Kruger, ever conscious of my needs lately, manages to score me some pain pills that must be stronger than the ones I got sent home with. I feel loopy when I take them.
“Alright, our ride is here. Thanks for everything, doc.”
“Of course, and if you have any problems or questions, contact your PCP. Those pamphlets I’ve given you should answer many of your questions, though. I want to see you in six months, just to see how you’re doing. And remember, no driving.”
I silently curse the man, though it’s not his fault. Not being able to drive is going to kill me. It’s hard to be independent when you’re relying on everyone else.
“I won’t forget. I wouldn’t put anyone else in danger, no matter how much it sucks.”
“It might not always be this way. Once you have things figured out and can recognize triggers, you’ll find that you’ll go longer without seizures. If you don’t have a seizure within a twelve-month period, you’ll usually be cleared to drive.”
“That’s both awesome and terrifying,” I admit. Yay, I could drive, but there is no guarantee I won’t ever have another seizure, so do I really want to risk it? I try to imagine waking up in this damn hospital again, only to find out I T-boned a car, killing a family on their way back from a school play. Yeah, no. I don’t think I can risk it.
“It’s not something you need to think about now,” Kruger reminds me, squeezing my shoulders.
“You’re right.”
“Well, I have rounds to do. Take care, Miss Anders.”
We watch the doctor leave before following him out. A nurse approaches us with a smile, her eyes deliberately avoiding Kruger’s.
“Need me to wheel you out?”
“I think Kruger has me covered, but thanks.”
“Alright. Good luck.”
“Well, that sounded ominous,” I grunt, making Kruger chuckle.
“Think she was worried about you leaving with me more than anything else.”
“Well then, she’s an idiot. Do you think I could get frequent flyer miles for how often I find myself in one of these things?”
When he doesn’t answer, I tip my head back and find him watching me intently.
“What?”
“You never did see me the way others did.”
I frown. “I don’t know how to respond to that. I just see Kruger. My Velcro biker and all-around pain in my ass.”
He grins, the move pulling at his scars. “I’ll take it.”
He pushes us through the doors and moves us around people until we’re waiting on the curb.
“Think this will lose me some street cred with Con?”
“The fact that you survived something else? Fuck no, that asshole already thinks you’re a superhero.”
I grin as a truck pulls up in front of us. I hear the driver’s side door open and spot movement around the front before the biker comes into view. Only this man is definitely not Con.
“Havoc,” I whisper. I’d only met the man twice, and he definitely didn’t look like this the last time I saw him. I’d heard through the grapevine that he’d gone to prison, taking over as the mother chapter’s new president when he got out.
“Delphi. Long time no see. How you feeling?”
“Up until two seconds ago, not too bad. Now I’m not so sure.”
He smirks, the whole thing softening his harsh features. “I’m not that scary.”
