Carter looks at me with worry eyes, “Just, don’t break his heart again, Sarah, please.”
I look down and I nod, not knowing what to do.
Carter hugs me and walks away from me. My eyes follow him for a moment, as I watch him interact with other men, all of them watching me.
“Eyes away from her gentlemen, she's my sister-in-law!”
Some men say hi, others just look at me.
I keep walking.
I knock at the door twice.
“Come on in,” the guttural voice of Rage says.
I take a step inside the office and I remember the courage it took me to enter this place the first time; I remember being terrified, intimidated, and also confused.
Nothing has really changed since that day.
The office remains in the same condition, except for the amount of empty whiskey bottles on the shelf.
“You took your time to decide whether or not to come in.” He says while stirring the glass of amber liquid.
It is noon, and he’s already drinking.
“How did you know I couldn't decide?” I ask.
“There is nothing I can't see inside the perimeters of my Club and the GPS in your body is very handy as well,” he grins. “I thought you had forgotten about me...”
Mental note: remove that GPS.
I take the chair and sit down abruptly in front of him. The first day I had tried it, Rage had barked on my face; now he gives me a half smile.
“Well, maybe you didn't hear, but I was sick for a few days after my little adventure.”
“I heard...”
I still haven't decided whether to tell him I heard what he said the day you visited me or not.
“Are you feeling better?” he asks.
“Yes, thanks.” I reply, “What about you? Are you still depressed?”
He looks at me in surprise but quickly camouflages his reaction for a cocky one.
“I don't know what you're talking about.” He crosses his arms over the desk.
“Yes you do, but you don't want to talk about it now. Would you rather if I lay down on the floor and I pretend to be asleep?”
Rage scratches his beard slowly while he thinks of a clever answer.
“Maybe I can spare you a shitty performance and knock you out, which would you prefer?”
“I'd rather be your friend.” I answer dryly. He knows why I’m saying this.
Silence.
“I don't have female friends,” he answers with disgust in his face. “If I could fuck you right now, I would.”
