Page 72 of Word to the Wise

“She’s stronger than you give her credit for.”

“Are you saying I don’t know my sister?”

“No.” I shake my head. “But I’m saying she’s been working through it. She’s not the girl she was when she showed back up here.”

“And I’m guessing you’re helping her with that?”

“It’s not like that, Sage.”

He’s pissed because he’s protective, but I’m not backing down.

“Then tell me how it is.”

I cross my arms over my chest, shaking my head. “You know how I am with chicks.”

“Unfortunately.” He glares.

“And it’s the same way you were when I first moved here. Before you got back with your girl.”

“We aren’t talking about me without Lyla.”

“All I’m saying is… you know better than anyone that I was trying to drown the demons any way I could. And like you, a pretty girl was just another fucking way to do it. But it’s not like that with Reed.”

“Then what is she to you?”

“Everything.” I don’t even pause.

I don’t try to temper the truth. I say the only word that makes sense when I think of her. She’s the girl who brings air to my lungs and blood to my heart.

“Fuck.” Sage drops his chin and shakes his head. “I should have known the second I agreed to let her crash with you.”

“It didn’t start like that.”

He looks up at me, hitching an eyebrow.

“I swear, man. We were just friends then.”

“And now?” He doesn’t miss the past tense.

“Now…”

What are we now?

I know what I’m ready for. But I don’t think she can handle that admission, especially after seeing Carter today.

“Only she can answer that.”

It sounds like a cop-out, but Sage nods, and I think he believes me. Because he's right, he does know his sister. He understands the walls that she's built around her heart after what she's been through. And even if he doesn't like it, I honestly think he trusts that I have her best interest at heart.

“We good?” I ask.

“We're good so long as you don’t hurt her.” Sage lifts off the wall.

“Never will.”

He nods. “Good. So how do you wanna handle this Carter shit?”

“I'm going to Vegas. My dad and I haven't spoken in a while, but as long as it interests him, he'll talk to me.”