Chapter Sixteen
Avery
Jaxton’s voice carries across the room, hollering for his brother.
“Liam! We’ve got to go if I’m going to make it to set on time.”
His words tug at the peaceful moment I’m relishing, wrapped in Liam’s arms.
Jaxton’s freshly showered look is tempting enough to distract me, but I focus back on Lennox, his face glowing on the screen as he gives me his undivided attention.
“Sounds like we’ve got to go, but… I’ll call later tonight, okay? I miss you—and Kammy—already.”
Liam’s chest rumbles against my back, his silent laughter shaking me as he processes the nickname.
I couldn’t hold back my grin, either.
Kammy.
Sweet, playful, absurd—so perfectly him.
And the best part? Kamden, the intimidating grizzly bear of a man, is stuck with it.
I’ve cracked through his tough exterior with two ridiculous syllables, and there’s no going back. Yeah, Kammy is here to stay. Forever.
“We miss you too, Honeybee. Call us later, and don’t overdo yourself today, alright?”
“I’ll try,”
I smile sweetly. “Take care, Lenn.”
“You too,”
His voice drops seductively. “Talk later, Avery.”
Liam’s lips graze my neck, pulling a shiver from me that spreads warmth throughout my entire body.
His grin presses against my skin, smug and unapologetically Liam.
He doesn’t have to say it—I know he’s claiming the moment, sending an unspoken message to Lennox.
She’s mine right now.
I lean into him, biting back another smile as Lennox narrows his eyes, jealousy flashing briefly before his smirk returns.
The twin bond is fascinating, a language of raised brows and subtle glances that no one else can decipher.
Watching them interact feels like witnessing something sacred, yet somehow, they always manage to pull me into their private world.
“We’ll be sure to call tonight, bro. Love you.”
Liam taunts his brother, as his lips touch my neck again.
“Good,”
Lennox narrows his eyes once more in envy, but a smirk tips his lips. “Love you, too.”
Seconds after disconnecting, Jaxton steps out of the kitchen, his eyes lighting up as he observes us. “Did he behave himself?”
he teases, his playful grin disarming. Before I can respond, he leans in, pressing a kiss to my neck that sends a fresh wave of heat coursing through me.
“You smell good,”
I whisper, letting my lips curve into a grin. “And yes, he was perfect.”
My wiggle against Liam earns a growl and a firm grip on my hips.
“You’re going to be the death of me,”
he mutters, his frustrations only spurring my amusement.
“I’m good with that,”
I quip, relishing his reaction.
Jaxton leans closer, his gaze darkening with intent. “Let’s go before I skip work and keep you here all day, proving who owns this pussy.”
His hand glides under my dress, cupping me with a possessiveness that leaves me breathless. My heart races, and I can only manage a soft exhale as his words settle over me like a promise.
Outside, the frenzy hits us the moment we step through the door. Two bodyguards flank us, holding the chaos at bay until we’re able to climb into the car. I’m still adjusting to the surreal reality of having security when a sharp clicking noise at my window startles me. My breath catches as I turn to see a man yanking on my door handle, cameras flashing wildly. The bodyguards move in an instant, dragging him away as I sit frozen, the audacity of it all leaving me in shock.
Jaxton and Liam curse under their breath, Jaxton’s grip on the steering wheel tightening as he maneuvers us out of the madness. The crowd thins as he speeds down the road, but the tension lingers in the car. My thoughts swirl, a sharp reminder of how close danger can be, even in the most unexpected ways.
Jaxton’s jaw flexes as he grips the steering wheel, his knuckles white against the leather. The tension in the air is palpable. I hesitate before speaking, trying to gauge his mood. “Is everything okay?”
I ask cautiously.
“No,”
he admits, his voice tight. “Those men? They’re our personal bodyguards. We’ve been slipping them to stay over at your place. You’ve seen what my life is like—that was just a glimpse. They’re for our protection, and we’re supposed to have them with us at all times.”
His words hit me like a bucket of ice water, and my eyes widened in shock. Bodyguards. My stomach twisted at the implication. “Will those people hurt you? Is that why you need them?”
My chest tightens, and my breathing quickens at the thought of someone trying to harm him—or any of them.
