Tough To Love Page 5

  “I need to go and get my stuff over to the center,” Sage told Rally and waited for the fireworks.

  “What center?” he asked in a low voice.

  “Julian’s center,” she replied. “I’m going to work for him. He needed help and I offered to pitch in until I find another job.”

  “The hell you’re going to step one foot in that place. You aren’t used to working with problem kids, especially teenaged boys. Call and tell Julian you changed your mind and you won’t be able to take the job.”

  Sage was tired of Rally trying to run her life. He needed to learn she wasn’t ten years old anymore and looking for his advice. Serenity was one of the best shelters in town for runaway teenagers.

  “Julian is well-known and loved throughout the entire community for the stupendous work that he has done. He is a perfect counselor every kid should have. I’ve so much respect for him and I’m thrilled he offered me a job working with him.”

  Rally glared at her. “I told you that you can’t do it and that is the end of it.”

  At what time did she give him permission to be the boss of her life? It was time for Rally to learn she was done hanging on his every word waiting for his approval. The old Sage was growing up.

  “Julian is looking for a qualified assistant and I know it’s me. I’m taking this job and you can’t stop me. I’m not a child you can rule anymore. I’m an adult and I’ll live my life as I please.”

  “Sage, I’m not trying to rule your life; however, I know this job isn’t for you. Serenity is located in the hardest part of town and I know why Julian placed it there, but you shouldn’t be working there with him on a regular basis. How about you volunteer there on the weekends?”

  He wasn’t going to win this argument with her. She couldn’t let him continue to think she was that sixteen-year-old girl who looked at him with stars in her eyes. She knew Rally wouldn’t like her new position, but it wasn’t his decision to make.

  “No, I’m not going to quit.”

  “Yes, you are,” he yelled and then took a breath when she glared at him. “Sage, listen to me. I know Shawn and I spoiled you way too much. You aren’t used to dealing with difficult situations, especially like the ones those kids have experienced. You won’t be able to handle it. Stay here with me. I know what’s best for you.”

  Did he really believe she was too naïve to know what was going on in the world? God, he had a worse opinion of her than she thought. Yes, it was way past time she left the nest and got out on her own.

  “Rally, I don’t need or want your protection anymore. Stop pretending you are so worried about me. We both know it isn’t true. I’m an adult and I can watch out for myself.”

  “How can I not be worried about you?” he questioned. “We get into one of our normal fights and, instead of letting it go, you quit and decide you would rather work with Julian. You’re important to me and I don’t want him taking advantage of you.”

  Sage smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern. I really do appreciate it; however, I’m too old for a big brother or a protector. Besides, the times I did need one, Shawn was there for me,” she said back, watching Rally’s jade gaze narrow on her face.

  “Look, Julian is waiting for me. I’ve got to go. I’ll be home later tonight.” Picking up the box, she walked away from Rally and opened the office door, then went out the door without looking back.

  Chapter Seven

  Did she really think he was going to just let her break all ties with him?

  For the longest time, Sage wanted things from him that he wasn’t ready to give her. Yet, after a while her refreshing and optimistic way of looking at life got to him. She never seemed to have a bad day until he started pushing her further away, but she failed to realize he had to do it.

  Was there something wrong with him? How could he not give a beautiful woman like Sage a chance? His little brat was so full of life and experienced things at such a deeper level. She was the woman every man wanted to spend the rest of his life with, through the good and bad times.

  Why were all of these entanglements hitting him now? Did it have something to with seeing Sage so comfortable with Julian in the hallway? They looked like two people who could become more than friends. She never smiled at him like that, and for some reason it pissed him off. Sage had idolized him since she was a kid. He never thought another man, particularly Julian, would take her away from him.

  He couldn’t lose Sage. An unfamiliar aching sensation formed in the pit of his stomach and spread throughout his entire body. Just the thought of her not being in the house or here at the office, sitting behind her desk, bothered the hell out of him. He needed her around him. She was his, not Julian’s.

  I’m going to get her back. We can work through this like we always do. Spinning around on his heel, he stalked towards the door. He hoped to catch Sage before she got out of the parking garage. Rally was about to open the door when it was flung open from the other side.

  “Hey, baby. Where are you going?” Vanity asked, kissing him on the cheek. She had three designer bags swinging from her arm. He couldn’t even guess how much money she had spent on probably nothing.

  “I’m going out for a while,” he answered, trying to move past her, but Vanity’s hand flew out and wrapped around his wrist.

  Her eyes narrowed at him. “No, you aren’t. I need you to help me pick out something to wear for dinner tonight with my parents. I think they’re hoping to hear that we’re engaged.”

  “Why would your parents think we’re engaged?” Rally asked, removing Vanity’s hand away from him. “I never told them that.”

  Shit, she wouldn’t make a good wife for him, not with the way she spent money. Vanity would have him in the poor house in less than a year.

  Moving away from him, Vanity tossed her bags on Sage’s empty desk. “I might have hinted at it a few times”

  She looked back at him over her shoulder. “Was that so wrong? We have been together for almost a year now. There’s nothing else left for us to do but get married, because I refuse to be one of those women who wait like five years for a wedding ring.”

