Page 103 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“I know,” he said, reaching for her. “Big negative to my personality. I get it. Now you know. But she will leave me alone going forward. Can we go on the deck and hug and kiss? It will be the nail in the coffin.”

She slapped his arm. “That’s bad, Garrett.”

“I know,” he said, wincing. “See. I need to grow a pair. I admit it.”

She laughed at him. “I just find this so hard to believe. You’ve had no problem speaking your mind.”

“No,” he said. “I don’t speak my mind. You should know that by now. Not all the time. Or not when I know it might hurt someone.”

She processed what he said and realized he was right.

It’s probably why he was struggling with his job so much.

That he took everyone’s problems on and tried to solve them. But his problems, he just let slide.

Or he built walls around them until there were cracks.

“It’s not healthy for you to do those things,” she said.

“You think I don’t know that?” he asked. “Put yourself in my shoes. I’m a doctor. I’ve got patients that need a gentle hand. I don’t need someone spewing crap about me because I’m not interested in them. I don’t need any attention on me at all.”

She remembered her father saying that once too.

She wondered if that was why her father remarried. So that women would stop coming on to him and he wouldn’t have to tell them no.

He always worried he’d be caught unaware or in a compromising position. That it was hard in his profession and he never wanted to be alone with a woman if he could avoid it.

“My father was the same way. Which has me wondering more about these cameras. I was coming over to tell you what was going on and visit before I got a few hours of sleep and then went to work.”

“I’m sorry, Justine. I should have told you and have no excuse. I wish you didn’t find out the way you did. It makes me look horrible.”

“Not horrible, but not as strong as I thought you were.”

He winced. “I had that coming.”

“You did,” she said. “It makes you human too and that is a good thing.”

“I’m glad of that at least,” he said. “Can we kiss on the deck before you tell me about the cameras?”

“You’re serious?”

“No,” he said while nodding his head yes.

“Oh good lord, Garrett.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the deck, right in the center, gave him a hug, a deep kiss, and grabbed his ass, and pushed his crotch into hers. “Better?” she asked against his lips. “Or do you need some more?”

“Wow,” he said. “Okay. I like this side of you.”

“That’s embarrassing, but I have to admit it was kind of fun. No more, okay?”

“Heard,” he said. “I’ll grow a pair. It’s kind of growing now.”

“Too bad,” she said. “You lost that opportunity being a wuss just now.”

She was laughing when she said it. “I deserved that.”

“To get you up to speed… I sent everything to the security company. I did think of what you said and I’m hoping there is something on these cameras. The most I can see is that he’s been paying for the service for a few years. I’m not sure how far back the recordings go. I don’t know if they will talk to me or release anything. I left a message with the DA. It’s a waiting game now.”

“Would you consider hiring your own attorney to push this?” he asked.

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