Spun (Kings of Chaos 1)

“That’s right, I’m Dr. Robertson. You’ve been in and out of it for the past seventy-two hours. Each time, you’ve been a bit more cognitive, which is good. Your vitals are good, but it’s going to take time to get back on your feet. You haven’t used your body for over a month.”

His words give me a sense of déjà vu and I wonder how many times he’s said this very thing. I feel like I’m missing something. I frown as agitation sets in, causing me to squirm.

“I’ve said this to your…friends. Don’t try to force the memories. It’ll bring more harm than good. We’ll take it slow and easy.”

My chest heaves and I grind my teeth.

“How about we give you something to rest?” He presses a series of buttons and before I can protest, I’m feeling too good to remember why I was pissed off in the first place.

Chapter Nine

They say when it rains it pours. That doesn’t begin to cover the mess I find myself smack dab in the middle of. Tension is running high as we wait for more attacks, and Wizard’s recovery is a daily punch to the heart. The past year has been wiped from his brain. To him, I’m just Hulk’s daughter turned caretaker. He’s easily agitated when it comes to things he can’t recall, and if he strains himself the migraines start. The doctor can’t tell us how permanent the memory loss will be. He thinks we’re lucky. Relatively speaking, I suppose he’s right. Everything else seems to be there and he’s progressing.

The c

harade though, is eating me up from the inside out. Stone wants me to wait till he’s back on his feet to bring up the fact that I’m his old lady. I can respect that, but it doesn’t make it any easier. On a constant basis, I see Wizard looking at me with no recollection of our relationship. It’s been a painful few weeks. Today, he’s coming home. The time to come clean has arrived.

I’m not ready.

I study myself in the mirror turning to the left and the right. I’m wearing my favorite pair of jeans and T-shirt. The stress is taxing my system. I’ve been sick more days out of the week than not. I turn away from the reflective surface and walk down the stairs. The party will be at the clubhouse, but I wanted to welcome him home. Part of me hopes once he’s back in a familiar environment, his memories will return. The doctor told us it can happen that way. The welcome home banner is hung, our bar has been stocked, and the house looks immaculate.

The rumble of motorcycles pulling up front has my blood pressure spiking. With his broken leg and limbs that were still shaky, he had to be brought home in a cage. His swearing had alerted everyone on the third floor about his feelings on that requirement. It was disconcerting seeing him so quick to anger. It wasn’t in his personality. Well, the old one. The doctors assured us it was normal. It doesn’t change the fact that I fear this new him. I’m anxious and uncertain how he’ll respond to the situation we’ll be unveiling. The bikes grow quiet. I shove my hands in the pockets of the jeans, rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet. The top lock turns and I slap on a smile. “Surprise.”

His brow furrows. “Not that I don’t appreciate all you’ve done for me, Nevy. But you really don’t have to take the nurse maid thing to heart.”

The old nickname is an abrasion to my heart.

“That’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about,” Stone says. He clamps his hand on Wizard’s shoulder as they continue into the house.

“Finally. I knew some shit was off. You guys have been acting nuttier than fucking fruit cake.”

The glimpse of his old personality peeking out makes me smile.

“Nevada, show him the cut.”

I walk over to the closet, and pull out the vest I’ve been hiding. My hands shake as I slowly turn to face him.

“What the fuck?” Wizard roars.

My heart bleeds and my eyes fill with water.

“Is this some kind of a lame ass joke? ’Cause I ain’t laughing.”

“No. This is a huge chunk of what you haven’t been able to remember,” Stone says.

The horror that crosses Wizard’s face makes my stomach turn.

“She’s just a kid! Why the hell would I tie myself to a child?”

Sweat-beads form on my forehead and I stumble back.

“Look, man, I know you’re upset, but you need to chill.”

“Chill? I wake up and my entire world is fucking upside down!”

The gurgling in my belly begins. Saliva floods my mouth. I spin on my heels and run to the bathroom on the opposite side of the room. Turning on the fan, I flip up the lid and make it to my knees just in the nick of time. Tears run down my face unchecked as I purge the toast and bacon I’d forced myself to eat this morning. This situation has turned me into a neurotic mess. If I’m not crying, I’m puking my guts up, or outright exhausted. I wanted to be strong and let his comments roll off my back. I’d prepared myself for the fall out I knew would come, but the reality of it was far harsher than anything I’d played in my head. I push back from the toilet and swipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I wish I could spend the rest of the night in the bathroom. The thought of facing him makes me want to hurl again.

A gentle knock comes on the door. “Nevy?”