Page 74 of Rectify

“She’s not a thing, Jay. It’s not an option.”

“Okay fine.” I placate him, because it’s a waste of words to explain something to someone who doesn't get it. “When she’s finally mine, I want you to remember this conversation, okay?”

“She’s never going to be yours.”

I flick my cigarette at him. “Are you listening fuckwit, or what?”

“Okay, so when she’s yours you want me to remember this conversation.”

“I want you to remember two things. First thing.” I put one finger up in his face. “I’m only vouching for you, becauseshedeserves the best life. Regardless of her circumstances. Second thing, don’t fucking test me. I had her first. I’m gonna have her last.”

* * *

A knock at my door interrupts me stacking boxes and getting ready for the move. I have no idea how I’m leaving with more things than I came with, but I’m trying to condense all the same.

Opening up, I’m surprised to see Hendrix Michaels on the other side.

“What are you doing here?”

“Are you alone?” he asks.

“Yeah.” The fighter in me, has my senses on high alert; expecting the worst.

A loud unexpected crack to my cheek proves I was right, but still a little slow.

I massage my jaw, and try to right my focus. “Do I even want to know what that was for?”

“That’s for taking her virginity,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to punch you in the face for that.”

“Anything else I can help you with?” I offer sarcastically.

“Nah, I’m good. I just wanted to get that off my chest before we started seeing each other at family gatherings and what not.”

I narrow my brows at him. “What the fuck are you talking about?

“You and Sasha.”

It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen her, and neither of us has reached out. I can’t risk being lured in, just to be spat out. Max has been taking Lily to school, while I finalise everything here so we can leave. The house is up for sale, and after a lot of deliberation, Max is coming to Melbourne.

She’s become our family, and the last tie to Leroy. I don’t want to lose that.

I look over at Hendrix, standing in my house with the strangest amount of comfort. “I hate to break it to you, but that’s over, man.”

“That’s what they all say. Next minute you bump into each other again and the cycle starts.”

“While you’re a lot nicer than your brother, apart from the punch in the face, what are you really doing here?”

“I came to give you my blessing. Not that you need it, because I don’t believe in that shit, but Sasha does. I’m really happy for you guys.”

“What part of we’re not together do you not understand?”

“Not right now, but you will be.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Obviously by the way you look at her. It’s easy to spot any man in love. But the real tipping point was the way she looked at you. I’ve seen her in love. I’ve even heard her say the words, but she never looked at me the way she looks at you.”

I want to beat at my chest like the neanderthal that I am, but the victory is empty. She’s not here, and she’s not mine.

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