She shrugs. “I wanted to see what the hype is all about.”
Shaking her head, Sage points to the stairs. “We can talk about this tomorrow. Bed.”
I stand to leave, but Sage shakes her head, fury in her eyes. “Sit down.”
I bite my lip, waiting. I don’t know why I stay. I don’t need to. I can leave. They aren’t my family.
Stop lying to yourself. You’re staying because you want to be family. You miss them.
“Leave us,” she demands.
Keaton freezes. Then he reaches over, squeezing my hand under the table before doing as she asks. My heart skips a beat at his touch. Why would he do that?
Once alone, she looks straight at me. “Do you know what happens at these parties?”
“No. I’ve never been to a party.”
She nods. “Orgies, drugs, lots of drinking. Not a place Tinsley or you should be.”
“Noted. I would never put her in danger. I didn’t drink, and I kept my eye on her. If things went south, I would have gotten her out of there.”
She stares into my eyes, looking for something. She must find it because she gives me a slight smile. “I love this family with my entire heart and soul. If you disappear like you did last time and hurt Keaton or Tinsley, I will hunt you down and kill you myself. I listen to murder podcasts. I can make you disappear for good, and no one would find your body. Understood?”
“I don’t plan to leave again. Keaton hates me anyway, so you don’t have to worry about him. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think about Tinsley when I left before, but I was a child then. I won’t disappear without a trace again. For her.”
She gives me a full-on smile this time. “I get the need to run. I’ve been there and done that. I’ll tell you what I learned, though. Running never solves your issues. It just delays the inevitable. It’s much more worth it to stick around and muscle through the hard times. You’ll surprise yourself with how much you can withstand and how strong you come out the other side.”
I tilt my head. “I see it now.”
“See what?” Her face is questioning.
“Why she thinks of you like her mom.”
Her face softens. “They need stability. They need someone to rely on. They’ve been let down by the two people who are supposed to always be there for them. They can’t take any more heartbreak.”
“Agreed.”
“It’s late. Why don’t you crash with Tinsley tonight?”
I give her a grateful smile. “I’d love to.”
Keaton is waiting outside the room, pacing nervously as we exit.
“Morgan’s going to stay the night,” Sage says as she passes Keaton.
He gives me a look, but I ignore it as I make my way up the stairs. Once at Tinsley’s room, I knock.
“I don’t want to talk to you!” she calls out.
“Really? I guess I should go home instead of staying the night then.”
The door flies open a moment later. “She let you stay?” She hugs me.
“It was her idea.” I squeeze her back.
“She must really like you.” She pulls me into the room, shutting the door behind me.
I shrug, unsure what to say. I’m not sure Sage likes me, but we have an understanding.
Tinsley and I go through our own nightly routines before lying in bed next to each other.
“Hey, Tin Tin?” I whisper.
“Yeah?”
“Your new mom is kinda cool.”
She laughs lightly. “She really is.”
With that, I have my first sleepover in ages, and it fills me with a feeling of joy that I never thought I would feel again.
✽✽✽
Chapter 4
Morgan
If I thought things would be different at school, I was wrong. Keaton still ignores me. The morning after the party, he gave me a brief smile at breakfast before disappearing. Now, it seems he’s content with pretending I don’t exist.
While one Yates is determined to hate me, the other has become my best friend. Tinsley and I have hung out nearly every day for the past two weeks. Either she comes to my home or I go to hers. It’s a comfortable routine that has become important to me.
That’s why when she told me this morning that she had plans tonight, I was disappointed.
It’s Friday, and I don’t hang out with anyone else. I’ve grown used to her being there, and I don’t want to be alone.
Walking into first period, I don’t pay attention to anyone around me; I sit at my desk, letting myself feel my feelings like I have been taught.
“What are you doing this weekend?” Rachel asks, startling me.
“I don’t know yet. Probably homework then catching up on some of my shows.”
“You should come to the movies with us. The new horror film is coming out tonight.”
“Oh no, I’m good. Thank you, though.” I’m tempted, but I hate horror films.
“Don’t be silly, you should come. It’s sold out, but I think Wayland still has a ticket.” Before I can stop her, she yells to him. “Hey, Wayland, are you going to the movie tonight?”
“Who won’t be there?” He makes his way over to us. “Why? You wanna be my date?”
She laughs and pushes his arm. “No, silly. I have my ticket, but Morgan here doesn’t have one.”
Wayland turns and looks at me. “What do you say, Morgan? Want to be my date?”
“Oh, that’s sweet, but no thank you.” Wayland seems nice enough, but I don’t miss the way he’s a shameless flirt.
I hear a snort from beside me. I turn to glare at Keaton, who’s eavesdropping on our conversation.
“Got something to say, Yates?” I challenge him.
He answers quickly, “You, on a date with Wayland here, at a horror movie. That's comical is all.”
“Why’s that?” I snark.
His eyes are full of humor as they meet mine. “You hate horror movies and dating douchebags.”
My hackles rise. He’s right, but I can’t let him win this.
