Walk the Line (Kings of Chaos 5)

“Aren’t you?” she asks.

“No.”

“Looks suspiciously like a mantrum, but if you say it’s not, I guess you’d know.”

“What the hell do you want from me, woman?”

“For you to realize your life isn’t over just because you’re paralyzed. You’re far more capable than you give yourself credit for. We’ve been training to give you back independence, and believe me in six months you’ve come a long way. A lot further than most could’ve. You need to embrace life as who you are now. You haven’t even been to the club since you got back.”

“It’s not for me anymore.”

“It is, and it’s a huge part of what’s eating you up. You’ve given a massive chunk of your life to the Kings of Chaos, and now you’re acting like none of that matters. You still have a place with them.”

“I can’t ride!”

“And yet, they offered you a place as Treasure. No, you can’t ride, but you’re still a part of them. An important part, one of the inner circle which looks out for the club, keeping their money straight. Yet, you haven’t been there since you got back. I’m not the only one who noticed it either. It’s time you did some things on your own.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means get out of here, call up one of the brothers, and go hang out at the clubhouse by yourself. I’m not helping you with this one. You make the arrangement and deal with everything I spent the past few months teaching you.”

“Just like that?” His voice shakes.

Six months is not just like that. “Consider it homework.” I remain firm. As long as he continues to look to me for all the answers, and constant reassurance. He has to fly on his own and reclaim his identity. I see bits and pieces of him. I refuse to enable him. My next step is to get him a car with hand controls, but he has to get used to being out by himself first. My Spidey senses say it’s time to cut the cord.

“It’s Friday, though.”

“Perfect day to spend with you boys without me.”

“What will you be doing?”

“Bubble bath, wine, and a good book.”

“But—”

“Jagger, it’s time. Okay?”

He clears his throat. “Alright. I’ll ugh. I’ll call Warp and see if he can pick me up.”

I grunt as I push myself up, and hold out my hand. “You do this, and we’ll move on to the next stage.”

“What’s that?”

“Walking with braces.”

“Wait. How?”

“You’ll be using the upper strength we’ve been helping you build up. Why do you think I’ve been pushing you so hard?”

“Because you’re an evil ass woman who gets off on my pain?”

I arch a brow. “Really?”

“You’re two people in my head, My B, and then my Trainer. I will break you.” He mimes the Russian wife from Rocky, and I laugh. He gets off the table and into his wheelchair.

I feel a prickling of anxiety. This is his first time flying solo. But it’s a safe environment. He’s ready. Even Obi-Wan had to let Anakin go. And look at how that turned out. He turned to face me.

“I should go get dressed and put my cut on too.”