Sweet Love

by Lolah Lace

  “I’m not trying to be an asshole but Jagger is fragile. I don’t want anyone coming into the circle and breaking his heart. He doesn’t deserve it. He’s already been through a lot. He’s really a nice guy. Sometimes to fucking nice and charitable.” He scrunched up his nose.

  “I agree Jagger is a nice guy.”

  “The bloke claims to love you.”

  I titled my head. “Well, I claim to love him too.”

  His brow furrowed. “You don’t look that old.”

  Jesus, Joseph, and Mary Tyler Moore. That song that goes, ‘you must don’t know bout me. You must don’t know bout me’, played in my mind.

  I was about to square off with this British brother. I know Brits can come across as rude but he must not know bout me. He must not know how old I am. I will punch his little ass in the face, take my belt off, put him over my knee and spank his rude ass with a wire hanger. Don’t do me, brother. I am not the one.

  I glared at him liked he reeked of hot garbage.

  “I guess I will just see him at dinner.” He trotted his obnoxious ass out the door. I slowly closed the door when I wanted to slam it. Father God, I cannot with Winston. Jesus take the wheel, the transmission, the spark plugs, the muffler, take the whole damn car Jesus. Here’s the title and registration.

  The audacity, the nerve, and unmitigated gall.

  Chapter 26

  KATRINA

  This is it. I was going to meet Jagger’s musical family. My guy was dressed in designer black jeans and a Baroque print silk sport shirt. He had a small gold cross around his neck, his tiny hoop earring and a single ring with black stones on his middle finger. My little red dress complimented his upscale dapper fit. We looked cute together. I couldn’t deny it. We looked so good Jagger took a million and one pictures of us together in the bathroom mirror. We were Jaggerina. He put our names together and came up with that, not me.

  In regards to Winston, I only told Jagger that he dropped by looking for him. I didn’t want to say more. I didn’t want to spoil the mood. This wasn’t the Family Feud but the survey said Winston didn’t like me.

  We were driven to a seafood restaurant called Providence in downtown L.A. and located on Melrose Avenue. We were escorted to a private room where the others were waiting for us. I could tell they hadn’t been there long. There were two chairs available at the table for us.

  I got a warm welcome from his manager Glynn. I was taken aback by his hug. He murmured in my ear. “I’m so glad you could make it. I believed you helped save our Jag.”

  I knew what he meant but I couldn’t take any credit for Jagger’s sobriety. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t know what to say. I smiled in place of words and took my seat, the chair Jagger pulled out for me. I was introduced to the rest of the band and the other guests. I made a mental note to especially remember the band’s names. There was Winston Kingsley, who acted anything but kingly. I labeled him the rude Black one. He wasn’t feeling me and the feeling was mutual. Colin Grant was the short one with the icy blonde hair. By short, I meant he was only about five-ten. Archie Buckingham was the one with the red hair and freckles. He resembled the professional boxer, Canelo Alvarez.

  These were young men and not normally the type to intimidate me. But I knew how much they meant to Jagger. These guys were his brothers. They were his family no matter how many times he claimed he was alone and didn’t have any family. Jagger looked out for them. He didn’t have to be in this band. He could have a successful solo career but he was holding on to them because they were his ride or die crew. He wanted to make sure they were good. This was some of what made me love him, his loyalty, his integrity and his fierce need to be a protector.

  I was having a fantastic night. It wasn’t awkward the way I thought it would be. Jagger was right again. I’d worried for no reason. I don’t think anyone knew I was as old as I am. Of course, Winston knew my age but none of it really mattered. These people were different. They weren’t judgmental and I found being around them stress-free and entertaining. Conversation flowed and even the heated topics were laughed off.

  The ride back to the hotel was only about fifteen minutes. We rode back with Winston, Archie, Erma the wardrobe stylist, Tazz the head choreographer and Big Charlie the bodyguard. Erma was an older White lady over fifty with a gorgeous purple and gray Mohawk. Tazz was an androgynous gay man that looked like a supermodel. Big Charlie was a Black bulky man with a reddish skin tone. He didn’t talk much but he carried a gun under his jacket. He made me feel safe. The stories Jagger shared with me about the fans scared the shit out of me.

