Page 16 of Betraying Bexley

“H-how?” She pulled at the red and black material that swallowed her whole.

“It’s a long conversation.” Bronx held up her hand. “Stay here. I’m going to go see if your sleeve is here now. Then you can get ready.” Without waiting for Bex’s answer, Bronx hurried from the room.

None of this makes sense. How did I get to Alé and Bronx’s house? How do they live together?Bex scrubbed her face and noticed the small bandage on her hand and the IV pole beside her.What am I missing?A squeal of delight drew her attention to the door before it opened and Bronx stepped back into the space. She held up the silicone sleeve. It looked different than the nylon one she’d been using since she’d received her leg.

“It’s here. Finally.” Bronx sat beside Bex and handed her a fluffy sock. “This is a soft sock with like minerals and gels to cushion your leg. You put it on then pull the silicone sleeve over it for another layer of protection and snugness.” She held up a finger. “I almost forgot. I have a cream for your sores and stuff too.” Bronx grabbed the small jar of salve. “The doctor who saw you recommended you use this. It’ll help heal the irritation and make the swelling go down.”

“D-Doctor?”

“Yep. How do you think you got the cast?” Bronx pointed to the plain white mold surrounding Bex’s arm and wrist.

Bex frowned. “M-Missed a lot.”

“Yeah, but it was for the best.” Bronx winced. “How’s your cheek?”

Bex had been so caught up in the fact her leg had been changed and she was in some strange house, she hadn’t noticed the angry throb or the fact her eye was almost swollen shut. “Tender.”

“I bet. The doc said nothing was broken. You’d have a shiner, of course. Stupid bitches. But other than your wrist and a few other bruises, you’re okay.”

“S-School?”

“Taken care of. Mr. Aquino has been by to check on you too. He’s a nice guy. Super attentive.”

Again, heat filled Bex’s cheeks. He checked on her? Sure, he’d been the one person who had stuck with her over the years, but he came to Bronx’s house to see her? “Yeah.”

“Anyway, get dressed.” Bronx pointed to the small stack of clothes on the table beside them. “You should have everything you need there. Don’t rush though. Yell if you need help, okay?”

Bex nodded.

"Remember when you put your leg on, you might feel a bit off-balance. It's normal, you have to get used to the adjustments. Baby steps, 'kay?"

“‘Kay.”

When the door shut behind Bronx, Bex grabbed the stack of clothes and frowned. She wouldn't necessarily say they weren't her style; they just weren't hers. They were new and would fit her, unlike most of her clothes. She stared at the black bra and again embarrassment shot through her. It was pretty, not plain like the ones she'd been using. The bra also appeared to be her size which didn't make any sense. The same could be said about the matching panties. The pants, however, had her sighing. They were warm and heavy. They weren't jean material but maybe a hybrid material. Plus, there was an opening at the side, allowing her to put on her leg after she'd gotten dressed.

Bex did as Bronx told her, first applying the cream to each raw spot on her stump then placed the sock over it. She hummed in relief. The gel along with the fluffiness of the sock hugged her leg in a comforting way. Then she donned the silicone sleeve which added a bit of tightness where she needed it most, like her leg was being formed and sucked in. By the time she put her leg on, the whole process felt different and stable. When she was finished getting dressed, she stood. The wobbly balance Bronx had told her about, made sense. With all the upgrades from her leg to the cushioning within the socket, it was almost like she didn’t have anything on at all.

Her steps were tentative. The usual click of her knee wasn't there anymore and though she limped it wasn't as pronounced as it had been. She stopped at the mouth of the hallway and sucked in a breath. There sat Bronx and Alé. Nervousness replaced the fear. She didn't know what to say or if she could say anything to him. As she'd dressed, bits and pieces of the fight came back to Bex. Alé had been the one to carry her out and care for her. Why, she didn't understand. Neither he nor Bronx knew her, yet they both risked themselves to help her.

She cleared her throat while keeping her gaze locked at the barefoot of her prosthetic. It was a habit. She never dared to meet anyone's gaze. It meant the difference between eating or getting the shit knocked out of her.

“A mouse appears at our hall,” Alé murmured. “Do you think she’ll join us?”

"Not sure." Bronx shrugged. "She might want to go for a run with her new leg. I know I would if I had a prosthetic that fits like a glove."

“Shit, you should have waited to give it to her after she ate,” Alé replied.

Bex grinned to herself. They were teasing her. There wasn’t an ounce of malice in their tons. Though the leg did feel stronger, running wasn’t her thing. Walking was still an issue too. “M-Morning.” She entered the kitchen and took a seat at the table across from both Bronx and Alé.

“How do you feel?” Alé’s gaze bore into Bex’s.

“S-Sore. T-Tight.”

He grunted. “I imagine so. You gave us all a scare.”

“Us all?” Bex frowned. “W-Who?”

“You have friends, Bexley. Mr. Aquino for one. His husband Noah. Bronx and I.” Alé motioned between them. “We’ve been worried.”

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