Page 101 of Opening Strain

“Fine. Eight it is.”

My gaze follows her movements as she sits across from me. “Jenna,” I begin. “Lissa means nothing to me now. Back in high school, she was my world. Her and Curtiss. Until they put a wrecking ball to my life. I haven’t thought of her in years, not in any romantic way. Perhaps they came through my mind as betrayal, but nothing more.”

“I believe you.”

Three simple words. Ones I’ve not heard from another person’s mouth since Dad. He used to believe in me, but no one else has. Until Jenna.

I want to hug her until all the air between us evaporates. Bring her into my body and not let her disappear. This woman has the power to ruin me, and I’d gladly let her do it because I love her.

I can’t contain my feelings any longer. With a clear conscience, I admit, “I love you.”

Her hand flies in front of her face. “Bennett, no?—”

I raise my palm toward her. “Shh. You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know.”

She glances around the room, then focuses on the ice pack. Standing, she says, “I think you’ve had that on long enough.” She removes the ice and takes it into the kitchen.

For once, I don’t rip myself to shreds over my confession. The proverb “the truth will set you free” is one hundred percent correct. I can only hope she feels the same way. Someday.

Long minutes later, Jenna returns to the sitting room, pulling a different shirt over her scrubs. “Think you’re ready for some PT?”

I’d do anything for her. With care, I get to my feet, relieved the pain from my groin pull has subsided. “Bring it on.”

Two PT sessions and one delivery meal later, we find ourselves in the basement playing arcade games again. Due to her presence and the realization our time is drawing to a close, I can’t concentrate. She has to join UC on tour. I won’t accept any other answer.

I walk, without pain, to Donkey Kong. She’s absorbed in the game so I take time to enjoy how she puts her entire body into it. Something goes wrong as she screams, “You suck!” and pounds the machine.

Chuckling, I ask, “Not the ending you wanted?”

“No.” She pulls a disgusted face and I laugh. She may not have hair extensions, Botoxed lips, or surgically-enhanced boobs, but she’s perfect. I love every single thing about her. She has to feel the same way about me.

She has to.

“Let’s put on a movie.” I walk over to an overstuffed sofa and a large screen TV by the jukebox. For once, I’m not in the mood to listen to music. I scroll through my Netflix account, stopping atTheGodfather.I point to the screen. “Which one?”

She reaches behind her head only to realize she ditched her ponytail during dinner. Tucking some hair behind her ear, she replies, “It’s your last night in Aroostook. You pick.”

“Hmm. Hard decision.” We settle in and Part II comes up on the screen. Her startled moan is my reward.

After a few minutes, she admits, “Luke told me not to break your heart.” At my raised eyebrows, she adds, “When he whispered to me in the doctor’s office.”

My eyes close. Seems like Luke’s watching out for me. “I promise never to hurt yours.”

The movie rolls, but I can’t concentrate on it. Nevada casinos and hotels provide the backdrop to my thoughts. I need her to agree to come with me on tour. During one of the shooting scenes—not the big one, of course—I play with her hair. “Say you’ll join the tour.”

“I have a lot of responsibilities here.”

“Aren’t I one of them?”

She sighs. “I know you still have a ways to go with your rehab.”

I lean forward, placing my hands on her legs. “I needyouto make that happen.”

“What will the band say if they see me with you? I don’t want to cause discord.”

“Let Luke and me handle them. I’m sure they’d love to see you again.” Darren’s best friend 007 will be the hardest sell, but I’m sure we can get him to come around. Somehow.

Her head drops, studying my fingers making random musical notes on her legs. “I don’t know if I want to open myself up to the media circus again. They were brutal the first time.” She inhales. “This time hasn’t been a walk in the park,either.”

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