“I fucking hate my brother.”
Shuffle
“I fucking hate his new girlfriend.”
Groan.
“I’m ready to go home.”
Creak.
“Sit on my ass.”
Shuffle.
“Play video games and watch porn.”
I let out a string of curse words because Helga the Horrible pushes too hard on my back when I said porn. As if intentionally throwing me off balance and forcing me to use those damn stabilizing muscles they first told me about. It pulls everywhere. Hurts everywhere. I throw her a dirty ass look over my shoulder. She gives me a fucking sweet smile. Not guilty.
“I fucking hate nurses.”
She doesn’t say anything.
Only keeps that pressure steady on my back. I fucking hate that too. We’re getting close to the end of the hall. About to loop back around to my room, when I see the most beautiful sight, walking in with a bag from McDonald’s. I’m not gay, but I’ll fuck the shit out of that guy if he’s bringing me a couple of Big Macs.
He hasn’t noticed me yet. His limp catches my attention more than it ever has. Will I have a badass one like him? I don’t know why, but his half-shaved head, all-black ensemble, and natural tanned skin make him look like a straight-up villain. Not the size of a Marvel hero like Mas and me. More like Loki, except hotter.
Diego can get the chicks if he wants. But he’s pussy whipped by his professor. A thing that’s gone on for a while now. Mas tells me he’s super fucking happy with her, even if he’s stressed about school.
“Kokami! Look at you, dude.”
A bright smile breaks his face.
It makes me smile too. I love this guy. He’s a good dude, even if he prefers Darko Dommy’s bad attitude over mine. He blocks the hallway. I couldn’t be happier. The smell of McDonald’s runs straight up my nose. I fucking love him more if that’s for me.
“Tell me that’s for me.” I gaze down at the bag crumpled in his hand. His helmet is tucked under his elbow.
“No outside food allowed for patients,” Helga the Horrible scolds over my shoulder. Diego’s eyes move from me to her and back.
“Good thing it’s for me,” he replies, stealing my hopes and dreams away. Back to fucking jello. “It’s great seeing you up and around, man.”
“Yeah, Helga here makes me do it three times a day, and then I have to go to PT downstairs. It’s all bullshit. The second I get home, my ass is sitting in front of the big screen and doing nothing. All damn day.”
I throw that last part at Helga. She can control me like a little bitch in here. But at home, I’m the king of that fucking castle.
“Don’t let me stop ya. I’ll wait for you in your room.”
He raises the bag slightly. Barely noticeable. It’s for me. I’m going to plant the biggest, fattest, and sloppiest kiss on his ass for being my savior. Another angel from above, smelling of leather, cologne, and McDonald’s.
“Don’t slack off. PT’s the only thing between you and a limp for life.”
If anyone would know, it’s him. He’s fucked up his back. The videos were gnarly. Coming back from that is legendary. I wanna be like him when I grow up.
“Limps are badass,” I argue, dragging one crutch forward and hissing when my ribs bite down hard. “Give me some fries, and I’ll crutch to PT myself. Fast as hell. You’ll see flames on the linoleum.”
Helga pushes against my back for us to continue. Diego jumps out of the way. I scowl at her. Worst nurse ever.
“Get moving. I have other patients to see,” she grumbles like I do.
