Page 90 of Alpha & Omega

“I’ve been listening to the others and their worries for you. You’ve been pushing people away, withdrawing into yourself and your pain. Harley was especially worried today after you got your cast off. He didn’t want to leave you, and that’s why I volunteered tonight. Your withdrawal from people needs to stop now.”

I scoffed and looked at him, his head freshly shaved, his intelligent amber eyes solely focused on me. “And what about you, Mr. Enigmatic Bald One? You’re hiding and buried in your own shit. You see, I can read people, too. It’s as clear as day since Ajax had to go to the ER. You took all that personally. Why?”

His eyes, boring into my soul, never wavered. “We aren’t talking about me. This is about you. You’re on a different road now, but youwillkeep on pushing forward until you see the light. Youwilllet your family take care of you and love you. Then youwillwalk again. But you won’t heal if you’re going to be a moody bastard all the time. I understand you’re hurting, but if you want to heal faster and walk again, you need to get your head out of your ass and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Over a million people have lost their legs and live with it every day, walking and moving forward with their lives just fine. You can, too. I can give you this much about me… I’ve got shit I’m working through myself, but that’s all I’ll tell you. Weallhave problems, Alpha.”

Cueball leaned forward and rested a hand on my arm. “Your family needs you, and you need them. You especially need Harley. Stop pushing them away.”

My rigid body deflated. “Tough love moment, huh?”

“And you should know me well enough by now that I don’t mince words. It’s also easier for me with no emotional attachment to you, allowing me to see things from the outside.”

“It’s hard to adjust. I wasn’t prepared for something like this.”

“No one ever is. I’ve been told that you’re lucky even to be alive. Take that as a win, Alpha. While huge, you only lost your leg. You could’ve lost a lot more than that, and your family wouldn’t have you in their lives anymore.”

That was something I hadn’t done… be grateful for living through that horrific car crash.

“This Sunday, they’re talking about skating at the park. I strongly suggest you let Harley take you and spend time with your family while getting some fresh air and sunshine. It will be good for your soul.”

“God, I’m going to miss skating through.”

“You’ll skate again.”

“I… do love him… Harley, that is. I appreciate him so much.”

“Tell him all the time, then. He needs to hear those words, too.”

TosayI’dbeenpissed that Kingston went back to the hospital because he fell, and Cueball didn’t fucking tell me right away, was an understatement. He claimed he didn’t want to disrupt business and that he was telling me then. He should’ve told me immediately, dammit! That was the last time I left him alone with Kingston.

At least he hadn’t damaged his leg so much that it required another surgery. They just had to clean him up and give him some new sutures. The inner sutureswere still intact.

Hudson was over at Oliver’s place as I got dinner ready for Kingston. Finally, he forced himself out of his bedroom and sat at the kitchen table, going over his finances while I cooked. The pain in his leg was clearly etched on his face, but he didn’t complain.

“How does Moqueca sound, which is a Brazilian fish stew? I got the fish from Stone, who kindly brought some over for us.”

“Sounds good.”

What he sounded was distracted. I looked over my shoulder as I sautéed the onions. Kingston looked stressed out beyond his pain. I wished he wouldn’t go over business, but I also understood it was important to understand your finances as a business owner. He needed to know where he stood.

Ajax had taken over inventory and supply orders, while Stix kept bank records of money coming in and out. They’d proven to be very responsible and insightful young men.

“We can go over that tonight after dinner if you want.”

“I need to get this done. I’m late on rent for the bar and my apartment. They’re getting tired of it. God, at least I’ve kept up with my loan.”

“Have you told the owners what’s going on?”

“Yeah, and it’s probably why they haven’t given me the boot yet. My insurance is covering most of my medical bills only after I’ve paid them my deductible, which is five fucking thousand dollars I don’t currently have, but I’ve been paying on what I can. Business isn’t bad, but I can’t get caught up to save my life.”

“Once the insurance companies finish battling things out, I’m sure you’ll be compensated for everything.”

“Yeah, but not soon enough. No matter how much I work it out in my head, it always comes back to me losing Alpha’s. God, what is my crew going to do if that happens?”

I turned off the stove for a second, came over to him, and squatted. “We’re not going to let that happen, but if it does, they’ll be fine. They’re intelligent young people.

He looked at me full of red-rimmed, pleading eyes. “Maybe you should buy the bar. Do you want it? It might be the only way to save my place and allow my family to keep their jobs.”

“I donotwant it. That would not only cause a rift between us, but I’m sure there are other ways to save it. If worse comes to worse, I’ll invest in Alpha’s, but I’m not taking it from you. Never. Besides, your Rejects and I are working on a plan, so put away your files and try to relax tonight. Tomorrow, we’re going to the skatepark.”

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