Sage.
Blessing? Blessing?! I am fucking twenty-one years old. A twenty-one-year-old who still needs her fathers blessing to date. Maldita patética. [Fucking pathetic.]
Where the hell did Douglas run off to? Was this house as big as it is now before I left?
"Douglas?!" I call out.
"What?!"
"Change the tone of your damn voice. You might be my boyfriend, but I won't think twice if I have to kill you. Try to disrespect my family once more, see what happens. Yo te reto. [I dare you.] Now, listen closely. You will go down to my father to ask for forgiveness and for his blessing to date me."
Looking at his face, guilt flooded me again. His features were hanging low with a 'sorry' look on his face. I know he doesn't deserve the neglect I've given him ever since we arrived in Phoenix.
"I'm sorry Doug. You know being back here has messed with my brain. I know I'm being harsh on you, but you do not have the right to disrespect my family like that. Te quiero. [I love you.]
"Yo también te amo. [I love you too] I'm sorry." He said as he pulled me into a stiff hug. I hate physical contact, unless it's me choking someone out.
"The León's are organizing a ball in a few weeks, just giving you a heads up."
"Okay, querida [Dear]" He said as he walked off. Probably to find my father.
The León's always organize these extravagant balls. It's very good for business, but they aren't as enjoyable as people make them seem. The big bad mafia bosses take care of business while their wives are off somewhere else to give someone else their body. Fucking disgusting if you ask me. 'The wives make it easier to make allies.' My ass. I despise men who think with their dick instead of with their head. Also known as, most men. Disgusting.
Nysa.
Just the thought of the girl with beautiful wavy red hair and piercing hazel eyes brings a smile to my face. The image of her smile pops back up in my head as I hear my phone. Ping.
'Hey, cutie. Remember me from the bar? I think we should meet up somewhere. ;). Bring your friends if you wanna.'
Oh. My. God. It's her! I am internally screaming right now. Fuck. What the hell do I reply? I'm bad at this. Real fucking bad. Down bad for her, though.
"Sage, bestie, where are you?!" I scream.
"Nysa, I told you not to call me that! What the hell do you want?"
"You know how to do this shit right? How else would you be in a relationship with my brother?" I say as I shove my phone in her face.
"How would I know?! Your damn brother made all the moves. Just say 'Sure, does 1:30 pm work for you tomorrow? At Songbird Coffee and Tea House?' I don't know. Don't ask me."
"Will you at least be my wingman tomorrow? Pretty please?"
"Fine" She scoffs
'Hey pretty face, does 1:30 pm work for you tomorrow? At Songbird Coffee and Tea House?' I respond to her message.
Ping.
'Sure thing gorgeous'
---------------
The next day, 12:37 pm
Atlas.
"Las, get ready. I have a date and you're coming. No discussions." I hear Tate say from the bottom of the stairs.
"Tate, I. Am. Not. Going. To your date."
"I said no discussions."
"But Tay-"
"No Atlas, you're coming, be ready by 1 pm."
---------------
1:33 pm, Songbird Coffee & Tea House
As I walk in, my eyes meet with the beautiful green eyes that had been lasered into my head since we were kids. Sage. Wait, what the hell was Sage doing here?
"Je pensais que c'était un rendez-vous?! Entre toi et une autre fille?" ["I thought this was a date?! Between you and another girl?"] I whisper to Tate.
"Pourquoi diable pensez-vous que vous êtes ici avec moi? Vous êtes mon ailier, alors agissez comme ça." ["Why the hell do you think you are here with me? You are my wingman, so act like it."]
For fuck sakes. If I would've known that Sage would be here, I would've never come. Still, with eye contact between Sage and me, I quietly took a seat next to Tate. I gave Tate an angry look before ordering a cup of tea. I've never liked coffee. Tea has always been my go-to order.
"Pour votre information, je ne savais pas que votre petit amoureux d'enfance serait là." ["For your information, I had no idea that your little childhood lover would be here."]
I scowl at Tate. Of course, she didn't.
"A cup of green tea, now." I said to the waiter in the act of looking down at my menu. Still deciding if I wanted a piece of blueberry cheesecake or a piece of carrot cake.
"And two blueberry cheesecakes please." A soft voice across from me says. Sage.
"Still don't like coffee huh?" She breaks the silence with a smirk on her face. My jaw tenses. She remembered.
''Glad you remembered'' I mutter with an eye-roll.
The girl across from Tate orders a piece of apple pie and Tate orders a black coffee.
"Why did you leave?" I said without realizing my thought had slipped from my mouth. Sage's face froze. What the hell happened seven years ago?
"It's none of your concern Atlas. Stay out of my business. " Her face was emotionless. Reading faces in a meeting was one of my talents. But there was no emotion. What the fuck?
"Don't you think I have the right to know?!"
"No, no I do not."
I slowly got up from my chair.
"Make my tea to-go. Quick."
I reach for my to-go cup and I try to walk out of the cafe. But before I could go, Tate grabs my arm.
"Las?! Where are you going?!" she hissed.
"I don't think I'm needed here. Good luck Tay. And you, Sage. Have a nice day." I snapped back, as I walk out.
YOU ARE READING
Growing Fires with Old Ashes
Romance''While I was beating myself up over you. You were giving someone the butterflies that were meant for me.'' ----------- After years of being abandoned, drugs and alcohol, Atlas Bressett ends up becoming the new heir of the Usoro Mafia. He turned int...
