SAGE novel Chapter 49

Sage Miller

I anxiously tapped my fingers on the wheel. The car couldn't go fast enough and I had to get to Eve before she say things she should not say.

I could only hope she would keep quiet but I knew I couldn't hold my breath on that. When Eve is drunk, she speaks her mind and I'm afraid since I don't know her mind state at the moment.

I think it's because she spends so much time being careful and minding what she says that when she's drunk she gets the freedom to never have to think about what she has to say.

I haven't seen or talk to her since that day. She hasn't picked up any of my calls and I didn't wanna go to Wren's because I am giving her space to process everything.

I want to believe that she is okay but no matter how many times I'll try to convince myself of that I can't because I know that Eve is human.

And no human will ever be okay being associated to a murderer.

Another thing, she's drunk and drunk Eve isn't my favourite one.

When sober, Eve goes to great lengths to watch what she says and never saying the wrong thing.

So when she's drunk she becomes the opposite. She tell you exactly what she thinks.

She might just let it slip that I killed Clara in front of Connor. That's the thing I'm dreading most.

Facing a drunk Eve with no filter is what I fear most at this moment.

When I got to the house Connor was waiting in the porch. I got out of the car as fast as I could.

"Connor dude, where is she?" I hurriedly and asked him running inside the house.

"She's in the basement. I don't know what's up with that." He told me and I froze. I slowly turned around feeling crippled with anxiety.

"Did she...umm say anything out of the ordinary?" I asked hesitantly.

I crossed my fingers that she didn't mention that Clara was buried downstairs.

"She said something about Kate being a good girl if that counts as out of the ordinary." He said and visibly cringed.

I would've laughed if I wasn't so anxious. I sighed in relief knowing she didn't say anything about Clara.

"It does." I told him then turned around again.

"Heads up." I stopped and turned around to face him once again. "She's super drunk like very drunk."

"I've got it." I nodded and closed the door.

I ran straight to the basement and when I opened the door I could hear her talking. I gently closed the door and went down the stairs slowly. Eve came to view sitting in the middle of the room crossed leg.

"Eve." I called out softly for her.

She didn't respond but she slowly lifted her head. Not breaking eye contact with me, she lifted the glass and drank the whole wine that was left in the glass.

I stood in front of her yet she refused to look up. She opted to pour another drink but she was already drank.

I squatted down and grabbed her hand.

"Don't you think that's enough?" I asked her.

I took the bottle from her hands and put it aside. I then sat in front of her like she was sitting, croosed leg

I took her hands in mine then kissed the knuckles.

They tasted like wine.

"Talk to me Eve, what's going on?" I pleaded with her.

"Sometimes your voice sounds like dad's." He whispered so low that I barely caught the words.

I was stunned when he mentioned dad. She hasn't talked about him since Aunt Lauren died. She always refused to talk about him and I respected that.

Before I could respond she spoke.

"I made a promise a long time ago." She whispered but a little louder this time.

"What promise?" I asked her.

"I told myself that when clara died I would get myself a bottle of wine and danced on her grave until I pooped and burn myself out."

I didn't know what to say to that. It was dark and not like Eve at all but then who would blame her. Clara abused her a lot.

"Let's get you upstairs alright. Clara can't hurt you anymore." I opted into getting her out of here.

The basement is creepy.

I wanted to break as well but I had to be stronger for her. I needed to be there for her.

I stood up and helped her up and she let me. Just as we were about to walk up the stairs she pulled me down and we almost fell.

"Eve!" I warned.

"I'm gonna..." She didn't finish the sentence as she collapsed in my armed.

I caught her just in time.

I carried her the living room and past Connor and went to her old room and put her to sleep.

I took off her boots and put a bucket next to the bed then put a blanket over her.

I went downstairs and Connor was still in the living room.

"I'll be right back." I yelled to him as I went to my car to get my phone.

I texted Wren and told him Eve was sleeping at the house but I didn't mention the drunk part.

Again I think I saw a grew Sudan passing in the street. I ran to the street to get the plate number but it sped up and I didn't get anything.

I didn't even see one letter or number of the plates. I just know that it's a grey Sudan. My paranoia grew as I tried texting Styles.

I anxiously waited for his response when car lights blinded me. My heart pounded in my chest. I froze with fear but the car light dimmed and the car passed.

