She Came From the Shadows (James and Tera: book 2)

15

It had been almost a week since we had finally found Sage. Once we had gotten him home and gotten the sheriff to drop the searches, his mom was the only concern. We had made up a story that he had taken a walk a little too deep into the woods the night before and he had gotten lost. How we couldn't explain why he was still alive considering the wild creatures in the area was beyond what I could explain either. I was more surprised he hadn't frozen to death, but he assured me that it was because of the liquor, but we kept that part out.

It was a Friday. School had just gotten out, I had no track practice for today. Caleb had called me to work tomorrow night, so that took away from my Saturday night, but that wouldn't stop me from tonight.

Me, Kai, and Terry were going to take Sage out to Pinehill tonight. Getting him out of this town and somewhere lively and filled with event was our attempt to help cheer him up. We all had sat and talked about what was really going on. About Sage's depression and what he had been doing. I didn't force him to, he suggested it would be best.

We were giving him all of our support. Terry had suggested we have a guy's night again, just us. No Tera or Brooke, since Tera was my girlfriend and Brooke was Kai's. It was a chance to let him have fun without seeing romantics.

I had threw on a black button-up and some jeans. I had my hair in a ponytail, and strapped on my boots and headed out. Sage was hanging out at Brooke's house with Tera. I had been there only a few times, but from what I saw it was a pretty secure surrounding. A welcoming one, with Brooke's parents being super friendly.

When I pulled up outside, Tera's bike was in the front yard, along with Kai's Corvette. I got out and saw the front door open, and everyone came out one after the other. Sage's hair was in a French braid, showing his shaved sides. Brooke must have done it for him.

"James! You guys be careful." Brooke had called to me.

I smiled. "Will do." Tera had came up to me with a worried look on her face. I knew what was happening. "Let me guess, Brooke wants some girl time?"

She nodded. "You're leaving me to suffer."

I was holding back laughs. "Don't worry. Maybe she'll go easy on you."

At that moment, Brooke had called to Tera from the steps. "Tera! Hurry up, I wanna straighten your hair early so I can get your makeup done."

I almost lost it at that moment. "Yep, you're gonna die." I kissed her. "I'll let you know when I get home tonight."

We got in the Jeep, Sage in the front, Kai and Terry in the back. We had a little bit of a ride ahead of us, and knowing them, it wasn't going to be a very quiet one. Already Kai was complaining about Terry, and Sage was joking around about how much he complains. It felt great. It felt normal.

Sage had the aux and was playing some Metallica. He played a few more Rock songs before passing the aux to Terry, who was more into Trap music, which wasn't so bad since I liked how it sounded on my speakers. Kai wasn't much of a picky person when it came to music, so he didn't take it and was down for anything.

......................................

We found a parking lot that was filled with cars. It was free, but timed, so we couldn't stay out all night. We locked up the car and headed towards the sidewalks where everyone else was walking down. Hopefully not many people would overcrowd us or be any kind of trouble. We were here for a good time out, and we would make the best of it.

We passed by a few stores and other places. We saw an arcade, a few food shacks, and other attractions. "Where to?" Terry asked.

I shrugged. "Sage's choice. Tonight is his night." I stated, putting an arm over his shoulder and smiling.