Before I can open the door I’m swept off my feet and plopped into the front by Fox.
“What the hell dude!?” His brow raises as his lips twitch, “Not cool! I can get myself in and out of things, thank you very much.”
“Oh, there she is,” Nitro murmurs, pulling his bulk into the driver’s seat. “Wondered when we would see feisty Jasmine again.”
I huff as I cross my arms over my chest, annoyed, but not as annoyed as I’m making out. My arms are securely across my chest to hide the fact that my nipples roared to life at the motion of being held in a set of very strong, warm arms.
“It’s OK, kitten, I don’t mind if you get a little pissy at me, but you look dead on your feet.” Fox says gently from behind me, almost as if he’s murmuring in my ear.
My arms drop, hands landing in my lap. “Sorry, I know you were only trying to help.” I worry my lip between my teeth.
“Hey, it’s OK. It must be draining being a teacher and all that.”
“And you’re always babysitting Moss’s twins,” Nitro adds on a growl. I can’t decide if he’s pissed at me, Moss or the Pops situation. He’s a lot harder to read than Fox.
“Yeah, well, it’s not only just that,” I mumble.
Nitro’s eyes dart to the rear view mirror. His jaw clenches slightly before focusing back on the road.
“What do you mean?” Fox asks, clearly the one tasked with chatting with me.
I let out a sigh. I could just say it’s nothing and wait until I get home to crash. Or I could take a leap and tell the two hot men I’m in the car with about my chronic condition and why I’ll be alone for the rest of my life. Well, maybe I’ll leave that last part out.
“I have lupus. It’s an autoimmune condition.” Silence envelops the car after that little nugget.
I lean my head back, watching the shops pass by my window.
“Is it painful?” Nitro asks in a soft voice, eyes on the road.
“Sometimes,” I admit. “My joints, they get really stiff and painful, sometimes they swell.” He nods at this information.
“What else does it affect?” Fox asks.
I purse my lips, trying to think of something that lupusdoesn’taffect. I’ve had it for a long while now, so I guess I don’t notice the big things that I had to give up. The life changing things like the companionship and love of a boyfriend or husband. It’s a well known fact that during illness men are five times more likely than women to leave a spouse. I’ve lived through it once, I refuse to live through it again. I’ve given up the thought of having children. To have children I’d have to stop taking the very medication that allows me to live a full life, and I’m just not too sure I’m brave enough to take the chance. I’ve given up alcohol and late night benders with friends. Friends of which I don’t really have anymore because people tend to lose patience when I have to keep cancelling on them due to my body crapping out from overdoing it. There’s a reason I hang out with my sisters and family members, and now, sometimes the MC women.
Not wanting to depress the kind, hot men in the car, I decide to answer the way I always answer when people ask about my lupus.
“It affects a lot of things, but it’s fine. I’m used to it by now. I’ll go home, take some anti-inflammatories and pain killers, warm up a heating pad and have a nap. I’ll be good as new in an hour or so.” I paste a bright smile on my face, but I know the bikers in the car aren’t convinced. The car slows to a rolling stop in my driveway and I’ve never been so happy to end a conversation. “Well, this is me! As you well know. Thank you so much for the ride, I’ll see you around, byeeee!”
My words come out in a garbled mess as I unbuckle my seat belt and all but launch myself out of the car onto the driveway.I ignore the jarring in my achy knee and walk as naturally as possible up to my front door, unlocking it with unsteady hands. I’m hot, sweaty, tired and achy and I just want to lie down before a headache or nausea hits me.
“Jazz!” a rough voice calls.
My shoulders are up around my ears and I could pretend that I didn’t hear him, but my mama didn’t raise me to be rude. Risking a look over my shoulder, my eyes meet Nitro’s as he leans over the passenger side, calling my name out of the window.
“Take care of yourself. Drink plenty of fluids and rest.”
“Yeah, you have a big day tomorrow,” Fox adds.
“Wait, what’s tomorrow?” My brows pinch trying to think through the fog as to what’s happening tomorrow.
“You, me, Nitro and a class full of kids,” Fox grins.
Oh! They’re coming to model for us, it totally slipped my mind. “Yes!” I say, perking up a little at how my little class will love having them as visitors. “I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I smile.
“Wild horses couldn’t keep us away,” Fox says, giving a salute out of the back passenger window.
Nitro gives me one last look, before slowly backing out of the drive and heading back the way we came. I’ll have to call my sister later to find out how they’re getting on with Pops’ case, but until then, I have a date with some soft pants and the couch.
