“GB?” he asks.
“Electrolytes and water’s good. Need to hydrate after training.”
He sits next to me at the table which could seat eight. Again, I bought it for my mother to be her safe home. Would Emma and Sage feel at home here?
“Are you still friends with Sage’s sister?” Squid asks, looking at the pepperoni on his pizza as if it holds the answers to the universe.
“I care about her,” I say, before deciding that my brother deserves the truth. “There are rules about players dating the cheer squad.”
“And if there weren’t?”
“I hope Emma would be more than friends. We met before she started working for the Mavericks.”
“You like her?”
“I like her. But she has her job and Sage. So, we’re taking a break.”
See,breakdoesn’t sound as bad asbroken up.
“Sage had another meltdown today.”
I rub a hand over my face. “What happened?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. She won’t talk to anyone. But it’s getting worse. Sometimes, I can get her out of the classroom andfind somewhere so no one sees, but today she lost it in front of everyone.”
My chest tightens. I have my brother. He’s safe. Thriving, even.
“Talk to me, let’s see if there are any common denominators.”
“It didn’t happen in math class.”
“Oh, buddy, let’s talk through what happened in the lead up to each meltdown and see if there is a trigger.”
If Emma won’t let me be the man I want to be for her, then maybe Squid can be the friend Sage needs.
Chapter 25
Nowhere to Turn
Emma
Sage’s screams tear through the apartment, raw and desperate. I launch out of bed, my heart slamming against my ribs as I sprint to her room in record time. It helps that I no longer fall into a deep sleep. A part of me is always waiting for the next scream or nightmare.
By the time I arrive, Sage is curled against the bed head, her arms wrapped around her knees, her body shaking. I want totake it as a good sign that she no longer stays hidden under the cover. Small steps and all that.
“Sage, baby, it’s okay,” I whisper, kneeling beside her. I reach for her, but she flinches, squeezing her eyes shut like she can block out whatever nightmare has its claws in her.
My hands drop into my lap, useless. I don’t know how to help her. Can I help her or is she beyond sisterly love?
The night terrors are back in full force, and her meltdowns at school are almost daily now. I get calls from her teacher, from the school counselor, all saying the same thing:Sage is struggling.
And I don’t know how to fix it.
Tears burn my eyes, but I blink them away. I can’t break down. Not in front of her. Not when I need to be the strong one.
After what feels like forever, she finally lets me pull her into my arms. Her body trembles against mine, her breaths coming in uneven gasps.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur. “I promise, I’ve got you.”