Jaxton glances at me, his hardened expression softening slightly. He releases one hand from the wheel, reaching over to grip mine. “Most people just want an autograph or a picture. They’re excited to see their favorite actor or cover model,”
he explains, nodding toward Liam in the rearview mirror. “But sometimes, the crowd gets too aggressive. The bodyguards are a precaution.”
“And the guy who tried to open my door?”
My voice wavers as the memory replays in my mind, the audacity of it leaving a bitter taste. “Would he have hurt me?”
Jaxton’s eyes darken, his jaw tightening again. “It’s hard to say. Sometimes they just want a better picture or to catch part of a conversation they’re not entitled to. My team will deal with him. He’s banned from any of our locations while we’re here. We don’t tolerate behavior like that.”
I nod, trying to absorb the intensity of what he’s saying. “If today is any indication of your daily life, I can see why they’re worried.”
I try to lighten the mood, offering him a small smile. “Tell them I’ll make sure you check in throughout the day.”
Jaxton smirks, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. “They’re just mad we ditched them again. Now they want us to swap this car for another since it’s been spotted. We do it often—it keeps people guessing.”
He shrugs, his attention shifting back to the road.
“This is part of the reason I didn’t want to tell you what I do for a living,”
he admits quietly. “You treat me like any other guy off the street, not like someone who’s constantly in the spotlight.”
He glances at me again, a small, wistful smile tugging at his lips.
My heart aches at his confession. Fame and fortune might seem glamorous, but the cost of losing normalcy was too high. I patted his knee gently. “Always,”
I promise. Turning toward the back seat, I looked at Liam. “You’re awfully quiet back there. Are you okay?”
His eyes soften as they meet mine, and in one swift motion, he cups my chin and leans forward to brush his lips against mine. “The attention worries me,”
he admits, his voice low. “That this lifestyle might be too much for you. We’ve barely been seeing each other, and already Sarah’s tried to stir the pot. Not to mention the chaos we just led you through. I should be asking you, Bee—how are you holding up?”
I felt Jaxton’s gaze flicker toward me, waiting for my answer. Their world is intense, but so is the pull I feel toward them. I tighten my hand on Jaxton’s thigh and reach for Liam’s bicep, offering them both a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, boys. You haven’t scared me off yet.”
The tension eases slightly, and soon, Jaxton turns onto a winding country road flanked by towering pines. I recognize the area but haven’t ventured this way before. “I thought you were filming in town?”
I ask, curiosity piqued.
“We’re done with the town scenes for now,”
Jaxton explains as we pull up to a cluster of cars, trailers, and equipment. “These forest scenes will take the longest, so we’re getting them out of the way. We film scenes out of order all the time—it’s cool to see how it all comes together in the end.”
He parks near a trailer and turns to face me. “This is our base. You can hang out here or watch me on set. If it gets overwhelming, you’re welcome to escape back here anytime. No need to check in with anyone.”
“Thank you, but I’d like to watch if that’s okay. Liam will be with me the entire time.”
Their approving looks tell me I made the right choice.
Jaxton’s lips curve into a soft smile as he brushes his fingers across my cheek. “That’s why I brought you here, Avery. I want you to be part of my life—every part.”
I snuggle closer, my voice soft. “I’d like that.”
Jaxton pressed a quick kiss to my lips, while Liam nuzzles my neck, sending shivers down my spine. “Now, come on. I’m already late.”
He hesitates briefly. “They should’ve replaced Sarah by now.”
His words brought her name crashing back into my thoughts. I’d almost forgotten in the chaos, but now the anxiety returns. The last thing I want is to be labeled a homewrecker. “We shouldn’t be seeing her around anymore,”
he adds firmly.
“About time,”
Liam mutters, climbing out to open my door with a playful bow. “My lady.”
The day has barely started, but I can already feel the weight of their world pressing down on us. Still, I’m here for it—every chaotic, beautiful moment.
We walk toward a group gathered near the cameras, Jaxton leading the way with his signature devilish grin. “Hey, everyone. Sorry, I’m late. The hotel was… intense,”
he said, throwing me a smirk that spoke volumes. It’s clear he isn’t talking about the chaos of photographers and fans outside. My cheeks heat at the implication, but Jaxton continues like it’s nothing. “This is Avery. Avery, meet Cameron, Jacob, and Nikki. They play my siblings in this film.”
