Someone laid out the futon. Someone tucked me in. The room smelled like clean sheets and chamomile. Sage lay down behind me, spooning me gently, her arm around my waist, fingers stroking my hair in slow, steady passes.
I cried until my body gave up.
“No one’s ever loved me like you do,” I whispered into the dark. “Not even him.”
Her arm tightened just slightly.
“Sage,” I said, my voice small. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. I really love you.”
She kissed my hair. “I know,” she murmured. “It feels like we’ve known each other forever.”
I nodded, exhausted, heart aching.
“It’s just this summer,” I said. “Everything changed.”
“Shh,” she whispered. “Sleep, sweetie. I’m right here.”
Her hand kept moving through my hair until the world finally blurred and went quiet.
And as I drifted off, wrapped in an old blanket—thoughts jumbled together in my mind:
Sage is a good friend. Loyal. A bit crazy but maybe her crazy comes from caring. And I’d never had a friend care so much as she did.
CHAPTER 15
ETHAN
Something’s offbefore I even open my email.
Chris calling out sick on a random weekday was weird.
Mark calling out sick on thesameday? Practically unheard of.
By ten a.m. the office feels hollow. Too quiet. No running commentary from Mark. No half-whispered jokes from Chris across the aisle. Even the phones sound different—less chaotic, like the floor’s holding its breath.
Beth was quiet, dealing with her own shit. I felt badly for her but secretly thought her ex was a dick and she deserved better.
I’m halfway through a spreadsheet when my BlackBerry starts vibrating nonstop on my desk.
Not ringing.
Buzzing.
Over and over.
I glance down.
From:Tony
Subject:Why aren’t you here?
Before I can process that, another one hits.
From:Mark
Subject:wtf dude
Then another.
