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SAGE
Itensed when an arm went around me until I remembered whose bed I was in. His lips grazed my neck as his scent surrounded me. Turning around, I hungrily kissed him on the lips, convinced I could never tire of his taste.
He pulled away and grinned. “Mornin’, sunshine.”
“I thought you called me that to get under my skin.” Giggling, I pushed him away when he came closer for another kiss.
“I told you, Sage. You burn bright. I knew that even when you first got here.”
He groaned when his phone rang, bringing me back to reality. Last night had been amazing. But life wasn’t that easy.
“Hi, Dad,” he answered, clearing his throat to get rid of the sleep in his voice.
He went rigid, his stare going toward the door. Before I moved a muscle, he climbed over and nearly fell out of the bed. With the phone to his ear, he slid jeans on. A pit formed in my stomach, but I still didn’t leave the bed.
“Yeah, Dad. I got it.” He hung up and glanced at me before digging through the dresser for a shirt.
“Someone’s coming over?” I asked, sounding calmer than I felt.
“Alex will be here any second,” he muttered. “My dad and his friend are on their way too.”
“What aren’t you saying?” I asked, noticing his hesitation.
“He told me to pack a bag.”
“You’re leaving?” I finally stood up.
“I have no idea. He didn’t elaborate.”
“I can’t do this anymore.” I crossed my arms. “Being near Alex all the time is driving me insane. I’m going to snap.”
“Sage.” His tone was sharp. “You want to have a chance to carry out whatever you’re planning? Because if Alex walks in and sees you naked in my room, you won’t have a chance to do anything. I’ll be gone. You’ll be gone. That will be it.”
He was right. And I knew it. But I was so tired. Worrying every time I opened my mouth that I was going to say a truth instead of a lie. It was exhausting.
“If I could, I’d walk straight out that door with you and never look back.” He glanced down the hall where he could see the front window. “But that would get you killed. We have to play this smart.”
“I know,” I muttered, pushing past him to go to my room. “I’m just sick of it all.”
He grabbed my arm. “If I find out I won’t be coming back for a while, I’ll tell you. Then I want you to do it, Sage. Leave and start whatever you’ve been planning. Call me when you need my help.”
I opened my mouth but didn’t have a chance to answer when Niko pulled me into the hall and pushed me into my room right as the screen door creaked open. Silently shutting my door, I leaned against it, listening to their conversation.
“What happened to the weekend with Dad?” Niko asked.
“Something came up,” Alex answered, sounding stressed. “But he’s leaving and wants you to go.”
“Why?”
“Because with Geo gone, you’re his oldest son. Get used to it, Niko. He’s going to fully expect you to pull your weight for the group.”
“I have been,” Niko snapped. “I’ve been helping you, like they’ve asked—”
“And I appreciate it. But that’s done. I’ll be staying with Sage. And you’re going to go stay with Mom and Dad for now. If I need to go somewhere, then she can come to the house and spend time with Mom.”
My heart stopped as Niko started arguing. I slid down to the floor and hugged my knees. There was no way in hell I was staying here with Alex for who knew how long. I had everything I needed to leave. I could have it ready by tomorrow.
Tonight was the last night I was spending in this house.
* * *
It had been a long day of pretending. I’d caught a bit of doubt on Alex’s face more than once since this morning. Last night while he slept, I’d finished everything I needed to so I could make this happen.
I sat down on the couch next to Alex, plastering on a huge smile. He smiled back, even though confusion flashed through his eyes.
“Alex, it’s been a year since everything happened,” I said softly, grabbing his hand. “I know this has been hard on both of us. Trying to find a new normal. I’d been keeping myself closed off. But I’m tired of it. I want to move on. I want us to be happy again.”
His gaze lost the uncertainty. “That’s all I’ve been wanting, baby.”
“I think we should get married.” I had practiced saying that over and over, making sure I could do it with the right emotion. “I’m ready, Alex.”
His eyes bulged in disbelief as I kept the smile on my face.
“You want to get married?” he asked, astonishment smothering his voice.
“Yes. I want you to know that I’m here to stay. And I love you.” I swallowed the vile taste in my mouth. I could do this. Only a little longer.
I relaxed when he beamed. He jumped up, pulling me into his arms.
“It will be amazing, baby. We’ll forget about this whole year and start new. It’s going to be great.”
“It will. And I was hoping you’d say yes, so I got something to celebrate.”
Pulling out of his grip, I went to the kitchen and pulled out the whiskey I had bought. Last night, I’d crushed sleeping pills and mixed them in. It was enough to drop a damn elephant. I raised the bottle, showing it to him, and he laughed.
“Kind of early to drink. It’s what, one in the afternoon?”
“Come on, Alex. You’re not going in to work today, right? Let’s enjoy the day and then maybe later…we can spend some time alone.” I shot him a flirty grin and fought the nausea trying to overtake me.
His eyes couldn’t get any bigger. “All right. Let’s have some drinks.”
“Let me grab the tequila. You know whiskey and I don’t mix.” Going back to the kitchen, I grabbed the empty bottle I had told Niko to save weeks ago. It had been sitting in the cabinet, filled with water. I poured myself a shot and then grabbed an extra glass for Alex.
“It’s going to be great, Sage,” Alex told me as I poured his drink to the brim. “My family will be happy to hear the news. And it’ll be so much easier to combine everything once we’re married.”
A chill tore through me as I glanced at him curiously while he downed his shot. “Combine things?”
“Yeah.” He poured himself another drink. “Having separate bank accounts doesn’t make sense when we’re married. I’ll add you to mine so our money is in one place.”
It took everything to keep my emotions off my face. I wondered how long he’d been wanting to say that. It was the society who wanted to make sure I couldn’t leave. Without access to my money, I wouldn’t have a chance to go anywhere. Good thing I wouldn’t have to worry about that after today.
