Chapter 16

Present Day

 

I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, looking for answers that I know aren’t there. My mind keeps replaying the events of the day and everything that happened between the three of us.

Once again, I’ve fucked things up for London. She’d asked me to come with her in hopes of convincing Sage to check into rehab or at least see a therapist. And within less than twelve hours, I’ve gotten into a heated argument with Sage and been shocked to learn that while I’ve been out of the picture, Sage had asked London to marry him.

Marry him.

And she declined. Not once, not twice, but three times.

Poor Sage. No wonder he seems so lost and dejected, the woman he loves has rejected his proposals. That fucking hurts for any dude, but when it’s someone you’ve been with your whole life, it takes on a completely different meaning.

After I’d been slapped with that little piece of historical trivia, Sage got a call from his producer, agent, or someone in the music business and he left to attend a meeting. He’d gotten dressed and left the house indicating he’d be back in a few hours, but by the time dinner rolled around, it was still just London and me. Alone. And I was feeling mighty awkward.

She’d been out by the pool most of the day and had remained quiet, obviously not wanting to discuss what happened between her and Sage, so, I didn’t pry. But goddammit, I was curious as fuck. I wanted to know why London turned him down like that, even though she admits to loving him. And for what reasons.

Having been in the whole loveless marriage situation myself, I wasn’t the foremost expert in the sanctity of vows, touting the benefits of marriage or the expert on being in a committed relationship. Lisa and I were a marriage of convenience for the sake of my son. It wasn’t a relationship rooted in love or even respect, sadly.

But London and Sage loved each other. I wasn’t justifying his actions, because I still thought the way he handled it and flaunted his sexual conquests in front of London was shady as fuck. He did seem somewhat reluctant about sleeping around with other women when the real woman he wanted to spend his life with kept rejecting him.

   After showering and freshening up from her pool time, London and I ate a small meal from Sage’s well-stocked fridge. As I pulled out some sandwich items and shut the fridge door, I decided to take the opportunity and ask her what I wanted to know.

“Will you tell me what happened between you two?”

She wrinkled her forehead, her brow furrowed in contemplation. Grabbing a tomato to slice, she sighed.

“It’s complicated.”

I laughed out loud because honestly, Sage was always complicated.

“That’s a given.”

I busied myself with piling on meats and cheeses onto the Artisan bread that was available, quietly waiting for her to open up.

“You want a beer?” she asked, dodging my glances.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll take one.”

Handing me a bottle, she took a swig from her own and swiped at her mouth with the back of her hand.

“I couldn’t marry him or give him what he wanted.”

I’m surprised by her admission because as an outsider looking in, they were perfect for each other. They loved one another. Knew each other’s secrets. Understood each other’s quirks. And London didn’t care about Sage’s stardom, his wealth or his past.

“Seems to me like all he ever wanted was you. Although, I can’t say I like his philandering ways, but from the sounds of things, he would give all that up in a heartbeat just to be with you. Seems like he’s just doing it to get a reaction from you.”

London fidgeted with the beer label and sat down on the kitchen stool.

“Oh Cam, you’ve always been a little clueless.”

Sniffing at her remark, I sat down next to her, running my fingers through my hair that’s slowly grown out since my last cut. Keeping it short and cropped while in the Air Force was a necessity. Now that I’m a smokejumper, it’s not a requirement but sure makes things easier.

“Maybe I’m a simple guy, but if you love him and he loves you, then what’s the problem?”

She cocked her head to the side, pinching her lips in a tight frown, staring at me like I just rolled in dirt.

“The problem is that there’s always been someone else in the picture for both of us, even when he wasn’t in the picture,” she divulged, as I slowly blinked to catch up. “You can’t give your whole heart when you only have half to give.”

****

I grab my phone from the night table and check the time. A quarter past one a.m. and I’m wide awake.

Figuring I’ll go take a piss and maybe get some fresh air, I head out into the hallway in only my unzipped shorts that I’d pulled on for decency sake. As I take a few steps out into the long corridor, I hear quiet whispers.

Actually, it’s more than just whispers. It’s the sound of heavy breathing and exhales. Moaning and panting.

I stop in my tracks and look at the doors down the hallway. The one to London’s room is closed, but Sage’s master bedroom door is slightly ajar and a soft light shines from under the doorway.

My first thought is that maybe Sage is watching porn. From the sounds of it, that’s an easy assumption.

But it doesn’t sound like it’s coming from a TV or computer speaker. It sounds live.

Maybe he brought another groupie chick home with him tonight.

None of my business.

I turn toward the bathroom when I come to halt with the one word that would pique my interest enough to investigate what was going on in the bedroom.

His voice is low and smoky.

“London.”

I pull in a straining breath.

“Please, baby. I need this tonight.”