Page 139 of Bitter When He Begs

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I mumble, slouching again.

“Anytime.” There’s a pause, softer now. “You… doing okay otherwise?”

I blink. “Yeah. Why?”

“Just checking in. You’ve been quiet lately. Not that I’m complaining. I know how crazy things get this time of year.”

I fiddle with the hem of my sleeve. “It’s been… a lot. Good, though. Just, you know, full-throttle.”

“Mmhmm.” Another beat of silence. “So, you got someone special in your life right now?”

The question hits me like a slap I didn’t see coming. “What?” I squeak.

“Don’t act surprised,” Dad says, totally unfazed. “You’ve always been a terrible liar, Sage. And I’m your father. It’s my job to ask.”

No, no, no, no. Aspen Blackwell does not justask.

“I—uh.” I splutter becausewhat the hell. “I mean… I don’t—not exactly—”

“You don’t have to hide it,” he says, his voice gentler now. “I’m glad you found someone who appreciates you. Who sees how brilliant and impossible you are and still wants to be around. That’s all a parent can ask for.”

“Wait, what do you mean?” I sit up straighter. “How do you know that?”

Dad laughs, but it makes me die a little inside. “Sage. You might be the only twenty-year-old left on Earth who doesn’t check Instagram more than once a week.”

I cringe. “Oh, no.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’d love to, but…” He trails off, clearly amused. “The photo’s really sweet, by the way. The caption hit me in the dad-feels. I’m so proud.”

I groan and sink back into the chair like the world is ending. “This is why I stay off social media. I swear to God, I’m gonna kill him.”

“Don’t kill him. Just send him a warning glare. You’re very good at those.”

“Dad.”

“I’m hanging up now,” he says with another chuckle. “You clearly have stalking to do. But seriously, I’m proud of you. And whoever Luca is, he makes you glow. That’s all I need to know.”

I didn’t expect this. The support, yes, but not the ease. Not the way it all makes sense when it’s said out loud.

“Love you, Sage.”

“Love you more,” I say, still dazed. “You coming to visit soon?”

“As soon as I can sneak away from set. I miss you, kid.”

“Miss you too, Dad,” I say while feeling a little choked up. Damn him.

We hang up after a few more easy jokes and a threat to send him a selfie just to prove I’m still sleeping and eating. I drop the phone on the table and groan again, face in my hands.

“Sage, you good?”

“I think my dad’s stalking my love life through Instagram.”

Nate snorts. “Please tell me you’re finally checking what that quarterback of yours posted.”

---