"FOR FUCK'S SAKE, stop trying to act like a macho man, and just lean on my shoulder."

Before Orson could open his mouth to protest, Thea slipped underneath his arm, grabbed it, and placed it around her shoulders.

Orson's voice was sharp against her ear, "I don't need your help."

She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, and I'm a millionaire."

"Hmm, you may not be, but I am."

He leaned into her for support, and Thea's mouth curved upwards at the movement.

Finally, they were getting somewhere. She had watched Orson struggle on his crutches from the short walk from her apartment to her elevator, but she'd snapped when seeing his struggle in the parking garage.

"You know what, maybe its best if you just wait here and I'll go get the car."

Orson's knuckles clenched around the crutches, "I'm fine, I'm just a bit slow."

He was hiding it well, but the bead of sweat on his forehead gave it away. Orson was in immense pain, and she knew he was a proud man. Well, the previous version of him had been— and she assumed little had changed in that regard. So, she gave him an out.

"I'd like to arrive at the doctor's office on time, thank you very much," Thea said nonchalantly as she dug out her keys from her pocket, "Even if you try following me, I can still outrun you. Stay put, I'm bringing the car."

She didn't wait for a response. It wasn't worth whatever dumb thing he was going to say.

⚽⚽⚽

"Orson Adler?"

Thea poked Orson's arm and he removed his headphones. She pointed towards the receptionist's desk.

The receptionist smiled their way, "The doctor will see you in room two now."

Orson shoved his headphones into his pocket, as he stood up, wobbling for a brief moment.

"Do you want me to go in with you?"

Orson hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, "No, you can stay out here."

She nodded even when the words slightly stung. There was a time in which she'd have gone with him, even without his permission, but they no longer shared that trust. Thea didn't know if they ever would again.

She turned back to her phone, pretending to look busy to avoid glancing at Orson's retreating figure. Her screen lit up as a text came in from her brother.

Rashad: Did he make it to his appointment.

She typed back, he isn't five years old—and yes.

Rashad: He refused to see the medical specialists in London, so yes, I thought he was going to run away.

Maybe he needed time to come to terms with his injury.

Rashad: Well, how could he do that if he doesn't even want to know the proper diagnosis.

Thea sighed; her brother had a fair point.

Rashad: How has he been? Did you sort whatever was going on between the two of you? Hopefully he hasn't been shitty like he was to Lina.

Thea laughed quietly. Oh, Orson had been quiet the handful, but she also knew him like the back of her hand—well the old him, she reminded herself once again.

She replied: He's been his usually cheery self.

Rashad: I can't tell if you're being sarcastic...

She was about to type out a response but there was a commotion in the hallway. Her fingers paused, as she watched Orson storm out into the reception area, a grey-haired doctor in tow.

"Mr. Adler, if you would stay and discuss your options," the doctor said in his professional voice.

Orson's jaw was clenched so tight, Thea was surprised if he hadn't broken any teeth. She stood up from her chair and approached them, "Is everything alright?"

Orson glared at her, "No it fucking isn't. Let's go, this entire appointment was a waste of time."

She exchanged a look with a doctor who was fiddling with his glasses. "Mr. Adler, you did not let me finish."

"And I don't want you to."

The doctor turned towards her, "Miss, if you would stay so I could discuss with you instead?"

"You can't," Orson said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I might not have gone to college, but I don't give you consent, and I know that would be a HIPPA violation."

The doctor sighed before shrugging his shoulders. Thea didn't know what to do. Should she push Orson into letting the doctor tell her what was wrong, or should she give him some space? She looked into his grey eyes and saw something she had missed before—fear.

He was afraid of whatever the doctor had told him. She couldn't fight this demon for him, so she gave the doctor an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for all this commotion, but we will be leaving now, thank you for your time."

Orson was already walking towards the exit, and she rushed up to catch him. Well, that had gone swimmingly.

⚽⚽⚽

"This isn't your apartment."

Thea rolled her eyes as she pushed the gear into park. "No shit sherlock."

Orson craned his neck to look to the far right. "What are we doing here?"

