Chapter 10
Sage
“You said what?”
Charlotte, Jane, and Frankie are sitting on my couch, staring at me, open-mouthed, but Frankie’s the first one to speak. “Tell me you’re joking.”
My head falls into my hands as I drop onto the couch in front of them. “Oh, God. I wish I were joking,” I mutter through my fingers.
“What did he say?” asks Jane.
“Nothing.”
“He must have said something. What did his face look like?”
Recalling the dreadful event, I moan. “Like someone told him he has to jump into a freezing lake with sharks.”
“Sharks don’t live in lakes,” says Charlotte.
“That’s not the point,” I mutter. “How am I going to face him at the party tonight?”
“How did the date end?”
Cringing, I rub my face to hide my embarrassment. “Well, he passed me my clothes and drove me back to my place. He kissed me sweetly on the cheek and said, ‘See you tomorrow.’ Then left me on my doorstep.”
“That’s it?”
I nod. “Yep.”
“Well, that was rude,” continues Frankie. “You just had sex, and he pretty much just gave you the brush off.”
“I don’t know about that,” says Jane, defending her brother-in-law. “I think he was just taken aback by Sage telling him so soon. He’ll come around. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Sage. Casey does like you.”
“I agree,” says Charlotte, crossing her arms as she sits back on the couch. “Just be cool at the party tonight. Act like your usual nonchalant self and keep it light.”
“But, Charlotte, you know that’s not me. I like to talk things over in relationships. It’s important to be honest.”
“I think you’ve been a little too honest,” says Charlotte. “A guy like Casey doesn’t like that sort of pressure. Let him come to you.”
“What do you think, Jane?” asks Frankie. “You know him best.”
Jane shrugs. “I don’t really know him that well. Casey and Austin haven’t had much quality time since he went to the Majors. So, I don’t know.”
I sigh. “My heart is conflicted.” Looking up at the ceiling, I recall Casey’s face as we made love.
“I’ve dreamed of this man for years. I guess in my head, I’ve known and loved him forever, although he only just met me.
I can understand how that would scare him.
“Okay,” I say, coming to a decision. “I’ll play it cool for now.
Give him space to catch up to where I’m already at.
We’ll chat on the phone for the next couple of weeks before I ask him how he’s feeling about us. Does that sound good?”
Frankie shrugs. “Sounds more than reasonable to me. I would probably be asking him to marry me by now.”
We all laugh because with Frankie that can be true. I almost expected her to run off and marry that guy in Vegas, and who knows maybe she would have if he was older. But, while I’m spontaneous, I can acknowledge that things are moving quickly, and Casey may want to slow things down.
“So, what are you wearing to the party?” asks Charlotte. “Your white lace dress is beautiful.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s way too see-through and I don’t need Casey’s mother making another comment.”
“Oh, don’t worry about her,” says Jane.
“Easy for you to say. You’ve already won her over.”
She rolls her eyes. “Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy.”
“You can wear my nun outfit from when I was in The Sound of Music,” says Frankie.
“If I actually thought it would work, I’d wear it.”
Jane waves her hand. “Stop it. You don’t have to wear a nun outfit. One of your summer dresses is perfectly fine. She’s not a fan of jeans.”
“Neither am I. So, at least we have that in common.”
Jane smiles and pulls me up from the couch. “Come, I’ll help you pick something out.”
*
Driving into the Mill parking lot, I realize there aren’t any free spots left.
Jane told me they had to move the ‘Welcome Home’ party to the Mill after several people requested an invite.
Not only did the neighbors want to come but the whole town wanted to celebrate Casey’s homecoming.
Nearly everyone’s forgotten this is Casey’s dad’s homecoming, too.
“Isn’t that the doctor and his wife from Bomanville? What are they doing here?” asks Frankie.
“I’m not sure. That’s at least a thirty-minute drive from here.”
As we walk up the cement steps to the front of the Mill, there are several new faces I don’t recognize. “I think word of Casey’s party has spread beyond the Falls.”
