Affinity: A Salvation Society Novel

by Harlow Layne

  “Are you not coming with me?” I hoped I hid the disappointment from my voice at the thought of her not watching me, even if it was only for a short time before she had to get to work.

  She looked down at her hands that were twisting the hem of her oversized shirt. “I wasn’t sure if you still wanted me to come or not since I don’t know about your show.”

  “I’m sorry I acted like an asshole, but it does sting that you know nothing about my work.” It more than stung, but I was trying to prevent another fight. I needed to swallow my pride and accept that Abbi and who knows how many more people in the world had stopped watching anything I was in because of my actions. Hopefully, with Abbi’s influence, I would eventually change their minds.

  “I’m really sorry, but I wanted to be honest with you, and I hope you’ll always be honest with me. All my life, I’ve always been truthful, but after Greg . . . ” I must have given her a quizzical look since she hadn’t explained who this twat waffle Greg was. “Greg was my boyfriend who cheated on me with pretty much anything that moved. Of course, I didn’t know that at the time, or I would have dumped his sorry ass. Even though he cheated on me for the duration of our relationship, he wanted me to move to Boston with him.” Her brows pinched together as she continued. “I don’t know why he wanted me to go with him when he obviously didn’t care about me, but that’s of no consequence here. The point is, after all his BS, I can’t stand liars. Lying and cheating are my hard limits.” Abbi sat back on the floor and stared up at me.

  “While you don’t know everything about what went down with Poppy, we’ve been through similar circumstances in our relationships, and I feel the same way you do. I won’t tolerate people who lie to me, and I can’t stay in a relationship if I find out they’ve cheated.” It felt good to know we were on the same page. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Abbi would never cheat on me. She was a breath of fresh air compared to my ex. I only hoped she felt the same way about me.

  “Mr. Jenner, you’re needed on set. Now,” the voice demanded.

  I was sure I’d pissed off everyone once again, but I didn’t care because I’d just had the most amazing kiss with Abbi and a breakthrough. Standing, I pulled Abbi up with me. Dipping down, I gave her a peck on her parted lips. I wanted more. So much more. But it would have to wait until we got home.

  I was floating on cloud nine as I stepped from my trailer with my wife’s hand in mine. It still felt weird to think of Abbi as my wife. It was strange to do everything in reverse, but I kind of liked it. The only problem was, I wasn’t sure if Abbi was still planning to leave once our year was up. It was still too early to tell, and I felt like a pussy ass girl thinking about getting my feelings hurt down the line. Who knew if we’d even work out?

  Abbi lifted up on her toes as we walked and whispered in my ear. “I’ll take the blame if they’re mad at you.”

  “Don’t do that. I want them to like you, and they already hate me.”

  Abbi wrapped her hand around my bicep and leaned into me as we made our way inside Warehouse One.

  “Wow,” she said excitedly by my side. “I never imagined it looking anything like this. There’s a police precinct and a house in one building.”

  “Wait until I’m on a movie set, and you see the scale of everything then. This is small in comparison. This is a baby set, and there’s more for the show, but for my scenes today, I’ll be in here. Being sick.” Until now, I had forgotten my makeup when we were in the trailer, but now I remembered how sickly Clara made me look. “Did you like kissing a dying man?” I could only pray my character was sick enough I’d die and be let go from the show. Today wasn’t my finest look.

  Abbi scoffed. “You’re still handsome, even sick.”

  “You might not think that if I was sweaty with a fever and lying around all day.” I laughed. Playing sick and being sick were two different things. I rarely got sick, but when I was, I could admit I was a horrible patient; maybe it had something to do with the people who’d taken care of me—rather who hadn’t taken care of me.

  “Jenner, stop fucking around and get into position. We need to make up for yesterday!” Rick, the director, yelled from across the set at me. He hated me; I swore, he tried to make each day here as miserable as possible.

  “I’ll introduce you to everyone later. You can sit in my seat,” I pointed toward the row of director chairs as I made my way into the bedroom setup.

