Page 32 of Cold Hard Truth

And I’d know. I’ve listened for one because I’m pathetic.

He probably moved on the second I cut things off, realizing how difficult I was.

“If you want to feel better, take another sip of your drink.” Ellie glances at the glass in my hand. “I’m here to knock some sense into you. Becausehe asked about you, Lyla. The guy who doesn’t open up to anyone—including his sister—asked how you’re doing.”

“Kane probably made him check in.”

“Dad knows how you’re doing; I already told him.”

My eyebrows pinch. “You’re talking to Dad again?”

“Yes and no.” She shrugs. “He called to see what we’re up to.”

“How fatherly of him.”

“Right?” Ellie chuckles.

“What do you think he’s worried about?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “He’s the president of a motorcycle club. Being paranoid is part of his job title. I didn’t ask what’s crawled up his ass and bothered him this week. So stop trying to change the subject. This is about you and Sage.”

“There is no me and Sage.”

Those words sting. They must be made of metal because they cut me on the way out. A path of wounds where I keep throwing salt, and I’m not sure how to heal when the only person who makes it better isn’t around.

“What happened between you two?” Ellie asks, reaching forward and resting her hand on my leg. “You still haven’t talked about it.”

I down another gulp and set my drink on the table, spinning my silver pinkie ring around my finger. “Remember when we made that pact that we’d never be like Mom?”

“Yeah.”

“I broke it.”

“You aren’t Mom, Lyla.” Ellie squeezes my hand. “And Sage isn’t Dad.”

“Not right now he isn’t. But you know what the club does to those guys.”

Ellie scoots closer to me on the couch. “Since when did you let your fear get the better of you?”

Since Sage Jackson grabbed me and rattled me around.

“I’m not scared.”

“Aren’t you?” Her eyebrows pinch. “Sage has only had eyes for you for as long as I can remember. He cares about you—and not the same way he cares about me. You’re something to him Lyla. You can’t just throw that away because you’re worried he’ll turn into Dad.”

I tip my head back and rake my fingers through my hair, groaning. “I hate that he makes me question myself.”

“I know.”

“Let’s say you’re right.” I look back at my sister. “Let’s say Sage is different. Does it even matter? I don’t want that world. I don’t want that life.”

“What? Being some guy’s old lady?”

My face sours. “I hate that term.”

Ellie leans in closer. “I think you hate it because you know that’s what you were always going to be. Since the second you met Sage Jackson.”

“I hate you.” I shove her arm.

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