Diesel wanted to see Rebel. He didn’t give a fuck about–
“Who are you texting?”
At the sound of Jana’s voice, he blinked. Showing her the texts was easier than explaining. He opted for transparency with her. She didn’t need to doubt him and worry that he’d lie to her. It wouldn’t help her trust in people, which fueled her drug addiction. He handed her his phone.
“No!” Jana slid the phone back to him and shook her head. “You should understand how they’re feeling.”
Rubbing his eyes, Diesel sighed, ignoring another text message alert.
“At least meet with them,” Jana insisted. “I can get an Uber home.”
“Jana—”
Standing she came around to his side of the table and pressed her lips against his. Diesel barely puckered. Okay, maybe, not completely transparent. Thankfully, she didn’t notice.
“I’m fine, Dee,” she swore, inadvertently using Rebel’s nickname.
Diesel clenched his jaw. He hadn’t thought about expressing concern for her. He’d been about to tell her he needed to get to the hospital and finally see Rebel.
“Please meet with them?” she pressed. “For me? I promise I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded.
“Okay. I’ll meet with themfor youand also pay for your ride.” He stood and dug out his billfold, removing the money he’d gotten out of the ATM for her. He hadn’t had the chance to set up her debit card yet. He forced himself to kiss her, sat back down, then folded the money and held it out to her. “Five grand. You can give your parents rent money, purchase groceries and whatever else you need, sweetheart.”
She studied the money, then shook her head. “I can’t,” she whispered, raising suddenly tortured eyes to him. “It would make it too easy to use it for drugs.”
Diesel understood. Still, he wanted to see to her care. When he had dinner with her parents, he’d give them the money.
“Oh, right.” She snapped her fingers. “ I almost forgot to tell you the pregnancy test came back negative.”
A moment of silence dragged by because all he could do was fucking stare at her. “What pregnancy test?” Diesel finally managed, waylaid by the news. He refrained from asking how high the possibility it was his. Minimal at fucking best.
“The pregnancy test I took because I thought I was pregnant, silly.”
“But you’re not?”
“No.”
“And you’re certain?”
“Yes,” she said, still sweet and kind, missing his panic. “Are you disappointed?”
Diesel pretended she hadn’t shocked the fuck out of him, though he opted for honesty. “No. A pregnancy at this point between us isn’t what I want.”
Lifting herself and leaning across the table, she brushed her lips over his. “A baby would interfere with all of our hot fucking and you whisking me off around the world,” she said in a sexy little tone.
Chuckling, he grabbed her throat and pulled her closer, kissing her deeply. “I’ve become a bore if you can so easily figure me out, Jana.”
“You’ll never be a bore, Diesel Caldwell,” she whispered. “Now text that poor woman and tell her you’ll help.”
“It could be a man. The texter didn’t identify themselves.”
“Only a woman could write such a heartfelt plea. We’re gentle, family-oriented creatures.”
“Someof you.”
