22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sage

" Y ou do not need to fly to New York, Sire. I'm fine."

He doesn't look at all convinced, but I put on a bigger smile for him. Angie, of course, called my brothers when I passed out earlier, and now they're on their way to the freaking airport.

"Stop saying you're fine, Sage!" August yells as he leans into the camera, and I don't laugh because it'll upset them, but really, they're being dramatic. I was overstimulated with the wardrobe malfunction– or sabotage… Then, being offered to be a Moore girl. I think I was going to pass out the minute Vincent gave me the offer, but when I saw Helena's face…

My stomach starts to turn all over again, and on top of all of that, I didn't eat all day, but I'm eating a whole bowl of cereal as we speak.

"Can you guys please turn around? I'll be home tomorrow. There's no point in coming to see me when you can see right now that I'm fine ." I watch Sire look to the side, and I can't see what look August gives him, but when he turns back to me, I know I won.

"Fine, but we're picking you up at the airport tomorrow and I'm having your agent check on you throughout the night."

"What? Sire, I'm not a baby. I don't need to be checked on every few hours in the middle of the night. You–"

"Okay, so we'll see you in six hours." He reaches for the phone to hang up, but I quickly agree with his ridiculous terms.

August takes the phone next and at the soft look on his face, I know what he's going to say. "How are you feeling… you know, about your best friend being an absolute hater."

I pull in a deep breath before putting my bowl aside and slouching in the bed. "I don't even know what to think… I would've never done that to her, you know?"

August nods in understanding and offers me a small smile. "I know this isn't going to make you feel better, but Hazel said she's going to beat her ass on sight, so good luck with that."

"Oh my God." I cover my hands in my face, and when Sire says that Lisette said the same thing, I let out an exaggerated breath. They're both extremely aggressive, and I know what Helena did was messed up, but Lisette will actually beat her up every single time she sees her…. Like for years.

"How's Vidia doing?" I change the subject, and when August glances over at Sire, I know it isn't good. V's house recently got broken into, and it sounded so freaking scary. I went to visit her, but she was napping in Sire's bed, and she looked exhausted, so I didn't even wake her.

I hear Sire let out a sigh, and my heart hurts for them. "She's going to be okay."

I nod in response before Sire goes on.

"I didn't want to leave her alone, so I'm actually glad you're okay, but we're seriously picking you up when you land, and your agent–"

"Okay, Sire! I love you guys. Tell V I love her, and I'll pass by to check on her again." I hang up on him, and he immediately texts me, telling me not to hang up on him, but I only love the message.

A minute barely passes before Killian calls me and my friends were so right, he had a crush on me and he asked me out last night to get dinner after today's show.

Since he's a good friend of Vincent's, he's in New York this week, and we've been hanging out every day. It's been fun having someone outside of work to hang out with, and Killian is great company.

"Hello, love."

I smile to myself as I sit up in bed.

"Hey, Killian."

"I just got off the phone with Vin. He's obsessed with you."

My eyes widen as I put the volume up on my phone. "He was talking about me? What'd he say? Wait, did he bring me up first? Tell me exactly what he said!"

His laugh fills my ears before he spills the tea. "I just called him to see how the show went since I couldn't be there, and he immediately told me about what happened with you and how he admires that you even went on stage, which, may I add, is hard to believe since Vin can be very intimidating with his models. I'm surprised you had the balls to go on that stage with a ruined dress and a jacket he didn't approve of, with a smile on your face."

I laugh at how shocked he sounds, but now that I think about it… I can't believe I did that either. All of the girls were trying to get me to not go on stage, but I didn't consider that an option either.

We naturally keep talking about the show, and I'm glad he doesn't bring up Helena. He confirms our dinner date and I touch up my makeup after looking at the restaurant's menu.

When I go a day or two without eating, I just make sure to take a day to stuff myself so it cancels out, and it works for me. I know I passed out, but I was only out for maybe a minute. It was not a big deal.

I decide on what I think I'm going to eat when I get a text and I let out a laugh at his contact name.

Leslie

Which Hilton are you staying at?

I reply, but before I can put my phone down, Liam replies.

Omw.

What? You're in NYC??

Yes. I live here.

I almost ask a follow-up question, but remember he plays for the Yankees, and it makes a lot of sense for him to live here. I let him know what room I'm in, and by the time I pick out an outfit and finish getting dressed, I hear a knock on my door.

"Hey, Lee."

"Dory."

I feel myself smiling before pulling him in for a hug, but then my eyes land on who's behind him.

"Moon!" I move Liam aside and pull Moon in for a hug.

"Don't push me like that," Liam grumbles from behind me, and I bite my tongue so as not to laugh at how offended he sounds.

Moon's arms go around my waist as his laugh fills the hall. When we pull away, I notice Jordan behind him.

"Hey, Sunshine."

I smile up at him before pulling him in for a hug. "You guys can come in or—"

"They're not staying."

