“Stop charming the tits off my server, Yates.”
I allow my gaze to leave Rita’s before meeting Sage’s.
“Sage, my gorgeous sister-to-be.” I jump out of the booth, pick her up, and twirl her around. “I’ve missed you so damn much.”
She rolls her eyes. “I had dinner with you last night. Now put me down, you big oaf.”
I drop a kiss on her cheek before dropping her to the floor and taking my seat. Tinsley and Finley make their way over, each greeting the women in front of me.
“How was the first day of school?” Sage asks us, while Rita goes to get our drinks.
“Great. Morgan Wright is back in town. You will love her, Sage,” Tinsley begins to prattle again, but I don’t miss the confused look on Sage’s face.
I try to control my reaction, but Tinsley ruins any chance I had about Sage not finding out who Morgan is to me.
Was. Was to me, I remind myself.
“Morgan and Keaton used to be best friends until she moved away freshman year. Anyway, she’s back now, and I cannot wait for you to meet her.”
Sage’s blue eyes meet mine. I see the questions swirling inside them, but I give her a slight shake. This is not something I want to talk about. Ever. With anyone.
“How have I never heard about this Morgan chick before?” Sage asks, squeezing into the booth beside me, making it obvious she no longer plans to leave anytime soon.
“Keaton forbade us to speak her name,” Finley pipes in.
I shoot him a glare. He isn’t wrong, but Sage didn’t need to know that.
“Oh really? Why is that, Keat?” she probes gently.
“That was at the end of freshman year. I honestly forgot about her.”
Sage gives me a “sure you did” look. She sees more inside me than anyone else. She knows there is a story to me but has left it alone. I hope she continues to do so now.
“Well, maybe one day you will tell me all about her, Keat. Until then, you”—she points at Tinsley—“be nice to your brother, and you”—she points at Finley—“keep them out of trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Finley responds as Tinsley pouts.
Sage leans over and kisses my cheek before whispering in my ear, “I’m here. Anytime, Keat. Love you.”
I stare at the table as she leaves, not wanting to show the emotions raging inside.
✽✽✽
Chapter 2
Morgan
The first week of school flies by. Thankfully, Keaton has avoided me for most of it, deciding to act like I don’t exist.
That’s fine with me. I much prefer it this way.
Too bad Tinsley is hell-bent on us being friends. She’s invited me over to her house or to go shopping or even out to eat every night this week. Each day, I kindly turn her down, telling her I’m still settling. That girl does not understand the word no.
Friday morning comes, and I feel relieved because I’ll have two days to decompress after this week. As I almost make my escape, Tinsley catches me.
“Morgan! Wait up.”
Sighing, I stop to wait for her.
When she catches up, she links her arm with mine. “Enough excuses, you’re coming out with me tonight.”
“I don’t know….” I trail off.
“I do. You’re coming out with me. Come on. We haven’t hung out in forever. We have to catch up.”
“I don’t think it’s a great idea.”
She rolls her eyes, stopping next to my Tesla. “Keaton hasn’t even mentioned you since you got here. He won’t care. Besides, I have no one else. Victoria’s in her own little world right now, while Reed and Sage are basically married. That leaves me with Keaton and Finley, both man whores, mind you. I need a girlfriend. Please?”
I ignore the pang in my chest from her declaration that Keaton hasn’t even mentioned me, instead focusing on her pouting face. It’s obvious that she’s needing some attention that she isn’t getting. Biting my lip, I mull it over. After a moment, I reluctantly nod. “Fine. What’s the plan?”
“Dinner at Momma’s House. Maybe a party?”
At her innocent face, I soften. I really did miss having a social life. Being a dancer, I couldn’t trust anyone enough to be social. The girl being nice to your face is likely to put a thumbtack in your pointe shoes the next morning.
“All right, I’m in, but I’m driving and we leave when I want to leave. Agreed?”
“Yes,” she says seriously. Then she squeals, “This is going to be fun. Pick me up at six?”
“I’ll be there.”
As I make my way home, I realize a weight has lifted off my shoulders. I feel much lighter than I have since I left this place three years ago. I make my way to the kitchen to greet my mom.
“Hey, honey, school good?” she asks as I kiss the side of her head.
“What makes you think that?” I ask as I grab a banana.
“If your humming didn’t give it away, the random affection did.”
I give her my best not impressed look., “I can’t give my favorite mom a kiss on the head?”
She mimics my face. “I’m your only mom.”
“Still makes you my favorite.” I take a bite of my fruit.
“Not that I mind your positive energy, but may I ask what happened at school to make you so happy?”
I shrug. “Nothing really. I’m going out with Tinsley Yates tonight for dinner, though.”
“Oh? Is Keaton going too?” Mom tries to sound nonchalant but fails.
“Nope. Girls’ night. I don’t really talk to Keaton anymore, but Tinsley has been begging me to hang out all week.”
“Why haven’t you?”
I consider my words before I speak. “I loved HDA. The techniques I learned and the people I met were amazing. The other students were not so amazing, though. I think everyone was so focused on their futures, they forgot to live in the present. I forgot to live in the present. So, all week I’ve been in that mindset, but I’m giving it up now. I want to live in the moment.”
“Oh, honey.” Mom comes over and hugs me.
