He’d ended up venting to Finn about it at Marci’s wedding, leaving out the part where he’d yelled at his landlord. As usual, he could’ve handled the entire interaction better, but in the heat of the moment, he always flew off the handle. It wasn’t a matter of choosing not to be in control; it was a matter of control being ripped from his hands, and he didn’t know how to fix that.
The morning after he’d spewed his frustrations, Finn had called, offering Jax a spare room so he could save up for a bigger and better place, and Jax had instantly accepted.
“I don’t mind at all.” Ollie picked up the pile of boxes. “But you might want to get some noise-canceling headphones.”
“Already got them. I’ve had roommates before.” Grinning, Jax toastedOllie with his thermos. “And don’t worry, I’ll be out as soon as I can find another place.”
“Jaxaphone, I mean it, you can stay as long as you’d like.”
“Thanks, Ollie.” Putting his tea down, Jax bent awkwardly to pick up whatever cardboard was left behind, and he could feel Ollie’s eyes on him. He should probably tell them the truth. Ollie and Finn were safe people, just like his mother and Mae, and if they knew, then they might be more forgiving if he snapped at them during a high-pain day.
“I put all your long-term storage on the shelves in the garage, so we should return the van.” Finn walked into Jax’s new room with impeccable timing.
“Thanks, Finn. Um…I need to talk to you guys.” Jax took a deep breath as the two focused their attention on him, catching his serious tone. “I know you can tell there’s something going on with me. Physically.”
“Is it your back?” Ollie asked.
“Sunshine.” Finn bumped Ollie’s shoulder.
“Winner.” Jax pointed at him. “When I turned twenty-two, my spine herniated in a bunch of places, so I had surgery to fix it.”
Finn gasped, a stricken look on his face. Ollie was stunned into silence, which rarely happened.
“And I did good for a while, but…” he gestured toward his tall chair, which rested behind a standing desk. “It’s either scar tissue or my back is falling apart, I dunno, but I’m in pain a lot of the time.”
Ollie stepped forward, gently hugging him at the shoulders.
“Is there anything we can do?” That was nice. He didn’t offer advice, only understanding, but he’d been through his own battles, so he knew.
“You’re already doing it.” Jax genuinely meant that. “I have trouble with sitting and strenuous movement, but I can hold my own. Moving twice is stressing it out, though.”
“Are you on some kind of treatment plan?” Finn followed with the standard question that almost everyone asked, but Jax didn’t hold it against him, giving a real answer.
“I’m between doctors because it’s chronic and they don’t offer me a lot of options.”
“Well, if you think of anything you need? Let us know.” Finn huggedJax as well, careful to stay above the waist and not squeeze too hard, and Jax appreciated that more than he could say. He didn’t talk about his disability for a lot of reasons, but Finn and Ollie were family, and they constantly acted like it.
“I know this is private and we won’t tell anyone, but why don’t you let Angelo and Owen know?” Ollie blinked innocently.
“I don’t want to tell them unless I absolutely need to.” Jax met Finn’s eyes and knew that he agreed. “People will have an unconscious bias if they realize I’m disabled. I know you think they won’t, but they will. And I’m in a competitive field that doesn’t give a lot of accommodations. I know that’s wrong, and I could be the one to change it, but honestly? I’m in too much pain to make waves. I just want to be seen as someone who can do the job until I can’t.”
“He’s right,” Finn said to Ollie. “There’s the way the world should be, and the way the world is.”
“Well, it’s fucking ableist,” Ollie grumbled. “AndI’llbe your accommodation, okay? You let me know the second you need help, and I’ll be there.”
“Ditto,” Finn nodded.
“Thanks, guys. It really means a lot.” Jax’s gaze flicked to his phone as it vibrated on the nightstand.
So now you’re LIVING with Olleelicious? Jaxoooon you need to send me a pic,sat across his lock screen. Thankfully, the others didn’t see it; they just gave him a quick wave and left as he typed back to Mae.
Can you chill please, don’t be a stan.
It’s waaaay too late for that. And I could’ve helped you move! I had to watch your story to find out what’s happening.A dozen crying emojis followed along with some skulls.
Sorry. Work is a lot. And my old landlord was an asshole, I had to move quick.
Ah, OK.A few seconds went by.Did you meet someone?Why was she so good at sensing that?
