Page 30 of Reclaimed Roots

Awkward as fuck. Thanks a lot.

CHASE

Anytime. Goin to bed. Night.

I reminded myself that I loved my brother and murder was wrong. Then I got up and showered away the evidence of jerking off to my ex-girlfriend.

Wasn't the first time. Wouldn't be the last.

I was fairlycertain everyone in Sable Point between the ages of twenty-two and thirty was in Andy and Sarah Clark's backyard.

They had eight three-foot card tables spread out across the yard, each with four chairs tucked underneath. On the back deck, there was a big ass dry erase board with the tournament bracket perfectly drawn in colorful marker.

Perks of marrying a kindergarten teacher, I guess.

Andy and Sarah had a similar story to Natalie and me, except Sarah hadn't left and broken Andy's heart. Instead, they had graduated high school the same year as Elliot andChase, moved in together, got engaged, got married, bought a house, had a baby, and lived happily ever after.

Some days, I couldn't stand them. They were so fucking happy.

But today was not one of those days. Today was Andy's thirtieth birthday, so I could choke down my envy and be happy for my friend.

"Thanks for coming, man," Andy said, pulling me into a big bro hug.

"Wouldn't miss it."

"Beer's in the cooler. Tournament starts in about twenty."

He immediately saw someone over my shoulder and took off to greet them. I made a beeline for the coolers along the side of the garage. I spotted Chase near the makeshift bar on the deck, doing a shot with a couple other guys from his graduating class.

I was hanging on the outskirts of the party, taking in the scene when a pair of slender hands snaked around my waist from behind. My mind immediately jumped to Natalie, but my heart dropped when a familiar, syrupy voice floated to my ears.

"Hey, baby," Sammy drawled.

I gripped her wrist and gently pried her hands off me. Failing to take the hint, she simply came around to my front and wrapped her arms around me again.

I fucking hated it.

"What are you doing?"

"I miss you, Jas. Thought maybe we could spend the night together."

"Not interested."

"That's not what you said a few weeks ago."

"We're not together, Sammy. We've never been together. It was one drunken night that shouldn't have happened."

Her smile faltered, hurt flashed over her face, quickly replaced by a harder edge. "Come on, Jasper. We both know there's always been something between us. Why fight it?"

I breathed in slowly and mentally counted to ten.How do I make her understand without completely losing it?"Sammy, listen to me carefully. There is nothing between us. There never has been, and there never will be. What happened that night was a mistake, and I'm sorry if I ever gave you the impression it was anything more."

Sammy's eyes narrowed and two spots of color rose on her cheeks. "You don't mean that. You're just confused becauseNatalie'sback in town." Her voice dripped with derision. "Once she leaves again, you'll see?—"

"No." I cut her off, my voice firm. "I won't 'see' anything. Natalie being here has nothing to do with this. You and I are not happening, Sammy."

Speaking of Natalie...It was at that moment that she walked into the backyard.

Fuck.I didn't expect her to be here. Honestly, I didn't expect her to stay in town as long as she had.

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