feel my face heating at the thought, so I take a deep breath and will myself not to say another word even if that means I won’t get the last word in with Alec.
Finally Cody tips his chin toward Alec. “Here’s what you need to know. You’re wasting your time. Maybe Sage and I can’t stop you from poking around or whatever it is you’re trying to do here, but that doesn’t change the facts. The track isn’t for sale. End of story.”
“With all due respect to both of you, I already figured that out,” Alec grumbles. He shakes his head a few times, giving up an irritated sigh. “But since I have to see this through, I’ll be back. Which is something we can all look forward to.”
He slings his suit coat over one shoulder and somehow manages to amble out leisurely. Almost as if he doesn’t know that I’m mentally cataloging each item in the shop that could be used as a dangerous projectile. Like he isn’t aware that I plan to be more than ready for him whenever he shows up again, so he should pack a freaking lunch if he wants to keep up with me.
I’ll be fueled by resentment and caffeine and prepared for anything that Alec Mason tries to throw my way.
4
Alec
When I make it back to the parking lot, I take a quick walk around my rental car, looking for any evidence that Sage has been here. I let out a relieved sigh once I confirm that all the tires are still inflated, the paint doesn’t have any colorful words etched into it, and there aren’t any smashed eggs lying around.
It might be far-fetched to think she would have the time to destroy anything, but I wouldn’t put it past her. There’s one thing I can say about Sage Wells, despite spending only a few minutes with her: she’s capable of anything she puts her mind to. She’s a true force to be reckoned with—the only problem is, you probably won’t live to tell the tale.
Not that I’d have much of a story to be proud of anyway. I went from being a drooling idiot to a confused idiot, then followed that up by acting like a presumptuous douche and topped it all off with some rich asshole sarcasm. All in all, I was a fucking gem. My parents would be so proud.
By the time Cody intervened, Sage and I were so wrapped up in our own little world that I’d forgotten he was even in the room. The only thing I can say in my defense is that I was overwhelmed, treading water while Hurricane Sage came ashore, until all I could do was try to keep up. My mouth was a few too many steps ahead of my brain, which isn’t like me—running off at the mouth isn’t a desirable trait in PR, not when a few careless words can cost our company millions of dollars.
After unlocking the rental car, I plop down in the driver’s seat and start the engine, cranking up the air-conditioning as I run a hand through my hair. As the car starts to cool down, I replay the past hour in my head, hoping I can figure out the exact moment when I suddenly lost the ability to keep my wits about me. Would anyone who knows me have recognized the guy who was talking to Sage in there? It sure didn’t feel like I was the man I think I am. Maybe I’m not a Good-Times Cruise Director after all. Maybe I’m exactly what Sage thinks I am. A total tool.
I flip down the sun visor and peer into the mirror mounted on the back, squinting at my own reflection. Other than the fucked-up state of my hair and the faintly feral look in my eyes, I still look like me. Nothing about the familiar guy staring back at me offers an explanation as to the way I was acting in there.
There’s only one person who can help me dissect this mess. At this point, I don’t trust my own assessment of the situation, and I need to bounce this off someone I can trust to tell me the truth, so I grab my phone and fire off a text to Marissa.
It’s one word.
SOS.
Nearly twenty-four hours later, all I’ve received back from Marissa is a short reply.
Talk later.
The petulant teenager inside me thinks I’m being hung out to dry, while my grown-up self is intent