Page 36 of Powerless
Muffled by the padding inside Noelle's helmet, the noise quickly became a soft lull that was almost comforting. Combined with the ease I felt on the back of Jandro's bike, my lack of sleep started catching up with me.
My head wanted to rest on the back of his shoulder a few hours into the ride. My fingers started to slack on their grip around his waist. At one point he grabbed my hand and held it against his chest. I couldn't be sure if he was trying to prevent me from falling off or wanted to touch me for some other reason.
He didn't let go until we stopped for our first break, and it was a slow, gentle release finger by finger.
"Falling asleep on me back there?" he asked when he cut the engine and dismounted.
I pulled my helmet off and shook my hair out. "It feels like a princess carriage," I laughed. "I barely felt the road at all."
"Good. That means my shocks are holding up. I'm gonna have to replace these gaiters, though, the sun and sand and doing a number on 'em."
"English now," I teased. "Or I'll speak only in medical terms."
"Sorry." He shot me an adorably sheepish grin. "I geek out about bikes. And I'dloveto hear you talk medic to me, baby."
"Well right now," I wiped sweat from my brow and shielded my eyes. "I'd say asphenopalatine ganglioneuralgiais totally worth the risk in this heat."
"Okay, you just made that shit up," he laughed.
"I did not!Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgiais a legitimate medical diagnosis."
"Sounds terrifying. What is it?"
"Brain freeze," I grinned. "From eating ice cream."
"Brain...freeze!" He doubled over his handlebars, laughing so hard he could barely get the words out.
A few heads turned to see what the commotion was. I didn't dare meet any of their eyes, for fear of looking right at Reaper.
"What the fuck! Oh God..." Jandro finally composed himself, even having to wipe tears from his eyes. "Yeah, I sure wouldn't mind a sphino-whatever-the-fuck if I got ice cream out of it."
We all took about a half-hour to stretch our legs and have bites to eat before Reaper gave the order to ride on. I climbed back on behind Jandro, remembering with sadness that I'd never ridden with Reaper. He'd been all pissed at me on the way to the Sandia outpost, too. We were together, maybe in not a super significant way, but more so than with anyone else. And yet I never rode on the back of his bike.
That time he took me from Old Phoenix didn't count—we'd been tied together by a rope so I wasn't exactly a willing passenger.
An ache filled me at the thought of never holding onto him as the world flew past us. I'd never rest my head on the back of his shoulder like now with Jandro. The vice president's hand caressed mine again, which felt nice but it wasn't Reaper's.
Hell, I didn't know if Reaper would even let me stay in the club after this. With Jandro and Gunner in my corner, I'd hopefully end up okay. But would I really be able to get over seeing Reaper all the time?
The landscape distracted me from my thoughts until dusk approached and we stopped for the night. I offered to set up Jandro's tent and bedroll, partially to be useful but mostly to keep myself busy.
"You're an angel. Thank you." Jandro kissed my temple so quickly, both of us froze and stared at each other as if to say,did that just happen?
"Sorry," he mumbled distractedly, jerking his gaze away. "I'm gonna get a fire started."
I set up his sleeping area, all the while still feeling the warmth and pressure of his lips on the side of my head. Reaper kissed me there a few times, but I came to realize I didn't mind that Jandro did it.
It was nothing like his sneaky neck kiss back at Fight Night. He was playing with me then, deliberately trying to get a rise out of me.
This was different. He seemed like a naturally affectionate person, but wasn't trying to play it up and be all smooth this time. He knew I'd be completely alone with Gunner gone and Reaper ignoring me again. As Reaper's right hand man, I had serious doubts he was being nice to me for his own gain.
I took a moment to stretch out on his sleeping bag, enjoying the quietness and solitude. The Demons' voices were a gentle murmur outside these canvas walls. Just like on his bike, Jandro's tent felt safe and comfortable enough that I could relax completely.
Rolling onto my side, I couldn't resist taking a small whiff. And then a bigger one. Goddamnit, even his sleeping bag smelled good.
"Hey, Mari."
"What!" I shot upright just as Jandro pulled back the flap.
