Page 88 of Courtside

Sage gave her friend a grateful smile. “Thanks for having me.”

The apartment was cozy and reflected a level of interior design that Sage could only dream of possessing. Between the colorful rugs, bright paintings, silver-framed mirrors and at least seven different-colored orchids all in full bloom, it was easy to ignore the out-of-date appliances and the cracked formica floors.

“I love your place,” Sage said.

Maggie, who was dressed down in cotton shorts and a white men’s undershirt, shrugged, adjusting the ponytail on the top of her head that looked like a fountain. “It’s not much, but it’s mine and the rent’s good.” She pointed to the long futon couch, covered in a floral patterned blanket. “Go. Sit. I’ll get snacks.”

Any doubt that Sage had felt about calling on her relatively new friend evaporated at the mention of snacks.

Minutes later, they were both bent over a plate of carrots, bell peppers, and potato chips, along with a tub of some sort of creamy dip that Maggie had made.

Sage swallowed a bite, licking a drop of stray dip from the corner of her mouth. “How’ve you been?”

Maggie’s face softened. “Good. Really good.” She stretched out one of her legs, wiggling her painted toes. “Work at the bar is good, school is good —”

“School?” Sage looked at Maggie, incredulous. “You’re in school?”

“Beauty school,” Maggie said, obviously trying to downplay it.

Sage threw a pepper at the other woman, who shrieked when it fell down the front of her shirt.

“Beauty school is badass, Maggie. How long have you been going?”

“About six months now.”

Sage shook her head. “Seriously, that’s so cool. I’m unfortunately underskilled in the beauty department.”

“Shut up.” Maggie rolled her eyes. “You’re a natural blonde and you’re hot. Now tell me what’s goin’ on with you?”

Sage’s smile faded. “My mom said some things that got under my skin and now I’m ignoring David.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

Maggie hummed. “Want to watchGrey’s Anatomyand forget about the world?”

A relieved laugh burst from Sage’s chest. “Fuck yes.”

CHAPTER24

I THOUGHT WE DID

DAVID

“The mailbox is full and cannot accept any new messages at this time. Goodbye.”

“Goddamnit,” David muttered, staring down at his phone.

He pulled up his messages, frowning at the twelve unanswered texts he’d sent in the three and a half hours since they’d gotten home from their conference loss.

David turned back to his living room, barely registering the takeout containers from their Italian place that were laid out on his coffee table or the flickering candles he’d bought months ago with this exact moment in mind. He tapped his phone against his leg, trying to calm his breathing. It grew more and more shallow with every passing second that his phone didn’t ring.Just fucking ring,he silently implored, willing the device to do something. Anything.

Anything to know that Sage was safe.

He tried her number again. “Come on, Lefty,” he pleaded, his hand trembling from gripping the phone so tightly.

Nothing.

---