I smile as she leans over to turn off the lamp on her bedside table before getting comfortable. “No worries, T. Neither of your brothers will ever know. I don’t think they would believe me anyways. Reed would consider it another one of my wicked games I supposedly play.”
She giggles. “He’s an idiot. If Reed, Sterling, and Finley even took five minutes to get to know you, they would see what I see. You’re a great friend and an even better person. You didn’t have to do all this for me today, but you did. You didn’t get anything out of it. That’s what makes you better than everyone else in this place. You don’t have an agenda.”
“Everyone has an agenda. Even me. It just so happens that mine doesn’t involve anyone here.”
“What is it, then?”
“To survive until I turn eighteen, then leave. I won’t have the state telling me what I have to do or where I have to live at that point. I can truly be free.”
“Free sounds nice, but it also sounds lonely. When do you turn eighteen?”
“About six months from now.”
“Will you keep in touch with me when you leave?” Her voice sounds so small.
“I will.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” And I know this is a promise I’ll keep. Too many people have abandoned her. I can’t do that too.
After a few minutes of silence, she speaks again. “Hey, Sage?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I ask you something, but it stays between us?”
“Of course.”
“What’s sex like?”
Her question catches me off guard, and I hesitate for a moment.
“Sex? Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m still a virgin,” I admit softly.
“Really?” I expect her voice to hold some kind of surprise in it, but what I hear is relief.
“Really.”
“Why?” She reminds me of a curious child the way her questions pop out without thought.
“My mom taught me that sex is a big deal. You have to completely trust the person you’re going to do it with. She always said it was up to me when and if it happened, and that if a guy couldn’t understand that, then he wasn’t the right guy for me.”
“So, you haven’t met him yet, then?”
“Nope. Probably won’t anytime soon with the assholes in our school. They all already think I’ve slept with half the lacrosse team. Truth is, I know I’m worth waiting for. I don’t want to give it up to some high school boy who won’t remember my name in five years. I want it to be special. As should you. Don’t settle, T. Make sure he gives you the world before you give him yours.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Don’t promise me. Make that promise to yourself. That you’ll always know your worth.”
“I promise myself, then. Thanks, Sage. It’s nice knowing I’m not the only one.”
I smile. “Anytime. Now go to sleep. It’s late.”
“Good night, Sage. I love you.”
“Love you too, Tinsley. Sweet dreams.”
I lie in bed thinking about her words. It hurts my heart that she felt alone or left out because she hasn’t had sex. It’s a terrible feeling to have. And all because her brothers won’t talk to her about it?
The more I think about it, the angrier I become. If they want to take on the parent role, then they need to talk to her about this no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
The pain in my fists flares up before I realize I’ve clenched them. I listen for a moment to Tinsley’s even breaths before climbing out of bed quietly and moving to the door, looking back to be sure she’s still sleeping before slipping out her door. I turn around and almost scream as a hand covers my mouth. I start to struggle, but Reed’s voice stops me.
“It’s me. Calm down.”
I take a couple deep breaths before biting his hand.
“Ow. Fuck! Why did you do that?”
“Because you scared the fuck out of me. How long have you been lurking out here?”
“Long enough. I want this Asher kid’s last name. You stay here with Tins while Keaton and I go take care of business.”
I roll my eyes as I walk past him and make my way toward the kitchen. Once there, I open the freezer and find a bag of frozen corn to place over my knuckles, holding it on my left hand first.
“You didn’t answer my question.” I look up to find him in the archway. He stares down and frowns at my hands. “What happened?” He makes his way towards me and gently takes the bag off to inspect the red marks on each of my hands.
“Dear old Asher had a conversation with my fists. Let’s just say they won.”
He places the corn back on my left hand before going to freezer and grabbing another bag, putting it on my right hand. He pulls a stool over for me to sit before sitting beside me to hold my hand while moving the bags around with the other.
“What did he do to deserve this?” He doesn’t look at me, just moves to my next hand.
Each brush of his hand against mine is gentle and sends sparks through my body. I get chills as he pulls one hand up closer to his face to study it more, causing his breath to blow across my skin.
“He thought he could tell me what to do. I don’t follow direction well.” My cheeks turn red as I realize how breathless I sound.
He chuckles as he finally looks up at me, now holding each of my hands in his. “Poor kid didn’t know what he got himself into, huh? If your hands are this damaged, I can imagine what you did to his face.”
“Don’t forget his balls. They became acquainted with my knee.”
He winces before pulling my hands up to his mouth. I freeze as he slowly caresses each of my knuckles with a brief kiss.
“Thank you, Sage. I know I said it earlier, but thank you. You defended my sister, and that means everything to me.”
I swallow hard, not knowing what to say. He continues to hold my hands as he raises his eyes to meet mine.
“I’m so sorry. All those things we said about you? None of them are even close to the truth, are they? You’re really a virgin?”
I roughly pull my hands from his. I don’t need or want the pity on his face.
“Don’t, Reed. Don’t act like if you had known it would have changed anything. The only reason you feel guilty right now is because of Tinsley. Keep your regret and apologies. I don’t want them.”
I stand and start to leave when I hear him get up. I swing around and point at him. “Don’t you dare follow me. I’m going to go back up and sleep for a couple of hours, and then I’ll leave. Then you can forget you were eavesdropping on our conversation and everything can go back to normal.”
Without waiting for his response, I walk briskly back to Tinsley’s room and lock myself inside.
As I crawl back into bed with her, I try to stop the tears falling down my face.
Chapter Twelve
I didn’t run into any of the Yates siblings when I snuck out this morning.
While I like to think I’m tough, I was a little shaken after the confrontation with Reed last night. I tried to back out of tonight, but Victoria wouldn’t let me.
That’s how I ended up standing here, outside the Yates mansion, nervous as all hell in my burnt orange dress.