Page 69 of Boundaries

“It isn’t my intentioned to smoother you, but you know what the doctor said. Nothing strenuous. You need to take it easy. And carting boxes around in a shop isn’t taking it easy.”

What was I hearing? Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Jenna was seeing the doctor? I couldn’t stop myself and I pushed up from my hiding place and moved to take the stairs. Mason grabbed my arm, shooting me daggers. A look that screamed where do you think you’re going.

I pulled my arm back and said in his ear, “I’ll go down and take them into the kitchen, distract them and then you can leave. OK?”

He thought about the plan before nodding and released me but not before he planted a quick kiss on my lips.

I cleared my throat and started down the stairs loudly, so they’d hear me coming.

They were both standing by the front door. Face to face. Jenna was exceptionally pale and panic raced in me. Doctor? What the hell was she not telling me?

They both turned to face me as I strolled down the stairs, wearing surprised expressions.

“I take it you’re here to collect some more stuff?” I said in a sweet voice. I knew I needed to be more accommodating to Nixon. Being a bitch to him didn’t appeal as much now I was sleeping with his brother.

Jenna’s mouth dropped open and her eyes roamed over me like she was seeing me for the first time. OMG, was that sex glow I read about, an actual thing? I swallowed and attempted to appear as normal as possible.

Why did I suddenly feel so guilty that Mason was upstairs when it appeared Jenna was also hiding something?

Nixon’s face was a mask of cool.

“Everything OK?” I breezed as I came to stand beside them. Jenna’s eyes flashed between Nixon and I. Like a rabbit in the headlight scenario. What had they been discussing?

“It was,” Nixon grunted. He didn’t even attempt to hide the contempt in his voice. Would the guy ever let it go? Surely, he should try offering the olive branch for a change. He was older and therefore shouldn’t he have been more mature?

I decided to go for the gut. I didn’t need to pretend I’d not heard about the doctor’s comment.

My eyes narrowed up at Nixon who was wearing a blank expression. The guy was all over the poker face thing as usual.

“I heard you say something about the doctor, is one of you sick? If so, don’t come near me because I so don’t want any summer lurgy thank you.” I decided to play it cool.

I saw Jenna tense out of the corner of my eye.

Nixon pinned me with a look and I dropped the charade, needing to know what was wrong. “Look, I heard you say you’ve been to the doctor Jen and it worries me. Are you OK?”

Jenna glanced at Nixon before starting to chew her bottom lip.

“It really isn’t any of your business, Amy. Jenna is fine, she’s been for a check-up. That’s all you need to know,” Nixon deflected calmly. My God the boy was good a hiding shit. No wonder he’d joined the army where it was all about secrets and deceit. I hated cloak-and-dagger shit and was always honest, well, most of the time. Maybe sometimes I was a little too honest. Especially in how vocal I’d been about these two in the past.

I was suddenly very aware that Mason was still hiding upstairs and that my mission was to get them out of the hallway and away and into the kitchen.

“OK, well that’s good to hear. Anyone want a brew?” I offered and set off for the kettle, hoping they’d follow me. And they did which surprised me.

Walking over to the kettle, I filled it with water and then set it on the side. Turning to face them. Jenna had moved to sit in her favourite seat at the kitchen table and Nixon was leaning against the fridge with his arms folded.

He wore the tightest of tops, you could see every muscular bump on his chest, pecs and abs, everything. God, the boy was more stacked than Mason.

I nodded my head toward his body, “Nice top, didn’t they have one that fits?” I teased to lighten the tone. This caused Jenna to grin which was a shock, she usually hated it when I bated her beloved.

“Funny, looks like you need new jeans, those are ripped to fuck,” Nixon volleyed back. This time there was a glint in his eye like I’d managed to amuse him. Well, this was new.

I shrugged my shoulders and started to make coffee, saying over my shoulder. “I don’t think the day will ever come when I ask you for fashion tips Nix.”

Nixon joined Jenna at the table and I tried not to throw up at how touchy-feely they were. I saw a flash of Mason as he left the house and my anxiety levels reduced dramatically.

I decided to shelve my brattishness.

Once I’d made coffee, I joined my sister and annoying brother-in-law at the table and we had a normal conversation. Mainly about Nixon’s decision to leave the army and what his intentions were at the farm. He said he intended to build a house for himself and Jenna to live in, so he’d still be near the family but they would have their own privacy. Mitchell’s name came up a couple of times with Nixon saying how he’d need wrap-around care eventually.

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