Tough To Love Read online

  “How did you find out? Was it Shawn? I told him to keep his mouth shut.”

  “No, Shawn didn’t say a word to me. I’ve known all along. I overheard you on the phone talking about Vanity getting promoted to vice president at her company last week. She wanted a party to celebrate and now you’re having one for her, but are trying to pretend it’s for me. You’re in love with her. So, why wouldn’t you give her one?”

  Guilt ate at him for lying about the party, but he still thought Sage wouldn’t mind sharing her graduation party with Vanity. “I’m sorry. How about we have another one for you next weekend and you can invite all of your college friends?” He was trying to make amends.

  “No…thank you. This was good enough for someone like me.” Sage moved away from him. “If you don’t mind, could you leave? I’m tired and I need to get some sleep.”

  Someone like her, he wondered as he headed back towards the door. What is she talking about? “We aren’t finished with this. I want to discuss this some more at breakfast tomorrow.” Rally paused in the doorway and looked back over at Sage standing in the middle of the room.

  “Sure…just not tonight.”

  He wanted to say something more, but he could tell that Sage wasn’t in the mood to talk with him, but he would get to the bottom of her comment tomorrow. In the last year, Sage had grown a lot more distant and it worried him. She seldom wanted to spend any time around him, so he was really surprised when she accepted his job offer.

  “See you tomorrow,” he tossed out before exiting the room.

  “’Night, Rally.”

  Chapter Two

  “Rally was upset that you weren’t at breakfast this morning. He almost went upstairs to get you, but I told him that you needed your beauty sleep.” The cultured voice taunted her as a model perfect body gracefully lowered into the seat at the front of Sage’s desk. “I mean, he almost acted like he missed your company, but that couldn’t possibly be true.”

  Sometimes she wanted to tell Vanity to get the hell out of her face, but she wasn’t going to waste her breath on this insecure woman. It would serve Rally right if he got saddled with her for the rest of his life.

  “Good morning to you, too, Vanity,” Sage answered, wishing she was anywhere but here at the moment.

  “Morning, “Little Spice Girl.”

  She held her tongue at the nickname Vanity had placed on her the moment she learned her name. She hated it with a passion and Vanity knew it. “Rally isn’t here. He’s gone to a meeting. Is there something I can help you with?”

  Crossing her long legs, Vanity flipped her hair over her thin shoulders. “Not unless it’s a lesson in panting after a man who doesn’t want me or, even worse, doesn’t even know that I’m alive,” Vanity flung back at her.

  Sage hated that Vanity caught her staring at Rally once when he didn’t know it. Now Vanity wouldn’t let her live it down and tossed it in her face every chance she got, but today wasn’t the day to mess with her. After dealing with Rally last night, she hadn’t awakened on the right side of the bed.

  “I’m tired of telling you that I don’t want him. His family took me in when I needed a home and all I feel for him is gratitude and nothing more. Why can’t you believe that?”

  “Because everyone in town knows that you’re in love with Rally. God, the second he enters a room you’re all over him. It turns my stomach to see you fawn all over him, but he is too nice to kick you out on the streets.”

  “That’s a lie and you know it,” Sage shouted then lowered her voice when Vanity smirked at her. “I only see Rally as a close friend.” She wished that the floor would swallow up Vanity and make her disappear. Rally’s girlfriend had been nothing but a thorn in her side since the day she met her.

  “You want Rally so bad that you’d do anything to get his attention.”

  Sitting up straighter in the chair, Sage waited for Vanity to continue with her accusations.

  “What are you talking about? What have I done to get Rally’s attention recently? He spends his every waking moment dealing with you and your motor mouth.”

  Vanity gave her a hot look that could have melted cold butter. “That little show you put on last night. Did you really think that Rally would let you run from the party without checking on you?”

  The nerve of her! Sage bit her tongue to keep from telling Vanity to kiss her ass. She never left the party hoping that Rally would follow her. In fact, she was hoping that he would leave her alone like he had been doing all night.

