That last part makes me pause mid-bite. Burger halfway in, halfway out.
“I’ll ride again. I’m a Dimas. We don’t quit.”
I shove the burger back in and chew loudly enough for both of us to hear.
Diego points at me with one big, calloused finger. “That attitude will get you fucked up for good.”
I grin, dragging fries through my ketchup pile. “Nah, it’ll get me laid. And with a hot nurse with a fat ass.”
He just shakes his head, staring at me like I’m already a lost cause.
“Keep laughing now. But when the pain doesn’t fade, remember I warned you.”
I salute him with the fry before jamming it in my mouth. “Aye aye, captain.”
Diego doesn’t move.
Just looks sad and lost in his past. He just sits there. Eyes staring at nothing. Jaw clenched. Sitting while I inhale the best meal of my fucking life right now, like I didn’t almost die two weeks ago. I know he means well, but whatever. I’m young, hot, and I work out all the time.
How hard could this really be?
CHAPTER 8
MASSIMO
Five weeks out from the accident, the house still reeks of antiseptic and takeout. Em’s side of the couch is his lifeline. A phone charger, open water bottles, empty pill bottles, used tissues, and his crutches tip against the armrest.
His home nurse, Ryan, whom he bitched about a shit ton, especially when it came to showers, is parked in the recliner like he’s been living here his whole damn life. The guy doesn’t blink when Em moans, curses, or demands snacks. He just smirks and tells him to ‘walk it off.’ Which is hilarious, considering my brother’s hopping around like the busted flamingo he yelled about in the hospital.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m thankful as fuck for being here with him. The first week was horrible. The first two days, I did nothing but pray, cry, and beg everyone who entered that room to save him. I was scared out of my fucking mind.
Now Em’s in full performance mode, dragging his crutches down the hall, groaning like he’s birthing triplets. Every step is punctuated with some bullshit.
“This is bullshit. Ow. I hit my dick. Ow. Mas, kick Ryan’s lazy ass out. Ow. He’s not even helping me anymore. Ow. Get me a stripper nurse. Big titties that smother me.”
Ryan doesn’t flinch. Just sits there, arms crossed, one eyebrow cocked like he’s watching stand-up comedy.
“You keep whining like that. I’ll make you do another lap.”
“Fuck you, Ryan. You’re supposed to care.”
“I do. That’s why I’m still here with all your bitching. Now keep moving if you want to have sex anytime soon.”
Ryan’s awesome. He’s bulky enough to handle Em, especially when he needs help bathing. Em hates it and uses that as motivation to figure out how to shower without him. Getting a male nurse that Sofia vetted is great. They bullshit, play video games, and are a babysitter/friend/nurse to my brother. He gives Ryan shit all the time, but he loves the dude.
“Dude, Ry, we’ve talked about this. I’m fucking Sofia the second she lets me. Mas can’t be the only one getting his dick sucked. Mine deserves some lollipop licking too.”
I lean against the counter, sipping my protein shake, ignoring them both. Three weeks of this circus at home, with no sex in the last five weeks, is making me edgy and irritable. Part of the source of my frustration is Sofia.
I’ve been driving her to and from shifts every day since that asshole ex of hers showed up at the hospital. She doesn’t argue anymore. Just slides into the passenger seat like it’s where she belongs. Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we don’t. Either way, her scent stays in the car long after I drop her off, clinging to the leather like it knows she belongs there.
That asshole ex has been back a couple of times. Begging for money and trying to bow up against me. Dumb. I’m twice his size and far younger. I would easily fuck him up if it weren’t for her getting in between us and stopping me. It’s always the little dudes that mouth off the most.
Every time he’s there, she gets upset and worries about her tiny dog. I’m about to bring that dog to my house. Give Em something to do besides bitch and moan all day.
“Mas!” Em yells from the hall, snapping me out of my thoughts after taking a piss. “Tell Ryan I’m gonna die if I take another step.”
Ryan grins, cruel bastard. “If you can yell, you can walk.”