  Abbi’s eyes darted around as she looked at all the chairs for a moment until she found the one with my name on it. She gave me a thumbs-up before she sat down on it.

  Today was going to be a boring day for me since I was delegated to lay in bed for every scene. Luckily, with my character being in a bad way, it was going to be a short day for me. Maybe I’d ask Abbi if she wanted to go out to dinner instead of making us something. It would be a real date. Something I’d never attempted before.

  Slowly, I was starting to like chasing after Abbi and wooing her with my charm.

  I may have been on top of my game for the day, but it seemed no one else was. Even from across the room, I saw Abbi’s eyes flare as Rick called cut for what had to have been the thirtieth time, and it was only the first scene of the day. Rick had every right to call cut each and every time because my two co-stars were fucking up almost every line. Courtney’s eyes darted up to the ceiling every few seconds, and Martin looked as if he hadn’t slept in two days. He had to have every other line called out to him.

  “Do not make me call it a day again,” Rick growled out as he stormed up to where they were standing next to my deathbed. “Has hell frozen over? Jenner is spot on while the rest of you are acting like it’s your first day acting. I’m giving you all an hour break for lunch, and you better have your act together when you get back, or I’m going to dock your pay five thousand dollars for every time I have to say cut before the scene is finished.”

  It took everything in me not to smile because Rick was on Courtney and Martin’s asses like he was usually on mine, except I always knew my lines. Instead, I stayed in the bed where I’d been for the last two hours, and watched them all walk away while Abbi watched everything unfold.

  Once everyone cleared out, I crooked my finger to the beautiful brunette who’d occupied my chair all morning. She smiled shyly before getting up and walking toward me.

  Sidling up to the edge of the bed, she looked down at me. “Are you staying in character?”

  “No,” I patted the space beside me. “Come join me here for a second.”

  “Why?” She scrunched her nose at the bed.

  “When will you ever get a chance to lay on a set bed?” The moment I said the words, I knew they were wrong. They could be taken to mean she’d never be on-set again. Grabbing her hand, I pulled her down next to me and turned on my side to look down at her. “Don’t take that the wrong way. What I meant to say is I can’t say this bed will be here the next time you’re here.”

  Her small hand lifted to cup my cheek. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  Turning onto my back, I pointed up to the left. Do you see the light that’s out?”

  “Yeah,” she answered quietly.

  “That whole metal part is what fell yesterday. I’m not sure how Jim didn’t get injured worse than he was. If that would have . . . ” I couldn’t even voice thinking about if it had hit me.

  “But he’s fine, and you’re fine.”

  I didn’t want to think about what could have happened, so I asked her, “Are you hungry? We should get something to eat while we can.” Jumping up from bed, I moved to grab my robe off the back of a chair. When I looked back over my shoulder, Abbi’s eyes were glued to my ass. “Do you like what you see?”

  “Ugh,” she rolled her eyes. “Take me to lunch.”

  With my arm around her shoulders, I directed her out to the catering tent.

  “Is it always like this?”

  Looking down at her with the sun glinting off her shiny chestnut hair, I asked. “Like
what? The food or being on set?”

  “Both?” She shrugged as if she didn’t know.

  “The food is always catered. Some days it’s good and some days not so good.” I leaned down to speak quietly in her ear. “Most of the time, it’s not great, but I have to eat.” Her body tensed beside me. “Today, it looks good. They’re trying to make everyone forget about what happened yesterday.”

  Abbi pulled back with her brows pinched together. “That’s fucked up. I have to say being here is killing all the Hollywood ambiance I had about making a TV show.”

  “It’s not glamorous,” I admitted.

  “Except your trailer,” she amended.

  “Except for that. Maybe we should rent an RV and go on a road trip sometime since you like it so much,” I joked.

  Her eyes lit up as if I’d just come up with the best idea ever. “That would be so fun.” She clapped, her smile wide, and I was surprised when she didn’t spin around in her spot.

  I guess we were going on a road trip someday.

  “You’d like that?”

