SAGE
Iwoke up feeling better than I’d expected. It probably had something to do with throwing up in the grass before I went to bed. Niko had seen me getting sick through the window and had come out to check on me. After holding back my hair, he practically carried me into the house and ordered me to go to bed. I was still so drunk I had barely cared that I had to sleep next to Alex.
After stretching, I turned around and froze, seeing Alex still sleeping. He was usually up when the sun rose. Not wanting to force a conversation, I silently slipped out of the room. I fell onto the couch and rubbed my eyes.
“Mornin’, sunshine.”
I groaned. “I really don’t feel like talking right now.”
“I’m surprised you’re awake already,” Niko said, sitting next to me. “After how much you drank last night, I thought we’d have to drag you out of bed.”
“I’m not awake. Leave me alone.”
“Might want to start getting ready if you want to shower before we leave in an hour.”
My head snapped up. “What time is it?”
“Ten.”
“I thought we were having dinner, not lunch.”
“Dad wants us to spend the whole day over there,” he said unpleasantly.
I finally glanced at him and realized he looked about as excited as I was to go.
“You don’t want to go?” I asked, curiously.
“Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I spend most of my time here,” he said sarcastically. “And with you going, I’m sure this day is just going to be great.”
My stomach twisted with dread. Seeing their dad was one of the last things I wanted to do. Now I had to spend the whole day with him and be nice.
“I’m going to shower,” I mumbled, heading to the bathroom.
Once I finished, I got changed, deciding to go with a sundress since the day was supposed to be scorching. I scavenged the fridge for food. Alex had jumped in the shower right when I got out. He looked so excited to be taking me to his parents.
He was living in a dream world.
Nothing in the fridge looked the least bit appetizing. I eyed the cabinet where I had drowned my problems last night. I peeked into the hall and made sure the water was still running and stepped near the door to see Niko messing with his truck. Deciding I had a minute before I got interrupted, I swung the cabinet open.
“Oh, come on,” I muttered, staring at the empty shelf.
Niko must have moved his tequila. And my damn wine. I needed something to help get me through the day. For a second time, I glanced out the window, making sure Niko was still occupied. I rushed down the hall and opened his door with some hesitancy. I’d only been in here a couple of times. The room was almost identical to mine. A queen-size bed with one tall dresser. The only difference was the furniture was black, instead of light brown.
Moving to the other side of the room, I opened the drawers, quickly pushing the clothes aside and then back to their proper place. Nothing. Getting on my knees, I dropped to the floor and looked under the bed.
“Really?”
I jumped up, bashing my head on the wooden frame of the bed. Muttering curses, I rubbed my head as I turned to the door. Niko was standing there, and he looked more than a little irked.
“It’s not in here. You’re not getting drunk before we spend all day at my parents.” He leaned against the doorframe. “I thought you weren’t going to drink at all anymore.”
I scowled. “You expect me to do this sober?”
He stepped farther into the bedroom and glanced back at the bathroom door before speaking.
“Get over it. You do fine faking it with Alex. And with me. You can do it for one day.” His voice was just above a whisper.
“I don’t fake it with you.”
I darted around him, but he wrapped his arm around my waist, and he tugged me closer until my chest hit his. I tilted my head up, and my glare went ice cold as I met his eyes. He was taking advantage of Alex still being in the shower.
“You do fake it with me,” he growled, his fingers digging into my hip. “Unless you really do think all we do is fuck, like you said last night.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, remembering my drunken words. “This isn’t going anywhere. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts.”
I caught the hurt before he masked it. It was more than just sex, and we both knew it. But what was the point of admitting it when neither of us could change the life that was slowly suffocating me?
“Let’s try something else then.” His arm tightened when I attempted to pull away. “Tell me who the woman in Chicago is.”
I didn’t answer as I successfully shoved him back as the shower water turned off. I bolted down the hall, purposefully not glancing behind me.
“That’s what I thought—faking,” he muttered from behind me.
I sat on the couch, ignoring Niko’s last words. I gave him an option. Kiss me or choose them. He’d made his choice. He had to know I wasn’t going to be completely honest with him. Even if he did choose me, I wasn’t sure he could ever turn his back on the society. It was his entire childhood. His life.
“Ready?” Alex’s voice jerked me out of my thoughts, and I looked up.
I attempted a tight smile. “Yeah.”
* * *
When the house came into view, my stomach bubbled like I was going to throw up. I didn’t want to do this. I’d forced myself to learn how to handle Alex. I could barely look at Geo. Their dad had never liked me. Even before I’d stabbed his son and got people of his society killed. From the small amount of things Niko had told me, his dad wasn’t happy I was with Alex. He had strong ties with higher people in the society. He wasn’t someone I wanted mad at me; he held my life in his hands.
Alex took my hand once we were out of the Jeep, and we walked around to the back of the house. It was a beautiful day to be outside. The clouds covered the hot sun, and the breeze was just enough to make it comfortable. The back patio came into view, making memories of our last visit invade my mind. I couldn’t believe it had been over a year since I was here. With Lacey. And Jamie. When Alex was still mine, and Niko was just the annoying older brother. It was the night we had made the plan to go up north.