Page 63 of Revive

His lack of concern, and my unsure heart has me biting back. “How do I know you don’t want me there to shove it in her face?”

Closing the distance between us, he comes around from the desk, kneeling in between my legs.

His voice cracks. “Where is this coming from?”

Lowering my head, I let my hair hide my face. “You’ve loved her forever, Drix. I know those words haven’t come out of your mouth, but I know,” I insist. “And I can’t compete with that. Not now, not when we’re still so new.”

He doesn’t run to my defence and tell me he isn’t in love with her anymore or tell me there’s no competition between us. It leaves a little scratch on my heart as I feel like our whole relationship just stepped back in time.

“I told you once and I’ll say it again.” My voice is low and steady, the anger brewing within me. “I will not be your practice girlfriend.”

“Crazy,” he shakes his head. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

“Do I? Because you haven’t said anything to make me think otherwise.”

He splays his hands on either side of my face, bringing me so close to his face, our noses are touching. “I asked you because I want you to come, because I want you there. To be part of the things and people that are important to me. I didn’t ask you so you can question everything between us.”

Grabbing his wrists, I pull his hands down, off my face. I put my heart on a plate and hand it to him. “I'm falling in love with you, Drix. Please don't make me regret coming to this party.”

His mouth opens, but a different voice makes itself known throughout the reason. “Ah, shit, sorry Drix, I can come back later.”

“No. No. It’s okay.” Holding on the arms of the chair, he gets up off his knees. “Come in and have a seat.”

His client walks in with his head down, embarrassed and uncomfortable. Standing up I right my clothes, and throw my bag over my shoulder.

“Can we talk more about it later?” Drix asks me quietly.

“No. It’s fine.” I squeeze his shoulder, “I said I would come. So I will.”

“I’ll see you tonight?” he asks, and for the first time in a long time my answer changes.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

He glances between me and the kid, knowing very well this isn’t the time or the place to argue. Knowing I backed him into a corner I leave the room well aware he can’t come after me.

As I’m just about to exit the room, I hear the young boy say, “You fucked up, Drix.”

I still in the doorway, wondering if he’ll respond.

“I know, man. I know”

19

Hendrix

Idrop on to Jagger’s couch, a little worse for wear after setting up a marquee in the afternoon heat for Dakota’s birthday. He hands me a cold beer, before taking a seat on the opposite recliner.

“Those kids better stay under the marquee the whole time,” Jagger jokes. “It’s only fair after how hard it was to put that fucker up.”

“It’s not their fault they didn’t teach you how to use basic tools in prison.”

“Shut the fuck up,” he scoffs, while throwing the beer bottle cap directly at my head. “There was nothing basic about that thing.”

“It’s fine, I get it, we can’t be good at everything,” I tease. “Next time just bloody well pay for someone.”

“I just wanted to do something for her, myself, you know?” His tone steers the conversation back to all the ways he thinks he falls short.

“Yeah, bro, of course, I was just kidding.”

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