I turn to Liam who's standing in the doorway of my hotel room. "Moon just wanted to see you, and Jordan is his cheerleader." He keeps his gaze on them, and from the looks of it, he doesn't seem to like either of them very much, but they also seem like good friends? I'm not sure.

"I'm not his cheerleader. I also wanted to see your girl."

That gets my attention, and when I turn to Jordan, he's smiling at Moon.

I turn back to Liam, but he's still watching them. "She's no one's girl. You saw her. Leave." He grabs a hold of my hand, but before he can pull me into the room, Moon grabs a hold of my other hand.

"Wait! How did your show go today? You're on my entire feed, and people are going nuts about you and some girl who sabotaged your dress?!"

I let out a breath, and I can't believe that information got out so fast, but before I can respond, he goes on.

"I would've been able to see you in person if someone let me go with them." He points his words at Liam.

"You were at the Moore fashion show today?"

He only nods like it means nothing.

"Why'd you go?"

"To see his girlfri–"

"Shut up." He cuts Jordan off before he can tease him again, and then his eyes fall to mine. "The past month, you wouldn't stop talking about modeling in that show." He shrugs. "I went to see what the hype was about." He still talks like it was literally not a big deal, and maybe it's because he's not into modeling or fashion.

"Do you know what designer you went to see?"

He shrugs again.

"You spent God knows how much for a runway show of a designer you don't know?" I shake my head. "You have to buy tickets for his shows months in advance, how did you even get one?"

"I bought it off of someone."

"You–" My jaw slightly drops because I have no idea who in this world, in their right mind, would sell a Vincent Moore show ticket unless it was for– like half a million freaking dollars. "How much did you get it for?"

"Can't remember."

"Wasn't it a mil?" Jordan speaks up from the side, and my jaw drops.

"Why would you even do that?!"

Liam lets out a sigh and pushes off the wall like he's bored of the conversation. "I already told you; I wanted to see if it was worth all the hype you were making it out to be."

"Well, was it worth a million dollars?"

He watches me for a few seconds before nodding.

"Yeah, you looked pretty on stage." What? He could've seen me on stage on freaking TV?!

"You–" I literally cannot form words. I know baseball players make bank because my brothers blow through their checks like air, but a million on a fashion show Liam clearly doesn't even care about?

I study him for a few seconds, but he only watches me like this genuinely was not a big deal to him.

"Okay?" I shake my head of my thoughts and turn back to Moon and Jordan. "Are you guys sure you don't want to come–"

"They don't." Liam takes my hand again as he tries to pull me inside.

"Bye, guys!" I wave to them both as I walk backward.

"You were great today, Sunshine!"

"I'll talk to you later, Sunshine!"

"No, you won't." Liam shuts the door before they can even respond, and I hear both of them laughing on the other side. He rolls his eyes at the sound of their laughs, and when he looks over at me, his face seems to soften.

"You looked perfect on that stage." He steps towards me and cups my face before leaning in to kiss me. "I'm so proud of you." His lips are on mine again before I can respond, and I feel myself smiling against him.

His arms come around my waist as he pulls away, and I smile at him. "Thank you." I tippy-toe to give him another quick kiss, but he immediately deepens it and when his hands slip under my shirt, I pull him closer.

My hands roam down his stomach, and when I feel him through his pants, I smile against his lips.

"Did you miss me?" I tease, and he leans into my neck before humming in response. "We've barely been kissing, and you're like this?" I run my hand down his length, and he takes a step forward.

"It's only been a few days, but you must've really missed me."

When he goes still, I know he realizes I'm quoting him. He pulls away with a deep laugh and I stop moving as I smile at the sound he makes. His smile transforms his entire face when he laughs, his eyes are softer, and I don't know what happens inside of me, but his laugh triggers mine.

He smiles down at me, and I only admire him. He's so pretty. His smile is so pretty, and if me mocking him will make him laugh more, then I'll do it for the rest of my days. I don't mention how he should smile more since the last time I did, he wiped his smile clean. Instead, I simply kiss him before pulling away and saying, "You should take off my clothes." I take a step away from him, and his smile widens.

"I'm not going to be nice about it if you make me do it, and I remember you saying you like that shirt."

I glance down at my top, and he's right, so I take it off myself before he can rip it along with the rest of my clothes.

I stay in my underwear and bra, and Liam watches me like he's ready to feast .

"You can rip these." I shrug, and he starts stalking towards me, but I back away slowly. A playful look covers his face, and when my legs hit the end of the bed, he works his belt off.

He keeps his eyes on mine as he strips, and my heart races in anticipation. When he's completely bare, I try my hardest to keep my eyes on his face. His smile morphs into a smirk as his eyes cast down my body.

"You can look, you know."

I don't, and he laughs at me.

"Shut up."

He closes the distance between us and turns me around before leaning into my neck. "Watch that pretty mouth." He bends me over the bed, and I peek over my shoulder as he rips my underwear off.

"Oh, now you wanna see?"

