Finally Free

twenty-one

Sage

I can't believe I saw her yesterday. With my own two eyes, standing right in front of me. It's been too long. I saw her eyes, still beautiful and bright. I saw her lips that used to kiss me everywhere.

And then I saw Carter. I saw his lips on her neck and his arm around her waist and I felt a rage boil up inside of me.

I felt like I was going to kill him. Again.

I'm now sitting alone, at my desk looking over papers. Val came in a while ago and I made her leave. I thought I might've had feelings for her but I don't.

When I look at her I feel nothing. I feel numb. I see a pretty face and a nice body. I see someone who's been good to me and a nice friend.

But when I look at Eden. When I look at Eden I swear to god my whole body electrifies. I feel my heart kickstart and I feel like I've been brought back from the dead.

That girl is something else. And I want her so bad. I need her still.

Sometimes I wonder if she feels the same and then I remember how much I've hurt her.

I know I don't deserve her. I know that she does deserve someone like Christian. But, I know for damn sure my brother does not deserve her. Not even a little.

I feel like my head is about to explode as I read these papers. I push away from my desk and leave my office.

I walk straight out and head right out the front door. I need fresh air.

I wish Eden were here. I miss her touch and how it used to soothe me. When did things get so complicated.

Everything was so good. So good between her and I. I miss it.

I miss the late nights, we would just lie next to each other and enjoy the others company. I miss waking up with her small arms wrapped around me.

I miss her butterfly kisses in the morning. I miss kissing every inch of her body. I miss her and I don't think I can say it enough because I don't feel whole without her.

I know some fucked up shit happened between us but I think what we had was greater than that. I think we seriously could be okay.

I wanted to marry her. I was looking for rings and everything.

I still want to spend the rest of my life with her.

"Hey, earth to Sage?" Val's voice pulls me out of my head. I'm sitting on the front porch stairs.

"Oh. Hi." Is all I can muster up. She sits down next to me, too close. I move just an inch away from her. I think she noticed but I honestly don't care.

"So, yesterday was crazy, right?" She says. I nod absentmindedly.

"Yeah sure." I mutter. I can feel her eyes staring intensely at the side of my head.

"What's wrong with you?" She asks, her voice soft. I sigh and pull at my hair. I drop my hands in my lap and fidget with a ring that Eden gave me. "When did you start wearing that again?" She asks noticing the ring.

"Yesterday." I say simply. She seems to put things together and moves away from me a bit.

"Oh," she says. "You miss her." I nod and she looks at her feet. "So, you never had feelings for me?" I look up, straight ahead. I slowly turn to meet her eyes.

"No. I never had feelings for you. I never said I ever did." I say. I watch as some emotion flits through her eyes, but it quickly disappears.

"Right." she says, nods her head a few times. "Right." She then gets up and leaves me alone. Finally. Ever since I slept with her after I got out, she won't leave me alone.

I hear the door to the house slam. I only feel a little bad. She must've known. There were a few times where I almost said Eden's name instead of hers.

I sit there for a while, doing nothing in particular, just looking out at the trees. Watching people walk and drive by. Getting much needed air.

"You're an ass you know that?" Oh good. Marie's here.

"Hello Marie. Nice to see you too." I say. She's stood in front of me with her hand on her popped hip.

"You're an asshole." She repeats. I shrug and roll my eyes. I can't wait for what this is about to be.

Marie lives with Travis, her fiancé. To be honest, I don't like the guy. But I also feel bad for him, he's got to deal with my sister everyday.

And my sister is one crazy bitch.

Marie has been awfully hostile towards Eden since everything happened. I don't understand why, either. Eden didn't do anything.

No one knows why she's been so hostile towards Eden, no one. Not even Travis.

"What'd I do now?" I ask. I can practically see steam coming out of her ears now.

"You know what you did. You know Valarie likes you! You hurt her." She says. I feel a smile grow on my lips. And now I'm laughing. I'm laughing like a maniac.

"Sage Reed! This is not funny." She yells, which only makes me laugh harder. It's a bent over laugh that makes your stomach hurt. I haven't laughed like this in so long.

"Yes, it is actually. She knew that I wasn't going to suddenly sprout feelings for her. She knew exactly what we were. Marie, I just- your face- I can't." I keep laughing. She's pissed now.

"Did you discuss with her what exactly she was getting herself into or did you expect her to read your mind?" Marie asks. I gather myself and roll my eyes.

"Jesus Marie. Yes I told her once what I was looking for. I told her that I wasn't looking for a relationship." I say. I know it sounds douchey.

"I can't believe you still want to be with her." Marie says. I scrunch my eyebrows at her. "You know who I'm talking about- Eden!" She's so angry at me, it's funny.

"Yes, I do. Because I love her. Something you wouldn't understand." I say. Marie rolls her eyes and points to the ring on her hand.

"I'm literally engaged, Sage. I know what love is." I nod slowly.

"Oh do you know what love is? Or are you just with him because he's quiet and won't stand up to you." I know that cut her deep. She steps back.

"Fuck you Sage." She stomps into the house.

She's been a bitch lately. And truly, I feel so bad for Travis. I feel like he wants out but won't do anything about it. I think he's legit afraid of Marie.

If I were him I would be, she sleeps with a knife and a gun under her pillow.

Now that the girl drama has left my vicinity, my mind wanders back to Eden, back to what she's doing right now.

I'm hoping my brothers hands aren't on her. But I hope she's safe. I hope she's happy.

When I saw her yesterday she certainly didn't look very happy. She seemed confused, lost, scared even. She did a good job at hiding it to everyone else, but I know her all too well.

I'm going to get her back. I don't care if I have to move a thousand mountains to do it.

I will have her in my arms again.

♢♢♢

It's been a long ass time. I'm going to try to finish this... i've got ideas and plans 😈😈

i hope you all liked this chapter... drama will continue. things will be crazy you know the drill

thank you for reading. love you all ❤️

-J