Page 44 of The Family Pet

“We could help you get Benny to his bed,” I murmured. Panic began to build in me. I had to speak, say absolutely anything, to get Jury to stop looking at me that way.

Jury shook his head and his cheeks flushed redder than usual. “I’m not touching him. He hasn’t slept in his bed since Dad died.”

My stomach sank. “Sorry. I was just trying to be nice.”

Ridge dug his fingers in nicely against my scalp, as if he was attempting to comfort me, which was sweet but not necessary. These awkward social moments were something we would have to develop a thick skin for if we planned to stay in this relationship.

Jury shrugged. “It’s okay. Thank you.” He narrowed his eyes on me, and I was struck by the fact that he was studying to be a lawyer. I could tell he was steeling himself to do something unpleasant—make some sort of argument—which in turn had my anxiety all over the place. I wished Uncle Bowie was here, or even better, that we were at his house with him.

I wouldn’t have thought it could happen, but I missed him. I missed his rules and the way he organized my entire day and gave me things to do. I tapped my book because I’d also missed working on what my mother called my little theories. Yes, philosophy wasn’t exactly chemical engineering, but it had always hurt to be dismissed that way.

Shuffling a step closer, Jury stuffed his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants and flashed me a small smile. “I’d decided I was going to keep my mouth shut.”

“Then keep doing it.” Ridge shoved his book farther across the coffee table and glared at Jury, and I ran a hand along his calf.

Jury grunted. “But you look uncomfortable on the floor, Saint. You don’t need to debase yourself for Ridge in my home.”

“Drop it, asshole,” Ridge whispered, glancing at Benny, whose eyes were still closed. He slept so deeply I doubted a bomb going off would wake him. Ridge tensed under my cheek.

I straightened until my back was pressed against the front of the couch beside Ridge’s legs and clutched my knees as I drew them to my chest. “Ask your question.”

Jury took another step closer, his cheeks blazing, and Ridge shot to his feet, not exactly blocking Jury from me, but making it clear he didn’t appreciate what was happening.

“Do you want to stay at my house? I mean, indefinitely.” Jury raised his eyebrows and the blush didn’t die down on his face.

Ridge growled, sounding more like a pup than I ever did. “What the fuck, dude?”

Benny shifted on the armchair, and we all stared at him for a moment, but he didn’t open his eyes.

Jury cleared his throat, and this time when he smiled at me, his expression was much gentler. “Everyone on Vert Island knows your family screwed you over. We all knew your parents. They were at nearly every one of the big seasonal parties my parents threw each year, even if they just walked through to say hello to the neighbors. Anyway, my brother lives with his boyfriend now and his room is empty. You don’t have to feel stuck with Ridge if it isn’t where you want to be.”

Ridge stepped forward and shoved Jury, and I shot to my feet, pulling him back. Jury hadn’t been knocked over, but his eyes were wide and his fists clenched.

Ridge pointed at Jury. “I told you all that stuff—”

“Too loud,” I murmured, studying Benny as he shifted with a frown.

Ridge huffed. “I told you what was going on between Saint and me because we’re friends. What are you doing?” he whispered, shaking his head. His jaw stood out, hard with tension.

Jury rolled his eyes. “I’m helping.”

“How?” Ridge snapped.

Jury stuck his hands on his hips and glared right back at Ridge. “I wouldn’t want someone I cared about to be with me because they were trapped in a crappy situation while my father was playing Dom and forcing me to do a bunch of terrible things.”

Anger had my face heating. Yeah, that was more or less what had happened in the beginning, but it didn’t feel as cold as it sounded when Jury spoke about it. I glanced at Ridge and tried to catch his gaze, but he wasn’t looking at me. I was surprised he’d told Jury so much, but everyone needed someone to vent to, and I guessed Jury was that person for Ridge. My heart ached a bit. I wish he would’ve talked to me about things rather than someone outside the situation. He must trust Jury more than I’d realized, at least, enough not to spread around our business.

Jury stared directly into my eyes. “What you and your dad are doing to Saint is rape, Ridge. You’re not holding a literal gun to his head, but you’ve got a lot of leverage. Think about it.” He glanced between me and Ridge, then rested his attention on Ridge once more.

Ridge’s face twisted into a pained scowl and he groped for my hand, which I was happy to give him. I entwined our fingers and held tight. It seemed as if this was the first time Ridge had fully considered what he’d been doing in such bald terms, and he sent me a stricken glance. I had to say I didn’t hate seeing him uncomfortable, because I’d been really scared in the beginning and worried that he and Uncle Bowie would hurt me far more than they ever had. When his expression shifted from upset to something that resembled fear, I’d had enough.

“Jury,” I said softly, breaking off a staring contest between him and Ridge. “Thanks, but no thanks. When Uncle Bowie says it’s safe for us to go home, we will.”

A small sound snuck out of Ridge and he dragged me against his chest to wrap his arms around me. I smiled as he pressed his lips to my temple and shuffled closer so that we touched from shoulder to knee.

Jury tossed his hands into the air, then let them fall to his sides with a loud smack. “Okay, fine. I’ll leave it alone, but you have options,” he said, meeting my gaze. I nodded and flashed him a smile because even if I didn’t want to leave Uncle Bowie’s house, it was a freeing sensation to realize I wasn’t without any alternative.

Ridge stared at his book on the coffee table and gave me an extra hard squeeze. “Ugh, I don’t think I can study anymore. Bed?” he asked.