Page 100 of The Fighter
Leo reached his hands out, signaling for me to stretch my legs out. I was careful not to touch his injured thigh. He rubbed my ankle, his strong fingers massaging the arch of my foot.
“Magni will get through it. He has so much to live for and a family who needs him. All we can do is give our support. Why don’t you come over and get some big hugs? Sounds like you could use it.”
“Thanks, Mom, I’d love to, but I made a promise to Mila. I’ll come by soon, okay?”
“All right, darling. We miss you.”
“I know, and I miss you too. Say hi to Dad and give the little ones a kiss from me.”
“Will do, honey.”
When I ended the call, I gave a long sigh. “They’re complaining that they don’t see me enough.”
Leo frowned. “I shouldn’t keep you from your family.”
I gave him a small smile and winked. “Are you kidding? They don’t give me foot rubs like this.”
CHAPTER 24
A Pair of Mittens
Three weeks later
Leo
End of October, I was at the Gray Manor helping Raven pack her things to move them to my place. I was tired of keeping our relationship a secret while waiting for Raven to make it public, but this morning she had finally agreed that since she slept at my house every night anyway, she might as well move in with me. I had played it cool when she told me, but when she went to take a shower, I’d done a victory dance and raised my hands above my head.
The plan was that we would move her things to my place and tell her family about us being a couple this weekend.
Mila had offered to help pack. She was sitting on the windowsill sorting through some books with a sadness that forced me to ask, “How is Magni doing?”
“Not so good.” Mila lowered her hands and let the books rest in her lap.
“Isn’t he happy to be back home? Raven told me he was transferred from the hospital yesterday.”
“Yes, a month in the hospital would be hard on anyone. My mom and Khan wanted him to come home.” Mila’s shoulders hung low and she sat with her back hunched over. It appeared to me that her hair looked unwashed and that her skin was grayish.
Raven walked over and gave her friend a sideways hug. “At least he’s awake and getting stronger with every day now. Remember how we were all scared he’d never wake up?”
Mila didn’t smile. “He’s awake but just about unrecognizable. Either he stares at the ceiling for hours and refuses to talk, or he talks but all that comes from him is aggressive verbal abuse of whoever is in the room.”
“It’s probably the medication and because he’s in so much pain.”
“Maybe, but this is Magni Aurelius that we’re talking about. He has withstood more physical pain than most people, and not even my mom or Khan know this bitter side of him. He won’t allow any visitors.” Mila sighed. “Maybe he’s afraid they’ll stare at all his scars.”
Raven frowned. “You mean the ones on his face? But why? Magni isn’t a vain man, is he?”
“He’s proud! It’s a lot to take in. I mean, he was already partially deaf on one ear and now he has lost some of his sight on his right eye along with both his legs and left arm.” Mila teared up. “All he talks about is wanting to kill himself.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Fuck, that’s bad, Mila. I feared that might happen.”
Mila’s voice broke a little. “He’s been under suicide watch since he woke up.”
Raven sat down on the edge of her bed and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I feel awful that I did this to him.”
“Stop saying that. It wasn’t your fault.” Mila pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and sniffled. “Things will get better. They have to.”
I was quick to agree, “Yes. Once he’s no longer in pain, he’ll feel better.”
