Page 80 of Affinity

“Would you really blame me? You’ve been acting like a complete asshole for two months.” Placing my hand on his muscular forearm, I looked him straight in the eyes. “Don’t make me choose between the two of you because you won’t like my choice.”

“Fine, I’ll lay off a little, but if he fucks up—”

“If he fucks up, which he won’t,” I interrupted him, “he’ll have to deal with me. Why don’t you go home? I don’t need a live-in bodyguard. I’ve got Jenner if anything happens, which it won’t.”

“That’s what they all say. Nothing has happened because I’ve been around and because you’ve been living like a hermit all these weeks. You could have gone back to the office weeks ago, you know?”

“I know, but Catherine said I’ve been doing a great job at home, and it’s been easier.” I didn’t mention how I liked knowing I was safe at home. No one could hurt me.

“What do you say we hit up the grocery store on the way home and pick up some food to grill for dinner? Your friend Alex and her son are coming over tonight, correct?”

“They are,” I smiled at his change of subject. It had been nice getting to know Alex. We’d bonded after finding out Jenner had used drugs after his split with Poppy, and now we got together at least once a week when Luke was filming his show. It was hard on her when they didn’t get to see each other much, and I liked that we could help out in some way. Her son was the sweetest thing, making my ovaries ache every time I saw him. The only problem was I wasn’t sure where Jenner stood on having kids anytime soon. I knew he’d be a great dad since he was so good with Mason, and I knew he’d do everything in his power to not be like his dad.

“Are you going to be sad when they head back to Fairlane?” Paul threw his arm around me and was back to being the big brother from my past.

“I am, but we can always visit, and there’s always FaceTime when we can’t. Although I think she’ll have less time for me when she’s there with all her friends and Luke.”

Paul’s smile fell. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do if your husband gets this movie role? Are you going to go with him or stay at home?”

Jenner and I hadn’t talked about it because he was afraid if he made any plans regarding that time, he’d surely lose the part, but I’d already decided. I wasn’t going to be like Poppy. I wanted to be where he was. Why would I want to be apart for months on end? That was another reason why I’d continued to work from home. Catherine and I both agreed it would be easier, and she had no doubt in her mind, Jenner would get the part.

There was a loud commotion out in the hallway, and then a panting Jenner stood in the doorway.

“I didn’t miss it,” he breathed out as he came to sit beside me. Pulling me into a side hug, he kissed my temple and then nodded to Paul. “I’m so sorry I was late. The audition ran long, and then there was a wreck causing a huge traffic jam, but I’m here now.”

“It’s fine. I know how important your audition was to you. You could have called and said you were running late.”

He pulled out his phone from his back pocket and showed me the black screen. “My stupid phone didn’t charge last night. Can you believe that?”

“You need to get a charger for your car.” The tone in Paul’s voice was a little less icy than how he normally spoke to Jenner, and I was grateful he was trying.

Jenner leaned his head back against the wall. “I used to have one in there, but it went missing.”

“When?” Paul sat forward with his hands clasped between his legs.

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, Jenner hummed. “I’m not exactly sure. I think I saw it in there when I ran out to get buttermilk when Abbi made fried chicken.”

Placing my hands on the seat beside me, I shifted my body so I could look at my brother. I knew something was up. “What are you thinking?”

Scrubbing a hand over his face, Paul wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it until I tell you that you need to. Just make sure you’re vigilant now that you’ll be out and about more. Both of you. It could be something or it could be nothing.”

There was a light knock on the door before my doctor stepped inside. “How are you, Mrs. Jenner? Are you ready to get that cast off?” He nodded at the offending cast.

“Oh, yes. Please don’t tell me I need to keep it on any longer.”

“Your x-rays came back good. Later in the week, the physical therapy office will call you to set up a schedule. Make sure you do as they tell you, and you’ll be back to your old self in no time.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” both Jenner and Paul said at the same time.

I had a feeling they were going to be relentless. Both liked to work out, and I did everything in my power not to break a sweat. The only time I exercised was walking or hiking, and I’d done neither since I’d gotten back from Vegas. Now I was severely out of shape after being inactive for the last eight weeks.

“Let’s get you up on the table, and we’ll get that cast off. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like heaven.” I placed my hand on Jenner’s knee. “Help me up, will you?”

“Of course.” He jumped up and had me in a bridal hold in two seconds flat before he gently set me on the table. Taking my cold hand in his large warm one, I closed my eyes as the doctor turned the drill on. “What are you doing?” Jenner asked quietly in my ear.

“I can’t watch. I’m kind of freaked out that he’s going to cut into my leg,” I whispered back.

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