Chapter 40
Sage
After clearing the air with Rhodes, we fell into an easy routine, and spring seemed to fly by. Maybe it was because it was one of my busiest seasons, leading right into summer. I’d been booked for weddings all year, so I was ready, but the excitement was real.
Now I also had projects at Rhodes’s house to keep me busy.
Not that I minded spending the long evenings there with Opal and Rhodes while she played and we worked in the garden.
It was the safest place for me because of all the security measures he’d put in place, and with him there, I felt like nothing could get to me.
He wouldn’t even accept deliveries at the property anymore.
I teased him that he was going to turn into a hermit, but he said that one of the biggest security holes was allowing deliveries, so all of his had to be sent to the post office box in town.
In the evenings, we cooked together, and most nights we spent them tangled up in each other’s arms. The sex was incredible, and the cuddling was even better.
Tonight, though, was girls’ night. Sort of.
“You know they’re going to be there,” Hattie nudged me.
“I see them.” I tossed my ponytail. “But I’m going to ignore them so we can enjoy ourselves. We have line dancing to do and tequila shots calling our names.”
“Agreed, bestie.” Lila gave her husband a fierce look as she linked her arm with mine. “Who’s watching Opal tonight if Rhodes is here?”
“Ellis. I believe he’s getting a full manicure. He claims he won’t enjoy it, but I think he’s a bald-faced liar.”
I needed this girls' night like air. Drawing a few other girls into our sister circle had been something we’d started doing recently. Lila had asked Mia to join us later, and we’d been trying to tempt Viola to hang out with us. One of these days, she’d give in.
The spring evening still had a chill, so I pulled my jacket tighter as we got out of Lila’s SUV. Even from the sidewalk, you could hear the familiar sound of country music and laughter.
The place was crowded for a weeknight. The neon sign on the wall blinked slowly, as if it might die at any moment, and peanut shells crunched under our boots.
It was perfect. A few couples were two-stepping on the dance floor, but we claimed a corner booth far enough from the bar to chat without shouting.
Ellis had complained about “security risks,” but Rhodes insisted we’d be well protected for a night out.
I could see the group of guys already stealing glances our way, but they kept their distance.
I hadn’t received another flower delivery or any sign that my ’stalker’ was still lingering around.
My hope was that they had given up and moved on.
I knew Rhodes didn’t think so, but we were stuck waiting because there seemed to be no other way to find out, which sucked.
Still, I couldn't shake the prickly feeling of being watched, as if eyes were boring into my back from the shadows. My paranoia was at an all-time high, as were my nightmares. I knew everyone was doing their best to find out who was behind it, but with so long a spell between deliveries, I was torn between hoping they had moved on and wishing they’d strike again, so there was a chance they’d be caught.
Our guys were already set up at a table across the room. Rhodes’ gray eyes locked on mine for a split second before he looked away after a quick wink. Wade was there too, always the big brother, keeping an eye on Chloe and Phiny without hovering.
We slid into the booth, and Phiny immediately flagged down the server. "Tequila shots, ladies? Sage's specialty—first round on me."
I grinned, the tension in my shoulders easing. "You know me too well. Make 'em doubles. It's been that kind of week."
“Well, I wasn’t planning to say anything just yet, but … none for me.” Hattie gave us all a little smile as she placed her hand on her belly.
We squealed and dove in for hugs and congratulations.
I gave Hattie a look. “You need to make Kippers an honest man. He’s just wandering the world in a state of scandalous indecency.”
Hattie giggled. “I’m working on it, but I think we’re just going to go to the courthouse and get hitched. Maybe do a little celebration at Sunday dinner with the family.”
“We can come, right? To the courthouse?” We’d missed the last Holt wedding, and I wasn’t sure we’d gotten over it yet.
“Of course. We’d love that. I know you missed East and Lila, but we’ll have you there. Kipp said you all wouldn’t mind.” She rolled her eyes.
My brothers were idiots about that sort of thing.
You didn’t just get hitched without all of us there.
When I got married, I wanted the whole thing.
The dress, the flowers, the march. Everything.