  What had he gotten himself into?

  “You shouldn’t have let them believe I was going to marry you,” Rally complained. “I haven’t even brought a ring up to you. You know that we’re together, but I never said there was a wedding in our future. I’ve too much going on right now to even think about making that kind of commitment to anyone.”

  Vanity rushed up to him with fire blazing in her eyes. “Don’t you dare try pulling that bullshit on me. You know that we’ve talked about getting married. I would make the perfect wife for you and you know it. What made you get cold feet all of a sudden? Is there something going on that I need to know about?” The accusation hung in the air between them.

  “Vanity, I’ve changed my mind.”

  “No shit,” she snapped. “Why do I think Sage has something to do with this? Has she been bad mouthing me again? You know she’s jealous of us. ”

  “Stop it, now,” he demanded. “Sage isn’t in our relationship and I’m tired of you constantly picking on her. She doesn’t deserve it and I should have stopped you sooner. I was the one who allowed this to go on too long. She does have a life of her own. Not that it’s any of your business, but Sage quit working for me today and is on her way to her new job.”

  Rally hated that Vanity pushed him to tell about Sage, watching how her face lit up with pleasure. “Little Spice is gone? Where did she go? Who’s she working for? Is she gone for good?”

  “Julian, at his shelter,” he bit out roughly.

  “Wow, she’s smarter than I gave her credit for,” Vanity said. “Julian is one sexy man. I wonder how long it will before he asks her out on a date.”

  Jealousy clawed at Rally as he thought about Sage going out with Julian. No, it wouldn’t happen. They were only friends and they were never going to take it any further.

  “Julian isn’t interested in Sag
e in a romantic way. He has the same relationship with her that Shawn does.”

  Vanity snickered at him as she picked her bags back up. “I’m not trying to be Sage’s cheerleader or anything. We both know I don’t like her. However, she is gorgeous and Julian is a man. Don’t you wonder why he gave her a job so quickly? Certainly you don’t think he offered her a job out of the kindness of his heart, do you?”

  He wouldn’t believe anything Vanity was telling him. Julian wasn’t attracted to Sage. He just celebrated his buddy’s fortieth birthday last month, which made his friend older than him. “You’re wrong. He’s a good guy and decided to give Sage some help. Besides, Julian isn’t Sage’s type. She would never go for a guy like him.”

  “Julian is every woman’s type,” Vanity corrected as she brushed past him. “He’s rich, successful, and having a killer body doesn’t hurt, either. There might be a boyfriend in Sage’s future and I think it’s a very good thing for the both of you.”

  “Why would you tell me something like that?”

  “Sage was getting too attached to you. I mean, it’s obvious to everyone in town. You should be really happy to have her gone as your shadow.”

  “I’m not going to tell you again about talking about Sage. If I do, you won’t like what I have to tell you. In addition, you need to stop assuming you know what’s going to happen between Sage and Julian She’s only going to be working for him and nothing else. Julian wouldn’t ever date an employee.”

  “Sure, believe whatever you want to. But, I know a guy who looks like Julian will want to do more with Sage than just work. If you don’t then you need to have your eyes checked,” Vanity tossed back as she opened the office door.

  “I’m done talking about your adoptive sister. I have to drop these packages off at home and then head back to work. Don’t you dare forget dinner with my parents. The reservations are at six o’clock sharp. I’ll expect you at my house by five o’clock.” Vanity sauntered out the door, snapping it shut behind her.

  Rally started after Vanity, and then swore under his breath. Raking his fingers through his hair, he wondered. Sage actually quit today and she wasn’t coming back. In addition, she was moving out of the house and he didn’t know where she was going. Lastly, Vanity tricked him into a dinner date with her aggressive parents.

  Shit, why did he even bother getting out of bed this morning?

  Chapter Eight

  “Okay, boss, where do you want me?” The sound of the soft, sweet voice behind him brought a smile to Julian’s face.

  “I’m happy you actually showed up. I thought Rally would have talked you out of taking the job,” he said, turning around in his chair.

  His eyes widened at the sight of Sage wearing a tight white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. She was one gorgeous woman, even in the simplest outfit. He had always been attracted to Sage, but kept his feelings to himself because of Rally.

  However, since she was no longer working for his best friend maybe she would finally notice him and give him a chance.

  “You look pretty in your outfit. Are you ready to learn the ropes? First thing I should let you know is don’t ever let the guys intimidate you. They love giving the new employees a hard time,” Julian said and then glanced down at his watch.

  “I think they should be back from their field trip in about an hour. So, how about I go over the paper work with you? After we finish I’ll introduce you to the rest of the crew.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Sage said, sitting down in the chair next to his desk.

  “Julian, is there a reason you aren’t married?” Sage asked him out of the blue. “I mean, you spend so much time here at Serenity. Don’t you miss not going home to someone at night? I know why I’m alone, but you’re gorgeous. Shouldn’t you have women lined up around the corner wanting to date you?”

  He looked at Sage and then shrugged his shoulders. “Wow. That question came out of nowhere. What a change in topic. Honestly, I don’t know. I guess the right woman hasn’t come along yet. Just when I think I have her she does something to prove me wrong. I might just stay a bachelor for the rest of my life,” he replied. “What about you? Have you finally given up on winning Rally’s heart?”

