Page 39 of Alpha & Omega

We climbed several flights of stairs, and with each step, my worry grew for my wild friend, my brother. By the time we reached Ajax’s apartment, I was filled with too much apprehension as I pounded on the door.

Blaze quickly opened it, looking worried and exhausted, which was a new look for him. Usually, he wore disdain like a second skin. His black hair was a wreck, and he wore none of the jewelry that usually adorned him.

I blew by Blaze and sat on the edge of Ajax’s bed, who was tucked under his covers, curled up, looking smaller than his six-foot-four frame.

“What’s going on, Ajax? Do you need help?”

He shrugged and nodded.

My stomach twisted in fear. My lively and vivacious Ajax was barely recognizable. His face appeared gaunt and slack, and he had dark circles under his eyes, which he had before, but they were more pronounced.

I swallowed hard, filled with guilt because I hadn’t checked on him, assuming he’d been sick when he hadn’t been in for work. I’d been too busy with my own fucking life—another reason to move on from Harley. My Rejects were all that mattered.

With a deep breath, I tried to find my resolve and take charge of the situation.

“Okay, let’s get you dressed. I’m taking you to the ER.”

Ajax suddenly sat up. “Wait, what? Why?”

“You need immediate help.”

Ajax tried to back away. “But…”

I grab his hand to hold him in place and to reassure him. “It’s going to be okay. It’s scary not only for you but for all of us. Please know that you’re not alone, and you never will be. Understood? We’ll go with you, and we’ll be there every step of the way. Will you trust me when I tell you that you’ll feel better if you go?”

Ajax nodded again with fear and tears in his eyes. At least I didn’t have to force him as he got out of bed to get dressed.

He grabbed Blaze’s hand for support and asked him to go to the hospital with him. I’d never seen Blaze so caring, and I was incredibly grateful he’d been there when Ajax crashed.

As we headed out the door, Ajax turned to me. “I… I can’t afford a hospital and shit. All my money’s gone.”

Out of all the Rejects, Ajax was the most financially stable, so for him to be out of money shocked me. He’d always been good about being frugal and saving. Then I winced at my dwindling bank account.

Fuck it. He needed me. I’d rather go broke a thousand times than have him die because I couldn’t get him medical help.

“You let me worry about that. If they need to help you beyond today, the state will cover most of it, okay? Don’t worry about money.” Or so I hoped. The state of Maryland had pretty progressive programs and was good about helping its people.

“But… I ruined my apartment.”

I looked at Blaze, confused.

“He… tried to renovate his bathroom,” he said.

I sighed, not fully grasping what was going on, but I nodded, needing to get Ajax out of there and into the ER before anything else. “Okay, we’ll deal with that, too, but later.”

When we reached the hospital, and the nurse brought Ajax back to be treated, I tried not to let the hurt get to me when Ajax had chosen Blaze instead of me to go back with him. They were together, so it made sense, but still… I would be worried sick, not knowing what was going on.

I swallowed the growing lump in my throat, and my eyes tried to water. Ajax was life. He was vibrant and wild with electric energy… I didn’t recognize this broken and nearly dead Ajax.

Someone grabbed my shoulder, and I turned to find Cueball watching me with empathetic amber eyes. He was a mystery, and I didn’t know him that well. No one really did, other than Blaze, and even then, I had my doubts. Cueball shared nothing of himself.

“Let’s sit and wait.”

He led me to the waiting room, and we sat on uncomfortable vinyl chairs.

“Do you want something to eat or drink?” he asked.

I shook my head, leaned forward, rested my elbows on my thighs, and ran my hands through my hair.

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