She didn't answer his question, instead pocketed her key, and opened the door, "Get out, we are getting some fresh air."

When he gave her a blank stare, she shrugged her shoulders, "I thought you could use it."

Thea thought he would argue with her, but he was silent as she opened the passenger door. They slowly made their way along the path to the small urban park. It wasn't much but among the bustle of Portland, it was nice to have trees surrounding them.

Thea guided them to the closest bench and they both took a seat. She didn't look at him, instead choosing to glance at the small water fountain in the middle of the park. There weren't many people around, but Thea knew that the park would become packed in the evening.

Remembering that she hadn't responded to her brother's text, she pulled out her phone and sighed.

Rashad was about to become a father, but he could still act so childish sometimes.

Rashad: Did you seriously just leave me in the middle of a conversation?

Rashad: Hello?

She smiled at his foolishness, before replying I had to deal with your stupid best friend.

The reply came instantly

Rashad: He is, well was also your best friend at one point. Still haven't shared if things are good between you two yet... But it isn't fair to assign the label to me when he does something stupid.

Thea: Life isn't fair.

Rashad: Ain't that right.

Her brother sent a black and white photo, and Thea gasped, smiling wildly.

OMG is this what I think it is?

Rashad: Yep, we got the scans from the doctor this morning.

"Why are you smiling?"

Instead of responding, Thea shoved the phone underneath his nose. Orson jerked back, grabbing the phone to take a closer look.

"Is that what I think it is?"

Thea nodded, "Rashad and Lina's ultrasound."

There was a hint of a smile on Orson's face as he handed the phone back to her. "Do you think it's a boy or a girl?"

Thea shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not sure, but Lina's family is mostly made up of girls, so if I were to pick, I'd say girl."

Orson sighed. "Yeah, you're right," there was a brief pause, "It's so fucking weird to think that Rashad is going to be a father."

Thea tilted her head in his direction, before nodding, "I know what you mean. It seems like just yesterday we were kids playing at recess, and now he's going to be responsible for someone else's life..."

"And I might be retiring."

"What?"

Thea was confused, was Orson thinking about retiring? 

Orson's eyes were blank as he spoke, "It obviously isn't my choice, but that doctor today, he said I may never be able to walk as I used to, let alone play soccer again."

Ah, that explained why Orson had stormed out into the reception room.

"He also said that you didn't let him finish," she said gently.

Orson let out a bitter laugh, "Why would I? I know he would try to plague me with a false sense of hope, only to crush it at the next appointment."

"You still have to try," Thea pressed. "I mean you cast isn't off yet so they can't be a 100% sure of what is going on underneath."

She didn't know why she was being so instant. She herself knew that careers were cut shorter than they should have been in her sport, but it mattered to her that Orson still try.

"Do I?"

She placed her hand near his, they were nearly touching, but she didn't make the move to grip his hand. "Even if your dream of soccer ends, there are other things you can do in life."

"I can't," Orson said firmly. "I'm nothing with soccer, Claudia said herself. Just a dumb jock, with average grades and a golden foot that I can't even feel sometimes."

It seemed like Claudia had really done a number on him, much deeper than Thea had realized. But a part of her was happy that he was opening up to her and sharing these fears. It felt good to be in his confidence again, even when she wasn't sure how to help him.

"Your grades were decent in high school, and you are smart Orson. You have good people around you, and even if you decide to leave soccer, you'll find something else you are passionate about."

Orson scoffed, "I don't need your optimistic happy go lucky attitude."

Thea took a deep breath to settle herself. His words hurt, slicing into her chest. All she'd done was try to support him, and he lashed out like a wounded puppy—which he was in this case. With Orson, it was one step forward and two steps back every damn time. She didn't know why she bothered, but she couldn't let this man go.

She stood up, avoiding his gaze, and said coolly. "I have a session at the gym. Let's go, I'll drop you back at the apartment first."

He followed in silence.

---------------

Well, Orson is very exhausting, that's for sure, but he's still in denial about his injury. Does he get a free pass or not? Please vote or comment if you enjoyed this chapter!