Page 31 of Reclaim

We spend the rest of the evening setting up my phone, and Dakota shows me all the different types of photos I can take and what filters I should apply. While I probably won’t use any of it, I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything. She instructs me on how to add names and numbers to my phone, and I don’t have the heart to tell her not to worry, I’ll get the hang of it eventually.

By eight-thirty, Drix drives her home, leaving me alone. I pull up Sasha’s number that Dakota insisted on programming for emergencies and press the call button.

“Hello, Sasha speaking.”

“Hey, it’s Jagger.”

“What’s wrong? Is Dakota okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine.” Her borderline hysteria has me wondering if we’ll ever be able to move forward. “I’m calling to let you know this is my phone number now, and you can call me if you need to.”

“Oh, okay.”

“I also wanted to tell you Dakota mentioned some kids giving her a hard time about me being in jail.”

“What? I didn’t know about that,” she says defensively.

“I wasn’t accusing you of anything,” I clarify. “She seems okay, but it’s time, Sasha. I want to tell you everything you never let me explain before I got locked up. And I want Dakota to hear it too.”

Silence.

“Sasha.”

“Fine,” she huffs.

“Really?’

“I’m only doing it for her, Jagger.”

“That’s enough for me.”

* * *

“You really thinkit’s okay for me to come to this thing tonight?” Hendrix and I are driving to Stacey’s birthday dinner in the city, and my stomach is nauseous at the thought of being surrounded by people I don’t know.

“She invited you, remember?”

“That was before what happened.”

“I don’t think it would’ve made a difference. You might even get a repeat tonight.”

I don’t bother arguing with him or trying to explain the reasons why I would rather keep to myself than have a repeat with Stacey. After our encounter the other day, I could barely string two sentences together, let alone all the potential scenarios that could follow. I’ve played the dickhead when it comes to sex, it’s not a role I want to repeat. She and anybody else deserves more than that.

Walking into the restaurant, it’s obvious to see where Stacey and her guests are gathered. Standing around the long, wooden table, she greets each person as they arrive, and I’m thankful that my eyes notice the seats on either ends of the table to be free. We meet the birthday girl halfway, and she looks genuinely excited to see us.

“Well if it isn’t the sexiest twins in the southern hemisphere.” She leans in for a one handed hug that lasts a second too long. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Thanks for the invite.” We take our seats, and restaurant staff begin laying down an assortment of entrees across the length of a table. The smell of fried food permeates the air, and my mouth waters at the thought of devouring it. When it comes to eating, anything but jail food is a heavenly experience.

“Would anyone like something to drink?” A waiter appears at the end of our table, and all eyes are trained on him as each person rattles off their order. “And you, sir?”

“I’ll just have a Pure Blonde thanks.”

“Watching your weight?” Hendrix jokes.

“Seriously,” I give my arm a small flex. “I’ve worked hard at this figure.”

A hand wraps itself around my bicep and both Drix and I look behind us to see a slightly intoxicated Stacey crouching down.

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