  “You know that isn’t true. I left the party early because I wasn’t feeling well. Not to attract your boyfriend’s attention.”

  “No one believes those lies but you.” Vanity snickered. “Just the other day, Rally laughed about the crush you have on him. He had been wondering about it for a while, but Shawn confirmed it.”

  Sage swallowed down her hurt. It was hard for her to know that Shawn had betrayed her trust and Rally felt nothing for her, but for Vanity to throw it in her face was the worst blow. She had to get away from these people, and the sooner the better. She was wasting her life staying here. What was wrong with her? No man was worth dealing with Vanity.

  “I don’t believe what you said about Shawn. He doesn’t talk about people behind their backs,” she commented. “Besides, do you really think I care about Rally and his opinion of me? He hasn’t been fond of me since his parents took me in when I was a kid. I still don’t know why he didn’t let me leave all those years ago.”

  “Rally takes his obligations seriously, and you were tossed at him. So he felt that he had to find you and bring you back here. However, I know you only did it to get some free time with him. You’re so sad and pathetic going after a man who doesn’t want you.” Vanity snickered. “I don’t care how hard you try, Rally is never going to look at you the way you want him to. He doesn’t want someone like you when he has me.”

  “Do you really think I have a romantic interest in Rally?” Sage questioned, despite the fact she already knew the answer.

  “I don’t have to think, I know that you do, but let me tell you something, Little Spice Girl. I’m not going to let you have him. I’ve worked too hard and far too long on Rally to lose him now.”

  Sage was getting tired of this conversation. “Listen, Vanity, because this is the last time I’m telling you this. I only see Rally as a friend. He doesn’t want me and I sure as hell don’t want his arrogant ass. Why are you so concerned about me, anyway? Has Rally given you any reason to doubt his love for you?”

  Rising out of her seat, Vanity’s black eyes snapped with unleashed rage as she glared at Sage. “No, he hasn’t, and I’m not telling you again to stay away from him before he does. That helpless act you constantly do isn’t going to wear him down.”

  Sage wasn’t going to be a doormat for this bitch any longer. It was way past time that Vanity realized she was an adult. If Vanity was having problems with her relationship with Rally it wasn’t her fault.

  “Stop accusing me if there are problems going on between you and Rally. Did you ever think that you could be the reason his attention is wandering?” Sage demanded, rising up from behind her desk. “Why don’t you take a look in the mirror? Maybe after all these years, Rally is finally tired of looking at you. Did that tiny thought ever cross your mind?”

  “You little bitch!” Vanity hissed.

  “I’m not the bitch,” she hurled back, finally glad to tell Vanity what she thought of her. “Have you ever thought about taking the blame for your failing relationship? You are the one constantly around Rally...not me!”

  “You ungrateful little beggar!” Vanity snapped. “How dare you talk to me like that? I can make Rally get rid of you like you were yesterday’s trash. He’ll do anything that I tell him to.”

  Did Vanity really think she possessed the ability to make Rally do something that he didn’t want? “Do you think Rally’s a fool when it comes to you? I know he has more common sense than that. He’ll come to his
senses soon enough and kick your greedy ass out of his life.”

  “Are you calling Rally a fool?” Vanity questioned, then took a quick glance over her shoulder. “I won’t say that about him. He might get upset with you.”

  “I can call Rally a fool if I think he’s acting like one.”

  Brushing her hands down the front of her blouse, Vanity then fixed the hem of her shirt. “You shouldn’t call Rally names. He’s a good man who’s done nothing but show you kindness. How could you talk about him behind his back?”

  A part of Sage wondered about the change in Vanity’s demeanor, but she was too caught up in the heat of the conversation to give it a second thought. She wanted to get this entire situation out in the open so this woman would stay out of her face. Maybe this would finally get Vanity to leave her the hell alone and go the other way when she saw her coming.