I respected people who wanted to do things differently, but a dream from when I was little had hovered in my mind, exactly how I’d want the day to go.
The shots arrived quickly, making my mouth water. Tequila was my favorite. I knew it wasn’t everyone’s jam, but with the little limes on the side, the shots made me happy. We clinked glasses, the burn hitting me sharp and quick.
“To surviving creepy exes and even creepier stalkers,” I toasted with Hattie’s water glass. The tipsy chatter erupted like wildfire. “And to getting a baby Kipp. Well, we mostly have to toast Hattie, who has to grow a whole person.” I downed the next one.
"Okay, spill, Sage," Lila demanded, her cheeks already flushing from the shot. "You've been dodging details. What's the deal with Rhodes' ex? Catherine, right? She sounds like a total nightmare."
I signaled for another round. I would need another shot just thinking about that woman.
“Ugh, where do I start? She shows up at his door like she owns the place, calling him 'husband' right after... well, you know." I waved vaguely, heat creeping up my neck at the memory. “It just dredges up all my old crap with my ex. Ex-girlfriend drama central. Rhodes explained everything. It sounds like she really is a mega-bitch.” The tequila was doing its job, making me feel all warm. “Honestly, I hate being a mean girl, but I don’t really mind when it comes to her. She’s still hanging around out near Alder Valley and Jenkins Mill.”
“That is weird. You’d think she’d go back to Seattle.” Phiny leaned in, eyes sparkling mischievously. “If she shows up again, we'll handle her Holt-style."
We laughed as another round arrived just in time. Chloe, usually the quiet one, fidgeted with her glass, her cheeks pinker than the alcohol could explain. "Speaking of men... I, uh, had this patient at the hospital today. He was interesting.” She fidgeted some more.
Mia’s eyes narrowed. “Interesting, as in hot? Or interesting as he has an STD that you’ve never seen before.”
Chloe snorted. “Interesting hot I guess, but I think he was lying about why he was there.”
“Don’t men do that a lot at the hospital? Lie to make the reason they’re there sound better?” Mia chortled.
“They do,” Chloe admitted, biting her lip.
“Was he handsome?” Phiny asked. It was what I was wondering, the way Chloe was thinking so hard about this patient.
“Very.” Another blush. “Lots of tattoos and stuff, but really handsome.”
“Well, that’s okay, Lo. Flirting isn’t going to hurt anyone. You need a break from those doctors.” Phiny’s eyes narrowed. “He’s not a doctor, is he?”
“Definitely not.” She shook her head. “Pretty sure he was in a gang or something. Maybe one of those motorcycle guys.”
The table erupted. "Chloe Holt, you little rebel!" Lila crowed, high-fiving her. "Our resident good girl, flirting with a tattooed MC guy? Spill the details—did he have that forbidden charm?"
Chloe buried her face in her hands, laughing. "He was just... intense. Everything about him is a red flag, but nobody has ever looked at me like that."
Phiny grinned wickedly. "Good girl Chloe, going for the bad boy? Next thing you know, you'll be sneaking him into the ER for 'private check-ups.' We're proud of you, sis—finally getting some!"
Hattie joined in, teasing gently. "Aw, come on, Chloe's always been the angel of the group. This is progress!"
“If he shows up, make sure Wade’s not around.
Our big brother would absolutely freak out and arrest him on sight for just daring to take you out.
But hey, I don’t blame you, Lo Lo. Just be careful, okay?
If you’re really going out with him, make sure you get his ID and send it to one of us.
” The tequila was buzzing, but I threw back another shot.
“I promise, but I doubt he’ll be back.” She flushed. “And I don’t know if he’d ask me out.”
As the night wore on, that feeling of being watched crept back, a shiver down my spine despite the bar’s warmth.
I scanned the crowd—nothing obvious, just shadows and strangers—but it stayed with me.
Glancing at the guys’ table, I caught Rhodes’ eye again, his nod subtle and reassuring.
They were there, protecting us. It eased the paranoia a bit, letting me sink back into the laughter and shots.
For now, tequila and sisterhood were my armor.