Something In The Orange

Chapter Thirty-One

"That was delicious," Zoey said, and the whole table agreed. "Let me clean up a bit, everyone can do their thing, and I'll have dessert out in no time!" My mom smiled. My family instantly split, some going outside to smoke, some going to sit in the living room, a few going to the bathroom. "Let me help!" Zoey volunteered, carrying some dishes to the sink. "Come on handsome, I'll take your plate," Josie said, grabbing Sage's plate. After she walked away Declan looked between me and Sage. "What the hell is going on?" 

"Seems like your sister is a little jealous," Sage laughed and I rolled my eyes. "Gross. You two aren't official, so he's free game," D said, defending Sage. There it was. The jealousy boiling again. Sage shrugged, getting up and walking outside. "What the hell?" I exclaimed, hitting Declan's arm. "Grow up, this is Sage, he's a flirt, always will be."  "What's that supposed to mean?" I shot. "It means, baby sis, he's not the guy you want him to be, he likes to do whatever he wants, and he's not going to stop, especially if you aren't going to tell people you're together."

Are you joking? He doesn't want us together, and now that's what he has to say. Wtf.

I watched as Josie, headed out in the same direction as Sage. Suddenly, my best cousin, is quickly becoming my worst enemy and competition. I slammed my hands on the table, pushing out my chair. "Everyone will know soon enough, when I live with him." I quickly stood to my feet. "What?" Declan asked, but I ignored stomping outside.

I seen the two of them standing by his car, she passed him her vape, and he took a hit. Anger was fueling my action and jealousy, as a flashback of him blowing smoke in my mouth came to me. I walked over to them, standing beside of Sage, about to make a smart ass comment, but I stopped when he greeted me, by wrapping his arm around my waist. "Hey babe." Josie's jaw fell to the floor, "Babe?" She asked, in shock. "Yeah," I nodded. "Oh my god, Peyton, why didn't you tell me?" She exclaimed. I shrugged, "It's complicated." "It doesn't have to be," Sage scoffed.

"Um, dating your older brothers best friend? That's more than complicated," Josie said. "Just wait til he finds out about-" Before Sage could finish his sentence, Declan called out his name, storming over to us. 

Shit.

Sage gave me a weird look, before looking at D. 

Here we go.

"I gotta run to the store, wanna go with?" D asked. I felt an instant relief. Thank god. "Yeah man," Sage nodded. "Alright, let's go." Declan climbed into his car. "I'll be back," Sage said and I nodded. He quickly kissed my cheek, before getting into the car with D and they left.

-

Everyone had piled out, my mom was downstairs packing up the food with her sister, my aunt Laureen. Declan and Sage were downstairs watching the game, and us three girls were in my room, talking and listening to music. "I still don't understand why you don't want people to know! He's so hot!" Josie exclaimed, Zoey agreeing with her. "Oh, she knows just how hot he is," Zoey laughed and I hit her arm, my eyes wide. "Oh my god! You did the dirty, you little slut!" Josie said in shock and then started laughing, causing us to all laugh. "Shhh," I hushed her, afraid of Declan or my mom hearing.

"There's more," I said shyly. "What?" Zoey asked, curious of what's happened that I haven't told her. I looked directly at her. "When we get back, I'm moving in with him." Both their eyes widened. "How?" Zoey continued. "His dad got him an apartment and he asked me." She squinted her eyes at me, before blinking it all away. "That's exciting!" Josie smiled.  "Dick, whenever she wants!" She cheered and we all laughed again. "Does D know?" I nodded, "I made the comment about it today, but he didn't say anything, because I walked away."

She was about to answer, when suddenly we heard someone clear their throat, we all looked to see Sage standing in the doorway, his hands holding the doorframe, as he leaned his body, a smirk on his lips. "Who wants to get drunk?" We all looked at each other, before Josie and Zoey jumped to their feet, shouting "Me!" Sage laughed, "D has it downstairs, your mom is way ahead of us though." They all laughed, the girls skipped out of the room, but I sat still.

I don't want to drink, and I definitely don't want to drink with my mom.

"What's wrong? Come on," He encouraged, but I shook my head. "I'm okay, you go have fun." He gave me a weird look. "You are my fun," he winked, and I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, go, I think I'm gonna go to sleep," I admitted, and he nodded before leaving.

I wasn't going to sleep, I just didn't want to have to spend any more time with my mom, I didn't want to see the flirting that I know will still go on between him and Josie, and I just didn't want to say anything to D and start an argument. So, it's best I stay in here.