Page 13 of Forced Proximity

I stuff my items in my bag, throw on my sunglasses and walk out, filled with the most regret I’ve had in years. I debate calling Marcus on the way home to tell him I refuse this assignment.

Chapter 6

Lexi

The next day, after unfortunately deciding not to quit, my Jeep rolls to a stop in front of Justin’s house. I push my aviator glasses to the top of my head and take a deep breath. Day One. Let’s get this over with. I grab my bag and before I reach the door, it opens.

‘Hey, Doc, good to see you.’ Anthony waves with a sheepish grin.

I don’t like sheepish grins.

‘Ready for your first day?’

Not even for a second. I hated what happened yesterday. When Katey and I were together, she’d asked me to go to counseling dozens of times. For so many things, but my quick temper and lack of communication was always at the top of the list. I bottled up the problems in our marriage and threw myself into work instead of coming home, and it showed.

We grew up similar, both of us from a small, farming town. But Katey’s parents had money, and mine didn’t. She never knew the shame I carried that I only had new basketball shoes because all the parents of my teammates chipped in. Or the stigma of being ‘the poor kid’ in school, and the only time kids started being nice to me was when they realized I had talent on the court.

No matter how much Katey pleaded, I never wanted to talk to a therapist. Getting on the mat with Marcus, or anyone else who’ll spar with me, releases my demons. And yes, I know. I’m thirty-four, not thirteen, but it’s hard to shake the life-long messages etched into my soul that I was never worthy of respect.

But yesterday, I let my irritation that Justin was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth – plus the fact that he abandoned those families for the fundraiser – get the best of me.

‘Hey. Yep. Ready for the first day. We have a ton of things we need to do,’ I say to Anthony as I cross the hot pavement to the house. ‘Could you let Justin know we should meet within the next ten minutes or so?’

Anthony tugs on the edge of his blond beard. ‘Ah, he’s at lunch with a friend.’

Seriously? I wanted to start this day off on the right foot. A new slate, so Justin and I could learn to share a space for twelve hours a day. And he doesn’t even have the decency to be here at the predetermined time? My lips pull into a straight line. ‘The entire point of hiring me is to accompany him where he goes.’

‘I’m sorry. I was just as shocked as you when I arrived at an empty house.’ He escorts me to the den. ‘I’m sure you’ve noticed, but Justin’s a big guy. I swear that man has no fear. He thinks he can handle himself.’

‘Then why am I needed?’ I snap, then relax my jaw. ‘I understand it’s a lot for someone to adjust their life like this. I really do. But I cannot do my job effectively if he won’t be a partner.’

I swear if this is an indication of how the next several months will play out … Why didn’t I say no to Marcus? Last week, I should’ve walked away when I had a choice. Now that I’ve made the commitment, I’ll never leave. I’m trapped protecting this disrespectful jackass who doesn’t even have the courtesy to follow rule number one on my first damn day.

‘I know. I’ll talk to him.’ He grabs paperwork from the side table. ‘In the meantime, here’s the neighborhood map and outline of the gates you requested.’

Push it away, push it away. Getting heated is doing me no favors. How is it that in the line of duty, I’m the calmest, coolest and most levelheaded of all the agents? Nothing frazzles me. Marcus has told me a hundred times I need to learn how to play poker and make myself a millionaire in Vegas because I have no tells. But with Justin, everything is irritating.

After I speak with Anthony, I spend the next thirty minutes meeting with the gate guards, noting log protocols, required identification for delivery drivers, camera cloud services and the process of putting guests on the approved lists.

When I return to the house, I set my items on the cherry-wood desk in the den as the front door opens. Justin steps inside the house with Anthony and someone else who marches toward me with an outstretched hand.

‘Hey! You must be Doc. I’m Zane, Justin’s personal assistant, and best friend – although he’ll deny the friend part until the day he dies.’

Zane’s warmth radiates off them like a light from the heavens. They shake my hand with a firm yet gentle grip and a brilliantly contagious smile. Their flaming magenta hair, bullring nose piercing and spectacular sleeve tattoo are the exact vibe I need to offset the stuffiness in the room.

‘Nice to meet you.’ I shake their hand before turning to Justin. ‘Hi, Justin.’

‘Doc.’ His voice is as emotionless as his eyes.

Fine. I probably deserve that. Last night in bed, I stewed on my words for hours and woke up feeling crappy. I could probably apologize but admitting failure is on par with a pap smear.

‘Don’t mind him.’ Zane nudges Justin with their elbow. ‘He gets cranky because he’s used to being the prettiest one in the room. And clearly when I’m in the room …’ Zane waves to themselves with a wide smile. ‘… he takes second place.’

A flicker of a smile flashes on Justin’s lips.

‘Are you okay after the glitter bomb episode?’ I ask.

Zane rolls their eyes. ‘Yeah. I was freaked out, but now I’m just annoyed. I vacuumed for an hour, and those little bastards are still scattered everywhere. Trust me, I’m sparkly enough. I don’t need more.’