Page 91 of Proof Of Life
“Sleazy. Measly. Weaselly,” Brandt answers.
“Basically, McCormick,” Jax teases.
I grin, shaking my head. “Give me a proper noun that starts with an N.”
“Naples, Italy,” Riggs supplies.
“North American Museum of Anthropology,” Stiles blurts. Everyone pauses what they’re doing to stop and stare at him like he’s grown two heads. “What? It’s a real place. I’ve been. It’s nice.”
Choking back my snort, I record his answer. “Two verbs and a noun.”
“Sneezing, shooting, and a flamethrower,” McCormick answers.
Looking up from my pad, I peg him with a disbelieving look. “Really? A flamethrower?”
“What? It’s been on my mind ever since Mandy said he fired one,” he says with a shrug.
Unbelievable. “You know what scares me? The fact that not only did the military give you a loaded gun, but they actually paid you to shoot it.”
“Oh, that’s nothing, I’ve got stories that will make you shit your pants,” he says with a wicked grin.
“I don’t doubt it,” Brandt murmurs just loud enough for me to hear.
“Weston Wardell?” the nurse calls.
“That’s me,” I say, coming to my feet.
“Mr. Cahill is prepped and ready. He wants to see you before we send him in.”
She leads me to the back where Mandy is laid out on a rolling bed, dressed in a gown and surgical cap. He looks like how I feel.
Scared shitless.
Crouching over his bed, I grab his hand and lock our fingers together. “Hey, brother. You look good.”
He grins. “Yeah? I’ll ask for an extra set to take home.”
I clear my throat. “Listen to me. This is nothing. A fucking walk in the park. Okay? You’ve been through worse shit than this. You’re tough as fucking steel. Also, there are six badass motherfuckers out there in the waiting room who are gonna kick your ass if you don’t wake up. So…”
Mandy snorts. “Yes sir. I’ll do my best not to disappoint.”
“You just do the best you can. Fuck everyone else. But I promise you, I’m gonna see you real soon.” Swallowing hard, I press my forehead to our joined fists.
“What if they fuck up and cut my leg off instead?”
“Then we’ll be twins. Just make sure they take your left leg so we can hold each other up without falling over.”
He grins, and I return it, fighting back tears. Why in the fuck am I crying again?! Shit! I swipe at my eyes before the tears can fall and Mandy laughs at me.
“Stop your pouting. I’ll be fine, right? You fucking promised.”
“Damn right.”
“Okay gentlemen, it’s time,” the nurse informs us.
With a last hard squeeze, I let go of his hand and salute him. “Oo-rah.”
Mandy returns it with a smirk.