“I bet Mrs. Green is behind this. She has a sister in Bomanville. There’s no way she didn’t tell her about the party. Probably was bragging about it, too.”
I nod, agreeing that the word must have gone out through Mrs. Green.
Frankie smiles. “Well, this party is looking up. Hopefully we can meet new and eligible men.”
Frankie’s red heels click on the pavement. She’s paired them with tight jeans and a white blouse.
My sandals don’t make a sound as I walk through the front doors of the Mill, but there’s a small woosh in my long floral dress as the door opens.
“Your hair looks gorgeous tonight,” says Frankie. “I love it when you leave it loose like that.”
“I had time to properly break the gel cast from my curls and give them some bounce. It usually takes too long for my hair to dry so I just braid it and hope for the best.”
“Well, the curls are bouncing, and so are the girls,” she giggles.
“What? No. I wore a bra tonight.”
“You sure did. A lace one.”
“You can see it?”
She nods.
“Jane assured me that she couldn’t see it.”
Frankie shrugs. “Maybe under your bedroom lamp but this fluorescent lighting is unforgiving.”
“Ah, shit.”
We walk through the small foyer and into the Great Hall.
This used to be where the original mill work was done before high-tech machines were brought in.
Mr. Wentworth built an extension to facilitate the machines but never tore down this part.
Instead, he restored it to look like a ballroom from the 1800s.
It hosts many weddings and large events each year, but never a homecoming. Not until Casey’s.
Everyone I’ve ever met in Cedar Brook Falls is here tonight. Even Mr. Robinson, and he hates all public gatherings, at least he tells us so every chance he gets.
I spot Casey across the room. He’s talking to a group of men including Austin, Dean, and Billy.
Our eyes meet and my stomach tumbles. He says something to the group and then walks over towards me.
Everyone around us disappears and it’s just Casey walking in slow motion, wearing a thin black jacket, white shirt, and jeans.
With his broad shoulders and straight posture, he looks like a character out of a superhero movie.
I swallow past a dry mouth when he finally reaches me.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey.”
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
I stare at his lips, savoring the words from his mouth. Five words. One sentence. And all my worry that I blew my chance flies out of my head. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
He grasps my fingers and holds them to his lips as he looks me up and down. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Casey opens his mouth to say something, but his mother interrupts him.
“Casey, darling. There’s someone I want you to meet. Mrs. Tanner’s niece is here from Missouri. She is just the cutest thing.”
“Hi, Mrs. Tucker,” I say from behind after she inserts herself between us.
She turns slowly, and I imagine her rolling her eyes as she does so. Then I remember the lights and my lace bra and cross my arms over my chest. She doesn’t look down, but her eyes glare at me instead. “Hello, Sage,” she says with a hint of contempt. Then quickly adds, “Casey, let’s go.”
“I’m good here, thanks.”
“But I told them I’d come get you.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“Go ahead,” I say. “It’s all right.”
Casey looks at me and searches my eyes to see if I’ve said that to dismiss him. Not wanting to give him the wrong idea, I add, “I’ll come with you.”
Casey’s eyes crinkle when he smiles. But his mother rejects my suggestion. “I’ll just tell them you’ll come by later. Don’t be long, Casey.”
We both watch her leave and I sigh audibly. “Why does she hate me so much?”
Casey grins. “I don’t hate you.”
I smile, appreciating that he lightened the mood, and tease him back. “You don’t?”
“Nope.”
“Well, then how do you really feel about me?” I say in a teasing tone.
He blinks and his smile falters. “I… uh…”
Shit. I made this awkward. Why do I keep doing this?
I shake my head, prepared to tell him he doesn’t have to answer it. I didn’t mean to put him on the spot like this. But I often say what’s on my mind, even to my own detriment.
He gently squeezes my hand and smiles. “I like you, Sage.”
A small smile returns on my lips, but a fissure etches in my heart. I didn’t expect him to say he loves me; I really didn’t. But the heart feels what it feels, and my heart wants him to love me back.