  Since we stayed out late Jagger decided to let me sleep without the intrusion of his giant penis. He woke me sometime in the middle of the night for sex. At least I got a couple of hours of sleep before I felt him poking and probing deep inside me.

  We both slept in late. The band didn’t have any television interviews or radio shows they had to attend. The day was free and clear for us to be together. I was happy we had time alone. We had a late breakfast that was prepared by someone unknown. I didn’t ask many questions about this house or the staff. I just wanted to go with the flow. Jagger’s actual birthday was tomorrow. But it looked like we all would be celebrating it tonight at the release party.

  The weather was in the low seventies so we had brunch on the terrace. We had a lot of fruit and the basic staples for a hearty breakfast and lunch. So basically we were having brunch.

  “So about tonight.” He said with chunk of orange in his mouth.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m required to stay and mingle. I’m supposed to appear surprised when a huge birthday cake with sparklers is wheeled out in the center of the room. It’s all a big show but there will be a lot of people there. I want to give you the heads up. You don’t have to worry about a dress. My assistant picked up about twelve options. You can pick from them. I think he has a handle on your style. He’s not an actual stylist but he’s good with clothes. He’s going to drop the dresses off a little later with shoes then he’s off for the night. You will probably see him with his boyfriend at the release party. He has an invite with a plus one. Also, the paparazzi got a few shots of you leaving Providence last night, nothing to be concerned with. We all left in a group. Your face isn’t showing much in any of the photos. Nothing to really be concerned about but I wanted you to know. Here in Cali, the paps are every fucking where. Literally, it’s rather bloody invasive. Am I alarming you?”

  His smile disarmed me. He had a real knack for delivering bad news with an upbeat flair.

  “I’m not alarmed.”

  “Good, love. You shouldn’t be. I’m there with you always.”

  Now it was time for me to shoot my shot. “Do we have time to get out the house for a while today, before the release party?”

  “Yea, where do you want to go?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “What kind of surprise?”

  “A surprise, surprise. I’m not supposed to tell you.”

  “Rubbish, you must tell me everything. I want to know. I have to tell the driver a destination. Security has to know something.”

  “It’s not far. It’s right here in Beverly Hills.”

  Jagger leaned back in his chair. “In Beverly Hills? Is this a surprise for my birthday?”

  “Sort of.”

  “From you?”

  I shrugged.

  “I specifically told Matt to tell you not to buy anything for me. You flying down here a few days before Thanksgiving, that’s my birthday gift. You’re my bloody present. I don’t want or need anything else.”

  “Don’t be weird. It’s not anything grand. I just want to take you somewhere.”

  He was quiet as he peered into my eyes. “If I refuse.”

  “Stop being stubborn. You’re not going to refuse. Tomorrow is your actual birthday and I promise I have no surprises for you tomorrow.”

  “Fine. I will agree to this, whatever it is.”

  �
��Thank you.”

  Jagger made a call and he secured a driver for us. We showered and dressed in jeans and t-shirts. We both wore baseball caps. Jagger was in disguise. I was just copying his I’m a regular person attire. A black Range Rover with the darkest tinted windows was sitting outside. The Rover was toward the back of the mansion and parked a few feet by a side door. We got in the back seats and buckled up. The driver was a bodyguard and the man that sat next to him was security too. I felt safe with both of these men. They had the height, weight, muscle and stoic mugs to scare a ghost.

  I gave the driver the top-secret address. I was sure Jagger wouldn’t recognize it. He didn’t live here. After only a few minutes we arrived at the rear of a new tattoo shop called Enigma. The shop was the first Black female tattoo shop in Beverly Hills. It was owned and operated by Katrina Jackson the beautiful young tattoo artist from the reality TV show Black Ink Crew Chicago. Jagger and I watched a few episodes of that show together.