  Abbi linked her arm with mine, and her lips turned down. “Growing up, we never went camping and then, after my parents passed away, it wasn’t an option.”

  “I’ve never been camping or on a road trip either. My father isn’t one for family time or the outdoors, which I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear.”

  “Can’t say that I am. He’s . . . I don’t even know the word to describe him, but I can say I’m happy he hasn’t been by the house again.”

  I started to move us closer to the catering tent. “Let’s get in line and get our food before my time runs out.” There were only ten people in front of us. Everyone knew to eat when you could. We might not break again until late into the night.

  As we stood there, I turned to Abbi in the hope that not everyone around us would hear me as I spoke. “He won’t be around much, that I can promise. The only reason he was there the day we came home from Vegas was because he wanted to throw how I’d screwed up once again in my face.” I lowered my head as well as my voice as I said the next part. “Right before I went into rehab, I fired him from being my manager. He’s still sore and likes to point out any trouble I get into now that he’s no longer a part of my life. My life has been much simpler without him managing every little aspect of it.”

  “Even though I’ve only met him once, I think it was a smart move not having your dad as your manager. He’s toxic.”

  She could say that again.

  “Who’s your manager now?”

  “As of right now, I don’t have one. Luke said his manager would take me on if I proved myself. Catherine has been my stand-in since I fired my dad. She’s gone above and beyond trying to help me put my life back together. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where I’d be.”

  Her face softened as she leaned in and pressed an innocent kiss to the corner of my mouth. Even with only a touch of her lips, my cock strained against the confines of my pants. If I turned around now, everyone would see what Abbi did to me.

  Pulling her in front of me, I wrapped my arms around her waist as we waited in line and rested my chin on the top of her head. When she felt what I was trying to hide, Abbi tried to turn around, but my grip on her only tightened.

  “Give me a minute,” I said under my breath. I tried to think of every gross thing I could think of to will away my hard-on, but the feel of my dick against her pert ass was making it difficult. Finally, the thought of my father kicking puppies did the trick.

  Luckily, the line moved quickly, and the moment we sat down at a table far away from everyone else, Abbi’s face lit up in delight. “Was that bulge I felt when we were in line from my kiss?”

  “You have that effect on me; what can I say.”

  She took a bite of her breadstick and chewed with a smile on her face. “I like knowing that.”

  It made me wonder if I gave her a lady boner.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the other actresses on the show, making her way over to us. I knew it was going to be bad, and if I could have dragged Abbi back to my trailer without anyone seeing us or asking questions, I would have.

  “Prepare for—”

  “Is this the little wife?” Rikki asked with an upturn of her lip. “I thought you’d be . . . prettier, but I guess we can say Jenner has no taste in women.”

  Abbi bristled; her hands planted on top of our table about ready to jump up. “Did she really just say that?”

  Leaning back, I was ready for Abbi to hand Rikki’s ass to her. “I’m afraid she did. See, Rikki here is jealous because every time she’s tried to hit on me, I’ve turned her down. So, in reality, I actually have very good taste in women, and you, my lovely wife, are the evidence of that.”

  Rikki leaned forward, her face scrunched up. “Don’t let his charm fool you. He’s a liar and a huge asshole.”

  Abbi did the opposite of what I thought she’d do. Instead of jumping up or yelling at the woman who’d just insulted me, she busted out laughing. “Now, I know you’re lying because there’s not a charming bone in his body.” She could barely get her sentence out between her laughter.

  I was a little offended that she thought I couldn’t be charming. I could be if I wanted to, but I didn’t like being fake, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to try for someone like fucking Rikki Blake. She may have been decent to look at, but she was a huge bitch, and I tried to stay away from her as much as possible. I’d heard more stories than I could count about her sleeping with any actor she could, and then immediately afterward, she would be all over the internet telling anyone who’d listen about it. That wasn’t going to be me, no way, no how. Not ever.

  “Please tell me you never actually slept with her.” The amusement in her voice had my lips twitching.

