It Started with a Crush by Piper James

Chapter Thirty

Chase

Sage: I handled everything with the Turners. We don’t have to worry about them anymore. Can you meet to talk?

I’d read the text a dozen times since I got it this afternoon. The ball of dread that had been taking up residence in my gut disappeared as relief washed over me the first time I read it, and my excitement built each time I read it after that.

Sage wanted to see me. We were going to be okay. Whatever she did fixed our problem, and now we could continue what we’d started.

And I had news for her, too. When I got home last night from Belle and Ryder’s, I’d had a long talk with my brothers. They’d actually been thinking along the same lines as me—there was nothing for us in L.A. We had millions in the bank from our business and Ethan’s investments, and we didn’t have to work another day in our lives if we didn’t want to. Red River had quickly become home, and we all wanted to stay.

We could decide to establish Perry Brothers Construction here…or not. We had plenty of time to decide. We weren’t going anywhere, which meant this thing I had with Sage didn’t have to end.

And I couldn’t wait to tell her.

I drove to her apartment with high hopes and a smile on my face that made my cheeks hurt. I parked on the far side of the lot—just like I did the night I stayed here—so anyone noticing my truck would never guess I was here to see her. While she said she handled the Turners, that didn’t mean she was ready to be open about our relationship. She could still want to keep it a secret…which was fine with me. As long as I got to be with her, I’d agree to anything.

I knocked on her door, and when it swung open, my smile fell instantly. That ball of dread reappeared in my stomach, even bigger and heavier than before. She looked…like a stranger.

Her back was stiff, her pale face drawn as she stepped aside to let me in. And there was a vacant look in her blue eyes that scared me more than anything ever had.

“Thanks for inviting me over,” I said softly as she closed the door behind me.

“We need to talk,” she said, uttering one of the worst combinations of words in the English language.

I took a deep breath, nodded, and sat down on the end of the couch. She remained standing, shifting her weight from foot to foot as she looked anywhere but at me. What the fuck was going on? She said she handled the Turners. That was good news. Right?

“I told Principal Walsh about us,” she said without preamble.

“Are you in trouble?” I asked, fear spiking through me.

Was that why she looked so awful? Had she been fired? Oh, God.

“No, nothing like that,” she said quickly. “In fact, he was fully supportive. He helped me confront the Turners. I never told you this, but Madisyn has been chasing after Daniel for a couple of weeks now.”

“What?” I barked, sitting up straighter. “What do you mean, chasing after him?”

She waved a hand in the air like it was no big deal. “Innocent stuff. Trying to hold his hand on the playground. Passing notes in class. She likes him and wants him to like her.”

“And you told her parents?” I asked, the pieces falling into place.

A ghost of a smile curved her lips, then quickly disappeared. “Yes. They were insisting Daniel be suspended for three weeks for his one incident. I told them what their daughter has been up to, read them the notes, and suggested she be suspended for forty-two weeks—three weeks for each incident.”

“Holy shit,” I said, leaning back against the cushions. “Did Karen blow a gasket?”

“No, but her husband nearly did. Mr. Walsh back me up and advised them to forget the whole thing, including seeing us at dinner. It’s over.”

“That’s great news, Sage,” I said, my voice turning pleading. “Why do you look so…?”

My words trailed off. I didn’t even know how to describe what she looked like, other than “dead inside,” and there was no way in hell I was saying that to her.

“It doesn’t matter, Chase,” she said, moving around the coffee table to perch on the opposite edge of the couch.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. “Our problem is solved. We don’t have anything to worry about anymore.”

“Don’t you see?” she asked, showing the first hint of passion since I arrived. “This could happen again. Someone could see us together, but rather than confront us, they could gossip to their friends about it. Rumors make the rounds fast in this town, and it wouldn’t be long before Daniel would hear it. He’d know we lied to him, and he’d be devastated.”

“So, we tell him the truth now,” I said.

“It’s not that simple,” she said, shaking her head. “My other concerns are still very real. I love my job, and I refuse to risk my reputation on a short-term fling.”

“Fling?” I mouthed, then aloud, asked, “Are you breaking up with me?”

My heart was beating too fast, and I was having trouble breathing. I’d come here with such high hopes, and this whole conversation had gone to hell in less than five minutes. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

“Come on, Chase. We both knew this wasn’t going anywhere. You’ll be headed back to L.A. soon, so there’s no reason to prolong it. It was fun while it lasted, right?”

Her face turned a little green as she said that, and she looked like she was going to puke. It didn’t matter that it was obvious she was choking on the words. All that mattered, in that moment, was that she’d said them.

And in doing so, sent a barbed arrow straight through my racing heart.

“Well,” I said as I stood up, “if that’s how you feel about us, then I guess I have no choice but to accept it. Thanks for the good time.”

I walked out, cursing myself all the while for being so childish. I might as well have left a hundred-dollar bill on the night stand as I said that last bit. Thanks for the good time? Fuck.

All the words I should’ve said played through my mind as I drove home.

Please don’t do this.

We can make it work.

I’m not going back to L.A.

We’re moving here, permanently.

I want to be with you.

Forever.

I love you.

I almost drove my truck right off the road as those three little words rang in my ears. I shook my head, calling myself ridiculous for even thinking them. I couldn’t love her. Could I? No. It had only been a few weeks since we met.

There was no way. Right?

Images flashed through my mind, one after another, of my time with Sage. The conversations, the laughter, the texting marathons. The secret smiles and the stealthy touches.

Feeling her come by my hand. On my mouth.

We used the word “fuck” to describe what we did together. But it never felt like fucking. Not really. It felt like making love, even from the very first time.

Because I was in love with her, even then.

“Holy shit,” I muttered, my eyes burning with emotion.

It was crazy. This was crazy. But the level of insanity didn’t make it any less true.

I loved Sage Barlow, and she’d just ripped my heart out and handed it back to me. What the fuck was I going to do now?