24. Chapter 24
Chapter twenty-four
Pony
Two days after we return from Venezuela, we convoy to the hospital to check on Ricochet. Although I wonder how she’s doing, I’m determined to steer clear of Remington.
“What do we know?” Nitro asks Warlock while we wait for the elevator at the hospital.
Our commander, as part of the chain of command, is privy to the details of Ricochet’s medical condition and provided Warlock with an update on his way here.
“It’s not good,” Warlock informs us. “There was traumatic damage to his femoral nerve. They had to do surgical grafts. He’s got a long road ahead of him.
” His anxious expression immediately puts all of us on edge.
Warlock isn’t a man who rattles easily. What he says next only substantiates our concern.
“There’s a very real possibility he’ll never be cleared to operate again. ”
No SEAL wants to go out that way. Injured and unable to return to the teams. Losing his Trident would be beyond devastating.
Like losing a part of himself. His identity.
I can’t imagine what it would be like for Ricochet to have to give up being a SEAL.
And, although it’s selfish to consider, how losing him would alter the dynamic of the team.
Hawk asks the question we’re all thinking, “Does he know?”
Warlock nods. “He knows.”
By unspoken agreement, we shove aside our worries and fears. Right now, the only thing Ricochet needs from us is our support. Not pity. Not sympathy.
With a cloud of trepidation hanging over us, we get off the elevator and make our way to Ricochet’s room. It’s hard to see him laid up like this, especially knowing his life as a SEAL may be over.
“Hey, buddy. How’re you doing?” I ask after we say our hellos.
He shakes his head. “Your poker faces suck. I assume you already know it’s worse than they first thought,” he tells us.
“I have to stay off it for a while and then I’ll have to do rehab.
I’m sidelined until they clear me for duty.
” He doesn’t mention he may never operate again, but the worry in his voice is obvious to all of us.
“You’re going to need help while you recover. Why don’t you come stay with me?” Doc offers.
My offer comes next. “My door is always open for you, brother. You can stay with me.”
“Or me,” Nitro and Warlock say in unison.
Hawk grins at him. “Come stay with me. You know it’ll be more fun than staying with one of these yahoos.”
Ricochet’s eyes sweep over all of us. “Thanks for the offers, I appreciate it. But I’m gonna stay with RJ.”
That catches me off guard. “RJ? My RJ?” I blurt.
Hawk snorts in response. “Yours?”
I throw Hawk a glare before turning my attention back to Ricochet. “What do you mean you’re staying with Remi? How the hell did that happen?”
He shrugs one shoulder. “She offered and I said yes.”
“She just strolled in and offered to let you move in with her?”
I don’t know why I’m fixated on this. They’re both adults, free to do whatever they want. And Hawk is right, Remi isn’t mine. What she does or doesn’t do is none of my business.
He nods his head. “Pretty much, yeah.”
“What’s the problem? Afraid she might turn Ricochet straight?” Nitro quips.
I roll my eyes.
Hawk lets out a surprised laugh.
“Like that’ll happen,” Ricochet mutters.
“As I was saying before being rudely interrupted, she comes by, and we keep each other company. One thing led to another, and she invited me to stay at her place,” Ricochet explains.
“We’ve talked a lot. She’s got some amazing stories.
She’s been in a lot of the same shitholes we have, and around the same time.
It’s surprising we never crossed paths with her.
“Even though she’s got an IV, she’s pretty mobile.” He flashes us a grin. “She’s becoming a food ninja.”
Nitro scrunches up his face. “A food ninja? What the fuck is that?”
“She’s found a way to sneak in burgers and Chinese food. Somehow, she even got a pizza past the nurses so we don’t starve. I swear, they’re trying to kill us with the crap food they serve here. It’s worse than MREs.”
Ricochet’s eyes meet mine. “I like her. She’s easygoing, funny, and sweet. We just sort of clicked. So when she offered, I said yes.”
“How’s she doing?” Doc asks.
“She still looks like shit and her arm’s fucked.” He absently runs his hand over his bandaged leg. “She had to have surgery. She’s freaked out. It’s obvious she’s got some PTS, but she’s trying not to let it show.”
That tidbit of information hits me square in the chest. My heart aches for her. Not only is she dealing with her injuries, but what she went through continues to haunt her.
I want to go and see her to make sure she’s alright, but I made myself a promise and I’m determined to keep it.
“When do you get out of here?” Hawk asks.
“The doctor says I’m stuck here for at least another week.”
Even though the pain and the ramifications of his injury loom like an elephant in the room, we spend the next hour and a half shooting the shit, doing our best to lift his spirits before saying our goodbyes.
The five of us are subdued, each lost in our own thoughts after exiting Ricochet’s room. Our friend, our brother, will have to fight his way back to the teams, and still, despite his efforts, his injury might be catastrophic enough that he’ll never operate again.
I’m feeling off-kilter and need some time alone. “I’m going to hit the head. I’ll see you guys later,” I tell my friends, turning away and heading toward the bathroom.
After using the facilities, I wash my hands and splash water on my face, trying to wash away my melancholy thoughts.
I should’ve remembered fate has an ironic sense of humor, because as luck would have it, I catch sight of Remi sitting alone in the atrium as I’m leaving. My heart begins to jackhammer. I take a few steps toward her before I catch myself.
I stand frozen, watching her. Her face is battered and still a mass of swelling and bruises. Her arm is casted and held firmly against her chest by a black sling. But she’s clean, and the knots have been brushed out of her hair. A stark difference from the last time I saw her.
I watch her swipe tears off her face and my heart breaks. My desire to comfort her is overwhelming. But my chance with Remi is gone. Our window of opportunity has closed.
It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I walk away from her. Yet, the image of Remi sitting alone, so sad and forlorn, haunts me all the way home.