Page 9 of Opening Strain

“Normal?” Her eyebrow quirks. She replaces the ice pack on my thigh, which is throbbing from all the work she put it through. Which honestly, wasn’t much.

Being in Jenna’s presence again after two years is playing havoc with my mind. She’s Darren’s.WasDarren’s. Seeing her in the movie was one thing, but now in person? It’s messed up.

“Assuming I’m right, you’ll be healed in no time.”

I melt into the chair and take a long look at her. She’s thinner than I remember. Than even in the movie. Her sandy blonde hair is longer too, which she’s wearing in a ponytail. Not the stylish cut she used to sport.

I can’t allow myself to chronicle her other changes. “What does ‘no time’ mean?”

“I think you should see a doctor.”

My clenched fist bangs on the chair’s armrest. “All because of a stupid jump?” From the corner of my eye, I notice Luke starting in our direction.

In a voice quieter than I remember, she says, “Injuries can happen anywhere, Bennett. People get hurt in their own homes all the time.”

“Whatever.” I wave my hand as Luke joins us. “I repeat my earlier question. How long until I’m better?”

Jenna glances from Luke to me. “A grade two pull usually takes three to six weeks recovery time.”

I suck in my breath. “No way! I have two weeks until our first sold-out concert!”

Chapter Four

Idon’t have three weeks to get over this stupid groin pull, never mind six. I don’t even havetwo. UC’s going on tour in fourteen days, and I damn well have to be there.

My reaction draws all my band members and most of the crew and roadies over to us. In all the hubbub, I lose sight of Jenna. Probably for the best.

“What’s up?” Río pipes up.

I turn my head away, which spurs Luke to tell the group. “Jenna thinks our boy Bennett has a stage two groin pull, with a three- to six-week recovery time frame.”

My eyes rise to the ceiling. This cannot be happening, so close to our re-emergence. I won’t let it.

Coop shakes his head. “Dude. We need you before then.”

“I know.” I force my gaze to my bandmates. “I know. I’m sure Jenna was wrong. Luke here will take me to a doctor tomorrow and I’ll get checked out properly. There’s nothing to worry about.”

As the frontman for UC, I can’t sit and let the music go on around me. I need to be running around the stage hyping the crowd. Jenna has to be wrong.

One of the new roadies who handles lighting leans over and whispers in my ear. “I know how you could get over your injury quickly.”

Hope sparks. “Really? How?”

He makes the peace sign, brings it to his mouth and sticks his tongue out. “You could do the physical therapist. Bet you’d be perfect in no time.”

“Fuck no!” I push him away from me. With an even louder volume, I tell him and anyone listening, “I’m not doing Jenna, and neither is anyone related to the band.Do Not Fucklist, remember?”

007, who’s been sporting a sourpuss since Jenna was brought into this mess, adds his own two cents. “That woman is off-limits. She’s not a part of this tour or our band, and has nothing to do with us.” As Darren’s best friend, 007 took his death the hardest. Irrationally and without another outlet, it seems like he’s transferred his anger from Darren’s overdose onto Jenna.

I point at our bassist. “What he said.”

Luke hops into our group, which is wound so tight you could bounce a quarter off it. “All right, now. I’ve got limos ready to take us to the afterparty where we’re going to mingle with some Hollywood elites, influencers, and reporters. Remember, we could be photographed at any time, so be on your best behavior.” He directs his last sentence to Río who raises his hands like he’s innocent.

No matter what shit’s going on, these guys are a good bunch to have at your back. At a distance, of course.

While the rest of the entourage streams through the green room, a woman’s arms steal around my neck. “Bennett.”

I get a whiff of raspberry and gardenia perfume, and know immediately who has me wrapped in her arms. Turning, I kiss her cheek. “We’re all beyond thrilled with how your movie turned out, Quinn.”

---