Page 51 of Word to the Wise

This morning, I had another email from Carter. When he wouldn’t stop sending messages to my work account, I switched to my personal one. But then he found that one.

So I changed it.

Again and again.

Each time he finds me. Which means he’s talking to the few people I’m keeping in contact with in San Francisco.

I’d like to tell them not to share anything about me, but I also don’t want to have to explain myself. So I’m stuck in this limbo where I can’t truly cut Carter off.

I didn’t open his email this morning because I didn’t need to. Everything he wanted to say was summed up in the subject line.

Come home. No one loves you like I do.

What if he’s right?

What if his love is the best I’m going to get?

He always said it was my fault he was so aggressive. Because I was too opinionated and always pushing his buttons.

Closing my eyes, I pause at the door to the office and take a deep breath. I’m spiraling again. Falling down that rabbit hole he’s always pushing me into. There’s barely a hint of worth left inside me when Carter spent so many years washing it away.

I push open the door to the office and find Sage sitting at the desk, doing something on his laptop. His hair’s getting longer than I’ve seen it in years, and it’s clear he’s stressed. When I walk in, he looks at me, and I can see the moment he tells himself to relax for my sake.

Like Mason’s been doing, Sage schools his expression and puts on a front for me. They think I don’t notice, but it’s impossible not to.

A cloud hangs over my brother, and no matter how much he tries to hide the impending storm, it’s going to rip us both to pieces.

Carter didn’t get as far as he has in business by being impulsive. He’s smart and patient. He’ll wait this out until it’s time to make his move. Then he’ll come for me. What that means for me at this point, I don’t know.

Carter’s emails ping pong between rage and adoration. I don’t know what side of him I’ll get when I’m finally forced to face him in person. But it’s coming. There’s no stopping it. Sage and Mason can protect me all they want; Carter will find a way.

“You aren’t slick.” I narrow my eyes and walk over to the couch in the office, sinking onto a cushion. “I know you’re worrying about something.”

“Just balancing the books.” Sage shrugs, closing the laptop.

“Sure. Is that what you and Mason talked about yesterday at the clubhouse? Balancing the books?”

Sage smirks, but he doesn’t answer my question. He’s a locked vault when he wants to be. Whatever he and his club are planning with Mason, he isn’t going to tell me. But I know it’s about Carter.

“Didn’t think you’d be down here today.” Sage changes the subject. “Lyla said you’re working on a big article.”

“So now you’re interested in my work?”

“I’m always interested.”

I roll my eyes because being supportive and being interested aren’t the same thing. But Mason did say the few articles of mine that he’s read are because Sage had them around the shop, so I guess I can’t fault my brother completely.

“I wrote a little this morning, but I needed a break.” I shrug. “Figured I’d come to see what you were up to.”

Sage hums, raking his hair back. “How’s the piece on the Zane Hotel expansion coming along?”

“Fine.”

His eyebrows pinch. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to keep pursuing it, given where you’re staying?”

“Why not? Mason said it was fine.”

“That still surprises me.” Sage leans forward, resting his elbowson the desk.

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