  “I don’t want Rally anymore. He made it very clear today that I should move on,” she answered. “He has Vanity and she’s perfect for him.”

  Folding his arms on his desk, the material of Julian’s shirt stretched across his chest. “Does he know you’re truly moving on? I’ve known Rally since we were teenagers. Sometimes, he runs his mouth but doesn’t mean word of it. He might apologize to you in a few days. Will you forgive him if he does?”

  He had to hear her answer because he would never think about pursuing a woman who still wanted or was in love with Rally. Sage was beautiful, but if her heart couldn’t open for him then why should he even waste the time?

  “It doesn’t matter if he apologizes or not. I’m the one who’s done with him. It’s way past time that I find a man who will want me. Rally still sees me as that little orphan girl who got dumped on his parents’ doorstep. I’m not her anymore. I need to stand on my own two feet without any help from him or Shawn.”

  Sage leaned across his desk and touched the back of his hand. “That’s the main reason I was so thrilled you offered me a job. I need my independence and I wouldn’t get it staying around Rally.”

  “Was Rally happy with your decision to leave him for me?”

  She laughed and lifted her hand. “You know that you sounded just like Rally. Of course he wasn’t thrilled I quit, but it was the right decision for me. Regardless, I packed up my stuff and left. I’m even going to move out of the house.”

  Julian leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “He won’t ever allow you to live by yourself. He doesn’t think you’re mature enough for the responsibility.”

  Sage wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Rally just doesn’t know how to let go. He does like for things to stay the same. He’s really into a routine. I’ve never known him not to follow the rules.”

  “You’re right,” he agreed.

  He noticed the smile that touched Sage’s pretty face. “Rally is a proud Native American man. He believes that his word is his bond. His family always comes first and he tries his best to make them proud.”

  Julian listened quietly to the admiration in Sage’s voice for Rally. It was hard to believe she wasn’t still in love with his old buddy. All the signs were there, so why was she trying to deny it?

  “You’re part of his family. He’d be there for you, too.”

  One corner of Sage’s mouth twisted up in a sad smile. “I’ve been told by Rally enough that I’m not a part of his family and it has finally stuck in my mind. He’s not going to be there for me if I need him and that’s fine. I’ll do just fine by myself.”

  “Are you sure that you didn’t misunderstand him? He has been under a lot of pressure lately with his business and Vanity pushing him for an engagement ring.”

  Sage took a deep breath and then grinned at him. “We both know he meant every single word and I have gotten over it. Rally has his own life to live and I’m going to have mine. I know I can do something here working with you at Serenity. It’s an amazing organization.”

  “Thank you.” Julian couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice. “I’ve spent years trying to make up for what I did.”

  “Stop,” Sage whispered. “How many times do I have to tell you it wasn’t your fault?”

  Julian didn’t want to relive the past, but it was hard not to. It was his fault no matter how many times Sage or anyone else told him it wasn’t.

  “I know that I shouldn’t still feel the pain, but I do. I can still close my eyes and see it.”

  “Julian, I won’t let you do this to yourself. I love you and I want you to put this in your past. Now, how about you show me around?” Sage suggested, standing up. “I haven’t been here since you remodeled the place.”

  Get
ting out of his seat, Julian put his arms above his head and stretched. Sage was a jewel. She always saw the positive; however, he wasn’t going to brush what he did under the rug. He was going to find a way to make up for his past if it took the rest of his life. “Let’s go. I think you’ll enjoy seeing the library first.” Coming around the desk, he placed his hand in the middle of Sage’s back and led her from the room.

  ****

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” Rally snapped, tossing his briefcase down on the table and breaking Shawn and his girlfriend apart on the couch. “Furthermore, why are you making out on my furniture instead of your own? If my memory serves me correctly, you no longer live here.”

  “Sorry, big brother,” Shawn uttered, wiping Lara’s lipstick away from the corner of his mouth. “My apartment is being painted, so I moved back in for a few days. In addition, my hours got changed at work so I’m working nights now. Don’t you remember I told you all of this last week?”

  Rally swung his gaze over to Lara, who was fixing her clothes and trying to avoid making eye contact with him. He wasn’t fond of his brother’s young girlfriend. She was just a sophomore in college and acted two years younger. “Lara, I would appreciate if you left. I need to talk to Shawn in private.”

  “Sure, Mr. Teveare,” Lara said as she jumped up from the couch. “I’ve a class in twenty minutes anyway. I’ll call you later, Shawn.” Lara brushed past him and out the door, closing it behind her.

  “I don’t want her in my house again. God, Shawn, why are you dating girls like her? She isn’t right for you.”

  “God, I don’t want to hear this,” his brother groaned. “I can date anyone I want. All we are doing is having some fun. Have you thought about doing that? You’re always so uptight with this permanent frown of your face.”

  “I have responsibilities and I don’t see you jumping up to take any of it. I didn’t think that you would still need watching over. I thought you were mature enough to be on your own. That’s why I let you move out.”