  Katrina and I shared a first name but she went by Kat Tat. Back in Chicago, Kat on more than one occasion had given my daughter a tattoo. This was before Kat moved to L.A. I was able to set it up for a private tattoo from a reality TV celebrity. Hopefully, Jagger would like my wild birthday gift. I wanted to do something special for him.

  The owner led us inside. Kat Tat was very generous and gracious. She was even more beautiful in person. She hugged me and she shook Jagger’s hand. She gave us a tour of her workplace. I was impressed. I’d met Kat when I took Kennedy to get one of her first tattoos. She was going to get one regardless. I talked her into letting me go. I needed to see the place and I needed to make sure I asked the artist a thousand questions before she put a needle with ink in it on my firstborn child. Kat Tat actually remembered meeting me.

  After the tour of Enigma, Kat Tat led us into a colorful tattoo booth that was more like a posh office. The space was clean and sterile. Her instruments looked shiny and new. I didn’t know much about tattoos but I heard getting them was addictive. Jagger had that huge cobra, the heart tattoo, and a few others that were usually covered by his clothing.

  “So did you figure out your gift?”

  He poked his lips out. “I think so.” His eyebrows raised.

  “I’m going to pay for you to get a tattoo from Kat Tat. Whatever you want.”

  “Huh, I love it. No one has ever given me a tattoo for my birthday or any other occasion.”

  “I wanted to give you something unusual for a gift.”

  “Well it’s bloody incredible. It’s very thoughtful.” Jagger reached out and pulled me into a hug. He kissed me on my lips. He let me go but held my hand. I thought we weren’t doing public displays of affection.

  Kat Tat stood idle and watched us. “So, Jagger do you have anything in mind?”

  “I do.” His eyes left her to look over at me. “It’s my birthday, correct?”

  “Yes.” I answered the obvious.

  “It’s my birthday, and for my birthday, I want you to get one too.”

  “Get one what?” My voice went into high pitch.

  “I think we should get matching ink.”

  “I’m getting you a tattoo to commemorate you turning twenty-one. This has nothing to do with me.”

  “You don’t have any tattoos.”

  “I know and I want to keep it that way.” I couldn’t hold back my agitation.

  “Do me this huge favor and get a tat? Get a small one.”

  “Jagger twenty-one is a big deal. I don’t have any reason to get one or do I have any design in mind.”

  “I’m sure we can come up with something. It’s my day. Do this for me.”

  “Really?”

  “Pretty please.”

  “Jagger.”

  “Katrina.” One of his eyebrows took a hike up closer to his hairline. “I small one. You can do a itty-bitty one right?” He asked Kat Tat.

  “I can do any size. Whatever you guys want.”

  It seemed like two against one even through Kat Tat wasn’t pressuring me either way.

  “Sweet, love, please.” He put his hands together like he was praying. “I’m begging you.”

  “Okay, but it has to be small. Like you said itty-bitty.”

  Jagger pulled me into his side. “This is a bloody good birthday gift.”

  I really did want him to have a good birthday. I had no idea that would mean I had to mark my body up. Why was I doing things to please this man? I knew why. I was crazy in love.

  It was painful getting a tattoo and totally against my character. Childbirth still held the number one spot on the physical pain meter of my life. I couldn’t believe Jagger talked me into getting permanently inked. I went forty-five years without one and now I had one underneath my right arm on my torso. It was concealed a few inches below my armpit. I would have to be nude and I would have to lift my arm for someone to see it. I picked something simple and meaningful. I let Kat Tat ink a quarter-sized candy heart with the letters XOXO inside it.

  Jagger got a much bigger tattoo. He requested a bike with candy hearts for the tires. The front heart-shaped tire said SWEET and the back tire said KISSES. He came up with that design and Kat Tat was able to just draw it in a few minutes then ink it creatively into his pale skin.

  I was shocked that he did it. He tattooed my last name on his chest. It was right there every single time he was shirtless which was quite often. There was this permanent colorful image of the bike he used to ride to Sweet Treats to see me. It was displayed prominently on his chest. That deadly snake tattoo took up space on the other side.

