appreciate the notoriety that came with being a star quarterback.
Gideon got up to the floor and strolled down the hallway in search of Gunnar’s room. A couple of the nurses gasped as he made his way to the correct room. To lessen the excitement that could be generated with his presence, he didn’t acknowledge any of their whispers or looks. He kept his head up and continued walking until he finally came across the room.
With the door closed, Gideon knocked first before entering. His heart stopped for a moment when he saw his older brother, his hero. For all of Gideon’s life, Gunnar Wells had seemed invincible.
As children, Gunnar had been the one to protect him and Thane against their abusive biological mother and horrible foster families. Once they’d gotten with Queen Elizabeth, Gunnar had squared off against their adoptive mother’s former husband. Gunnar seemed destined to fight for the rest of his life. Seeing him now made Gideon think someone had taken out Superman.
Gunnar appeared to be sleeping. The big man’s head had been elevated in the bed. IVs had been hooked to his arm. A constant beeping greeted Gideon as he stepped inside and closed the door behind himself. Although the lights in the room had been extinguished, the opened blinds allowed the room to be illuminated in sunlight.
Gideon peered at the whiteboard across from him. He read Gunnar’s doctor’s name and the name of the attending nurse and nurse care partner taking care of him today. On the scale of his pain, Gunnar had listed it as a one, which meant for a normal human being, it would rank as a ten.
Gunnar never wanted to admit his pain or that he needed help, something Gideon understood. The throbbing in his knee hadn’t stopped at all since arriving in Virginia. He would have to see someone about it soon.
Gideon stood at the side of the bed and put his hand on Gunnar’s shoulder. He didn’t expect his brother’s eyes to flutter open, but it sure made Gideon smile when he saw Gunnar looking alert.
“Hey, man. How are you doing?” Gideon patted Gunnar’s shoulder.
“Been better.” Gunnar smirked. “Oh, shit.”
Gideon’s eyes widened. “What?” He searched for the nurse call button in case his brother needed medical assistance right away.
“I missed your game.”
Gideon exhaled. “Don’t worry about it. You’re all that matters.” He pulled up a chair next to him. “So what happened?”
Gunnar reached for a cup on a raised tray that had a bendy straw inside. He took a long sip before answering. “I got a message on my phone that the alarm was going off at the salon. I went down there, expecting to meet with the police. No one was there yet. I went inside—”
Gideon groaned and leaned back. “You should have waited for the cops.”
Gunnar rolled his eyes. “Now you sound like Mom.”
“She’s right. Look at you.”
Gunnar peered down. “I have seen better days, huh?”
“You think? You could have been killed.” Gideon grabbed Gunnar’s hand and held it. “Do you know who did this to you?” He balled his hand into a fist.
Gunnar shook his head. “Take that thought out of your head, man. We’re not about that life anymore. Let the police handle this.”
Gideon hadn’t gotten tied up with gangs like Gunnar, but he had no problem defending his family. If it required that he use his fists, he would do it. Gunnar must have recognized the intent behind his eyes and in his question.
“With everything going on with Mom, and Thane being”—Gideon looked at Gunnar and at the same time they said—“Thane.”
Gideon laughed along with Gunnar. At least the shooting hadn’t taken away Gunnar’s sense of humor.
Gideon became serious again as he talked to his oldest sibling. “I can’t lose you. Family is all we have.”
“I know.” Gunnar nodded. “That’s why you need to take care of Mom’s flower shop. Victor’s done a great job, but he’s been there alone.”
“Done.” Gideon ran his hand over his hair, which caused Gunnar to look up.
“You know Mom is going to hate that.” He pointed up.
Gideon smiled. “Yeah, she already warned me that a lecture is coming. I am ready for a change.” He rubbed his hand over Gunnar’s newly shorn head. “I see you got a new look. What’s up with that?”
“It was time for me to grow up, stop hiding, you know?”
Gideon knew all too well about his brother’s once-troubled past and his former mistakes. He’d seen the No Equal gang tattoo when Gunnar had gotten it done. Even back then, Gideon had called him an idiot and told him how great they had it with Queen Elizabeth. Until their mother had proved herself by putting herself in harm’s way, Gunnar hadn’t embraced their charmed lives.
“Mom told me that you and Eboni are together.”
Gunnar didn’t smile. He beamed. Everything on his face lit up like he’d won the lottery. His pale skin held some color now. He pressed a button on a controller on his bed to raise his head a bit more.
“Since we’re alone, I can tell you this. I bought her a ring.” Gunnar nodded. “Doing it right this time. I can’t let more time pass between us.”
Gideon stood as fast as he could with his bum knee and embraced his brother. “Congratulations.”
“Yeah, I had planned on proposing after your game but, well, you know.” Gunnar shrugged. “She’s perfect, man.”
Gideon sat down. “She was pretty special back in the day. I remember thinking how great she was to hang with you after all the stuff you had gone through with the drugs and the fighting and that gang. She never left your side.”
“I know.” Gunnar got quiet for a moment before looking at the window across the room.
Gideon peered down to give his brother a moment. He hadn’t seen him get emotional about much. Eboni really must have gotten to his heart more than before.
Gunnar wiped his eyes and sniffed before he continued talking. “What about you? Did you tell Mom that you and Hilary are over?”
Gideon nodded. “Told her yesterday before the game. She was disappointed, but what can I say? It wasn’t meant to be.”
“You have bigger fish to fry.”
“I know, like making sure you’re okay. Watching out for Pick ’N Clip. And—”
“Your knee.”
Gideon stared at his brother.
“Sorry for cutting you off, but you know I’m right.” Gunnar stared at him.
Gideon returned the look and tried not to blink. “I’m fine.”
Gunnar tilted his head. “Dude, if I recognized
