Page 168 of Silent Damage

"I'm sure," I say.

He shakes his head, swallowing and nodding with a plastered-on stoic face before taking a seat at the kitchen table. Linda sits across from him, and Gabe joins me on the couch.

"How's it feel to be back?" Gabe asks.

I think about the question. "Surreal," I say.

"Same," Gabe responds.

I glance at Gabe to see him smiling at me, and I can't hold back. I pull him closer and kiss him.

Doing it so freely in front of Doug doesn't feel nearly as weird as I thought it would.

I guess a near-death experience makes you stop giving a shit about certain things.

The sound of a motorcycle outside sends my heart racing, and Gabe runs to the front door.

He sighs, then says, "It's Torren and Felix."

My sigh of relief is palpable. I noticed in the hospital that I tense up when I hear a motorcycle. I don't remember scenes from the accident; I remember certain things I sensed: sounds, colors, textures. Those things have stuck with me.

And sometimes trigger me, too.

Gabe, who has spoken freely with everyone since I came to, greets Felix and Torren before inviting them inside.

Waking up to Gabe speaking so freely was a light in what would have otherwise been the darkest moment of my life. Whatever happened while I was out shook him free from his self-imposed silence. It feels like that’s behind him now.

Felix walks in carrying two big bags. He holds them up and says, "Food from Maggie’s! You're all set for at least a week."

"Fuck yeah," I reply. "Donuts, too?"

Felix smirks. "Of course."

I mock-raise my hands in victory. "I call that a win."

Felix laughs while placing the boxes in the fridge, and Torren approaches. "How was the drive home?" he asks.

"Not bad."

"Pain okay?"

"For now," I say.

"We've got the pain meds," Gabe adds.

"And a lot of TLC," Linda hollers.

Torren chuckles, then looks at me with an unreadable expression. "We hear you're available for hire."

"News travels fast," I reply sarcastically.

"Oh, those HellCats boys are a freaking sewing circle," Felix says, waving his hand dismissively.

"I'm also the leader's brother," Torren adds. "So, I usually get the scoop before most."

I look at Gabe, who's watching me with sad eyes. So, I hold his hand and smile. "Yup. I'm a free man."

The smile that appears on Gabe's face could stop traffic. That smile alone makes being excused from the HellCats worth it.