  We both left Enigma with new tattoos. My tiny candy heart matched his large candy heart tires. I had to admit getting tats together was romantic. Jagger’s carefree spirit was rubbing off on me and I was here for it. I loved the feeling of being spontaneous. When I was with him I felt safe and secure. He gave me a break from adulting. He was the star but somehow he always seemed to find a way to let me shine. That was one of the many things I loved about him. I could be me and that feeling was priceless.

  Kat and Jagger left me in the office while they had a private conversation. He ushered her out. I could see them through the opened door so I wasn’t worried. I couldn’t hear them but they were just talking. Kat walked a few feet away and came back with a professional camera. Jagger removed his shirt and she started taking pictures of the tattoo she inked on his chest.

  Kat walked over and showed Jagger the digital pics she’d taken. He shook his head. Kat Tat walked off and she went out of my sight. Jagger pulled his t-shirt over his head and walked back into the office.

  “Hey, you ready to go?” He asked.

  “Yeah, I stood. I’m ready.”

  “I’m going to sign a release so she can post the pictures on her IG account.”

  “Oh, you wanted to do that?” I was sort of surprised he wanted to publicize his new tattoo.

  “I didn’t think of it. She did. It’s free advertisement for her tattoo shop. She had to ask. It was a good business move for her.”

  “But did you want to do it?”

  “Babe, my picture gets taken all the time. She’s new on the West Coast. She was smart enough to ask. She didn’t just take them and post them without my permission. People out here will do that fucked up shit. She had the nerve to ask and that’s the only way to roll. She insists on giving you the cost back.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “I love you so much.” He chuckled. “You really don’t have a clue about this celebrity life. We had a negotiation, a verbal agreement really.”

  “About what?”

  “When the social media world knows that she tatted me it will drum up a lot of business for her shop. She’ll post the pics. Bragging right that she gave Jagger Bowie a tattoo on his birthday. She’ll tag me and then I will post it on my IG. She’ll be booked up for at least six months maybe more. She offered to give the money back for the post and tag. I told her yes only if she deletes CCTV footage of you and m
e inside and outside her tattoo shop. She agreed.”

  “Oh, all of that happened in those few minutes?”

  “Sometimes I think you forget that I’m bloody famous.”

  Shit, he was right. Sometimes I did forget he was a celebrity. When we were alone or when we were around regular people, all the other stuff melted away. He was just mine, my man.

  We were able to get in and out of Enigma without being photographed. I appreciated that Kat Tat closed her shop down for a few hours just for us. What was weird was that we both got free tattoos for basically nothing but a shout out from Jagger. He had a lot of influence out here. I’m glad I didn’t know his identity when we met. I might’ve been scared off. Jagger’s world was no Kiddie Kingdom. It was a strange place.

  Chapter 27

  KATRINA

  I couldn’t believe it. I was inked. I wasn’t going to tell my son. I didn’t want him to get any bright ideas. Jagger and I had a few hours before the release party. There was a team of people that got us ready. Erma the stylist was there with multiple options for Jagger. She also had a lot of choices for me. Jagger’s assistant picked them but Erma was going to help get me into an outfit. I could look at the dresses and see they all cost a fortune. I let Jagger pick the dress. He picked a Zuhair Murad cotton candy pink couture dress from the spring line. The dress was lacy and frilly. Basically nothing I would’ve ever picked but it looked really good against my skin. It was also comfortable for a fitted dress that was just too short for someone my age. The pink Louboutins truly got my outfit together.

  Jagger wore a Tom Ford tonal-print satin dinner jacket with black slacks. He didn’t wear a tie. I’d never seen him in one. He looked sharp as a tack, and GQ sexy. He wanted a repeat of last night so he took pictures of us, and of me.

  Rude Winston and goofy Glynn rode in the truck with security and us. I needed to stop making up names for Jagger’s key people. Archie and Colin were in the truck in front of us.