“It was at least twice,” Blair fires back.
Sage leans forward and drops her voice low tospeak to Barrett. “Do they get like this a lot? Keeping score and stuff?”
He nods. “Yeah, I find it’s easier to just sit back and watch. Or leave the room if you don’t want to be called to referee.”
Sage taps the side of her head. “Noted.”
Lunch is loud, chaotic, and full of laughter. Sage has filled a hole that was left when our parents died. Not by replacing them, no one ever could, but by bringing something new to our family. She’s a new piece that fits perfectly.
After we finish at the diner, we head out to wander around downtown Cedar Creek. Sage and Blair are up ahead, arms linked, heads close together as they laugh and chatter nonstop.
“She’s pretty cool,” Barrett comments as we follow behind them.
“I think so, too.” I stuff my hands in my pockets, watching the girls.
“Seems like it’s serious with you two?”
I glance over at him, then back to the girls. “I want it to be. I…” I trail off, take a deep breath, and put it out there. “I’m falling in love with her. Fuck, no, I already love her. But Sage, she doesn’t usually do commitment. This is all new for her. And I’m scared if I tell her how I feel, she’ll panic.”
Damn. Somehow, saying it out loud makes it so real. Makes it something I could lose. And that’s terrifying.
“So you’re what, never gonna tell her?” Barrett asks pointedly. “That’s dumb.”
I wince. He’s right.
“Look, you’ve spent our entire lives telling me to speak up. To say what I want and not let Blair talk for me. Maybe it’s time for you to take your own advice.”
Once again, he’s right. I exhale loudly. “Why are you always so damn smart?”
Barrett shrugs. “Just because I don’t talk a lot doesn’t mean I don’t have stuff to say. I just choose to keep it to myself unless it’s really important.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. “And this is really important. Don’t lose her because you’re scared of, well, losing her.”
Sage and Blair turn around at that moment, ending our conversation. But Barrett’s words stick with me, running on a never-ending loop in my mind.
The rest of the twins’ visit goes by far too quickly, and before I know it, we’re driving them back to the ferry terminal.
Once we get parked in the drop-off zone, we all pile out, and it’s hugs all around.
“Love you five-ever, baby girl,” Blair says, bending down to speak to Sage’s stomach.
Sage’s eyebrows raise as she looks at me, mouthingfive-ever?
I shake my head, indicating I’ll tell her later. I’m too fucking caught up in fighting back tears at seeing my little sister say that to her unborn niece.
Moving to me, Blair throws her arms around my neck. “Bye, big bro. Thanks for a fun weekend.”
“See ya, B. Love you.”
“Love you five-ever.”
Barrett’s hugs are much more perfunctory, but still sincere, and then they’re heading inside to wait for the ferry ride home.
Sage sneaks her arm around my waist, pulling me in for a hug as we watch them go.
“They’ll be back soon,” she says quietly.
I look down at her, and she lifts her hand to wipe away a tear I hadn’t noticed fall. “Yeah, I know.” I bend down and kiss her forehead quickly before opening her car door.
I know she’s going to ask what Blair meant. And sure enough, as soon as we’re on the highway back to Cedar Creek, Sage says, “What’s up with five-ever?”