  Looking over at Rikki, she stood next to our table with her enraged, red face that was almost purple, and her balled up hands on her hips. Everyone in our vicinity was turned toward us in rapt attention. I wasn’t sure what to do about our situation. I didn’t want to draw any undue attention to myself since I knew it would be my word against hers, and after everything, they were less likely to believe me even with Abbi by my side.

  My significant other stood abruptly, her eyes on me. “You know what, honey, I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. Would you mind walking me back to your trailer? I think we’ve got enough time to christen at least one area.” She winked at me, and I nearly fainted.

  “I’m suddenly hungry for something else entirely.” Grabbing her hand in mine, I pulled her out of the tent and started down the line of trailers toward my own.

  “I wonder how many times that will happen?” Abbi murmured from my side.

  “What? Rikki?” Abbi looked at me like I wasn’t the smartest tool in the shed. “I don’t think there will be more like her.”

  “Why? Because you slept with everyone else who came into contact with you?” The touch of jealousy I heard in her voice made me want to pound my chest and claim her all at the same time, but when she ripped her hand out of mine the moment we were far enough away from everyone and quickened her pace toward my trailer, I was starting to wonder if I’d read the entire situation wrong.

  Unsure of what was happening, I slowed my pace, and when I finally reached my trailer, I peered inside, wondering where Abbi might be. I was actually scared of what I might find when I went inside. She was off to the left, sitting on the couch, clicking away on her laptop with a heavy scowl marring her face. I hoped she wasn’t looking up pictures of me with other women so she could question me about whether or not I’d slept with them because if she did, I was sure I’d lose the respect I’d earned in the last couple of days. I wasn’t proud of my past actions. All I wanted was to leave them where they were and for the world to give me a second chance.

  Without looking up, Abbi stilled in her seat. “Are you going to stand out there until they ask you back on set?”

  With one foot raised to step inside, I aske
d. “Are you still pissed at me?”

  “I’m madder at myself than you,” she grumbled under her breath, but I’d definitely heard her.

  Faster than lightning, I was by her side with a tentative hand on her arm. “Why are you mad at yourself?”

  “Because it’s stupid for me to be jealous of something you did before I ever even knew you. It would be different if we’d been together, but we weren’t, so it was silly for me to have that kind of reaction.”

  Slinging my arm around her shoulders, I kissed her temple. “If I was in your position, I’d be seething inside with jealousy. When I thought Paul was your boyfriend, it ate at me. The thought that you had a man waiting for you when this was all done . . . ” Her body tensed under me, and I knew I fucked up once again. Was trying to be with Abbi worth it? I felt like I was constantly saying the wrong thing, or my past was lurking in the background waiting to pop its head out and fuck everything up.

  Pulling my arm out from behind her, I let out a heavy sigh. With my elbows on my knees, I leaned forward and closed my eyes. “Do you remember when I said I was going to fuck you?” I turned my head to the side to look at Abbi.

  “Yeah, of course, I do. It was only yesterday.”

  “Right, it was yesterday, and when I thought about you and Paul, it was the night you moved in. It’s only been days, but a lot has happened. I’m not thinking of us having a deadline, but I can’t promise that we’ll work out.”

  “Right,” she snipped out, her eyes back on her laptop.

  “God, Abbi, you can’t get pissed at everything I say.” With each passing moment, I felt the end of us coming to fruition, but I was giving it one last chance. “I’m not trying to be an asshole here. I’m only trying to talk to you and look at what it’s getting me. With every word I say, you only continue to get more pissed at me, so I’m going to say my piece, and then I’m going to go back on-set to get my head in the game because all of this is fucking with me.”

  “Go ahead. I won’t interrupt you.”

  “Do I want us to work out? Yes, of course, I do. If I thought we were going to split ways at the end of this, I wouldn’t be spilling my heart out to you. None of this is easy for me. I promise you that I never slept with Rikki. Since my divorce, I haven’t been celibate, and I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I swear on my life, I will never cheat on you. I’m being real with you. This is me. The real me and I can’t change that. Now it’s up to you to decide if you can live with me, my words, and my fuck-ups.”