Sky fucking refused to pussy out. He forced himself to walk whenever no one was watching. It was pure agony, dragging himself along behind his wheelchair, one step at a time.
The sooner he could walk, the sooner he could be functional, the sooner he’d get out. These doctors up here didn’t know cowboys. They kept telling him to be patient, to take it easy.
Fools.
Easy wasn’t the way.
“I know, I’m early. I’m here to take the rock star cowboy to—whoa. Hey, man.”
He rolled his eyes as Kevin put a foot against the front of the chair. He hadn’t planned on getting caught.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Fortunately, Kevin sounded more amused than pissed.
“Going to the little cowboy’s room.” That was a fair answer, right?
Kevin rolled his eyes. “You know there’s no brakes on this thing, right? You want to walk? All right. Let’s go, cowboy. Let go of that death trap and hold on to me.”
“That’s fair enough. Thanks.” By the time he made it to the restroom, he was soaked through and breathing hard. Goddamn, it sucked to be old.
“So, you want the chair for the way back?” Kevin grinned, daring him.
“Fuck you, asshole.” He shut the door in Kevin’s face, huffing out laughter. He did his business, washed his face, thought about shaving, decided against it, and headed out.
The chair was waiting when he opened the door, and Kevin wasn’t playing. “Sit your ass down.”
He knew when he was stuck, so he sat. “I’m working to get better, buddy.”
“Good.” Kevin rolled him about two feet to a chair and sat in it, face serious. “Listen up. I’m your best friend and your worst enemy. You want to start walking? Great. We’ll do it.Wewill do it. You have a metal rod and pins in your femur and a brand, spanking new hip. You take one fall that you’re not prepared for, and that hip is toast. If your hip is toast, not even God is gonna let you walk again. Am I making myself crystal clear here?”
“I want to start walking.” He leaned forward. “My guy and me, we’ve been broke up for four years. Four. Now he’s in my life, and I’m fucking worthless. I got to get better, man. Ihaveto.”
He finally had a chance to be with Beck. He wanted it.
Kevin nodded. “You’re gonna do it. You have everything it takes. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you an hour off the clock after my shift every day if you promise you won’t waste my time by doing something stupid like that again. I’ll find you a walker with brakes and a seat. I’ll get you whatever you need. Trust I’m gonna push you as far as you can go, and then three steps farther, every day, and let that be enough. You want to do a little two-step with your man? Then you can’t afford setbacks.” Kevin stuck a hand out. “Do we have a deal?”
“Deal. I can cowboy up. Forever.” He would do this for his man, for this chance. He reached out, held one hand to Kevin. “We do.”
Kevin shook and then a grin slowly crept across his lips. “You’re gonna hate me. You’re gonna walk. Soon. But you’re gonna hate me.”
“I already hate you, so no worries.” He knew better, but he needed to be able to meet Beck on equal ground.
“Good.” Kevin stood up and wheeled him over to the bed. “Get your ass in bed, and we’ll set our first goal.”
“We have goals?” Sky tried for light, but he had his teeth set, and getting into the bed was the hardest thing he’d done all fucking day.
“Yep.” Kevin helped him with the last bit, so he could settle on his good side. “First goal is getting up from the chair and using the walker safely. We’ll start that tomorrow. What’s your pain level right now?”
“You want the truth or what I’d tell the doc?” It was an important distinction.
“Well.” Kevin looked at him thoughtfully. “You’re gonna be working hard, so you need to rest hard. I’d go with truthful so I can get you that good night’s sleep. Your body is gonna need it. Everything we do is gonna hurt.”
“I’m trying not to scream, buddy. Everything hurts.” And that was the God’s honest truth.
Kevin nodded. “I’ll have them knock your ass out tonight. Be honest with the doctors too. Pain isn’t going to keep you here, but lack of mobility will. Tired muscles can’t work, and they can’t recover.”
“I’ve been hurt a lot, but this one? Damn.” This one made him feel mortal, which was a dangerous way for a bull rider to feel.