23. Sage
23
SAGE
S age touched her cheek. Then her other cheek. Then she went and took a shower because how else did someone handle an existential crisis? One simply had to stand under the cascading water and contemplate their life while staring at the white wall, obviously. Sage didn’t make the rules of life. She just followed them.
He’d kissed her (cheek)! But still, he’d kissed her. And it was nice. And it felt…normal? Totally ordinary, like that was something they’d done a hundred times, and like it was the most natural thing in the world…like they were a couple that did couple-y things.
What a jerk.
She needed to focus! Not get all weird about a boy.
Except he wasn’t a boy. No. She’d been admiring his muscle and lean body from afar and tonight she got to touch him, she got to wrap her arms around him and felt his wrapped around hers and ugh.
She was a sucker for muscular forearms. And for someone who took care of themselves. Someone who valued their health and fitness and made her want to do the same thing. She liked someone who exercised their minds and had “fun facts” about what they’ve learned—especially if they were on a sea animal kick.
It didn’t hurt that he was nice to look at too.
Sage shook her head, banishing the images of Leo and a pink teapot that flashed across her mind.
Suey was nice. She was a professional and the assistant fa?ade fell away with the crisp uniforms with the agency’s name embroidered on the chest.
Oh. And the fact that they had guns.
Whispers swirled, but nothing could outweigh the buzz of excitement at the impending competition.
Players, sponsors, commentators, and other influencers all enjoyed the welcome dinner and Sage did her best not to appear absolutely on edge with her nerves.
This was really happening. This competition had been such an idea for so long that it was strange to actually be here, doing the thing.
Lily looked to be high on life and was totally milking the whole bodyguard thing. Jared was insufferable, but he always was.
She chatted and ate wayyyy too much cheesecake. She couldn’t help but glance around the giant room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Leo. She never found him.
The event went without a hitch save for the nerves trying to fry her alive. She got ready for bed and lay awake for far too long.
Her phone buzzed.
LEO: Heard you ate all cheesecake. Please tell me it was horrible otherwise I shall die of envy.
SAGE: I must admit it was subpar. The risotto though…might have been better than yours.
LEO: I will not dignify that slander with a response. But If I were you I would probably make a comparison about how their sorry excuse for rice looked more like oatmeal and mine is always a work of art.
SAGE: Good thing you didn’t have to dignify that with a response. Everything okay?
LEO: All good. Just wanted to wish you luck. So here it is. Good luck.
SAGE: A man of many words.
LEO: Goodnight, Sage.
S he didn’t sleep a wink.
The morning came with texts of “good lucks” and “you’ve got this” and a “make us proud” from Lily.
Sage wanted to vomit. Instead, she put on her race day outfit of black jeans, simple boots, and a classic (but extremely soft) t-shirt that had Squash’s signature face embroidered on the front and all her sponsors on the back. She actually curled her hair and let it fall in loose waves around her, not that it would last that long. She’d no doubt throw it up in a bun when the stakes got higher. The higher the bun, the better she played, apparently.
Suey knocked on the door to let Sage know she’d be walking her down for the first meet and greet and introductions as soon as she was ready. The event started at eleven sharp.
Suey was a tall and muscular woman in her forties and she was clearly a no-nonsense sort of gal. She waited outside the door like a real bodyguard, which, of course, she was, but it was so weird to think even now she had guards—multiple—keeping an eye out for her. This felt real.
Suey gave Sage a nod when she exited her suite. “Ready?” Suey asked.
“As I’ll ever be!” Sage said with all the bravado she wanted to feel but just…didn’t. This was supposed to be fun! This was supposed to be exciting! So why did she feel like her limbs were trying to each run away in a different direction?
Suey paused at the elevator, looking at her watch. “Says we are to go to the second floor where we’ll convene in the green room.”
“I actually prefer the stairs,” Sage said, pointing down the hall.
Suey shook her head. “Leo was specific that we do not deviate from the plan.”
Speaking of her source of annoyance, Leo trotted up, looking just as wired as she felt. “Hey, glad I caught you,” he said to Suey. “Forgot to mention stairs are acceptable.”
Suey raised an eyebrow as if what Leo had said was ludicrous .
“Hey,” Leo said, raising his hands in defense. “Small concessions, alright? Unless you’d rather be wearing her morning tea on your shoes?”
Suey glanced at Sage where she just shrugged. “I don’t like small spaces.”
“Stairs it is.”
She fit her earpiece in place. “I’ll wait by the door,” she said. Did she just wink at Leo? Or was that for her?
“Hey,” Leo said. “Things are going to be crazy today for both of us. And you and I both know this job is going to be over as soon as you win this competition?—”
“If,” Sage said.
“You’re going to do great and I wanted to give you something so you knew I was thinking about you. And good luck charm of sorts.”
“A gift?”
And then he leaned down and kissed her. It was soft, and his hand rested on the side of her cheek. How is it that she felt his thumb brushing against her cheekbone when his lips (his lips!) were pressed gently against her own? He smelled of cedar and soap and mint and—and it was over just as soon as it happened.
Her stomach lurched. Butterflies were nothing compared to the chaos happening in her blood. She was acutely aware of the heat between them, more than likely emanating from the flush quickly rising from her chest to her face.
“Good luck,” he whispered, before leaving one more peck against her nearly open mouth. And like a freaking movie scene, he walked away.
Was that a strut ?
Wait, what was happening?
Suey opened the stairwell door. “Ready, Miss Moon?”
“Not even a little bit,” Sage said, walking through the doors, fingers brushing over her lips.
They didn’t make it to the second floor. They didn’t even make it three floors down before a side door opened and everything went black.
The last thing she heard was a yell, a scuffle, and the thump of Suey hitting the ground.