# CHAPTER 39: A Misdirected Text That Could Change Everything
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review CHAPTER 39 of "Just for the Plot" — and oh boy, do we have a chapter full of near-misses, rising tension, and one catastrophic little typo that has the power to bring everything crashing down.
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Let me set the scene for you.
Bennett is standing outside one of Brody's pop-up storefronts — Brody being Maple's friend's husband, which is quite the mouthful, but he's the man with the keys to a potential event space, so Bennett is willing to work with it. The two shake hands, and Brody immediately congratulates Bennett on the wild card — a huge deal for the team, no doubt. But there's a twist: Brody confesses he's a Rebels fan. A Rebels fan! Which means, when playoff time comes, he won't be rooting for Bennett.
Naturally, Bennett asks if Brody is a fan of Jason Orson. And that's when things get... weird.
Brody perks up like a kid spotting candy. "I am. Do you know him?"
"I've shaken his hand," Bennett says casually.
Brody's eyes drop straight to Bennett's right hand. "Which hand? Your right."
Bennett takes a step back. "Dude, you're being weird and I just met you."
Brody catches himself, clears his throat, straightens his suit coat, and tries to play it cool — except he doesn't, because the next thing out of his mouth is a question about Jason Orson's *potato salad recipe*. I mean, seriously? Bennett is standing there gripping the back of his neck, trying to figure out if he's wandered into a fan club meeting or a real estate tour.
But despite Brody's hero-worship awkwardness, he finally gets down to business and unlocks the door to show Bennett the space.
And let me tell you — the place is something else.
It's what Brody calls their "library space." Double insulated, so it's dead quiet. Earth tones, styled rugs, a variety of furniture ranging from leather chairs to velvet couches. And the crown jewel? A working fireplace nestled inside an exposed brick wall. Brody presses a button, and just like that, flames come to life, casting a warm glow across the room.
Bennett takes it all in — the tall ceilings painted deep brown, the old worn wood floors with their original scuffs and character. And he *digs* it. He really does.
"Hell," he says, smoothing his hand over his jaw. "It's kind of perfect. Can I see the furniture?"
Brody mentions the curtains will cover the whole window for privacy, and security can be arranged at the door — a concern Bennett has been chewing on. Holding an event at the stadium would have made security easier, but in a more open space, they'd need extra measures to make sure everyone feels safe. Brody offers to connect him with a company Maggie works with, but Bennett figures he'll ask Gretchen, his PR manager, first.
Then comes the moment that surprises Bennett: Brody opens a door to an expansive closet that is almost as big as the event space itself, packed with furniture — couches, chairs, tables. Bennett's eyes land on a deep turquoise couch and he runs his hand over it, already picturing the setup: turquoise couch, brown leather chairs, some wooden ones scattered around, coffee tables dotted here and there. Perfect.
"Can I take a picture to show my girl—" Bennett pauses, almost saying "girlfriend," but catching himself just in time to leave it at "girl."
Brody gives him the green light, and Bennett snaps pictures for Bower. Then Brody insists he take a picture of himself in front of the fireplace — which Bennett thinks is completely stupid, but he humors the guy anyway.
When he's done, Bennett confirms the booking: once a month. Brody says he can get the rental details and all the "legal bullshit" sorted quickly. Bennett thanks him, they shake hands — and Brody's eyes close for a second, which absolutely freaks Bennett out.
"Are you trying to feel Jason Orson's essence?" Bennett asks, deadpan.
Brody looks guilty. "How long ago was it? Have you washed since then?"
"What the hell do you think?"
"I want to say no, but that's just a guess."
"Jesus." Bennett shakes his head and heads for the door. "You're lucky that I'm just desperate enough to put up with that shit, or else I'd be looking for another space."
"Glad you reek of desperation, then."
"I'm sure you are."
With a nod — and absolutely no second handshake — Bennett escapes to his car, buckles up, and immediately texts the pictures to Bower.
**Bennett:** *Hope this place works for you, because I confirmed with the guy that it would work for us.*
He flips through his emails, spots one from Gretchen asking about a space, and sends her the pictures too. He sort of wants to tell her off, but what's the point? She's unaffected by that kind of thing.
Then Bower texts back, and Bennett's heart warms:
**Bower:** *OH MY GOD! Bennett, are you serious right now? That's... that's perfect.*
Bennett smiles to himself, knowing how happy this makes her. He types back:
**Bennett:** *And the fireplace works too. We could really have a cozy gathering.*
He presses send just as Gabby's message pops up.
**Gabby:** *Ryland just surprised me with tickets to watch the wild card game! Ahhhh, I'm going to come see you play.*
Bennett's smiling, about to respond, when Bower's reply comes in. He reads the preview:
**Bower:** *Thank you for finding this place. It means so much to me.*
He hits reply and types:
**Bennett:** *I got you, beautiful. We're in this together.*
Once he presses send, he goes back to Gabby's message.
And then it hits him.
He didn't send that to Bower.
He sent it to *Gabby*.