I offer a polite smile and shake hands with each of them, doing my best to hide my nerves.
Liam must sense it because his hand slips into mine, grounding me instantly.
The small gesture doesn’t go unnoticed; I catch a couple of double-takes from Jaxton’s co-stars.
Not surprising, since they were all taller than my five-foot-two frame, and undeniably stunning.
Nikki’s flawless—long blonde hair, creamy skin, green eyes, and a delicate figure straight out of a magazine.
Cameron, over six feet with soft features and deep brown eyes, exudes charm, while Jacob has sharper, more defined features, tan skin, hazel eyes, and biceps that made his shirt look like it might give up.
Not that I’m checking them out.
Okay, maybe I am. I can see why they were cast—they’re picture-perfect.
“She the girl you’ve been sneaking off to meet?”
Jacob asked, his playful smile pushing the limits.
“And getting Sarah kicked off set for?”
Cameron adds, his tone is deadpan but laced with humor.
Liam growls, stepping protectively in front of me, his shoulders tense. “Shut your fucking mouth.”
His words are sharp enough to cut, and Cameron’s brows shoot up, clearly surprised by the reaction.
“Damn, bro. Chill.”
Cameron raises his hands, palms out in surrender.
Jaxton chuckles, clapping a hand on Liam’s shoulder as he steps between them. “Cut the shit. Leave her alone. No questions unless she wants to talk to you.”
Liam grunts in agreement, tugging me toward a pair of chairs set behind the cameras. “Come sit with me, Bee.”
I smile as I follow him, the butterflies in my stomach swirling with excitement. The energy around the set is contagious. Actors stretch nearby, moving their mouths in exaggerated shapes to warm up, while crew members hurriedly adjust equipment. “This is pretty cool,”
I mumble, my eyes wide with amazement.
Liam kisses the back of my hand, his affection steady and grounding. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. It’s a lot to take in, I know.”
Jaxton hovers close, his protective streak kicking into high gear. “I’ll be right over there if you need me,”
he offers, glancing toward the action.
“Yes, he will,”
Liam says firmly, waving Jaxton off. “I’ve got her. Go do your thing.”
Jaxton hesitates, his gaze lingering. “Kitten, if anyone bothers you, you tell us immediately. Got it?”
“Scout’s honor.”
I hold up three fingers with a cheeky grin, earning an eye roll from him.
He sighs, pointing at Liam. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“I won’t.”
Liam’s voice is steady, his grip on my hand reassuring.
Finally, Jaxton heads off, leaving us to watch the commotion unfold. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I turn to Liam. “What’s this movie about?”
He smiles, eyes softening. “It’s a love story. Jaxton plays the heartthrob lead. The main female character falls for him after moving to town and dealing with a nightmare ex. It’s like a modern Cinderella story—done a million times, but hey, who doesn’t love a good romance?”
“Action!”
someone hollered, and my attention snaps back to the set.
I watched the scenes unfold, completely captivated.
It wasn’t just the actors who caught my attention, though they were undeniably talented.
It was the crew—the unsung heroes of the production—who left me truly impressed.
Every single person had a role to play, and they executed it with an efficiency that bordered on art.
From adjusting lighting to positioning the cameras and keeping the set running smoothly, they worked like a well-oiled machine.
I couldn’t imagine doing what they did—especially the actors.
The cameras were often so close it felt invasive, the lenses sometimes only a foot away from their faces.
Yet, they never faltered.
Not a single stumble or awkward glance, just pure professionalism.
The crew, too, seemed almost invisible in their movements, slipping in and out of view with such precision that it was easy to forget they were there.
Every flick of a switch, every whispered direction, felt like part of a perfectly choreographed dance.
Scene after scene, they nailed it.
Lines were delivered flawlessly, lighting shifted seamlessly, and props moved in and out as though by magic.
Watching them transform what seemed like chaos into a polished performance left me in awe.
By the time the final scene was wrapped around three, I was buzzing with excitement.
I came here expecting to see Jaxton do what he does best, but I hadn’t realized how much work went into creating just a few minutes of footage.
The sheer talent and dedication of everyone on set—from the actors to the crew—gave me a whole new appreciation for the craft.
This wasn’t just filmmaking; it was a labor of love, a symphony of moving parts coming together to create something extraordinary.