Page 43 of Unpredictable

“How about you kids all go watch something in the movie room while we finish up dinner?” Mrs. Davenport suggests.

Sage turns on her heel and takes off without saying a word. We all follow silently.

Victoria must hear us approaching because she calls out over her shoulder, “Hey, you guys got here okay?”

“Yeah, and they have a tagalong,” Sage grumbles before dropping down next to her.

V looks at her and frowns before looking over at us. When she spots me, she pales.

“Sterling,” she whispers.

“Victoria.” I nod while slowly approaching her.

“What are you doing here?” she asks softly.

“Where you are is where I am.” I shrug, dropping to my knees in front of where she’s sitting on the couch.

“Sterling,” she growls.

“I’m serious. I’m not leaving you. I’m in this,” I tell her softly, feeling the others watching us.

She bites her lip while looking at a spot over my shoulder. Sighing, she brings her eyes back to me. “Not now, okay? We can talk about this when we get a minute alone, but I haven’t toldthemyet.” Worry fills her eyes.

I grab her hand and bring it to my lips. “It’s you and me.”

“Wewilltalk,” she repeats.

“We will talk,” Sage mocks.

“Stay out of it,” Reed growls against her neck.

“Get off the floor,” Victoria hisses at me.

I lean my head against her knees for a moment, saying a silent prayer, before getting up, only to sink down on the couch next to her.

“What are you doing?” she whispers.

“Spending time with you.”

Her breathing accelerates. “I need a minute. Sage, didn’t you say you wanted me to see that new dress you bought?”

As she gets up and follows Sage from the room, I feel disappointment. I knew this would be hard, but I didn’t expect for it to hurt so much.

Reed drops into Victoria’s spot on the couch. “She’ll either come around or she won’t. Either way, she won’t keep you from that kid. Keep the faith, but even if this doesn’t turn out the way you plan, you need to remember that V will still always be in your life.”

“This has to work,” I mumble.

“Let’s get your mind off it for now. Want to watch the game?” Keaton flips on the TV.

While the guys start arguing over sports, my mind goes over my plan again.

It’s going to work. She’s mine.

Maybe if I say it enough, it will be true.

???

Mr. and Mrs. Davenport retired to their room after dinner, leaving all of us in the den by ourselves. I can make out the Yates siblings pulling Sage away.

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