Dangerous »ᴄɵᴍᴘᴌᴇтᴇ«

FOURTEEN

FOURTEEN [Blade "Zero" Kiren]

Pulling into a space the next day, I growled at myself as I reminded myself of the stupidest thing I'd done since... ever. I'd told her that she could call me Blade. My name. Ryan's warning hit me around the head, reminding me that I was supposed to stop speaking to her, but I couldn't. I didn't know why but when she was with me... I felt calm, protective, and I didn't feel the usual use'em'and'dump'em thrum through my veins, I mean sure, I wouldn't mind it, but at the same time I didn't need it. Just hearing her speak, seeing her smile, and when she cried? Shit! I'd wanted to beat the mothering crap out of the person who'd taken her jacket from her. Christ, I really was turning to a god damn girl.

Getting out of my Dodge, I headed inside the building that I'd parked in front of, the rehab centre where I knew Quinn would be, testing out his new leg. Or new calf since they'd only cut him below the knee.

On entering, I asked the receptionist where he'd be and she let me through to see him. On seeing him, I paused before I opened the glass door. He had his trouser leg up, showing the prosthetic leg / calf he had with a normal trainer, like the one he had on his real foot on the end of the prosthetic leg.

His trainer was talking to him, but the glass must have been sound proofed as I didn't hear a word. Opening the door, I saw Quinn look with a glance of hope in his eyes, that disappeared but then became a soft happiness as he saw that it was me. Clearly he was hoping it was Jess, he wouldn't have got that look for anyone else.

"Hey," I said to both Quinn and his trainer.

His trainer gave me a nod and continued to talk about whatever. Quinn gave a weak wave, and it was only then I saw how his body was trembling with exhaustion. He'd pushed himself today, I realised. My thoughts were confirmed as I heard the trainer's words. "...and if you push yourself too hard at the start, you'll just hurt yourself, am I clear?"

"I get it, it's going to be baby steps," Quinn replied. "And if I rush, I'll just damage myself. I just want to walk without help, damn it."

The trainer sighed. "I know. But if you hurt yourself..." then you won't be walking at all, was left silent, but it echoed in my head and by the look of resignation, I knew it did in Quinn's too. "Sit for a while, don't move until Jess gets back to take you home, okay?"

"Got it," Quinn replied.

The trainer gave a nod in reply, before saying "see you soon" to Quinn and a quick "bye" to me.

Lifting the bag I'd brought in with me, I handed it over to Quinn. Quinn frowned when he saw it. "What the hell is that for?" But he took it and looked inside. His face of surprise then anger made me laugh before I jumped out the way before his fist came swinging round. "You son of a– You ass-hole! And come back here so I can wipe that damn smirk off your face!"

I grinned at that, watching as he pulled out the eye-patch and fluorescent pink, green, orange, and blue parrot out of the bag. They were cheap little things from the 99p Store, but when Quinn huffed in amusement and told me I was a bastard, it was worth it.

"At least you've got Halloween sorted out for next year."

That got me a glare.

Quinn shook his head at me. "Why you here, Blade? I know you didn't come by to give me a damn parrot."

"I wanted to see how you were. Apparently you'll only let Jess and me see you. Guys at the garage want an update on how your doing?"

I saw the genuine smile before he hid it at hearing about the guys at the garage caring enough to ask. "Tell 'em I'm fine. Just got to start learning to walk without those damn bars."