SAGE novel Chapter 9

Sage Miller

The drive to my house was spent thinking about what just happened. The guy I spent this afternoon gushing over was Styles. Styles, my sister's ex-boyfriend. He was- he is the Godfather.

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How is that even possible. He doesn't fit. And why the fuck was he even in a cartel? Wasn't he rich or some shit?

We barely got a chance to talk. He looked so different in that world than he did when he was with my sister. He looked and acted the part of a mafia boss.

One question is stuck in my head, what now? Can we co-exist when I know he put my sister in danger by dating her?

My heart was beginning to hurt because of all the thinking it's been doing today. It has reached it's limit for the day.

I saw a convenience store and pulled up. I needed something for this migraine. A bottle of vodka would do.

I walked inside and when to the alcohol section. I picked one and took out a few dollars to pay and just as I was about to exit I saw Connor coming in.

He looked so lost and somewhat crazy. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at him for a moment. I haven't seen or heard from him in a very long.

His mom was worried sick and called almost everyday, sometimes she'd cry. He hasn't picked up her calls all this time.

"Connor." I called out. He was counting the few coins in his hand.

Slowly he lifted his head towards me and I finally saw his full face. I saw how hallow his eyes were. He looked almost crazy and lost weight.

I opened my mouth to say something but he beat me to it.

"Don't you dare pity me." He warned.

"I'm no_" I tried to say but honestly it was hard not to. He looked filthy.

"I can see it in your eyes." He hissed and started to walk away.

"Stop." I said and his shoulders tense further. "Can you talk to me?"

I asked softly, pleading in fact.

"Why?" He still had his back to me.

"Because... I want to know how you've been." I didn't think he could tense even more but he did.

"Why?" He asked again.

"Because you're my friend." I said defeated.

"So you can laugh at how miserable I am with your true friend." He snapped and whipped his head around. His eyes looked crazy.

He stepped forward and I subconsciously stepped back. He let out a humorless laugh.

"I don't want your fake concern or your pity."

"Your mom is worried about you." I said trying to at least make him see reason. I was genuinely worried about him.

His body went rigid and he froze.

"Are you fucking her too. She confides in you now?" He sneered and my eyes went wide.

"What? No." I raised my voice at the accusation. "She's been looking for you everywhere and we are all worried."

"Worried." He scoffed. "She isn't worried. You know I had no problem with her whoring around with her boss or whoever was on her list bit to choose to fuck around with my friend..... " He paused for a second. "Or what I thought was my friend, is unexpected."

"Don't speak about your mother like that." I warned. I may not have the best mom out the but Connor's mom was the best, no doubt about that.

"Like what?" He taunt. "She's a whore."

"But she's still your mother, she gave birth to you." I just wish I had a mother like her. Then maybe I'd be different.

"Unfortunately." He muttered. I bit my lip because I didn't know what to say anymore.

"Can we talk somewhere that isn't the convenience store." I tried my luck and I was surprised when he agreed.

I led him outside and stopped next to my car. My idea was to lure him to my house.

I was genuinely worried about him. He is my friend too. He'd lent me a hand when I needed one.

I looked around to see his car but I didn't see it.

"Where's your car?" I asked him still looking around.

"I needed money." He simply said and I knew that he sold it.

"Okay hop on, we'll talk when we get to my house." I said casually hoping he won't snap and surprisingly he didn't. He hopped on and I drove to my house.

I parked in the drive way and waited for Connor to step out and locked the car afterwards.

I opened the door and walked inside with Connor in suite. All this done in silence.

I went to the kitchen and grabbed two shots in the set I had bought a few months back. And I sliced some lime in a plate and went back to the living room.

Connor was sitting on the sofa, his eyes closed looking extremely exhausted. He must have been through hell in the last two weeks.

I cleared my throat to gain his attention and his eyes slowly opened. I place the vodka, the shots and plate on the coffee table.

I poured the vodka and gave Connor one and he downed it in second. I followed suite and downed mine.

I haven't said a word and neither has Connor. I guess I wanted him to settle down and relax then maybe the alcohol would make it easier for us to talk.

I watched as he poured two other shots and handed me one. In sync we downed them.

I leaned all the way in the sofa and relaxed.

Have you ever heard that sometimes the silence is louder. Well this silence is defiantly louder.

"What did you wanna talk about?" Connor was the one to break the silence. Maybe he felt suffocated by the silence just like I was.

"I wanted to know how you were doing." I replied calmly. For far we were civil.

"I've been getting by." He said giving me a vague answer but somehow I knew he was barely getting by.

"Where were you staying?" I asked hesitantly.

"Here and there." He gave me another vague answer.

I got the impression he wouldn't answer any of my question so I stopped asking.

"I'm glad you're okay man." I said and closed my eyes. I really am glad.

"Why?" He asked all of a sudden. His question really startled me to a point that I opened my eyes.

"What do you mean why?" I shooted back.