“Sure. Just remember, I get it. I understand the fear, the uncertainty, and need to hold back, and not give in. Trust doesn’t come easy for women like us, who’ve been through the things we survived. But that’s just it. We survived. We got a second chance at life. It would be silly to waste it hiding, when you can enjoy even the simplest things with those around you, with those you can trust, and who would do anything to protect.”
“I don’t even know Dale, Virgo, Matt, and Quaid. I can’t trust them.”
“Why not?”
“Because, they’ll ask more questions. They already looked into my past, and know I was homeless, that I was being hunted by Triumph, and God knows what else they knew or have assumed. It’s not fair. I don’t know a damn thing about them, yet they’ve already practically investigated me.”
Lena looked shocked.
“I’m sure that’s not what happened.”
Sage shot her a look.
“Sage?” Bryant came downstairs and he looked concerned.
They heard the horn honking outside. Her ride was there.
“Forget it. I don’t want to hear it.”
“Wait. They didn’t investigate you. Wyatt and Kenny told them about how Lena and us met and got involved. They shared the story with them.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not ready for that. I’m not ready to get my heart broken.”
Sage walked out and headed down the steps. She took a deep breath and forced the tears away, and put on her happy, “everything is perfect” face as her friends greeted her.
“All set?” Davie asked as the girls complimented her outfit and Bill told her she could sit on Corey’s lap in the front seat.
“In your dreams.” They laughed as she climbed into the backseat of the Mustang. The girls, along with Davie and Lenny, climbed into Davie’s truck. As they sped out and down the long dirt driveway, Sage couldn’t help but feel nervous and a bit of guilt.
Why do I feel guilty? They’re not my boyfriends. That kiss with Dale meant nothing. She was quiet a moment as the words sunk in and made her feel hollow inside. Then she thought of the others.
Help me to get them out of my head. Let me enjoy tonight, and tomorrow I’ll deal with all these crazy emotions.
* * * *
The music was blasting and Sage just came off the dance floor in desperate need of a drink. She glanced around, looking for Amanda as Sissy and Mary joined Sage by the bar.
“Have you seen Amanda?” Sage asked.
“I think she’s still talking with that guy she met an hour ago,” Mary said.
Sage tried to find her. “I don’t see them in the corner anymore. She would have told us if she were leaving.”
“Good evening, ladies. Can we buy you ladies some drinks?” Sage looked up to see four cowboys who had been watching them dancing. Mary had her eyes on one, while Sissy had her eyes on another.
“Sure thing. My name’s Sissy.” Sissy began the introductions, and despite how good looking and sexy the cowboys were, Sage wasn’t interested. It was crazy, but she thought about Dale, and the way his lips felt against her lips, and how his hands explored her body in her kitchen. She wondered what Matt and Quaid would do if they saw her here right now, dancing, having a good time while these men flirted with her. Then of course she thought about Virgo. Sweet, big Virgo and his arms of steel. This was a complete first for her, and she was trying to process her thoughts when she felt the hand against her elbow. Two of the cowboys took position on either side of her.
“Darling, you’re too damn pretty to be pouting like that,” one whispered to her. She moved back, only to bump into the hard body of the other cowboy behind her.
“Will you excuse me a moment?” She looked at Mary and Sissy, and then whispered to Mary.
“You have fun with these guys, I’m going to see if I can find Amanda and the guys.” They smiled and waved, and she saw the disappointed expressions on the cowboys’ faces.
She was trying to make her way through the crowd when she heard some yelling and then looked to see Bill and Corey about to get into a fight with three other cowboys. There was a blonde standing on the side looking concerned.
Sage pushed through the crowd.
Stupid Bill and Corey probably flirted with those cowboys’ girl. It was funny, but she thought about Matt, and what he did at that bar with the girl, wound up in the mud pit and then took the girl on a date.