Page 60 of Reclaim

“You’re really ending this?”

“You’re so bright and beautiful, Em. Your heart is so big, and I have never ever felt as full and happy as I have with you in my life. But I have to give that up. I will give up a life of happiness if it means you’re safe, and happy, and not settling for second best.”

Her hands circle my wrists. “I won’t be happy without you. How can you not see that? These last few months are the happiest I’ve ever been. So, I hope you know that the happiness you’re so eager to give up, you’re giving it up in vain.”

“Maybe, but I’m responsible for my own actions. You can’t just swoop in and try to save me.”

“You think I’m trying to save you?” She shakes her head. “You’ve got it all wrong. I’ve been trying to set you free.”

* * *

The drive home is quiet.I called Hendrix to pick us up as soon as Emerson’s tears became uncontrollable. I couldn’t watch her bleed out, knowing I was the one who cut her open.

Dakota hasn’t looked me in the eye since we left, and I know an important conversation with her needs to come next.

Turning down the radio, Eminem’s voice drowns out, and I ask my brother his opinion.

“Drix?”

“Yeah, bro?”

“Do you think I made a mistake?”

He exhales loudly. “I think you did what you think is the right.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Checking out his surroundings, he changes lanes and jumps onto the m5 Motorway. “Let me ask you something. Isn’t it weird that the right thing for you always feels wrong?”

“I’ve never thought of it like that.”

“You don’t get extra points in the game of life for living in misery so everyone else can be happy. There’s enough pieces of the pie for all of us. Even you, Jagger.”

“That’s a really complex way to say I fucked up.”

“Well, I’m glad you got it. But in case you didn’t and you need me to be less complex.” He glances at me. “You fucked up.”

21

Emerson

“Can you believe we’ll finally be free of this fuckstick?” Taylah says while we both watch Joe pack up his desk. “And we owe it all to you.” She points at me and dances, singing the theme song fromDirty Dancing, gesturing to me every time she sings the particular line.

“Patrick Swayze night tonight?”

“Sorry, it’s John Travolta for me.”

“We’ll flip for it. See you at my place after work.”

“See you.”

Joe glares at us both and we both return a smile. Intent on being an intimidating prick, he was in for the shock of his life when we sat down and spoke after the incident with Jagger.

“What’sa guy gotta do to get an apology around here? Or maybe I should as for a blow job instead to help make up my mind.” He waves his hands up and down like he’s figuratively weighing up his options. “Blow Job from the sweet naive Emerson or dob in her piece of shit boyfriend.”

My skin crawls at how twisted and seedy he sounds.

I take a deep breath through my nose and exhale loudly whilegiving myself the pep talk I need to tolerate this dickhead for long enough to talk to him.

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