Page 47 of Free Me

“I’ll do my best.” He adored the way Miko was both cheering him on and cautioning him not to do what Linus did best, which was set lofty goals and overdo it trying to achieve them. “Did you talk to your parents last night?”

“I talked to Dad, but Omi was over at your parents’ house when I got home. Jax and Jaysan went over, too.”

“I’m glad. Papa tries to hide it but I know he’s a wreck over this. He takes every paper cut Layne and I get personally.”

Miko grunted. “Hey, you were kidnapped once, you know. Liam is allowed to be overprotective.”

“I guess. So you and Mikel had a good talk?”

“We did. We both apologized, and we’ll probably talk about it more in the future, but he knows this is how I’ve been feeling. Omi had to open Perks this morning, so I haven’t spoken to him yet. I’m sure Dad filled him in but we do need to say things to each other.”

“I’m glad for you, Miko, I mean it.”

“So am I. And I also talked to Peyton a little about Perks. He’s pretty content working where he is, and he thinks me running Perks one day is a great idea. He’s all for it, if that’s what I want.”

“Awesome.” Linus wanted them to be talking in person so he could hug Miko for his forthrightness. For finally putting himself and his feelings first, instead of playing second fiddle to everyone else. “I love this for you.”

“Me too. I just, um, hope my bondmate is cool with me running a business.”

“He will be.” Maybe Linus shouldn’t speak for this hypothetical bondmate, but he’d never allow Miko to mate with someone who’d demand Miko give up his dreams or his family business.I’d let you run it in a heartbeat.

Someone knocked on his door, and Linus didn’t have time to call out before Greco entered, armed with the same sheets and pillows as yesterday. “I have to go,” Linus grumbled. “The sadist is here.”

Greco winked.

Miko chuckled, and Linus held that precious sound close. “I’ll see you this afternoon. Don’t forget to call if you want me to bring you something.”

“I will. Talk to you soon.”

Today’s torture was much the same as yesterday’s, but the transitions were easier as Linus found his new center balance and learned how to pivot better on his left foot. He was grateful to have thirty minutes to relax and rest before his parents arrived. The day passed slowly, with one visit from Dr. Westin, who reassured him again that it was early days and the lack of two senses could fix itself.

Linus was also being released tomorrow, directly into Aspen Grove Rehabilitation Center, and Papa stepped out briefly to arrange transportation. He really hoped the rehab rooms looked as nice as they did in the brochure pictures, because he was sick and tired of this bland room. The liaison said they could bring comfort items from home, like blankets, photos, and his own clothes, so that was cool.

Miko, in all his adorable selflessness, called a little after three to ask if Linus wanted anything, and Linus said no, simply to come and entertain him. Which Miko did about thirty minutes later, armed with two decks of cards so they could play pinochlewith his parents. Linus wasn’t very good at the game, but he was trying and Miko was a great partner. Miko had also brought schoolwork with him, and he studied while Linus ate his familiarly-boring dinner, and he studied more when Linus took an accidental nap afterward. Linus felt shitty about it when he woke up ten minutes before the end of visiting hours, but Miko reassured him that Linus’s rest was more important.

“We have the rest of our lives to entertain each other once you’re walking again,” Miko whispered during their good-night hug.

“Yeah, we do.” This time, Linus didn’t stop himself from kissing Miko’s cheek. “Who’s your ride home?”

Miko grinned. “Omi. We’re going out for ice cream and a long conversation. Far overdue, I think.”

“Good. Stand up for yourself and what you need, okay?”

“I will. I’ve got class again in the morning, so I probably won’t see you here again. Once I know you’re settled in rehab, I’ll visit. The brochure said they limit visitors to two at a time, though, so I’ll have to coordinate with your parents and brothers.”

“Fortunately, my brothers all work or have kids to manage, so you won’t have to wrestle them for time until the weekend.”

“I’d wrestle anyone for you.” Miko’s eyes widened briefly, as if embarrassed he’d said such a sweet thing.

Linus adored him for it. “See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

And he did. After another, briefer round with Greco, and a final exam by his regular doctor, Linus carefully transferred himself from the bed to a waiting wheelchair, and then his parents and an orderly escorted him downstairs to a waiting medical van. The thing, thankfully, had windows, and Linus enjoyed the view across town to his new home for the next two weeks. The facility was a sprawling, single-story building withlots of wide windows and sidewalks, and he swore the corridors were even bigger than the hospital’s had been.

A young beta man whose name Linus instantly forgot gave them a tour of the facility, including the huge physical therapy gymnasium, which had everything from stairs to a fake car, and the occupational therapy room, which was set up like an apartment with a full kitchen and bathroom. Everything was clean, shiny and seemed top of the line.

Linus had overheard his parents talking about what percentage of this place was out-of-pocket, because it was a private facility, versus the free, province-run rehabs. It made him even more determined not to waste their hard-earned credit.

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