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“What’s his problem?” I asked as he sat at the kitchen table. The shower turned on, and I sat down across from Geo, leaning back in the chair.
“Dad still isn’t happy about Sage being here.” He kept his voice quiet, glancing at the hall. “He thinks she’s too big a liability.”
“She’s done everything we’ve told her.” I shut my mouth when Geo raised his eyebrow.
“I thought your babysitting job was a burden?”
“I’ve learned to coexist,” I snapped, feeling my usual defenses pop back into place. “For my sanity.”
“Alex says she wants nothing to do with him.”
“She spends every night with him.”
He scoffed. “You know what I mean.”
Letting my face stay neutral, I kept the surprise to myself. Alex and Geo had gotten closer this last year. If I was being honest, it had been like that for the last couple of years. Even before all this happened. Geo and I used to be connected at the hip. That slowly changed once we graduated from high school. Alex and Geo went headfirst into anything that dealt with the group. I did what was asked of me but didn’t do it in my spare time like they did.
Alex wanted to please our father. The best way he knew to do that was through the group. It worked. He and our dad had the best relationship, and now Alex was close to the elders. Geo seemed to enjoy all the worst parts of the group. The kidnappings. Keeping the women in the house. The sacrifices.
The women were supposed to be respected. They were the reason for our entire belief. But Geo felt they were beneath him. That they were there for the sole purpose of dying for the group. He didn’t care how they were treated, as long as the ceremony got done. A few years ago, when he told me his thoughts and found out I didn’t agree, he began distancing himself. We were still close, but there was a ripple that never left.
He pulled out his phone. “I’m going out on a date tonight. And she has a hot best friend who wants to meet you. We’re meeting them at six for dinner.”
“And if I already had plans?” I had no desire to go out. There was only one girl I wanted to spend time with.
Geo scowled, glancing up from his phone. “What fucking plans? You’ve barely left this house in months. Even when Alex is here, you don’t want to go anywhere. Don’t you miss how it was?”
No, I didn’t, but I wouldn’t admit that to him. Our days had consisted of working, while we spent the nights out partying. Drinking, girls, and hangovers that lasted the entire next day. It wasn’t like I didn’t enjoy it. We always had fun. But I did it because after doing everything for the group, it felt like all the partying was a slice of normalcy. When I went out, I was like every other person in their twenties, having fun.
“Is it because of Sage?” he questioned, staring at me. “Is she giving you what she refuses to give to Alex?”
I rolled my eyes as my heart rate increased. “No. You really think she would want anything to do with me after the part I played in her sister’s death?”
Geo didn’t answer as he studied my face. He could usually pick up on my lies better than anyone. But not this time. This was one secret I’d take to my grave. After a few moments, he shook his head and laughed.
“Come on, let’s get some drinks before we meet the girls for dinner.” He stood up and gave me a pointed look as he waited for me to follow him. I glanced down the hall before getting up and grabbing my keys. I didn’t have one logical reason to not go. Maybe it would ease his suspicion. I wasn’t going home with whoever he was trying to set me up with. I’d go to dinner and act like Geo wanted me to, and then I’d come home.
I hated leaving Sage alone with Alex. I wondered if she’d actually listen to me about not drinking. I guess I’d find out.