  “Rally is a pushover if he can’t see you for what you really are,” Sage pointed out, oblivious to the smug look that passed over Vanity’s face.

  “Sage, stop hinting around and just tell me what you honestly think of me. I can handle whatever you’ve got to say about me.”

  Sage didn’t want to say it. The one thing she remembered about her parents was that they always told her not to say anything bad about another person, but it was hard for her to keep her mouth closed with Vanity challenging her.

  What would it hurt?

  “Vanity, you’re a spiteful bitch that would use any opportunity you could to make things better for yourself. I didn’t like you the first time Rally brought you home, and my opinion of you hasn’t changed over the years. I doubt it ever will.”

  The office door slamming behind her made Sage practically jump right out of her skin. Spinning around, her eyes locked with Rally’s furious green ones. “In my office now!” he yelled.

  “Rally, how long have you been standing there?” She gasped, taking a step back.

  Fuck, the one time she stood up for herself with Vanity and Rally would have to walk in on her telling his girlfriend off.

  Rushing past her, Vanity threw herself into Rally’s arms. “Did you hear those horrible things Sage said about me? I haven’t done anything to her. All I have ever tried to do was be nice to her, but she hates me because of you. She wants you for herself.”

  Vanity stared at her with crocodile tears in her eyes, then redirected her attention back to Rally. “Do you think I’m like that?”

  Jealousy mingled with disbelief shot through Sage’s body as she watched Rally tip up Vanity’s face and plant a soft kiss on her full lips. “No, I don’t think that about you, sweetheart. I’ve told you more than once Sage is just jealous of you. Why don’t you go to that boutique you love so much and charge something pretty to my account? I’ll take you out tonight for an early dinner after work.”

  Sage silently cursed Rally for not being smart enough to see Vanity was just using him. God, was he so blind that he couldn’t see if a woman truly loved him or his money? If he stayed with Vanity then he deserved every single thing she did to his sorry ass.

  “I don’t feel like shopping.” Vanity pouted, stepping back from Rally. “I’m just going to go home and try to forget about the hurtful words Sage yelled at me.”

  Don’t fall for that! Sage’s mind screamed. Rally, I know you’re smarter than this.

  “How about you just go and look around?” Rally suggested, gently touching the side of her enemy’s cheek with his finger. “I’m positive after you get to Orchid’s you’ll find something amazing for your perfect body.”

  Unable to hold her tongue any longer, Sage blurted out. “Please, don’t fall for those fake tears. She’s only using you. Why can’t you see her for what she is? Hell, you’re always ready to point out my numerous faults to me. You even do it with your own brother, but not Vanity. Open your eyes!”

  Pivoting away from Vanity, Rally stormed up to her, took her by the arm, dragged her into to his office, and shoved her inside. “You never did know how to listen. Stay in here until I’m done with Vanity.” He glared at her, then slammed the office door shut in her face.

  Storming towards the door, Sage wrapped her fingers around the knob. She was seconds from opening it when she took a breath and stepped back. Vanity was probably out there waiting for her to prove how immature she thought she was.

  However, she would stay right here and wait for Rally to come back because she was tired of telling him how wrong he was. One of these days he was going to open his eyes to the truth and realize he was with the wrong woman, but when he finally came for her it would be too late.

  Chapter Three

  “What is your problem with Vanity? She’s a wonderful woman and you’re always jumping in her face.” Rally’s words hung in the air as he slammed his office door with such force the pictures rattled on the wall.

  “I’m tired of coming into the room and finding the two of you at each other’s throats. Don’t just stand there looking at me.” He moved across the room until he was right in her personal space, making it hard for Sage to breathe.

  “You don’t have a clue about what is going on between your girlfriend and me,” she said, praying Rally wouldn’t notice her undying attraction to him. “You’re so into her that you can’t see what’s right in front of your face. I never thought of you as an idiot before, but when it comes to her you are.”