I realized that I was afraid for nothing. It's a road, cars will pass by. I exhaled a heavy sigh filled with an ounce of relief.

My phone vibrated in my hand and I unlocked it and Styles had responded.

It's taken care of- Styles

I felt myself relax and even felt safe. I turned around only to be brighten by another car, this car when the lights dimmed I recognized it.

The car brought me back to the text I didn't respond to today. Alora, I didn't think she'd come to me.

She parked her next to my house and got out. All the things I said the last time she was at my house came back.

It seems like a lifetime ago when it was less than two weeks ago.

It felt like time stood still as our conversation played in my head. She was on slow motion. Less than two weeks ago she confessed her love for me.

For a long time I imagined what that would be like. I thought I'd feel like a man but in reality I felt sick when she said she loves me because I could never love her.

I could never give her what she wants. I care about her that's why I can't be selfish with her even though I want to.

I want to kiss her perfectly sculpted body, I want to pull her perfectly styled blonde hair. I was her lips to call out my name but I won't be selfish.

"Hello." She shyly greeted me like she wanted to tear up.

I blinked and averted my eyes from hers but they landed on her chest, I averted them from there too only to look at her hips. I finally opted to look behind her, at her car.

"Al!" I cleared my dry thought and tried hydrating it. "Umm, what are you doing here?"

I wasn't trying to be rude but seeing her here just good for either of us.

"Umm." She looked down and shifted from one foot to another. "I need someone to talk to and you're..."

This time her voice wobbled. She stopped talking and cleared her throat. Out of instinct I step forward and hugged her.

"Talking I can do." I tried comforting her but she let out a heartbreaking silent sob.

I rubbed her back and felt my heart ache for her. My fragile little Smurf.

And I swear to whatever keeps the internal flame of hell burning that if that fucking red head is the reason, I'll give him a bold haircut with my fist.

"It's okay Al." I told her and kept rubbing her back. "Let's go inside."

I said to her when it dawned to me that we were still on the street. My neighbors barely like me and they're big time gossipers.

I held her hand and led her inside. I went to the kitchen to grab two water bottles and thought about hearding to my room but thought otherwise.

It's never a good idea to be in a lockable room with Alora. Too many scenarios and besides my room has too much memories and history.

We passed Connor, who gave me a weird look, to the backyard. My backyard was small but had a few built-in seats and benches.

I chose a bench that is farthest from the house. I sat her down and gave her a water bottle. She smiled and thanked me

"I'm sorry for just showing up." She started.

"It's-" I didn't get to finish that sentenced and she ambushed me.

"It's just that I needed someone to talk to and you didn't reply when I texted earlier and I thought-" I placed my hand on her fiddling ones.

"It's okay." I smiled softly at her. "You can come to me whenever when you want to talk."

She smiled back at me. It was warm almost reminding me when days were simple.

But was it okay? Was it okay that when the going gets tough in her world I'm her go to guy. Was I okay with that?

I mentally shook my head and got rid of those thoughts because in a distant past, I remember promising her to be there for her when she needs someone.

I told her she could say anything, be anything with me and I would never judge. I may be many things but I do keep my word. If she needs a friend I'll be here for her always.

I tuned in just in time when her ramblings were over.

"-thank you for this." She finished and I honestly had no idea what she said but I nodded.

"Remember, I'll always be here for you." I reassured her.

"It's just-" She choked on her own words. "I can't even say it without wanting to cry for a whole month."

I rubbed her knuckles with my thumbs.

"He wants to move and I can't handle that. He's going away for college, Sage and not just three hours away." Tears fell from her eyes and she violently wiped it away.

"He's so selfish and self-serving." She spat and I tried not to ask who. "He's living me alone Sage. How could my own brothers that."

Then I finally got it. She was talking about her twin brother, Linkin. Relationship status, always complicated.

I don't really know the guy except that he's Alora's twin and Styles's friend. I met his a couple of times last year during parties and when I went to the games at Ransom Everglades.

"It hurts so much.... it hurts so much Sage but I don't want it to yet I can't help but feel this pain." She brought her hands to her face and buried her face on her hands.

"It's okay." I tried telling her and pulling her to me but she yanked herself and stood up.