Panties are crucial.”
“Well, okay, then.” I want to add,
if you say so,
but I don’t. What she says makes sense, even if it sounds crazy. I’m beginning to understand that is simply Olivia Caldwell. I have never cared about clothes before or my undergarments as long as they were clean. Really, it’s not like anyone was going to see me.
After going over them, she helps me pick out my outfit for my birthday and tells me Jagger will be here to celebrate with me. Apparently someone close to him passed away, so he can’t come see me any sooner.
My chest literally aches for him. I want to be there to comfort him. I want to know who he lost. I want to know everything and anything about the man who has given me so much.
Olivia stays for dinner and dessert, during which she opens up and tells me about some of her own secrets. It has been nice not to spend my entire day alone.
One more night, and then it’s my birthday. My birthday, on which I will finally see Jagger again.
I settle into bed after soaking in a bath. The silk material of my new nightgown feels like heaven as I wiggle my toes in my slippers. I don’t have to hide them anymore, and I don’t have to sleep in them, but somehow I do at the same time. They have been my piece of Jagger with me every night for all these months. If he can’t be here, then these are the next best thing.
When the champion song echoes from the nightstand, I pick up the phone and smile on seeing
Champion
flashing on the screen with a picture of Jagger.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Totty,” he greets. “How was your day?”
“Interesting. I’m sorry for your loss,” I begin and Jagger stops me.
“Don’t wanna talk about that tonight, little one. Did you have fun with Livi?”
I want him to feel like he can talk to me. I don’t want to push and I don’t want to make him sad. For now, I will give him the distraction he seems to be seeking. “She’s crazy!” I laugh. “But in a good way,” I start to explain.
“Trust me, I know. She’s the best, isn’t she?” His admiration is evident in his tone.
“
You’re
the best, Jagger Caldwell.”
“I’m just a guy who had a momma teach him right, Totty.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“For what?”
“Everything.”
“Thank Momma Caldwell. I’m her legacy.”
His tattoo immediately dances in my mind. “You’re something else, Jagger.”
“Family is everything, Totty. It ain’t about blood. It’s about love and standing together on that.”
“Livi needs panties for that.” I laugh, and he gasps.
“What? I don’t know that I want to hear about my sister-in-law’s panties.”
“Consent is”—I pause, my accent suddenly heavy—“fuckin’ required.”
“What, little one?”
“Livi gave me panties that say ‘Consent Is Fuckin’ Required.’ I think they are my new favorites.”
“What do you know about consent and fucking?”
“I know about good touch and bad touch. I know Livi hasn’t had it easy, and consent wasn’t always given.”
“Oh, hell, you two definitely had a good day together. I don’t know about this conversation, little one.”
“Well, I know that tomorrow is my birthday, and I want you to know…” I pause, not sure if I can say the words. “Consent is fucking given.”
Chapter 15
Jagger
It’s a damn good thing,
I think to myself as I lie back on the couch in the apartment above the gym. It’s a really damn good thing consent was fucking given because I can’t even hear her voice without nearly busting out of my jeans.
Regardless, I’m not going to go balls deep, not at first, anyway. She is too damn eager, and that scares the shit out of me. Being raised like I was proved to be hell, but I had Momma, and I had my brothers. She didn’t have shit except an abusive fuck who beat on her. I need her strong—first for her and then for me.
Some men need to break a woman to build them up the way they want them. I watched my old man break my mom down over
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