“My bestie is about to leave me for the next six weeks. I only have a couple more days to bug you before you’re out of reach.”
“Come on, Rosy,” I hum, throwing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into my side. “You know distance will never stop you from bugging me.”
“Hey!” She slaps my chest as she laughs and we both make our way out of the laundry room, her still tucked against me. I kiss the top of her head and she wraps her arms around me the best that she can, giving me a squeeze. “You know you’ll miss me too, so don’t even pretend otherwise.”
“Who’s pretending?” I ask with a smirk. “Help me fold, yeah?”
“Fine,” she says with a sigh of resignation, following me up to my room. “But only because I know this is your way of saying, I love you so much, Rosy, and these next six weeks are going to suck ass without you—even if you are having the time of your life.”
“Hurry up and graduate, twerp, and maybe next time you can come with us.”
We both sit together on my bed and she smiles at me before she picks up a t-shirt and starts to fold.
“You really mean that?”
I offer her a shrug as I chuckle. I wish I could tell the future, but I know that I can’t. Even still, I’m not the only McCoy with big dreams. Hers have been on course to crash into mine for a while, now. “That was always the plan, right? Mountains & Men makes it big and my kid sister comes along for the ride.”
“More like your wickedly smart and talented kid sister comes along and handles any and all of your financial needs—because one of us had to get an actual education.”
“In theory,” I laugh.
“Seriously, Sage,” she begins to say, nudging me with her shoulder. “You know this is the start of something. This tour—no matter where it leads you—it’s still a huge fucking deal. I’m so incredibly proud of you! And—shit.” I toss aside a pair of socks when I hear her sniffle.
“None of that, baby girl,” I insist, palming the top of her head and directing her gaze to line up with mine.
“No, just listen,” she murmurs. “You know you’ve always been more than my brother. You’ve taught me so much just by being you—by chasing after what you want and never giving up. I admire you more than words can say, Sage, and the fact that you guys are making moves…I’m just really proud of you. I’m proud to be able to call you my brother, and even more so to call you my best friend. I’m going to miss you like crazy.”
I pull her toward me, pressing a kiss against her forehead before I let her go. “Me, too, Rosemary. Me, too.”
“Okay!” she exclaims, running her fingers through her hair. “Enough of that. I don’t even know where that came from.”
“You raggin’?” I tease.
“Ew, Sage! Fuck you.” She throws a pair of jeans at me, but I only laugh.
Times like these, I’m reminded why she’s always been more than a sister to me, too. Our friendship is easy and fun. The fact that we’re related to each other and she can’t get rid of me is kind of just a bonus.
“Don’t talk like that, Rosy. You’re a lady—and don’t you dare forget that while I’m gone, either.”
“Please,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Like I need you to remind me that I’m a lady. I’m a badass, big bro—with fucking class.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
“Speaking of ladies—Pepper said Millie is coming to dinner Saturday.”
“Yup. Four of my favorite girls at my favorite table.”
She grins at me and I toss her a wink.
“I like you like this.”
“Like what?”
She shakes her head as her eyes rake over me, as if she can’t find the right words to express what this means.
“I don’t know. Like this—boyfriend, brother, musician—all of it. You seem really, truly happy.”
I nod, thinking about everything I’ve got going on in my life right now. I have not one thing to complain about. The exact opposite, as a matter of fact. I don’t know how I got so lucky. I feel like I turned twenty-one and hit the jackpot. I plan on savoring every bit of my winnings, and working my ass off to keep ‘em coming.
“I am happy, Rosy. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
Crawling closer to me, she leans in and kisses my cheek. “Good!” she proclaims.
I chuckle and shake my head at her. I don’t know why she’s gotten sentimental all of a sudden. I’d be willing to bet she’s totally raggin’. The thought crosses my mind to tease her about it some more, but then I think better of it. If I’m right—it’s better just to let her have her day.
“Get to work, twerp. These clothes aren’t going to fold themselves.”
She sticks her tongue out at me before plucking another t-shirt from the basket. “You’re such a brat.”
I WAKE TO THE feel of his lips brushing across my shoulders. When he reaches the middle of my back, he sweeps away my hair so as to continue his journey to my other side. I don’t open my eyes. I don’t move a muscle. I’m not ready for him to know I’m awake yet. I’m not ready for this day to begin.
How the fuck did Saturday get here so quickly? How can this be the beginning of the end? How am I going to let him just walk away with my heart?
I have no answers to my questions. Only this moment. Only his warm, wet lips on my skin. I simply enjoy his sweet kisses and will myself not to cry.
After he has kissed his way from one shoulder to the next, he returns to the center of my back and kisses his way down my spine. When he reaches my ass, he bites me, making me giggle, and the low treble of his chuckle can be felt through his lips as he presses them where he just bit me.
“Thought that might get you up, sleepy head.”
I groan, turning my head so that I might see him from over my shoulder.
“Come on, gorgeous, wake up. Take a shower with me.”
“What time is it?” I grumble.
“Just after ten. I’m supposed to meet up with Rosy at eleven thirty. She’s coming by the house to pick up a key and gather up a bunch of Maestro’s stuff.”
