Chapter 44
FORTY-FOUR
Genesis and Barber’s home is nestled high on a hill.
It’s huge—mansion-sized—with sweeping windows and three sprawling floors.
She drove me here in her very expensive half-sport, half-luxury car with cream-colored leather seats and high-end everything.
The whole thing smelled like wealth and newness.
She’s rich. Very rich. And on the drive over, I learned Barber’s salary isn’t the only reason why.
Genesis was a hedge fund analyst before marrying him. As she whipped through San Diego’s winding hills, she casually mentioned that she’d quadrupled his paychecks—and that when his contract ends, he could retire at twenty-eight.
“But he loves the game too much,” she said with a shrug. “Still, we made a deal: if we ever see signs of brain injury, he quits. Through our private provider, we scan his brain three times a year.”
I was stunned. The same woman who once told me our job was to “eat, sleep, and breathe our football players” had actually taken an industrious approach to that idea.
I’d assumed she meant keeping him happy so he didn’t stray.
But no—Genesis is playing chess while the rest of us are learning the rules.
You never truly know someone until you know them. I’m learning that more and more these days—starting with Jaxon.
Inside the house, the vibe is casual luxury. There’s a spread of sliders, truffle fries, lobster corn dogs, and steak crostini with truffle butter—just a few of my new favorite things. I haven’t eaten all day, and I had one strong tequila shot, so this food is a godsend.
Only women and children are present for now. Some teenagers are night-swimming, while younger kids are wrangled by nannies as their mothers sip cocktails and socialize.
Onetra and Tati—who sat in the same section as me in the suite earlier—have claimed the end of the largest sectional I’ve ever seen and waved me over. I heard this room isn’t even their living room. It’s designated for “events.” Casual.
“So,” Onetra says, “how’s it going with Jaxon?”
Her question is vague enough to be polite but clear enough to say she’s interested. I can appreciate the finesse.
“Things are humming along nicely,” I reply, keeping it short and sweet.
“And you’re staying in San Diego while working in L.A.? You’re still acting, right?” Tati adds.
“I’m between projects,” I say, giving them another neat, non-revealing answer.
But they’re still watching me—nodding, smiling. I can feel it. They’re wondering why I’m so guarded. What’s my deal? They’re not even digging deep, just asking the basics. Surface-level stuff.
So I open the door a little.
“However,” I say, watching their eyes spark with curiosity. “I start a new TV show in about three months, so I’ll be back and forth prepping for that.”
“Oh, how exciting,” Tati beams. Then she leans forward, placing both hands on my knee. “You know, I used to watch you on Emergency. You were my favorite character. I was so happy when Jaxon chose you.”
My jaw drops a little. I didn’t expect that.
“Oh—well, thank you.”
“But…” Her face shifts, and I already know what’s coming. “You know. The stealing…”
“Don’t,” Onetra cuts in, shooting her a look.
Tati winces. “Too far?”
I think about that. She asked the question, but under the surface, she’s asking something else: Are you safe to be real with?
So I give her real.
“No,” I say easily. “Yes, I stole the face cream. And I’m just now starting to understand why.”
“Did they make you go to rehab?” she asks, softer now.
“Actually, yeah. For two weeks.”
“Did it work?”
Onetra groans. “Don’t ask her that! Zara, you don’t have to answer her nosy-ass questions.”
“I wasn’t being nosy,” Tati protests. “I’m just curious. I want us to be friends. She’s… real. Like, not a dainty eater. She throws down.”
I burst out laughing. “Oh, I’ll be hitting Pilates hard next week,” I joke, holding up a half-eaten lobster corn dog.
Our laughter shifts the energy, and the conversation moves on to Onetra ranting about how Chris Liles still hasn’t proposed.
“If Jaxon marries you first, I’m going to kill Chris,” she says dramatically.
“Well…” I stand, dusting off my lap. “Jaxon and I are just beginning, so I don’t see Chris in an early grave quite yet.” I wink.
Onetra offers a pensive smile and launches back into her rant with Tati as I slip away toward the bar, where I order a tonic with lemon.
“Onetra and Tati cornered you?” Genesis appears at my side.
I flinch slightly—didn’t hear her coming—but keep it cool. “Yeah. But it wasn’t that bad.”
She raises a skeptical brow. “Wait… Are you drinking soda?”
I raise my glass. “I like my calories to be funner than alcohol. Like this.” I take a bite of the lobster dog.
“Aren’t they so good?” she says, eyes twinkling as we both scan the room.
It’s still mostly women. Music’s playing. The vibe is alive, but relaxed.
“This gathering just for the girls?” I ask.
But before she can answer, I see them: a wave of tall, athletic men pouring into the room. One of them locks eyes with me—and I with him.
It’s Jaxon.