“Thanks, Chills, appreciate the counseling session. How’s Koda?”
She sits back in her chair and crosses her legs. “He’s okay. Gonna have one hell of a shiner, though. He has a stage three concuss—”
I interrupt, “Shit! That sounds bad, is—”
“Stop! I already took him to the hospital and did a scan on his brain to make sure there was no swelling or bleeding. There’s not, but he might have a fracture to his eye socket. I have to wait for the swelling to go down to check that further. The main thing is… he’s gonna be okay.”
Tears well in my eyes as my hand covers my mouth. “Oh God, my poor little brother.”
“He’s strong. He’s in bed recovering.”
“I should go see him—”
“Koda knows you’re okay. He has been told. The best thing you can do for him right now is let him rest. I’ll be going in and monitoring him all through the night, so don’t worry, he’s in safe hands.”
“Thanks, Chills, for looking after all of us the way you do. We’re lucky to have you.”
She starts cleaning up. “I’m just doing my job, but I’m glad to be here, too.”
“Do you miss Chicago?”
Chills exhales like she’s living a thousand memories. “I miss the people. I miss my parents more than anything, but I love it here. Everyone has been so welcoming, and if being in Houston means the best possible chance for baby Kobe, then that’s what I’m gonna do. Because he’s my world… him and his daddy.”
“When did you know Chains was the one?”
“Well, that’s a whole other story I’ll have to tell you over drinks, but in a couple of days when you’re feeling better, okay? No drinking until then. Keep up the pain meds, the antibiotics, and rest. I also want to take you to the hospital tomorrow to run an antibody or antigen test, just to test for things like HIV, hepatitis, the things we would test for if you were accidentally pricked by a needle. We need to cover our bases. I don’t want to scare you, Prinie, but your blood mixed with Sava’s. We simply want to be on the safe side. We will need to keep testing every few weeks as HIV can take up to six months to show itself.”
My whole body begins to shake as I think about the repercussion. “So that means…”
“It’s best not to have sex for the next six months… until you get the all clear. I mean, you can use a condom, but the best way to protect the other party from possible infection—”
“Is to abstain.”
Chills reaches out, placing her hand on top of mine. “You and Wraith have a lot to work through, but once you tell him why, he will support you, Prinie. I know he will.”
“I will support you in what?” Wraith asks, moving in behind me.
Dizziness washes over me as I peek over my shoulder.
How can I possibly tell him this? I’m not sure I’m even grasping it myself right now.
“I’ll give you guys a little privacy,” Chills murmurs, then stands and walks off.
Wraith moves into the chair Chills vacated as I glance to my hands in my lap. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“No, I just…” I trail off not even knowing how to start.
“Prinie...” he reaches out grabbing my hands in his, “… you know you can tell me anything.”
Slowly, I peek up at him through my lashes. “Chills wants to test me, you know… like they do when you get pricked accidentally with a used needle.”
He scrunches his face. “I’m not following.”
“When Sava’s head exploded on me, and I rubbed my neck…” I inhale, close my eyes, and slowly let it out while opening them again, “… his blood went into my wound—”
“She’s testing you for HIV.” It’s not a question, more of a realization.
“Amongst other things. The testing goes on over a period of time, it can take a while to show up in my system.”
He grits his teeth like he’s having trouble holding himself together. “How long exactly?”
I begin to tremble all over. “Six months.”
“Motherfucker.” He lets go of my hands, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.
I tense all over, my eyes flooding with tears. “We’ll think of other ways—”
“You honestly think that’s what I’m angry about, Kharlie? Fuck no. I can wait to be with you. I’m fucking angry because we have to wait half a year to find out if my asshole so-called brother really got the last word. We have to suffer together for six months, always wondering if any of those tests are going to come back positive.”
“So, you’ll wait… for me?” My voice trembles as I say the words.
“From all that… that’s what you clung to? Prinie, I’m not going anywhere. I don’t care what the tests say. I don’t care if every single one of those tests come back positive. I’m here. I’m with you. Fuck the tests. Fuck fighting this. Fuck Zero! I wanna be with you, princess. It’s always been you. No matter the obstacles.”
I lean forward in a rush to capture him.
He holds on, hoisting me from the chair, wrapping his arms around me tightly.
“Can we go shower? I really want this blood off me.”
Wraith dips his chin. “Yeah, this night is for you.” He grabs my hand, his chin bobbing to Neon as he walks past him. I’m not sure what that’s about, but right now I don’t care. I need to get my shit together.
We head upstairs to his room and straight into the bathroom. Without wasting a second of time, we undress and climb into
