“What are you doing tomorrow night?” I ask Taylah over lunch.

“I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”

“The youth club where Hendrix works is hosting a charity league game, the kids versus the youth workers, and they asked Jagger to play.” Spending more time there, Jagger has been working with some of the tougher kids on a volunteer basis and enjoying it. He always comes back exhilarated. The possibility of his mistakes preventing somebody else’s gives him the biggest sense of achievement.

“Really? League?” She looks at me with such disgust. You would think I’d asked her if she wanted to be infected by the plague.

“Hendrix will probably take his top off at some point,” I say, going in for the kill.

“Well, that’s what you should’ve started the conversation with. I guess I can forget about my hate for the sport if it means I get to see sexy twin number two.”

“Atta girl. We’ll leave work early and drive there together?” There’s no point taking two cars. Everyone will want an early night with work on the next day.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Now that’s sorted, we have a bigger issue on hand.” I grab the pamphlet out of my bag and hand it to her. “The whole office is on rotation for this new legislation training, and Joe and I are up next week. Together. For Five. Whole. Days.

“Why are you fretting? Just get sex on legs to throw you over his shoulder in front of Joe.”

“That’s your great idea?”

“Yes.” She flicks the paper back at me, hitting me in my face. ”Joe is interested in you, he is also a fuckwit, and he needs to know you’re no longer on the market.”

“I don’t think Joe and Jagger breathing the same air is a good idea.”

“Well, in that case, get ready for next week.” She stands and hangs her bag off her shoulder.  “You could ask Human Resources to switch you with someone else.”

“Ha.” I clap excitedly. “You’re not just a pretty face. That’s a great idea.”

“They might not go for it, but it’s worth a try. But for now, I have to make my way to Family Court and deal with another petty divorce.”

“Ughh, I hate those. Any kids?” I query.

“No. Thank God.”

“Well, I wish you luck. I’m going to go upstairs to talk to HR.”

“I still say get Jagger to see him. It’s easier and much more effective.”

“I’m ignoring you now.” I walk backwards, hoping to end the conversation.

“Whatever. Hendrix better take his top off, or I’m taking mine off in protest.”

Rolling my eyes at her, I wave her off and turn in the opposite direction. God knows what the hell goes on in her head half the time.

* * *

Choosing to meet Jagger and Hendrix at the youth club, Taylah and I walk towards a crowd of people on a field who seem to fit the bill with their athletic apparel.

“I’m going to find a bathroom,” she announces. “I’ll be right back.”

Standing on the outskirts, I let my eyes roam the green expanse looking for a familiar face.

“Looking for someone?” The gravel in his voice has my body erupting in goosebumps. Spinning, I throw my arms around him, irrationally missing him more and more everyday. After an amazing weekend, I feel everything about us is deeper, more personal, and irrevocably sensual.

“Nope, I found him.” Giving him a quick peck on the lips, my excitement is put on the back burner when I see the woman from the restaurant walking with some of the young kids.

“What’s she doing here?”

“Who?”

“Your friend from the restaurant.” I watch the puzzle pieces fit together for him, understanding written all over his face.

“That’s Stacey.”

“You’re telling me, Stacey who you often mention after the days you volunteer here, is also the woman who was all over you that night?”

“I thought you knew that.”

“How would I know that?” Being in public, I try to keep my voice low and facial expressions to a minimum. “And what? you thought I’d be okay with you spending time with the woman who would’ve fucked you in broad daylight if she could.”

“So what’s this about, you don’t trust me?”

“I trust you just fine. It’s the reminder of how much she wanted you that I can’t seem to get past.”

“I don’t want her.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, holding back my reply. He might not want her now, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a brief moment where they weren’t intimate. “Does she throw herself at you here too?”

“No, we manage to stay out of each other’s way for most of the time.”

“Hey Jagger.” Taylah’s interruption saves the day.

“Hey Taylah, thanks for coming.”

“Someone die? What happened in the three minutes it takes someone to go to the bathroom?”

