Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Cassie
I'm calling time of death on my ability to function normally. I've already made a chiropractor appointment for this afternoon, thankfully. Unfortunately, I have no idea how the hell I'm going to get there without telling the guys what's wrong.
I definitely kinked my neck last night, limiting my ability to turn my head. That has to be the most infuriating part of my EDS. Nothing ruins my mood more than a pissed off neck.
"Shit," I hiss, losing my balance on a rock just enough to remind me I extended my hips too far last night too. Kinky, but really fucking uncomfortable.
I need to tell them. I've learned how to manage my syndrome, but if the guys knew, they could help. There's just the pesky voice in my head telling me I shouldn't ask for help. It could make them view me as weak.
Gingerly, I make my way to the garage. Hopefully Ticket will have something for me to do. I'd love to sit on the ground and tinker with a bike for a bit. Maybe not talk to anyone and just zone out.
Yesterday was a lot. I'm still battling the overwhelming amount of feelings and information my guys shared.
My guys.
They're mine.
A smile tugs my lips up as the scent of oil and leather tickles my nose. Everything almost feels right. I just wish I felt better.
"Hey honey," Ticket greets, walking over to me as he wipes his hands on a rag. "You okay?"
Damn observant, protective men everywhere I turn. I love it even if it doesn't bode well for me. "I'm fine. Just tired. Can you point me in the direction of an easy job?"
Ticket eyes me, taking in my pinched features and even goes as far as to check out my shifting stance. Damn it. Hopefully he'll think I got fucked really good last night and am simply sore.
"Sit there, I'll wheel Coin's bike over to you," he grouches, clearly not wanting to put me to work but doing it anyway because I asked. Smiling at his retreating form, I hustle over to the shop stool, excited to get off my feet.
Bad idea. Never hustle on sore hip joints. Tears immediately spring to my eyes as I brace myself on a tool bench before my muscle completely spasms out of control.
"What's wrong?!" Because of course Parker would see me stumble.
"Son of a bitch," I growl, looking up at the ceiling for some patience. Or maybe guidance. Who the fuck knows, but I don't need to argue right now.
His tattooed arm wraps around me, and because I'm a sucker for Parker's protectiveness, I sink into his chest willingly. "Sunshine, what's wrong? What hurts? Are you ill? Fuck. MADDOX!"
Ah hell. "Can you take me to the lounge, please?" I murmur, yearning for the cozy couches by the small bar in the room beside the garage.
"Hold on tight." He scoops me into his arms and rushes us away from the concerned brothers watching us. "I’ve got you now."
Don't cry.
When he tries to lay me on the couch, I cling tighter until he gets the gist that I want to stay on him. He sits and has me straddle his thick thighs, allowing me to hide my face in his neck. His large hand rubs my back sweetly, but there's a tenseness in the room that is about to explode.
I'm fucking terrified. They're seeing me vulnerable. As much as I don't think they'll kick me to the curb because of this, I think I'll have this fear for a very long time.
"You have about ten seconds of peace before you start talking," Parker warns me.
Maddy's voice comes first with a big boom that actually makes me jump. "WHERE IS SHE?!"
Then Ripley sticks his head through the doorway, and just seeing his tender eyes reminds me that I'm safe.
"Kitty? You in here? PET!" He gasps the last word out and runs to me.
I automatically run my hands through Ripley's hair when he kneels beside me and Parker.
I'll never get used to seeing these men on their knees for me.
"Shit, baby. What happened?" Koa comes in, looking more frazzled than I've ever seen him.
Maddy's next, storming in and shouting for privacy.
Total exasperation, that's what I'm feeling. I swat Parker's chest and give him my best glare. He doesn't let me get a word out. "Ten seconds is up. Explain."
I test his hold on me to no avail. Even if I wanted him to, I don't think Parker would let me go. Plus, with Ripley on the ground by our legs, Koa on the couch, and Maddy standing sentry on our other side, there would be nowhere for me to escape to anyway.
It's time.
"First, I am truly okay," I say calmly. Nobody here needs to think I'm dying. "I have Ehler-Danlos Syndrome. Does anyone know what that is?" I doubt they've heard of it even though it's becoming a more well-known health condition.
