Page 137 of Without Fault

“Liam, get out, or I'll call my brothers to get you out.Leave.” I look away from him and force myself to keep my eyes forward. For a minute, he stands there watching me before walking past me.

“I'm sorry, Dory.”

I hold my head up as I keep my tears at bay, and when he walks out, I let the door shut.

Chapter Thirty

Sage

“Where’s Hazel and V?” Igive August a hug, and while I know I didn't do anything wrong, it feels wrong hugging him, knowing what Liam told me last night. I haven't spoken to him all day, but he sat outside my door all night and tried to talk to me this morning before I left, but I told him I needed space. I don't know when I'm going to talk to him, but it's not now.

August kisses my head before pulling away. “Hazel is down on the boat releasing an otter for work, and I think Sire mentioned something about Vidia having a meeting at work, but he sounded weird about it.”

Before I can question him, Lis comes up beside us. “Is this the Grammys or an AA meeting?” She takes in my outfit before pulling me in for a hug, and I let out a soft laugh.

“We’re going somewhere after this, and I just wanted to wear my outfit now.” It’s a cute dress, but I also wanted to spend the rest of the day with Sire. This way, I won’t have to leave to change for the rooftop place we’re going to.

Today’s Sire’s one-year soberversary, and when he came by to tell me earlier, I literally screamed. He’s been workingsohard to get to this, and I’m immensely proud of him. Healsotold me what happened between him and Vidia and why they broke up back in college, but I’m so glad they’re officially working on getting back together.

“Where are we even going because you’re being all top secret about it, and I don’t like those bougie ass places you always take us to,” Lis complains, and I laugh at her.

“She’s just accustomed to the trenches.”

I turn at the sound of Sire's voice, and all of us break into a laugh before I pull him in for a hug.

“We were neighbors in thosetrenches, asshole.”

“Maybe, but which of the two of us made it out first?”

“Because these idiots adopted your pathetic ass, don’t make me go there.” Lisette points at Sire at the end of her threat, and surprisingly, he doesn’t bother her anymore.

The two of them grew up on the other side of town from August and I, and it definitely wasn’t the best part of town, but we all went to the same school, which is how we met.

I let my eyes focus on my brother, and when he smiles, my chest suddenly feels heavy. “I’m so proud of you, Sire.” I pull him in for another hug and squeeze my eyes shut when I feel them stinging.

“Oh my God. She cries for everything. Sage, stop; we said there won’t be any crying today.” Lis sounds annoyed, but Sire immediately tells her to leave me alone, which I appreciate because I didn’t agree to this no-crying deal, and I’ll definitely be shedding a few tears.

“I love you, Sage.” When we pull away he plants a soft kiss on the top of my head before wiping away a single tear that escaped. “Seriously though, no crying.”

I laugh softly and blink away my tears. “Fine!”

Our parents trickle in soon after, and the meeting starts.

“This next chip is also for three hundred and sixty-five days sober.”

I start recording since this is Sire’s sponsor on stage now.

“I know I shouldn’t say this because it might boost this man's already huge ego,” The crowd laughs, and when I look over at Sire, he rubs his eye while not so discreetly flipping off his sponsor.

“But I’m most proud of you. People in your position usually throw money at their problems or ignore them completely because they have that privilege, being that they’re wealthy, but you put in the work, and I think the teenage version of yourself would be most proud so keep doing it for him.”

There’s no use stopping the tears now, and when I steal a glance at Sire, he blinks rapidly as he keeps his tears at bay.

“I now present this bronze chip for one year sober to Sire Griffin.”

I’m still recording like a proud mom as Sire walks up the stage, and the family stands to clap for him. He looks so content, almost like this is just another day, and he couldn’t care too much, but I know how hard he’s been working to stay clean this last year, and I know he’s proud of making it.

The minute I get the chance, I make everyone give him his gifts, mainly because I love gifts and want to see what he got.

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