I change the subject. “How’s your dad feeling?”
“He’s doing great. He’s walking around slowly but getting stronger every day.”
“That’s good.”
“Yeah. It makes it easier to leave knowing that he’ll be back to his old self in no time.”
“You’re leaving tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah. First thing in the morning.”
I nod. I’m about to ask him if he wants to grab a drink at McDougal’s Pub after this when someone grabs my waist from behind and swings me around to face him.
The strong scent of expensive cologne hits me before I recognize his face.
“Sage! How are you, Carino?”
Teoscar Guerrero’s boisterous laugh rings in my ear as he pulls me in for a hug. “I told Caleb the only reason I’d come to this party is if Sage Summers would be here.”
I haven’t seen the New York Lions player for a few weeks at least. We dated for a short time.
It was incredibly fun and spontaneous because I never knew when Teoscar would show up at my door, but it never matured into anything more than a good time together.
We didn’t necessarily call it off, but there wasn’t any label on our relationship, either.
“Teoscar,” I say, pushing myself away from his massive biceps. “I didn’t know you’d be here. Charlotte forgot to mention it.”
“Oh, I don’t think Charlotte knew. I told Caleb it would be a last-minute decision. You know how busy I am. But Caleb insisted I come and speak to Casey.”
Then he turns to him. “So, I hear you’ll be a free agent at the end of the season.
Are you thinking about joining us? It’s a great team with great players.
” He smiles brilliantly and puffs out his chest. I can’t help it, it makes me smile, too.
It’s contagious. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t smile around Teoscar.
“I haven’t made any decisions yet.”
“Oh, I didn’t ask you that. I asked if you are thinking about the Lions. Are we one of the teams you’re considering?”
Casey's eyes flicker at me for a second. “It’s on the list.”
Teoscar punches Casey on the shoulder jovially. “Oh, I see what you’re doing. You’re keeping it quiet. Making sure everyone puts in their best offer. I get you. Well, listen. If you have any questions about the organization from a star player perspective, you know who to call.”
Casey nods. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”
Done with his obligation to Caleb, Teoscar turns to me. “So, are you ready to get out of here?”
At first I was annoyed whenever Teoscar would pop into town and expect me to drop everything for him. But now I realize it’s just who he is. He’s like that with everyone, so I’m less offended. “No. I’m going to stay for a bit.”
He shrugs. “All right. Call me later when you’re done.” He kisses my cheek and walks away. “I’ll text you my room number after I get in.”
“Teoscar,” I call out, ready to set him straight. But he’s already found Caleb and is bear hugging him.
“He’s friendly,” says Casey.
“Yeah.”
He stares at me, perhaps waiting for more.
“Teoscar and I dated for a bit, but it wasn’t serious.”
“Did you break it off?”
“Um…” I hesitate because we didn’t necessarily discuss it. “We’re not a couple, if that’s what you think.”
“No. I don’t think that. You wouldn’t be with me when you’re still with him. But he still thinks he can pick up exactly where he left off.”
I stare back at Teoscar. It did seem that way, didn’t it? “I’ll talk to him about it later.”
Casey grabs my hand again and caresses it with his thumb. He looks up at me and smirks playfully. “You know,” he says and stops, as though considering his next words. “I hated seeing some other guy put his arms around you.”
“Did you now?” I ask, flirtatiously.
I admit it. I’m trying hard to coax a confession of his love for me right now. “Why is that?”
He shrugs and leaves it at that.
Slightly disappointed he doesn’t say more, I bite my tongue, trying to hold back my annoyance, but I ultimately lose the fight. “Maybe we should talk, too.”
It was exactly what Jane and Charlotte warned me not to do. But I can’t help it. Open and honest communication is important.
But Casey’s face falters and my heart shudders at the implication that he doesn’t want to talk about it.
“Sure, but let’s grab something at the buffet first. I’m starving.”