Page 169 of Fractured Future

“Hey, join the club. It’s nice to have a fellow fuck up on board.”

“Great. So glad to be here.”

“I’ll get you a membership t-shirt.”

“Thanks.” I knock back my morning medication with a deep gulp of coffee. “Hell. You make a good cuppa.”

I’m sure Hyland would disapprove of this too, but thankfully, Axel doesn’t question my choice of beverage. I still need caffeine even while recovering.

Grinning while he leans back in his chair, Axel straightens his bright-yellow, sixties-style tee. The lurid colour even features groovy flowers and butterflies with bubble writing.

“Life’s too short to wear boring clothes?”

“I always speak my truth,” he says solemnly.

“I’m almost positive that’s a woman’s shirt.”

“Dude, vintage gear is gender neutral.”

“It has butterflies on it.”

“I like butterflies!” Axel juts out his bottom lip.

“Hey, no judgement here.”

Swigging more coffee, I focus on steadying my hands. The tremors are still obvious. I can feel Axel watching me closely for any tiny signs of another seizure.

“Did the specialist say how long it’ll take for the medication to work?”

“It’s not a simple fix.” I sigh while studying my coffee mug. “We have to try different types of medication to see what reduces the frequency of the seizures.”

“Well, shit.”

“Yep. I’ll have to go for regular check-ups for the next few months and see what happens. I can’t just take a pill and be normal again.”

“Well, that would be boring.”

“I wouldn’t mind a bit of boring right about now.”

Nudging my foot beneath the table, Axel encourages me to look at him. “Normal is far overrated, babe. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

“Dirty hair, pyjamas and unbrushed teeth?”

“Oh, yeah.” He pretends to wipe drool from his mouth. “That’s my kink.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Especially the unbrushed teeth. Oof, so hot.”

Kicking his foot away from me, I burst into laughter. It lightens the pressure that’s sat on my chest since I saw Hyland and Tom’s matching anxious expressions in the hospital.

“I don’t know about taking my medication—I think you need to take yours.”

“Nah, I’m also perfect the way I am.” Axel blows a kiss at me. “We’re a match made in heaven.”

Pretending to bat the kiss away, I decide to get showered and dressed before Hyland decides to literally restrain me in the apartment. I need to get to HQ to see what the hell Blaine wants from me.

“I have to get washed up.”