that I’m ready to come back to work tonight much to her disapproval. But like I said to Luke, I need to keep busy. If I think too much about Kiera, I drive myself crazy.
The driver pulls up at Fenway Park, and I take a deep breath as I step out of the cab. My ribs hurt like a bitch as I hobble trying to get my footing right. I know Luke’s set up a stool for me, so that will help.
After paying the driver, I slowly head inside the park. Security’s at the gate, and they look at me strangely as I approach. But when they realize it’s me, they let me pass without question. I head inside and attempt to find my way through the corridors to the girls’ green room. With a bit of searching, I find it not long after, mainly from the racket coming from inside the door. Smiling, I head for the noise and walk in to see Casey and Andi playing what looks like some kind of crazy card game. They’re yelling and screaming at each other, while Alana is at the buffet eating, as usual. Kristy is on the sofa on her cell, probably on social media, and Effa is talking to Luke in the corner. I smile as I walk in feeling like I’m home again, and knowing that the girls are doing a good job at keeping Effa occupied like I instructed.
Andi glances up and gasps with a great big smile. “Holy shit! You still look like you’ve gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. I bet he looks like shit though, right? You would have kicked his ass,” she mocks, and I grin with a slight chuckle.
Effa turns to see me and her eyes light up as she spins rushing toward me. I brace myself for the impact as she sprints, tensing all over as she reaches me, but she stops and slowly wraps her arms around me softly giving only a minor squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you.”
Smiling, I lean in and kiss her hair. “I missed you, too, baby.”
“Here, sit down,” she offers leading me to the sofa.
I glance to Luke who nods at me and moves over to Alana.
“Are you guys ready for tonight?” I ask.
Casey reaches out grabbing a shot glass from in front of her and fills it with what looks like chili sauce. “I got one. Drink up,” Casey calls out as Andi groans rolling her eyes.
“How did I agree to this game again? And how are you getting so many aces? I don’t want any more chili,” Andi groans as Casey chuckles.
“So you admit defeat?”
“Yeah, I’m done. You win.” Andi slams her cards on the table, and I glance to Effa as Casey stands up and begins to move around the room in a victory dance as we all stare at her.
“Yeah, don’t ask. They’ve been playing this game for at least an hour. I have no idea how they can stomach that stuff, though I still don’t know why they’re all here so early?” Effa murmurs, and I shake my head as Andi reaches for a bottle of water, and I chuckle. “How are you feeling?” she asks.
Gingerly, I sit down on the sofa, wincing at the pain still in my ribs.
“Fine. Painkillers are my friend. The hospital gave me some strong ones to keep me going—”
“You shouldn’t be here, Mercs. You should be resting at home.” She sits down next to me and grabs my hand looking into my eyes, hers are full of concern.
I sigh. “I want to be here with you.”
She snorts. “Fine. But honestly you take it easy.”
“Of course.”
“Hey Luke, have you got a moment?” Nix calls out poking his head through the door. I look up and smile as he looks at me and winces. “Oh, shit! Kaden… I heard you got your ass handed to you. You okay, man?” he asks stepping into the room.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m back now. Don’t forget who’s doing your lighting. I might have had my ass handed to me, but I can still make you guys look like crap up there on stage.” I chuckle.
“Yeah, yeah, pretty boy. Nothing will make us look bad… but all jokes aside, I’m glad you’re okay. It’s good to have you back.”
“Thanks, man,” I reply as Luke steps up to Nix and walks out the door with him.
I turn back to Effa. “They seem to be settling in.”
She nods. “Yeah, they’re taking to touring well. They’re made for this life. Fort Affliction is going places, and it’s all because of you.”
“Nah, they got where they are on their own merit.”
She nods and takes a breath. “Guess you’ll need to go and check over the lighting situation soon?”
I nod looking up at the clock on the wall. “Yeah, I do, but actually there’s something I need you to come and check out with me at the stage if you have a minute?”
She tilts her head and smiles. “You’ve been here, what… thirty seconds, and have already got something up your sleeve?”
I chuckle. “Tank kinda helped me out with it. But c’mon, it’s ready for you now.” I glance at the other girls who all smile and stand up because they all know what’s coming as we make our way to the stage area.