Page 45 of Savagely Scarred

A thrill runs through me, picturing Sage above me in the parking lot. I shift in my seat to try and relieve some of the soreness. Just as I’m about to take a sip of my coffee a new message pops up from Ava.

Girl, idk where I am

Did you go home with Alex?

No, he has a girlfriend and I am NOT a homewrecker

So you left with a rando? And you're still there?

The dots appear and disappear. Ava doesn't ever stay the night with strangers. Or any man for that matter. The anticipation is killing me because I know this will be a story I will give her shit about for the rest of our lives.

Yes! I’m trapped under him. He smells like cheese

My roar of laughter echoes throughout the downstairs.

Ew. Maybe you should get out FROMUNDA there!

Bitch this is NOT FUNNY!

I think it’s hilarious

He just moved. I’m making a break for it

RUN HO RUN!

I smirk and set my phone back down. I blow on my coffee before drinking it and grimace at the taste. Why does this taste like shit? It’s the same kind we always use.

Sage plods into the kitchen in black sweatpants and a white tee, freshly showered. He watches me take another disgusting sip of the coffee before I set it back down and push it away.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think something’s wrong with the coffee maker.”

He lifts the mug and drinks it.

“Tastes fine to me.” He sets it back down and moves to the cupboard, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. “You’re probably just hungover. We’re not used to drinking that much anymore.”

Sage puts the glass in front of me and then places a Tylenol and a banana next to it. He leans against the counter and drinks my coffee while I take the pill and chug the water.

He watches me while I peel the banana and take a bite. My stomach lurches, and I have to force it down my throat. I recount in my head how many drinks I had last night. There were only two, but those shots were awful.

Oh God. Those shots.

I hold out the banana towards Sage in defeat. I drink more water while he finishes eating it. After tossing the peel in the trashcan, he wraps his arms around me and kisses my temple.

“Why don’t you take Sadie out and get some fresh air.” I nod in agreement. “I need to go get changed.”

I hop off the stool after he disappears around the corner and up the steps. I whistle for Sadie and she runs up to my side. I make my way through the dining room to the back door.

The sunlight hits my face as I step outside. Its warm caress feels good on my skin. However, it doesn’t feel so great when I open my light-colored eyes and it half blinds me. I shield them with my hand as I continue past the patio and onto the grass.

Sadie sprints past me and goes to her spot near the shed to relieve herself. Then she grabs a ball in the grass and runs towards me while I approach the pond in the corner of the property. She sits in front of me, wagging her tail violently.

“Aus,” I command and she drops the ball between my feet.

I pick it up and launch it across the yard. She tears off after it, dirt and grass flying in her wake. The June weather is hot, but a chill creeps up my spine and forms goosebumps along my exposed arms. I cross them in front of my chest and my gaze drifts towards the trees surrounding the back of the property.

Just like last night, I feel like I’m being watched from the cover of darkness. The forest is dense, shadows cast in every nook and cranny. Out of habit, I scan the black iron fence around the perimeter to make sure nothing seems amiss.