I nod, aware of the arrangement he has made with his sister. Since all of the guys will be gone for the next six weeks, Rose and Violet have been left to look after the house, and Maestro will be staying with Rose. These are last minute details—the little things that need to be taken care of before the boys and Alex hop on a bus headed for Texas.
“Baby, come on,” he urges me, leaning down to kiss my lips. “Please?”
“Well—since you said please,” I quip, forcing myself up.
“That’s my girl,” he says with a grin. “I’ll go start the shower.”
He jumps out of bed and heads for my bedroom door, stark naked. As I watch him go, staring at the tattooed mountain-scape that spans across his broad shoulders, I hope Sarah isn’t home. We’ve gotten far too comfortable in her absence. Not that it will matter much after today.
I’m just climbing out of bed when I hear him call my name, urging me to join him. I assume, given the lack of commotion, that we’re alone and I don’t need to worry about Sarah. I don’t bother with any clothing, either, before I follow after him. When I reach the bathroom, I see that he’s already in the tub, and I waste not another second before I join him. He smirks at me when I do and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me against him.
“Fuck. I’m going to miss you, baby.”
The tears his words provoke catch me off guard, and my breath catches in my throat, hindering my ability to speak.
“Hey, now,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to my forehead. “No crying.”
I nod, pushing myself up onto my tiptoes so that I can wrap my arms tightly around his neck. He’s right. I’ll have plenty of opportunity to cry later—but not here. Not now. Not when I still have him in my arms.
I try my best to tamp down my emotions and then turn my head to kiss his cheek. I kiss him again and again until he turns his head as well, lining up our lips, giving me exa
ctly what I want—what I need. When the tip of his tongue slides across the seam of my lips, gently seeking entrance into my mouth, I immediately open up for him. My stomach tingles and my pussy aches as I kiss him deeper. He reaches up and buries his fingers in my hair, tilting my head back as he takes full control of my mouth, and I moan in surrender.
He might not belong to me, but I belong to him, and I’m not afraid to show him.
He kisses me until my lips are swollen and my pussy is primed and ready, and then he goes down on me. He makes me come twice—once with his tongue, then immediately after with his fingers. I’m more than happy to return the favor, dropping to my knees.
The sound he makes when he spills his release down the back of my throat reminds me of our first night together. I loved to hear him groan then, and I love it even more now.
We wash each other clean, taking our time and using our hands. When we finally get out, he has just enough time to get dressed before he has to leave.
“I’ll be back to get you around six,” he tells me, sweeping my damp hair behind my ears.
I nod, knowing full well that tonight will not go as planned. It can’t. I won’t let it.
“Okay, I have to go. Rosy will hound me if I’m late.”
“Yeah, go,” I hardly manage.
He brushes a kiss against my lips, smiles at me, and then kisses me once more. “Bye, baby.”
My goodbye gets stuck in my throat, but he doesn’t seem to notice as he leaves me alone in my apartment. As soon as the door latches closed behind him, the tears I was holding back before come forth in full force.
I cry knowing that I’ve just said goodbye to his sexy smile.
I cry knowing that we’ll never have another morning covered in kisses again.
Knowing that his beautiful blue eyes will not look at me the same after tonight.
Knowing that I am a fool.
That it’s too late.
That I’m in love with him…
And the depth of my love doesn’t change a damn thing.
THE LIVING ROOM in our house is a picture of our future. All of our bags are packed, piled together and ready to be loaded up. I gather Maestro up in my arms and kiss the top of his head as I look around, a knowing smile on my face. The five of us guys moved into this house with hopes of making music and making a name for ourselves. Now, we’re well on our way to doing just that. We can hardly wait to get the hell out of here.
I leave through the front door, headed back to Millie’s. I got a bunch of last minute shit done today, including getting Rosy all set up to keep my little guy while I’m away. I couldn’t really bear spending the day without him, though, so he’s been with me all day. The boys’ll be happy to have his company at dinner tonight, anyway. In fact, they’ll probably be just as happy to see him as Pepper is to see Millie. Maybe with my girl there, Pepper will be less emotional about my leaving. Though, I suppose I’m not holding my breath on that one.
I pull into Millie’s apartment complex right at six o’clock. I leave Maestro in the car, intending to be inside for only a moment. However, after I knock and Millie opens the door, I know right away that something is off—way the fuck off. My stomach drops at the sight of her—dressed in the same pair of sweatpants and long-sleeved t-shirt she was wearing when I left this morning. Her hair is a beautiful mess, draped down her chest and swept behind her ears, leaving her red puffy eyes fully on display.
“Millicent, baby, what’s wrong?” I ask, reaching for her.
She takes a step back from me, shaking her head, and I frown in response.
“Millicent?”
“I can’t go with you tonight. I’m not going to Pepper’s.”
“Why? What happened? What’s going on, doll face?”
I watch as she readies herself, taking a deep breath and straightening her spine before she looks right at me with her dark green eyes. “I’m breaking up with you, Sage,” she barely manages.
Fuck. She’s running.
I know this without any explanation. I know this because I’ve been introduced to her fears—I’ve met the demons in her eyes. Only, I’m not afraid of them like she is. No way in hell will I let this happen.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” I mutter, taking a step toward her.
