Page 20 of Dirty Beasts: Chance

“Or a fuckin’ bandage, yeah!” He shoots back. “It’s callednot bleeding to death, you dumbfuck.”

We shove through the door and the common area, still bickering.

“I didn’t bleed to death, though, did I? And I seem to remember being point on the way back.”

“Again, because you’re the most stupid, stubborn son of a bitch I’ve ever met.”

“You know, I think I liked you better when you barely spoke.” I sag against the counter, tossing my sodden shirt into the sink and ripping a long sheaf of paper towel off the roll, pressing it against my chest.

“Chance, brother.” He’s not joking, now. “Just go. There and back. You can do it.”

I hold his eyes. “I can’t.”

Annika appears, sleepy-eyed. “What’s going—HOLYSHITYOU’REBLEEDING.”

“I’m good, I’m fine.” I try to grin, but it fucking hurts and it comes across as a feral grimace.

Rev glances at her. “He needs to go to the ER. He’s being stubborn.”

“Stubborn? You’re covered in blood, Chance, Jesus.” She holds up a finger. “Hold on, let me get my sandals. I’ll take you.”

She’s gone a matter of seconds, dancing toward me as she tries to tie the straps around her calves while walking. She has a small black Patagonia bag slung across her torso.

“Slow down, mama, I’m not gonna bleed out,” I say, laughing.

Her eyes blaze. “You damn well could! Look at all that blood!”

“Looks worse than it is,” I argue.

“Bullshit,” Rev says. “It’s as bad as it looks.”

I glare at him. “You’re not helping, Rev. Fuck off.”

He just crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m helping you how youneedto be helped, not just how youwantto be helped.” He looks at Annika. “There are company cars out in the lot. He can get the key for you. You drive. Closest ER.” He gets closer to her, lowering his voice. “Stay with him at all times, yeah?”

“Rev,” I call, my voice low and hard. “Don’t. Do fuckingnot.”

Rev ignores me and my warning. “I’m dead fuckin’ serious, Annika. You are at his side every goddamn second. Yeah?”

She peers up at him. “Is there something I need to know?”

“Yougetme?”

She nods. “I get you. I won’t leave his side for anything. But what’s going on? What am I missing?”

Rev looks at me while speaking to her. “Not mine to say. But it’s important.”

He rummages in a drawer, comes up with a roll of duct tape, taping the thick wad of paper towel in place over my chest.

As he does this, Annika looks at me, at Rev for a long moment, then back to me. Nods. “Let’s go.” When I hesitate, she wraps a soft, strong hand around my forearm and pulls me. “Chance, come on.”

I grit my molars and let out a rough sigh. “Fuck. Fine.” I pull back on her grip. “Gimme thirty seconds to change out of these clothes.”

She follows me to my room, watching as I sit on the bed, unlace my boots and toss them aside, then shuck my pants and socks. I glance at her. “Changing my drawers too,” I tell her, grinning. “Welcome to watch, if you want.”

She reddens and spins on her heel, facing away. I toss my boxers aside, grab a clean pair, step into a pair of shorts, slip my bare feet into my slides. Phone and wallet in my pockets, yank my hair free from the ponytail holder, which I slide up onto my right wrist.

“Ready,” I say.