Page 98 of Cold Hard Truth

The blanket’s low on his waist, and he’s on his back with his tattooed body on display. He’s still asleep, and I take him in.

His arms were already covered in ink when we were younger, but his chest was still a work in progress. Now there’s not an inch of skin that doesn’t have something scribbled on it.

Sage’s tattoos are chaotic and colorful, and there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason for them. But somehow, they all manage to feel like him. Like pieces of his life he’s placed all over himself. Jokes or memories hecarries with him. I’d like to lie here and trace each one. Hear every story.

I’d like to break my heart a hundred times over all the things I’ve missed.

Down the hallway, I hear voices coming from the kitchen, so I quietly slip out of Sage’s bed and try not to wake him up. My jeans and shirt are dirty from him fucking me on the side of the road last night, so I grab one of his T-shirts and pull it over my head.

It covers me to the middle of my thighs as I tie my hair up in a bun.

Sneaking out of the room, I glance back at him a final time before closing the door.

He’s at peace when he sleeps, and I wonder if I ever wake him up from my restless kicking and nightmares.

Making my way down the hallway, I find Reed and Mason sitting on opposites sides of the kitchen island. Reed’s drinking coffee, and Mason’s eating a bowl of cereal. He’s shirtless, and when he turns to look at the clock on the microwave, I don’t miss Reed perusing his tattooed muscles.

She and Mason have spent her entire visit teasing each other and swearing they have nothing in common. But it’s clear there’s tension, and it pisses Sage off.

Like he’s one to talk with what we’ve been doing behind Kane’s back.

Besides, Reed has a boyfriend. She might appreciate Mason’s obvious godlike physique, but she’s loyal to the core.

“Good morning.” I step into the room and Reed quickly glances down at her coffee.

Her eyes dart from me to it, and I’m sure she’s wondering if I caught her staring at Mason, but I don’t call her out on it. Even if I do plan on asking her about it sometime when it’s just the two of us.

Mason glances back at Reed, and she tucks her brown hair behind her ear, pretending not to notice him watching her.

From what I’ve gathered of Mason, he’s definitely a fuckboy. He keeps himself entertained and has no shortage of female company. But he also has a sweet side that only comes out if you really get to know him. And the way he watches Reed is a lot more intently than when he’s checking out random women at the shop or club.

“Coffee?” Mason asks, lifting off the counter and grabbing my favorite mug.

It’s another thing I appreciate about him. He’s observant and is always doing little things to take care of those around him.

“Thanks.”

He hands me the purple mug with the third eye on it, and it’s steaming. I slide out a stool to join them at the counter. Mason glances from me to Reed and then grabs his cereal, walking over to the couch.

“Scared of a little girl talk, Mason?” I tease, glancing over at him turning on the television.

“Just being a gentleman.” He grins at us before dropping onto the couch.

Laughing, I turn back to Reed, who’s lost in thought as she stares down at her coffee.

“I can’t believe you’re already leaving. It feels like we haven’t had enough time to catch up.”

“I know.” She frowns, moving her stool closer so she’s sitting right next to me. “My boss needs me back a few days early.”

“And I’m sure your boyfriend misses you.” I nudge her arm.

She twirls a lock of brown hair around her finger. “I guess.”

“You two okay?”

“We’re fine.” She lets go of her hair, rolling her shoulders back. “He’s just stressed lately.”

Something about her answer feels off. Or maybe it’s her energy. I’ve been too preoccupied to notice, but there’s an imbalance I’m just now seeing clearly, and it’s only when Carter comes up.

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