It’s already five by the time I make it to his headquarters, and I was expecting something similar to Magic Model’s office, but Sage wasn’t joking when she said this Vincent guy was a big deal.
His headquarters look like a fuckingtown.It’s gated on all sides, and as I drive around, I know I won’t be getting in here even if I paid someone or offered them my jet… I know because I just tried that.
“No bribes!Partire!”
I don’t speak fucking Italian, but I take the hint and slip my helmet back on. After moving my bike, I stand a safe distance away and wait for her, but cars come in and out, and I have no clue what she’s driving or if she’s even here and the sun is starting to set.
“Fuck.” I speed off and search for nearby hotels instead. After maybe another hour, thunder sounds through the air, and after a few bolts of lightning crash through the angry skies, it starts to pour. I really should not be riding my bike in this weather, but I’m still fucking desperate, so I only slow down a bit as I search every hotel in town and bribe anyone with ears to tell me where the hell my girl is.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Sage
Imove my food aroundwith my fork, but after another bite, I can’t stomach it anymore. I hate that this is so hard for me. The last few weeks haven’t just magically been easy, but I’ve been eating a bit more. One full meal a day, sometimes two on good days… this is my first meal today besides the coffee and croissant I had with Vincent, but after he reminded me that my fitting was tomorrow… I lost my appetite.
I press my palms to my eyes. “It’s going to be okay.” I try to convince myself to take another bite, but when I look at my plate, I feel sick. I rise from the bed and walk over to the window. I stare down at the city, and listening to the rain for a few minutes seems to calm me.
I try to think happy thoughts, and only one thing comes to mind, so I grab my phone. I check the time, and it's seven AM in LA, but I know both boys need to meet with their coach about their suspension, so I call anyway. The group FaceTime call rings, and August answers first.
“Sage! What’s up?”
“Hey, ugly twin.” His smile slightly drops, and I burst into a laugh.
“Fuck you.”
Sire joins the call just as he voices his words, and when I act like his words hurt me, Sire glares at my twin. “Don’t talk to her like that.”
August lets out an exaggerated sigh before flopping onto his couch. “She started it!”
“I don’t care.”
I let out a laugh, and when Sire turns more serious, my smile slowly fades. “So you and Walker aren't getting back together, right?”
An awkward silence fills the air as I take a minute to respond. August told me that he broke the news to Sire while I was on the plane ride over here, and I've tried texting and calling Sire, but he hasn't been answering until now.
“I don't know yet…”
“What is there for you to know?” He snaps. “He lied to you and has been messing with us for years. Why would you evenwantto date him?”
His question is clearly rhetorical, so I don't answer him.
“Whatever.” He hangs up before I can respond, and I sink into my bed.
“He hates me.” I bury my face in my pillow.
“He doesn'thateyou. He's just upset, but he'll get over it if you really do love Walker, which I still can't grasp since that man has zero redeeming qualities besides hisawesomebikes.”
I do love him. I'm just too scared to admit it out loud.
I let out a frustrated breath, but when I sit up, my eyes land on my plate, and I just want this whole year to be over already.
“What are you thinking about, Sagey?”
I smile at August's name for me, and he only ever calls me that when he knows I'm sad.
“How mad was Sire when you told him about me and Liam?”
When August scratched his neck, I knew it was bad. “Well, um… we went by your house to water your plant since you had forgotten, and Walker was outside your door for some reason and… well, Sire kind of beat him up.”