  Don’t lose your cool. Rally kept repeating that to himself over and over as he tried not to shake Sage. She was pushing him to the limit more and more each day. He could usually overlook her outbursts, however lately just the sight of her bothered him and he didn’t understand why.

  “Mr. Teveare, don’t you have anything to say to me? I can’t believe that you’ve been silent for this long.”

  “Sage, you’re a spoiled brat and I’m not going to baby you anymore. If I find you fighting with Vanity one more time, you can start looking for a new place to live,” he threatened softly.

  Stepping closer to him, Sage tilted her head back, giving him a close view of her killer eyes that were flashing fire at him. “You would never do that to me. I’m part of your family and you take family very seriously.”

  Bending down so they were eye to eye, he said, “I have never considered you as family. Did you honestly think my parents wanted another mouth to feed? My parents pitied you and they only took you in so you wouldn’t end up in foster care. I heard them arguing about you one summer when I came home from college.”

  Tears burned Sage’s eyes as she stumbled back from Rally. “I told Shawn you hated me and now it’s out in the open,” she said, hurt. “I don’t know why I ever thought the two of us could be friends.” She slipped past him and out the door before he could stop her.

  Shit! Why did he tell her those lies?

  Rally stayed glued to the same spot after Sage left and mentally kicked himself for losing his temper. She hadn’t done anything to him, but he was constantly jumping down her throat.

  Coming back to work early and finding her in a fight with Vanity shocked him. He was tired of breaking up fights between them. He wasn’t as dumb as Sage thought he was. Without a doubt, Vanity was the one starting the fights with Sage and it was partially his fault.

  Hell, why wasn’t he honest with himself? He kept his girlfriend because he was attracted to Sage. It just hit him one day, and now he didn’t know what to do about it. So, instead of pulling her closer, he found stupid ways to push her away from him.

  At first, Sage had a little hero worship for him because he had been there for her. She also treated Shawn like a big brother. He lost count of how many times he would find the two of them outside doing something they shouldn’t when Sage was a kid.

  Yet, Shawn was the one he came down on the hardest because he was three years older than Sage. He was supposed to protect her and not lead her into a life of crime. Besides, Sage would look at him with those big brown eyes and crooked glasses and he never had any steam left in him to yell at her. Now, she was no longe
r a skinny little girl, but a beautiful woman that had him fighting the urge to kiss her.

  I’ll talk to her later on. I haven’t taken her out to lunch in a while.

  Rally walked over to the settee by his office and took a seat. Sage had talked him into getting the darn thing about two years ago. He hated to admit it, but he loved working on the soft leather. Sometimes after a long day, he’d kick back and sneak in a catnap if he got a chance.

  He tried working, getting engrossed in the reports for a minute or two, but Sage’s face kept popping in and out of his head. He shouldn’t have said those things to her because none of it was true.

  She didn’t know other things were going on in his life and he took out his anger on her, which was wrong. Vanity was driving him up the wall with hints about an engagement ring. Sage might think he was blind to her true personality, but he wasn’t. He saw Vanity for who she was and she would never become his wife. However, she was good for other pleasures that he needed at the moment.

  In addition, Shawn wanted to take some classes overseas for the next six months. His brother was constantly finding stupid ways to spend his money instead of earning his own. Sage was the only person who knew what she wanted and went for it.

  It was one of the qualities that made him so proud of her. Ever since she came to live with them all those years ago, he only saw her cry about her parents’ death once. After that, she bucked up and tried her best to not make trouble for the rest of them.

  He was already a senior in high school with only two weeks left to graduation. So, when Sage was dropped into their laps, he wasn’t very nice to her. Yet, she looked up at him like she could see straight into his soul. The wisdom behind her eyes scared him and he didn’t go around her unless he had to.

  “What am I going to do with her?” he mused, running his hands over his hair. “I can’t act on the feelings I have for her. It wouldn’t be right.” He secretly wondered if he intimidated Sage like he did other people.