Page 15 of Revive

“Overthinking, yes. Rejecting you, no. And that’s all on me.” I lower my head and watch my fingertips trace patterns on the length of her thighs, goosebumps following my slow and deliberate movements. “But so you know, if we were anywhere else right now, I would’ve pushed you, me, and your barely covered ass back in that room.”

“I guess knowing that will have to do then.” Her forefinger and thumb take hold of my chin, as she tips my head up, our eyes now locked with nowhere else to go. She leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Night Drix.”

I watch her walk away, and into the room, my body missing her immediately. “Night Taylah.”

* * *

Clumsyand deliberate noises come from the kitchen, stirring me in my sleep. A slow and steady hissing noise joins in, and the loud whistle of the kettle ensures there’s no chance of me sleeping any longer. With each waking moment, I try to stretch the stiffness out of my body. Even though I’m grateful for my brother’s hospitality, there’s no way my body can do this again. Reaching over, I grab my phone to check the time.Nine am. Planning out the rest of my day in my head; a long, hot shower and a midday nap in my own comfortable bed are definitely on the cards.

“Drix, you want breakfast?” Jagger’s voice travels, revealing he’s the one causing a ruckus in the kitchen.

“Good morning to you too. How did you know I was awake?”

“I didn’t. I just didn’t care if you were asleep.” He comes into view, skillet in hand, plating the scrambled eggs he’s just cooked. “Are you having breakfast here?”

“I can’t work out if you’re kicking me out or asking me to stay?”

“Both. Dakota is getting dropped off here in two minutes to spend the day. Decide what you want to do.” Ever since Jagger and Emerson explained one of the main reasons they moved out of my place, he and I have been in a better place. Our relationship is no longer muddied by the history Sasha and I share, honesty working better, the easy navigation allowing us to put our own personal needs first.

“I think I’ll leave, I need to get home anyway, and Dakota and I have plans to meet this week after school anyway.”

“You think she’ll like the set up here?” he asks, insecurity and worry lining his voice. “I really want her to be as comfortable here as she was at your place.”

Getting up, I grab my jeans from the chair and slide in one leg at a time. I put my phone, wallet, and gum back in my pockets. While buckling up the belt, I walk up to the kitchen bench, close enough to see Jagger perfect Dakota’s breakfast surprise. “Come on man, we both know Dakota is going to love coming here. She loves anywhere you are, you know that.” I swipe off a piece of bacon off the plate.

“Fuck off, I already offered you some.” He moves the food out of my reach and heads to the oven. He fiddles with the temperature and puts the foil tray in, keeping the already cooked portion of breakfast warm.

“Seriously bro, that room, and letting her create her own space here…I’ll be surprised if you can wipe the smile off her face.”

He hands me a glass of orange juice. “Drink this and get the hell out of my house.”

“With pleasure.” I throw the cool liquid down and hand him back the empty glass. “Let me know how today goes, I’ll talk to you sometime during the week, yeah?”

“I’ll be down at your office on Wednesday, I’m popping in to see some of the boys.”

“Sounds like a plan.” As I head to the front door, Taylah steps out of Dakota’s room, fully dressed. Her bag hangs across her body, the strap falling deliciously between her tits, while her arms are held above her head, as she attempts to tame her wild hair into something more manageable. I dip my head in her direction. “Morning.”

“Morning,” she mutters.

“You’re awfully cheery this morning,” I joke.

“I need at least two cups of coffee running in my veins before I’m ready for human interaction.”

“Well, I’m heading home now, and with how much Jagger loves to talk, I think you’re safe.”

A gust of wind flies through the house as the front door opens suddenly, Dakota and Sasha bickering in the doorway.

“Dakota, I don’t care whose house it is, you knock on the door.” All eyes are on them, as they continue to argue, unaware they have an audience.

“I don’t have to knock at home,” Dakota argues.

“Because there’s no chance you’re going to walk in on me with somebody else at home.”

“She’s right you know, nobody wants to be subjected to what I heard last night.” Taylah’s interruption has Jagger holding back a smile, and Sasha scrunching her head in feigned disgust at Taylah standing before her. “Taylah. Hi. I didn’t know you would be here.” Her eyes flick between us, and she serves me a forced smile. “Hendrix.”

“Sasha,” I respond politely. Unknowingly we’ve all stepped back into the house, easing Sasha and Dakota away from the doorway and into the living room.

“Hey, T,” Dakota calls out. Like old friends her and Taylah give one another a high five, reminding me that this isn’t the first time everyone has met. “Where’s Emerson?” She continues to walk farther in, stopping and rising on her toes to kiss me on the cheek.

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