Page 25 of Undeniably

I let out a humorless laugh. “You don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“Then enlighten me.”

Feeling like a bottle about to burst open, I finally tell someone about that day.

“She left me, Sage. We were best friends. I spoke with her every single day. She was the sixth member of our group. She was more than a friend. She was family. Freshman year of high school, she was socially awkward, but in a cute, quirky way, and I was the outgoing one. I still spent all my time with her and stuck up for her whenever anyone would comment on her weird quirks. I loved her unconditionally, just as I do Reed or Tinsley. Then, one day, she just disappeared, left for some dance academy and never looked back. She never even told me goodbye. Now she shows back up here like she belongs, like she has a right to be in my world after disappearing three years ago without a trace.” I jump up and pace. “Well, not without a trace. I went looking for her once. When I found her, I was working up the courage to approach her when two girls joined her. They started laughing and talking, and that’s when I realized she didn’t need me anymore. She abandoned me and moved on.” I rub my hands over my face.

Sage’s tone softens. “That’s when you decided to put on the facade. Easygoing, fun Keaton was born. That’s why you don’t let anyone in. She abandoned you like your parents did.”

I shoot a glare her way, but she holds up her hands in defense.

After a moment of silence, she speaks up. “What made you trust me? Let me in?”

I shrug and sit back down before answering. “You’re different. I won’t lie. At first, I only talked to you because you’re hot. Then I saw the way Reed reacted to you, so I took a second look. I saw what he saw. You were dangerous, but not for the reasons he thought. You were dangerous because you had nothing to lose. You needed us just as much as we needed you. Plus, you were going to be banging Reed, so it’s different. Not like with Morgan. She was….” I trail off, unable to put into words how she used to make me feel.

“She was your first love.”

I choke on the drag of beer I just took, coughing as she slaps me on my back. I look up and find many eyes on me, one of which is Morgan’s. She quickly looks away when my gaze meets hers.

“I didn’t love her. Not like that. Even if I did, it can’t change what she did. It doesn’t change that she’s unapologetic for it now.”

“Keaton, you’re being an idiot. Even I can see that the girl has a lot going on inside that head of hers. She’s hurt and closed off. I don’t know why, and it’s obvious you don’t either, otherwise why would you be being such an asshole? I expect this behavior from Reed, but not from you. If you care about her even a little, then prove it. Be her peace. She already has warring voices inside her head reminding her of every little thing that has caused this negativity to set in her life. That caused those walls to be built. Be the peace to help calm those voices and show her it’s okay to open up. Be the Keaton Yates that brought me a uniform because mine was ruined. Be the Keaton that defied his brother and friends to befriend a poor girl from bumfuck nowhere just because he saw what they couldn’t see. Be that Keaton, not whoever the fuck you are right now. Because that Keaton I can be proud of.” Sage’s words penetrate the anger I’ve held onto for so long.

I look over to where Morgan is sitting with Tinsley. Instead of looking with the anger from before, I look with renewed eyes. Her posture’s rigid, like she doesn’t want to be here. Her smile? It’s fake. She’s pretending.

She glances over at me, almost like she can feel me staring. Instead of hate, I see sadness in her eyes. She’s being haunted by something.

“You see it now, don’t you? Now that you’ve taken your head out of your own ass and stopped being selfish, you can see what I see.”

Guilt consumes me as I finally hear what Sage is saying. I’ve been so busy being angry about what she did to me, that I didn’t stop to even consider what might have happened to her. I once said that no excuse she could give would make me forgive her, but looking into the sadness inside her eyes now, I know I was lying to myself.

Now, I’m driven by the need to find out every single reason that caused the internal wounds I see inside her.

“Thanks, Momma Sage. I needed that.” I use the playful nickname Tinsley and I call her when she switches to mom mode.

“Anytime. I’m always here to give you guidance and support, but most of all, love. No matter what idiotic thing you do, I will always love you. That’s how unconditional love works. You once told me you loved Morgan unconditionally. Is that still true?”

I think over her words. “I don’t know anymore. I don’t know if it’s love, but I still care for her. I don’t want to see her hurt.”

“That’s a good start, Keat. Work from there and figure it out. Get to know who she is now and stop expecting her to be who she was.” She stands before bending to give me a quick hug. “My work here is done. Go be Keaton Yates, the caring guy I know you are. I’m going to find your asshole brother.”

I laugh, knowing he’s probably lurking somewhere, spying on us. Always the father figure, while Sage is the mother.

???

“Is this seat taken?” Tinsley smiles at me as Morgan glares.

It’s taken me an hour to work up the courage to go talk to her.

“Sit, big brother. I was about to get us something to drink but didn’t want to leave her alone. Wayland’s been circling, and I didn’t want him to come back and hit on her while I’m gone. Keep her company?”

I get what Tinsley’s doing, and I’m grateful. Wayland’s advances aren’t wanted, and she’s giving me a moment alone with Morgan. I don’t miss the “don’t fuck this up” look she shoots me either.

“Got it, Tin Tin. Bring me a water?”

She nods, then walks away.

“What do you want, Yates?” Morgan’s exasperated tone tells me she’s done with my shit.

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