I look up at her and shake my head. If looks could kill, she’s the only person that would be dead right now.

“I’m going to meet the others. I’ll see you after the game.” He leans over to kiss my mouth, but I give him my cheek at the very last minute.

“I see how it is,” he says under his breath before walking away.

“What the fuck, Em?”

“Remember the girl at the restaurant that night we saw him?” I ask, jogging up her memory.

“Yes.”

“She has a name. It’s Stacey, and Stacey works here.” The sarcasm drips off my every word, the only way I can channel my anger without completely flying off the handle. “And Stacey is here right now.”

“And Stacey is here right now.” Taylah repeats in understanding. “Do you want to leave?”

“Yes. No,” I whine.

“Okay, which one is it?”

“I told Dakota I would be here. I can’t let her down.” I look across the field to find Jagger staring at me. “And I don’t know what good leaving will do, besides escalating it. I can still be mad and not act like a five year old.”

“And that’s why I’m single.”

I chuckle at her commentary, grateful she’s here to distract me. “I don’t even know which part I’m mad at--the fact that I know something happened or that he occasionally sees her.”

“So it’s not a trust issue?”

“No. I just can’t help but wonder if he should be whoring himself out. He’s missed out on a lot of women.”

“Aaannd we’re done. Where’s the sexy twin? That’s what I’m here for.”

“You mean the one with the black Under Armour singlet on and tattoo sleeve on his right arm?” Sasha chimes in, walking up behind us.

Fuckity Fuck, Sasha’s here.

“Yes, that’s the one,” Taylah answers, oblivious to the awkwardness.

“Sasha,” I say a little too cheerily. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Dakota insisted.”

“Umm Taylah this is Sasha, Dakota’s mum.”

“Hey, it’s nice to meet you. Your timing is perfect, Emerson was just telling me about how she thinks Jagger might be better off playing the field. Being single you know?”

“What?” she asks, scrunches her nose up at me.

“Where’s Dakota?” I enthusiastically scan the area, looking for her. Sasha shakes her head,  letting me know a subject change isn’t going to happen.

“Fine,” I huff. “Taylah, if you’re going to share my business at least say the whole damn story.”

“Of course, but I want to ask Sasha something first.” Taylah glares at me. It’s her courtroom stare, the one she uses before her next big move. I brace myself. “Sasha, have you seen how Jagger looks at Emerson.”

“Yes,” she answers, playing along. Didn’t she just dislike her five minutes ago?

“Can you please describe it?”

“Like she hung the moon.”

With her hands on her hips, she throws a smug smile my way. “I rest my case, bitch.”

“Fuck you.”

“Now, back to the hottie on the field.”

I cringe, but Sasha looks at me and shrugs. “At least she’s funny.”

* * *

The game finishes with Jagger’s team wiping the floor with the poor young boys. Watching him in his element, the way he’s respected and admired, has me proud and breaks my heart. I’m here acting petty about someone who has no impact on the way we love one another, when the bigger issue is how can I get him working with these kids all the time. I have no doubt Hendrix was inspired by real life events when he started on this career, but Jagger is a magnet for these kids--his personal experiences set him apart from anyone else. The young kids feel understood when Jagger listens.

He notices me watching him, and I take his eye contact as an invitation to approach him.

I need to apologise.

While I had a right to be angry, I didn’t need old insecurities about our timing and his priorities to make themselves comfortable in our relationship.

Striding towards him, I place my palms on his chest the second I reach him. Covering my hands, we both sigh in relief at the contact.

“I’m sorry.” The words spout out before Jagger has a chance at saying anything.

“You don’t need to apologise to me.” He skims my cheek with his fingertips, my head leaning into his touch. “We’re still learning.”

“I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat.”

“If it makes you feel any better, everyone here knows about you.”

“Even Stacey?” I joke.

“Especially Stacey.”

He kisses the tip of my nose. “Thanks for coming.”

“Always.”