They all shake their heads no, and their brows dip even further. Yeah, an unknown medical disorder would bother me too if it was one of them struggling.
"Alright," I start with a deep inhale. "EDS is a structural disorder. My DNA has genetic mutations that prevent strong collagen from building, which is like the glue that holds me together, kind of."
Koa looks ill. "Oh my god."
Maddy's face morphs from shocked to angry so damn fast I have to look away. "What the fuck?!"
"No. Just no," Parker denies, grabbing me tighter.
Ripley's pale and waiting for me to continue, so I do. "That sounded really bad, but I'm fine. My tissues are just fragile. There are many different versions of it, but mine is pretty common. Hypermobile EDS."
The angry stares are stressing me a bit.
I dumb it down in hopes they won't be so worried.
"Basically, if I hyperextend a joint, it can cause pain or dislocate easily.
My doctor described it as if my joints get pulled and hurt, my muscles will overcompensate for that weakness by tightening around it and stiffening my mobility. "
"Where?" Maddy growls. "Where does this happen in your body?"
Danger. Danger. Lie. Lie!
I can't lie to him. Not anymore. "Everywhere."
"FUCK!" Maddy bellows, and to my utter disbelief, he punches a hole in the wall.
Koa's off the couch so fast I don't even realize it until he has his arms locked around Maddy. Koa grapples for control, pinning the angry man's arms down and murmuring quiet words in his ear.
I watch wide-eyed and lean into Parker more. Jesus. I expected a lot of questions, but not this.
Maddy's head snaps toward me. "What hurts today?"
Oh, this I don't want to answer. They'll blame themselves, and we just got our footing with each other. Which, unfortunately, is why I have to tell them. "My neck and hips."
"We hurt you," Ripley states, voice devoid of emotion. "Last night when we were bending you like a pretzel to take our mouths and cocks, we hyperextended you. Do I have that right?"
I gulp, not loving the way his voice hardened the longer he spoke. "I-I pushed myself too far," I relent.
Sadly, my attempt to take the blame off them doesn't work. Ripley jumps to his feet and starts pacing. Koa looks torn between him and Maddy, both of whom look like they're about to explode at my news.
My ears ring in the silence, a headache forming. Are they mad at me? "Maddy?"
Maddy shakes Koa off and stands over me and Parker. Jaw clenched, eyes narrowed, he growls, "So you're telling me..." Uh oh... "You’ve been in pain this entire time? Our one fucking goal, Cassidy, was to keep you from getting hurt!"
There is literally no way I can answer him without upsetting them further. Parker is my rock and Maddy is the hard place. I'm screwed.
"Maddy, I'm fine. I've lived with this since I was a teenager. I have my stretches and—"
Parker cuts me off, "You'll see Bandaid while we're in church. After he's worked out a treatment plan with you and you're feeling better, your ass will be over my lap and red for days. Understand?"
Jaw. On. The. Ground. "You'll spank me for having a medical condition?!"
"No," Maddy interjects and thankfully sits beside me, looking a little softer. He grips my chin and pulls my face close to his. "You'll get your ass spanked for not taking care of yourself or allowing us to."
All their phones blare with a reminder, signaling church will begin in five minutes. The sound of a phone shattering against the wall makes me jump not with fear, but because the loud noise pierces my skull.
"Fuck, sorry," Ripley whispers. He looks so fucking gutted as he gathers the broken pieces of his phone from the ground. I'm prepared for him to storm out, but he comes to me and looks me right in the eye. "You'll go to Bandaid, immediately."
Swallowing, I accept his kiss but don't agree. Koa and Maddy do something similar before stomping out of the room.
"They're mad," I whimper, exhausted.
Parker grunts and lifts me in his arms as he stands. "I'll bring you to Bandaid's office, and I'll give you a massage at home after church. Okay?"
"Okay," I reply, allowing him this time to take care of me because I think I'm going to piss him off really, really badly soon. While they're in church, I'll run to the chiropractor quickly, hopefully to beat this migraine. I'll be back before their work is done.