“Sage—” she starts to say, holding her hand up to stop me.
“No, Millicent—I’m not letting you do this.” My heart rate picks up speed, my whole body gearing up for a fight.
“You don’t get a say.” Her voice cracks as fresh tears spill down her cheeks, and all I want to do is pull her into my arms and promise her that she doesn’t need to be afraid.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm down so that I can talk some sense into her. “Millie—doll face—we’re going to be fine. I promise, baby, we’ll get through this. It’s only six weeks. That’s nothing. You know it’s nothing.” I reach for her cheek, and this time, she doesn’t pull away from me. Instead, she leans her face into my palm and closes her eyes.
Too soon, she cups her hand around mine, gripping my fingers before pulling them away from her face. “I can’t do this,” she tells me. “I can’t be your girlfriend. I thought I could, but I can’t. We just don’t fit together, Sage. Don’t you see that?”
“Dammit, Millie—don’t do this. Don’t do this again, baby. You want me and I want you, so we fucking fit. That’s it! It’s not complicated.”
“No. You’re wrong. It is complicated. You’re destined for greatness and I—I’m not.”
“Mill—” I reach for her once more but she shoves her hands against my chest, silencing me.
“This is not up for discussion. You need to leave.”
“Like fuck!” I cry. “I’m not losing you, Millicent. Enough with this bullshit. Let me in.”
“No,” she insists, shaking her head before she tries slamming the door in my face.
I’m quicker and stronger than she is and I smack my palm against the door, pushing it back as I reach for her with my free hand. She gasps when I pull her flush against me, leaning down to press my forehead against hers.
“Millicent—I’m begging you. Don’t do this. You can’t do this. It’s not what you want. It’s not what either of us wants.”
“But—”
“Baby,” I whisper, tracing my nose down the length of hers. “Stop fighting me.”
She grips two fistfuls of my shirt before a sob spills from her mouth. “I can’t! Don’t you get it? I can’t wait for you to open your eyes and see that this won’t last—we won’t last. You’re leaving tomorrow and I bet it won’t take but six days for you to see just how much bigger you are than this town, than me. You won’t want to come back. You won’t want me. And I get it, Sage—I get it. But—”
I scoff, cutting her off as I reach up and hold her face in my hands, wiping away her stream of tears. “Bull-fucking-shit, Millie. That’s all bullshit. Don’t stand here and tell me what I will and will not want when you apparently have no fucking idea what you mean to me.”
She growls in frustration, batting my hands away from her as she stands her ground. “You don’t tell me what you will and will not want when you have no idea how this tour will change you! And it will change you, Sage—don’t tell me you’re so naive that you think it won’t.”
I growl back at her, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. She’s so goddamn stubborn. If there’s one thing I know about this tour, it’s that she’s just as naive about it as I am. If she only knew what she did to me—my no-nonsense girl. She’s always argued that she doesn’t fit into my world, that she’s too different, but that’s what I like the most about her. She sees the world in ways that I don’t; and I don’t get how she does it, but she grounds me and lifts me up all at once. She makes my heart sing. When I’m with her, when I hold her in my arms, I know that I don’t want anyone else—that no matter what, I’ll fight for her. Somehow I know that if I don’t, if I give up, if I walk away, I’ll lose a love worthy of its ow
n melody.
I need that—I need her. I need the promise of my girl being here when I get back. She knows me. She sees me—now. She sees me now as just Sage—the pianist who dreams of singing rock music all over the world. I’m her dream chaser. She said that—I own that. And if she thinks for one second that the idea of being on the road bagging a groupie night after night—hell, bagging ten groupies night after night—if she thinks that I want that more than I want her, she’s not nearly as smart as I thought she was.
I WATCH HIM AS he rakes his fingers through his hair, looking at me with a desperation that mirrors my own. I knew this would happen—knew he would fight—but I thought I could be stronger than this.
I need to be stronger than this.
“Sage, please, just go,” I whimper. “Let’s just do this now instead of later when it’ll hurt so much more.”
“Or we could not do this! Millie—you’re writing our future as if you see it so clearly. Baby, don’t write our ending when we’ve barely scratched the surface of our beginning.”
I bring a hand to my chest, pressing down hard in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure that seems to be building there. Every time he speaks, a surge of panic rushes through me, making it difficult for me to even think about breathing. I wonder if I can still be me if I push away the one person who matters the most to me. I wonder if I can still be Millicent without my heart.
“Millicent,” he whispers, reaching for me.
I don’t fight him when he slips his arms around me, or when he lines his lips up with mine, or when he kisses me gently. I don’t fight him because I’m just as weak as my mother said I was. I can’t fight him because I belong to him—I have since that very first night when he sang to me in bed.
You know nothing of the price of love.
My mother’s words reverberate through my head, pulling me from this intimate moment, thrusting me toward the unwelcome memory that only reminds me of my pain. Pain that I’ve known for what feels like my whole life. Pain that I’ve carried with me in the name of love. Pain that I know will pale in comparison to the damage that will come from loving Sage.
Worthy of the Harmony (Mountains & Men Book 2) Page 24