Page 66 of Please Remember

He pulls a piece of paper out of his jacket. "We'll leave, but we have a warrant for your laptop and any other electronic devices."

"Electronic devices? What does that entail?"

"Any other computers you have as well as your cell phone," Shields says.

"You're taking my phone?" I shout. "Do you not realize that my generationliveson their phones? It's my only line of communication, especially if you’re taking my laptop, too. What if there's a fire? How do I call the fire department?"

Shrugging, Parsons says, "Use the landline."

"Landline?" I ask as they bag up my laptop and phone before letting a couple of tech guys in to unhook my desktop computer. "I don't have a landline because it's not 1999."

"We'll try and get it back to you as quickly as we can," Shields assures.

"Why the hell do you need my stuff? What grounds do you have for a warrant?" I ask.

She smiles. "Have a good day, Ms. Dawson."

Son of a bitch.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Allie

Jax and I had a good conversation the night we talked after I confronted him with everything Laura said. Something still doesn't sit right with me when it comes to her. I know it was her who put the camera in Jax's bedroom. Was she doing this just to watch us to see if we were having sex? Or was it to get information? Both?

"Are you okay?" Jax asks, his hand in mine as we pull up outside of the bar.

We talked about having a get together in a public place with everyone I used to know to reintroduce me to them. All the people who were important to me, and as anxious as I am, it feels like something a new couple would do. Introduce each other to our friends.

"You promise they don't hate me?" I ask.

"Why would they hate you? They love you," he says with a small chuckle. "We all love you, Allie."

Sighing, I look at our hands. "I ruined your relationship with Laura. I kind of turned everything on its head."

"No one wanted me to marry Laura.Ididn't want me to marry Laura. It was just... It was a really weird time," he says and runs his thumb over my knuckles. "No one's mad. Everyone's been anxiously waiting to see you again. I was being selfish and monopolizing your time."

Nodding, I climb out of the truck and find his hand again as we walk into the bar where I recognize the faces I saw at the cookout days ago. I smile, but I hide slightly behind Jax as we approach the crowd.

"Allie, these are my parents, Lynn and Harry," he says.

"Hi, Allie," Lynn says and hugs me tightly. "We're so happy to have you back, and that you're okay. You've always been like a daughter to me."

Harry smiles at me and gently pats my cheek with his large hand. It oddly comforts me and feels very familiar. "We know you don't know who we are, but we remember you. And we love you, Allie. Anything you need, please, don't hesitate to ask."

I smile and nod, and someone who looks a lot like Jax steps forward. Jax punches his arm. "And this is my little brother, Seth."

"This is probably way inappropriate, but that's just kind of my way," Seth says with a cheeky smile, "but I had the biggest crush on you growing up."

"You did?" I ask and laugh.

Nodding, his eyes widen. "Oh, yeah. Totally. If Jax and I fought, which was pretty much always, you would take my side no matter what. Even if I was wrong. You were my redheaded angel."

The story warms my heart, and I accept a hug from him. Something else that feels like I've done it a million times before. The fear of his family being upset about my return disappears. They all seem genuinely happy to see me.

"And this conceited man is Benji," Jax says about a tall man with jet black hair and deep brown eyes. As I look around, I realize I’m by far the shortest of everyone around me by at least three inches. "And the crazy guy next to him is Drew."

I study the men. Drew has curly hair, green eyes, and darker skin while Benji looks to be of Asian descent. They're both extremely attractive, and I'm amused as they stare at me with what I assume to be mock speculation.

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