The immediate need to throw up churns in the pit of his stomach. A clammy sweat breaks out over his entire body. *Shit. Shit. Shit.* What does he do? What the *fuck* does he do?
It doesn't matter, because his phone buzzes with a reply from Gabby:
**Gabby:** *Umm... excuse me? Who is beautiful? And you're in this together with who?*
FUCK.
Bennett doesn't know what to do. He can't tell her the truth. Bower would never forgive him — and from the conversation they just had, she's nowhere close to being ready to tell Gabby.
Then his phone vibrates again. Gabby is *calling*.
"Fuck," he mutters under his breath as he answers, closing his eyes, bracing for impact. "Hello?"
"Bennett Brinkman," she practically squeals into the phone. "Who was that text meant for? Because I know it wasn't meant for me."
He tries to play dumb, but there's no way she's buying it. She calls him out immediately: *"Do not mess around with me. You said 'I got you, beautiful. We're in this together.' So who is beautiful and why are you in whatever you're in together?"*
Bennett stumbles over his words. "Oh that, yeah, uh, that's awkward. That did go to the wrong person."
"Uh-huh. And who was it supposed to go to?"
"Great question, might be weird if I tell you, though, so—"
"Bennett, don't you dare. Who was it supposed to go to?"
And then a crazy idea hits him — because he really has no other way out of this. He goes with it.
"Yeah, that was actually meant for Nolan."
"Nolan?" The doubt is already thick in her voice. "You call Nolan *beautiful*?"
"Yup," he says, with all the certainty he can muster. "Started, uh, a few weeks ago and we just carry it through. You know how superstitious we can be, especially during playoffs. Can't change anything, so yeah, he's beautiful and we're, uh, we're in this together."
Silence. And honestly, Bennett thinks that's a surprisingly good explanation. Believable. Doesn't open it up to many questions. He thinks she's going to buy it.
"You're lying to me."
Or maybe not.
"And I don't know why you're lying to me, but there has to be a reason, because you would never lie to me. We established from the very beginning that we would always be truthful with each other because we're all each other have."
Christ. She's going to go there? Over a misplaced text? That almost seems... cruel.
And here's the thing — Bennett can't even say he's lying to her, because he can't muster it. So instead, he stays silent, hating that he can't tell her the truth. Because honestly, if this were any other woman in the world, he'd be gushing to Gabby right about now. He'd tell her how he's falling in love. How he knows he's found the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He'd even talk to her about proposals and all that bullshit he knows she'd be hyperfixated on.
But he can't do any of that. Because it's Bower. And Bower is Gabby's best friend.
"You know what? It's fine," Gabby says, her tone shifting. "You don't have to tell me. I get it. Maybe it's new and you're still feeling it out, but will you promise me something?"
Bennett hesitates, but he doesn't think he has much of an option. "Sure."
"Thank you. When you're ready, will you tell me all about her? Give me the scoop. Don't leave one droplet behind."
Hell...
"Promise me, Bennett. It's the least you can do for my little romantic heart."
"When did you develop a romantic heart?"
"Ever since I fell in love. I want everyone else to be in love, too, including you. Wait, oh my God, are you in love?"
*Yes.*
"Are you nervous you're going to jinx it, and that's why you haven't said anything to me?"
*No. I haven't said anything because it's your best friend.*
"Uh, Gabby, I'm pulling up to the stadium," Bennett says — a complete lie, which *fucking sucks*, but he can't handle the stress of this moment. "I have to go."
"Bennett, don't you dare hang up on me."
"I love you, sis," he says, guilt consuming him.
"Bennett Brinkman, at least tell me what her name starts with."
"Glad you got tickets. Text me the details. Love you," he says quickly, and then he hangs up.
He stares down at the screen, his heart racing a mile a minute while his skin prickles with fear.
What the fuck did he just do?
And how much is this going to hurt him?
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## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
Oh, this chapter was a *rollercoaster*! I laughed at Brody's absolutely unhinged obsession with Jason Orson — "have you washed since then?" is going to live in my head rent-free — and I melted at Bennett and Bower's sweet exchange about the event space. But that ending? My heart was in my throat. The sheer panic of sending that text to the wrong person is so painfully relatable, and watching Bennett dig himself deeper with that ridiculous Nolan lie was equal parts hilarious and agonizing. Gabby is sharp as a tack, and she knows him too well. The internal conflict — him wanting to gush about Bower but being completely unable to — is heartbreaking. This chapter perfectly balances humor, romance, and tension. The anxiety is building beautifully.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars
## Next Chapter Prediction
Gabby is not going to let this go. She's got tickets to the wild card game, which means she and Ryland will be in the crowd — and you just know she's going to be watching Bennett like a hawk, trying to figure out who this mystery woman is. If Bower shows any sign of affection toward Bennett in Gabby's presence, or if Bennett slips up again, the secret could explode at the worst possible moment. I predict a near-miss at the stadium, with Gabby getting dangerously close to the truth — and possibly catching Bennett and Bower in a moment they absolutely cannot explain away.
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