𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒 | 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬

81| You Are in Love.

81 | You Are in Love.

| Sage's POV |

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"I get why you didn't tell mom, but," I started, shifting from my position by my window to look at Rory, who was lying on my bed. "Is there a reason you didn't tell me? About talking to dad, I mean."

She sighed, looking away from my computer, which we were rewatching Hamilton on for about a million times. I knew the entire soundtrack by heart. "I just know you and dad have never really been on good terms, that's all," she shrugged. "And I know dad has hurt you a lot in the past, and I didn't wanna upset anything that didn't need to be disturbed."

I looked at her and tried to swallow the bile in my throat. I hated her feeling like she needed to hide anything for my sake. I was supposed to be the big sister, not her. I should've been the one protecting her, not the other way around.

"You don't need to do that, Rory. You can tell me anything, I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me, never worry about me, okay? I'm fine, and I'm always okay when it comes to you," I said, standing up to go sit by her.

Rory bit her lip, but nodded, petting Willow when she curled up between the two of us. "You're right, not about me not worrying about you, but about telling you things. I should've told you, I'm sorry."

I shook my head, brushing a piece of hair out of her face when she gave me a soft smile. "Don't apologize, you don't ever need to apologize to me. You're my sister, crazy. Even if we disagree on some things, I still love you, believe it or not." I teased, messing with her hair when she leaned her head on my shoulder.

"Thank you, Sage," she mumbled, just as the final song of Hamilton, Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story, began playing. I softly tapped the beats on her arm on instinct, her lips tilting into a smile when she realized.

"Are you gonna go to the baby shower thing?" I asked her, tucking my hair behind my ear when it fell over my shoulder. She sighed softly before she responded, "yeah, I think I'm gonna. You wanna come with? You're invited. If not, I can always make up an excuse," she responded.

I wish I knew how to tell her how much I appreciated her, not just as my sister, but simply as a person. I shook my head faintly, feeling Ivy nuzzle against my knee as I pet her fur. "No, that's okay. Dad and his life can be your thing, and you can talk to me about it any time, " I said.

He knew where I stood on my opinions about him, so did Rory. And, as much restraint as it took, I decided I would stop inflicting my feelings about our dad into Rory, because that simply wasn't fair to either of us. Dad was different with her than he was with me. He loves and cares for Rory in ways he never did me, and that's okay. It wasn't for a while, but I also know it wasn't all one sided.

I'm done playing the victim in a situation where I was also responsible for. Yes, he should've been the bigger person, and yes, he shouldn't have let me push him the way I always did. But I also had countless opportunities to be the bigger person, to not push things, and I never took that chance. I was always the one to start the arguments, and as pure as my intentions may have been, my actions aren't justified because of it.

If Rory wanted to have a relationship with our dad, I would support her completely. I could love her and keep my distance from him at the same time. I had no problem with watching Rory be happy with him from afar. But I also had a right to stay away. I didn't have to force anything with dad because she had something with him, and I wasn't going to. That wouldn't get us anywhere. I could love my sister and not speak to my dad simultaneously and that's what I would do.

My train of rather gloomy and quite depressing thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of my phone. I answered, my voice coming out soft in order to not wake Ivy and Willow, who were lying on my lap together.

"Hi," I said. Luke's voice came out the other side, "Hey, kid. Sorry, I know it's late and this is incredibly random and something you probably don't even wanna talk about, but it's driving me crazy."

I smiled, "it's fine, old man, whatever it is. Just tell me."

"Uh, did Jess ever do anything or talk about doing anything for extra money? Like anything at all?"

I felt realization dawn on me as I smiled softly. "This is about the car he got, yeah?" I assumed, Rory meeting my eyes, a question on her face.

Luke sighed, and I could practically picture him pinching his temple. "Yeah, sorry I'm just on the verge of a manic episode," he deadpanned. I shook my head, "it's okay, Luke. And no, he never said anything, and I really don't think there's anything you have to worry about. But if you're really concerned, you could just ask him, you know?"

I heard a deep inhale of breath, following by an exhale. I grinned when Luke mumbled something to himself along the lines of, 'oh'. "Yeah, uh, you're right. Sorry, Sage, and thanks."

"No problem, Luke."

"Night, kid," he said. I smiled, "night, old man."

I hung up the phone and, judging by Rory's face, she heard the conversation. "You okay?" She asked, tilting her head slightly. "Yeah," I said, telling the truth. "Yeah, I am actually."

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