“Honorable, but have you actually talked about it?”
My face heats. “I don’t want to relive it.”
She nods in understanding. “One day you will have to though. You can’t get over something if you never address the core issue.”
I sigh before letting out a small laugh. “My mom always says stuff like that.”
“She sounds smart.” Sage smiles.
“The smartest person I know.”
When she pulls up to my car, she puts the car in park before turning to me. “The Yates are ruthless. They are fiercely protective and can cut you down in one go. With that being said, when they care about you, that ruthlessness becomes caring and love. Just as fiercely as they cut down their opponents, they love their friends. You have always been family, Morgan. That never changed, even if your absence hurt them. Give them a real shot. Give him an actual shot to show you he’s worth forgiveness for whatever he did. Then maybe he will forgive you for leaving.”
I give her a tight smile. “I’ll think about it. Thank you for the ride.”
The entire way home, I think about what she said. She sounded so much like my mom. It makes me wonder why my mom let me leave like I did.
When I get home, I find my mom reading in the living room.
“Honey, you’re home early. I figured you would have slept in.”
I walk over to her, giving her an enormous hug before cuddling next to her. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course, honey. What is it?” She brushes my hair back as I look up at her.
“Why did you let me run?” I clarify when she gives me a puzzled look. “Freshman year. When I came home crying, you told me we don’t run, but you let me run.”
She lets out a heavy sigh. “I always tried to teach you to face your problems. Running never solves anything. It’s always better to face things head on and move through them rather than bottle them up inside. With that being said, when you came to me that day, you were so utterly broken. The sobs that came out of you were filled with so much heartbreaking pain that I couldn’t bear it. As a mother, you never want to see your children in pain. So, when you asked to leave, I told you it was only for a little while. Then we got to Chicago and you seemed better. Still hurt, but you seemed better. Against my better judgement, I let you stay. It was selfish of me. I didn’t want to see you in any more pain. If I were stronger, I would have made you come back and face whatever caused you that pain.”
Tears streak down her face, and I feel my own tears gathering in my eyes.
“You did the right thing. I don’t think I could have stayed here. I don’t think I would have made it. You’re the strongest person I know, Mom. I wasn’t ready to face it then.”
“Are you ready to face it now?”
I give her a slight smile. “I don’t know, but I’m getting there.”
She squeezes me. “Whatever Keaton did, I’m sure he regrets it.”
I stiffen. “How did you know?”
She gives me a knowing look. “You were in love with him. Only a first love can cause the pain you were in.”
I laugh. “You are also the smartest person I know. I was just telling Sage that.”
“Who’s Sage?”
For the rest of the morning, I fill her in on what she missed from the Yates. Some of it she knew through the gossip mill, but some she didn’t. Either way, it makes me feel better to talk it out with the one person I know who is always on my side.
✽✽✽
Chapter 5
Keaton
I didn’t miss the way Morgan snuck out of my bed yesterday morning. Or the way she left without saying goodbye. The familiar hurt settled into my bones the moment I realized she had left. I resisted the urge to chase after her to make sure she doesn’t disappear again. When Sage told me she drove Morgan to her car so she could go home, I felt a sigh of relief.
It was then that I realized I’m in deeper than I thought. As much as I tried to keep my distance, she is worming her way back in. Needing to see for myself that she is still here, I finally gave in and made my way to her house today.
Standing on her front step, I hesitate before knocking on the door.
“Keaton?” Her dad’s voice holds a hint of surprise as he opens the door.
“Hey, Mr. Wright. How have you been?”
“Good. How about you? You sure have grown.” He pats me on the shoulder as he ushers me inside.
“Good. I’ve been good. Is Morgan around?”
“Yeah, she should be finishing up in the atrium. Head that direction. Good to see you, Keaton.”
“Thanks. You too.”
I head towards the atrium. Much of the house is the same. Morgan’s dance studio used to be in the basement. I wonder why she’s dancing in a different room.
As I approach the atrium, I hear an upbeat pop song blaring instead of the delicate, classical music from before. I pause at the door, expecting to see her dancing. Instead, I’m in shock.
My eye quickly finds Morgan at least fifteen feet in the air, being held up by two long pieces of fabric that she continuously moves. My heart races as she unwraps her body from the fabric, only to twist and rewrap it around her body.
I’m entranced by her body as she moves fluidly with the music. Watching her do ballet was impressive, but watching her with this new dance is more than impressive. It’s also dangerous, which has my nerves on edge waiting for a misstep that can cause her death.
I don’t realize I was holding my breath until she lets go of the end of the rope, causing her to fall towards the floor. Gasping,
