Something In The Orange

Chapter Thirty-Two

I laid in bed, tossing and turning, burying my head in my pillow trying to ignore the noises I'm hearing from Declan's room. Sage didn't come back to me at all after he went downstairs, and to be honest I feel like, this whole trip is just not going the way I had planned for us. I wanted to be with him, so I got up, tip toeing towards the stairs, when I heard him and Josie talking.

"So what's the real deal between you and Peyton?" Josie slurred. "I don't know, it's complicated," Sage answered. I tip toed down a few more steps, just enough to be able to see them. They were sitting a little too close on the couch. Sage had his head back, staring at the ceiling, bottle of whiskey in his hand. "I don't see you being with someone like her," Josie pushed. Sage let out a laugh, "Who do you see me with then?" "Someone more adventurous, flirty, wild, fun," She said, sliding over, filling the rest of the gap between them. 

Um, excuse me.

Please stop her. Please.

She put her hand on his leg, leaning over to him. "Don't you want those things?"

My heart was pounding tears filling my eyes, ready to fall at any second.

 Please, show me you've changed.

"But, she is all those things, and more," He finally said, raising his head. "And even if she wasn't, I'd still love her for who she is, anyway."

 My breathing instantly got heavy, I felt like I couldn't breathe, world spinning. I couldn't believe he just said that. 

"She's such a good girl though, doesn't that bore you?" Josie said, still trying. "I'm not bored, and a good girl is exactly what I need, a good girl, yes, but she knows exactly when to be bad." I could feel the smirk on his face, and I can only imagine what image he's playing of me in his head right now. I watched Josie move back away from him, her eyes barely open. "Does she know?" She slurred. "Does she know what?" "Does she know that you're in love with her?"

Oh shit.

"No." He said plainly. "You need to tell her, because she loves you too."

I quickly stood to my feet, about to walk back to my room, when I slipped, and fell flat on my face. 

Nice freaking job Peyton.

"Peyton?" I heard, I looked back to see Sage walking up the stairs, in attempt to help me up. "What were you doing?" He asked.

Quick, lie.

"I was about to come down and get a water, but I tripped," I lied and he nodded, helping me stand. "Are you okay?" I heard Josie's slurred words from the bottom of the stairs. "Like you care," I mumbled. "What?" Sage asked and I shook my head, "Nothing." 

Josie walked away, laying down on the couch. "Come to bed with me?"  I looked at Sage, sticking out my lip. He let out a little laugh, "Let's go babygirl." We walked to my room, he pulled his shirt off, crawling into bed beside me, and I laid my head on his chest. "P, I-" He started but stopped. 

He was gonna say it. I need him to say it.

"What?" I said softly, rubbing my hand over his chest. "Nothing," He said.

No, not nothing.

I raised my head, looking at him. "Say it," I whispered. "I dare you." 

He moved a piece of my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. 

"I love you."