Page 108 of All Your Firsts

I could have been in bed right now, cuddling in his safe, warm arms. My curiosity got the better of me, and I got burned, just like I thought I would.

Gage closes his door, bringing me out of my thoughts. As we make our way down the road, I catch movement in my peripheral,and my head turns automatically. The moment I think I see something or someone, it’s gone, and so are we.

“We have much to discuss, little sister.”

“Later.”

“Of course,” he says, dropping the subject and leaving me to my thoughts.

I close my eyes and will myself to wake up from this horrible dream.

We get to Gage’s townhouse, which is on the outskirts of Chicago. He’s living right under everyone’s noses. Alexa would freak if she knew how close he lived to her.

Gage has been living lavishly. His home has black-and-white accents, glass walls, marble floors, and light sconces that turn on as you walk by. I don’t blame him after where he’s been in the past years.

I make my way up the staircase made of cable ties and stone that seem to float mid-air. I pick the first open room on the right and settle in. Jumping on the bed face-first, I think about how much more messed up my life is. I’m not entirely sure how long I’ll stay, considering Gage planned to get me from Vic soon, anyway.

Gage comes in later with Thai takeout for dinner. We sit on the bed as he hands me a white container and a pair of chopsticks. I open it and smile, seeing as he ordered my favorite, chicken pad Thai. I can’t believe he remembered. The delicious aroma hits my nose, and my mouth instantly salivates. As I take a bite, a comforting warmth spreads through my body, making me feel a bit better. Comfort food always hits the spot.

“Thank you for this,” I say, holding up my food.

“That’s what brothers are for,” Gage says while grubbing down on his own food container. “Let’s talk about today.”

“I’d rather not, and I’m sure he told you, anyway.”

“He did, but I want to hear it from you.”

“He lied,” I say with a nonchalant shrug, but inside, my heart feels like it’s crumbling.

“About what?”

“Everything.” I inhale deeply as if I’m trying to catch my breath. Tears sting the backs of my eyes, and I will them to retreat.

Gage stops at the threshold, looking at the wall. “Do you love him?”

“I don’t think it matters anymore.”

With tears welling in my eyes, I position the lighter beneath the paper, feeling a mix of sorrow and determination.

What was once a treasure now feels like a list of lies.

Deep down, I held onto a delusional hope that Vic would reach out to me. Write me a letter. Show me he cared by doing something thoughtful. He hasn’t. It’s been a week. He just gave Jess my stuff to give to Gage.

“What’s that?” Gage asks from behind me.

“Nothing,” I say as I put the lighter down.

He leans against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest, with a concerned look.

“Tomorrow’s Halloween. I was thinking maybe you’d want to get out and join the living, or the dead, I guess you could say, at my club.”

“Thought I wasn’t allowed there.”

“You can as long as you stay in the front bar area. I think it would be good for you to get out, Ro. You haven’t been out all week, and I know you’ve been sad.”

Compassion drips from his voice. After spending almost a week here, I notice bits of Gage’s old self resurfacing. It’s reassuring to know he hasn’t lost himself completely to the ruthless and materialistic nature of our world.

“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”

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