Page 123 of The Bluffing Game

“I’m not talking about Dalton.”

“I know you might not want to, but he’s not a bad guy. He’s not a bad boss. And I know he cares about you.”

“I know he cares about me, but that’s not the point, Brett. The point is that I needed more from him. I wanted more from him. He should have been honest with me. He should …” I pause. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t even want to talk about it right now. I want to go to the police station and figure out what we can do to get Parker locked up for life because he is a psychopath and I don’t want him threatening anyone else.”

“Let’s do it,” he says. “I got your back. And, Sage, can I say one thing?”

“I don’t really care what you have to say, Brett. I don’t forgive you, and I don’t like you. You can say what you want about Dalton and make up whatever excuses you want, but I don’t care. The only reason I’m going with you is to get Parker. He’s not a safe person. And I want to ensure he goes down.”

“Noted.” He nods. “I admire you, Sage. You stick up for what you want, and you back yourself, and those are qualities I can get behind. Not that you obviously need me to get behind them, but you and I were built from the same cloth.” He nods at me with a look of respect. “You’ll get through this no matter what, and we’ll take Parker down. You have my word.”

“Thank you, Brett. I really appreciate your help with Parker. But just know, with regard to everything else, you’re dead to me. And Dalton can rot in hell for all I care.” I know that I’m being harsh to him, maybe even too mean, but I can’t seem to let go of any of the lies.

As we walk to his car, I realize that even though I’m getting what I want, I’m still achieving this goal with someone else. And that’s when I realize that in life, no man is an island. You can’t do anything and everything alone.

We get into the car, and Brett drives me to the police station. I think about Parker and about how scared I’ve been. I think about what I would’ve done if I’d been by myself, and I truly don’t know. And then I think about Toby, and I think about Toby’s mom and rehab, and I want to ask Brett how she’s doing and if there’s anything I can do to help, but I don’t. Because at that moment, I understand that I’m doing exactly what everyone else did with me. I am stepping in. And if I try to step in, I am assuming a role I don’t have. I am starting to realize you can love and respect someone, want the best for them, and still encroach where you shouldn’t.

I think about Jimmy the Fish, and I think about where he came from, and I know I’m going to forgive him eventually. I know I want a relationship with him. I want to know my dad.

And then I think about Dalton, and I think about everything he’s done and all the ways he made me laugh and groan and the ways he touched me and teased me and tormented me. And I don’t know where we stand. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive him. I don’t know if he’s the man I want. I do know I no longer care about having a billionaire. I know that’s not the answer to anything, but I need a man who’s going to be my ride or die and back me and be honest with me, no matter what. And even though Dalton and I have something, I don’t know if it is enough to last forever.

“Can you believe they all lied to me?” I slam my fists into my pillow as Rosie sits on the edge of the bed, listening to me cry and complain. “Jimmy the fucking Fish is my dad, and they all knew. Dalton, Jimmy, Brett, I hate them all.”

“I understand it’s a lot to take in.” Rosie taps her fingers against her thighs. “But they’re all human, Sage.”

“They are all liars.”

“They lied for a reason.”

“Why are you sticking up for them?” I shout, annoyed at the way she’s making it seem like it’s not as bad as it is. “They suck. I never want to see any of them again. They hurt me.” I gasp as I think of all the lies and betrayal. Tears fill my eyes. “My heart feels like it’s breaking.”

I start sobbing, and Rosie rubs my shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay, Sage. I promise it will be.” She kisses the side of my face. “I don’t want you to hate me as well, but I have something to say.” Her voice sounds nervous.

I lean back, rub my eyes, and stare at her. “What is it?”

“You kinda did the same thing to me, Sage. You never told me that we didn’t have the same dad; you never told me we came here ’cause you were looking for your dad; you never …” She swallows hard, and I can see that she’s also tearful. “I am your sister. I’ve been your sister forever, and I’ve always loved you. It’s always been you and me, and you didn’t even trust me enough to tell me.”

“It’s not that I didn’t trust you, Rosie. Not at all.” My heart sinks as I survey the pain in her eyes. “Oh, Rosie, it has nothing to do with how much I love you or trust you.”

“You told Dalton,” she whispers. “You didn’t even know him. And me? You kept me in the dark.” She rubs her eyes. “I’m hurt, Sage. Really, really hurt.” She sniffs. “You make me wonder if I haven’t been a good enough⁠—”

“Stop. Oh, Rosie, please believe me; you are the best sister I could have ever asked for. I am so sorry that you were hurt. I never intended to make you feel like I didn’t trust you.” I grab her hands. “Please forgive me. I didn’t even realize that you were so upset.”

“You didn’t mean to hurt me, right? Even though you lied.”

“Never. I would never hurt you on purpose. I love you. More than anything. You’re my best friend. The only person I would die for—you know that, right?”

“I do.” She clasps my hand. “I know you love me because I love you, too, but I just want you to see that you’re not so far from Dalton, Jimmy, and Brett. They lied to you, yes, but they had their reasons. Sometimes, people think they’re doing the best in the situation. Yes, they lied, but you lied too. Maybe they’re not so bad, Sage.” She gives me a big hug. “You deserve to feel hurt, but don’t give up on them just yet. Maybe they’re not so different from you.”

I take in my wiser younger sister’s words. She’s right, of course. It doesn’t make me feel better, but she’s right.

Maybe I am being a hypocrite. Maybe, eventually, I will have to think everything through again. Maybe there is a path forward somehow. Maybe, one day, my heart will heal.

Chapter 34

DALTON