Sage's Story (The Town of Pearl 5)

“Getting to know her better?” Kenny asked with an attitude as Bryant stepped forward. “She is our business, and if the four of you try to push her or hurt her—”

“Whoa, Bryant, calm down. You know us pretty damn well,” Quaid said.

“I don’t know you that well. Plus, you and Matt have nearly ten years on her. That’s a lot of experience, and could be intimidating to say the least. She’s not like her other friends,” Bryant added.

“You mean Amanda, Mary, and Sissy? Hell, we know that. The bottom line is that we like Sage, want to get to know her, if she’ll accept us,” Matt stated.

“And has she accepted your advances?” Kenny asked, with his hands on his hips and his heart racing. He worried about Sage. She never talked about what happened between her, Triumph, and Ariel. She refused to, despite even the counselor’s push to help.

“Our cousins just got here a few weeks ago. It took them some time to venture into town, as you and Wyatt know,” Quaid told them.

“You just got here and you’re telling us, you and Virgo both feel something for Sage?” Kenny asked.

“Probably the same thing you felt for Lena the moment you set eyes on her,” Dale retorted.

Kenny felt the hit to his gut. They were right. He was instantly attracted to Lena, and so were his brothers. These were grown men. They were good men. Maybe even men capable of breaking down those walls of fear and uncertainty Sage still had up.

“You’re right,” Kenny whispered.

Matt stood up and approached Kenny. “We promise not to hurt her and that we have nothing but good intentions. We’re old enough and experienced enough to know what we want.”

Kenny looked at Bryant. Bryant stepped forward.

“She may not be ready though. There are things you don’t know, Matt,” Bryant said and then looked at Dale.

“What things?” Dale asked.

“Things we’re not at liberty to disclose, and that only Sage can divulge to you if she ever can,” Kenny added.

“I know. Not all of it, but enough to know she’s hiding behind a wall she’s built up. We get it, and we’ll tread carefully,” Matt said firmly.

“Enough said.” Kenny reached his hand out to shake Matt’s. The others did the same, including Bryant.

“How about we grab some food. This is a party,” Kenny stated, and they nodded their heads as they headed toward the feast of food and the rest of the guests.

* * * *

Sage was pleasantly surprised to find out how sweet and gentle Virgo seemed. He was a gentleman, had fixed her plate, offered her things first before he took for himself. He even let her sit down first and offered her a napkin. He was just so very big, and it concerned her.

“What’s that look for? You feeling okay?” he asked.

She nodded her head, and then put her fork down. She was finished anyway.

“You’re very big.”

He widened his eyes slightly but then wiped his mouth with the napkin and reached for his beer. “You don’t find me attractive?” he asked, and he looked like his own comment shocked himself as he cleared his throat and took a sip of beer. She had a feeling that Virgo wasn’t so suave when it came to the ladies. He was quiet, reserved, and like a great big teddy bear. Well, maybe more of a grizzly if anyone ever made him angry.

She held his gaze. “You’re very attractive, and any woman would love to…”

“Love to what?”

“Be your woman.”

“How about you?”

She lowered her eyes and took a deep breath. “Virgo, I—”

“You know what. Forget that I said that. I like you. You get that now. You know that Dale and our cousins do, too. It will take some time to get to know each of us and that’s okay. But I want you to know that I’m not used to this.”