My eyes travel up to his before I nod softly. He surprisingly doesn't tease me about it and only slips his condom on. When he slides into me, a loud moan slips past my lips. I watch him carefully as he loses control. His head falls back with every sound under the sun, and I love how vocal he is when he's in me like this.

"Hmm fuck."

I moan in response as he picks up the pace, and my back arches towards him. When his eyes meet mine, he immediately comes down on me. His lips are on mine, and when he grunts into my mouth, I return it.

"I really missed you." He kisses me harder before pulling away to lean into my neck.

"Like how much?"

A hand comes between my legs, and when he starts rubbing the right places, I melt into him.

"A lot."

I bite down on my lip as he moves harder against me.

"I was thinking about you a lot too." He kisses my neck softly. "Like at my game yesterday."

He leaves a trail of kisses to my ear. "And this morning… in the shower."

I bite down harder with every stroke he gives me.

"I thought of you on your knees for me."

"Mhm."

"And I imagined it was your mouth around my cock instead of my hand."

My jaw slightly drops, and before I can even make sense of his words, I'm falling apart under him. He finishes close after, and I let my eyes fall shut as his weight settles over me. Our heavy breaths fill the room, but instead of getting dressed when he pulls away, I climb under the sheets.

I keep my eyes on my phone as Liam walks over to the trash, and I notice I got a message.

Killian

I'll be there in 20, love.

I check when he sent that and I have ten minutes to get ready. I glance over at Liam and suddenly feel guilty for going to get dinner with Killian after Liam and I just did… that, but Liam is constantly saying that I'm not his girlfriend when his friends tease him about it, and we also agreed this wouldn't become more.

"I have a question."

"I might have an answer."

I laugh softly, and Liam leans over to kiss my cheek. "What's your question, beloved?"

I bite back a smile at his name for me, but it adds to my confusion. "What… are we?" I hate asking guys this question, and I can see the shift happen in real time as Liam simply walks over to get his clothes. He doesn't necessarily look taken back, but his usual glare returns and the way his face was just softening with me is gone.

"Humans." His tone is dry and if any other guy had answered like that, I would've taken the hint, but I sense the joke under his bored tone and I need a straight answer because I've been getting mixed signals lately, and I don't want to lead Killian on if this is becoming more.

"Okay, so we're–"

"Not a we."

Okay. No joke under his bored tone there.

"I don't meet your standards, remember?"

Right… only he has been lately and just bought a million-dollar ticket to see me look pretty on stage. He also got me a freaking Birkin bag for my birthday, so I'd say he's exceeding standards just a bit.

"I said that months ago and–"

"And nothing has changed. We're just fucking."

Stop talking.

When he turns to look at me I send him a smile. "Right, I just have a date in a few minutes and wanted some clarification, but thanks, now I don't have to cancel." I slip out of bed and quickly get dressed.

"What date ?"

"Dinner." I slip my shirt on and rush for new underwear.

"With whom?"

"You don't know him." When my pants are on, I keep my back to him and sit to put my sneakers on. I don't know why, because I'm used to his asshole attitude, but I haven't been on the receiving end of it in a while, so his words sting just a bit.

"You don't know who I know."

"You don't know him. Trust me." When I turn around Liam is still undressed and tries to say something, but someone knocks on my door before he gets to. I glance over at the door and go still.

"Get dressed!" I whisper, and Liam literally stands there. Naked.

"That's your date?"

"Most likely, yes. Please put clothes on and go to the bathroom or something."

"I'm not hiding in the fuckin–"

"Shh!"

"Do not shush me."

Killian knocks again, and I quickly grab Liam's clothes before shoving them into his arms.

"Please get dressed." I glance over at the door. "Coming!"

"You were coming on my dick a couple of minutes ago, too-"

I cover Liam's mouth, and I swear I feel him smirking.

"Get. Dre–"

"Sage, open the damn door! This is burning my hands."

"Angie?" I push Liam out of what her line of sight would be when I open the door, then answer it, and Angie is staring back at me with a covered plate. "Angie, hey. What's up?"

"I was instructed by your pain in the ass brother to check on you and bring you food."

"Oh, my goodness. Sire really called you?" I take the plate from her as I shake my head at how ridiculous that man is.

"Yes, and he wants me to check on you all night, so I'll be back."

"Angie, you do not–"

"I was already planning on it, so don't even try to tell me not to."

When I let out a sigh, she sends me a knowing look, but then pity washes over her and I feel bad all over again.

"Have you spoken to her?"

I shake my head and glance down at the floor. "She keeps calling, but I muted her. I have nothing to say to her."

"Good."

My eyes meet my agent's, and she nods approvingly.

"You're too nice for your own good, Sage. Don't let her guilt trip you, and do not forgive her. I've been telling you for years now that I felt like she's been secretly hating on you."

I don't say anything because she's right, and I don't want to admit that one of my closest friends was never my friend.

"You really scared us when you passed out earlier, Sage. I need you to tell me if we're having a rerun of last summer."

I steal a glance at her before my eyes fall to the plate in my hand, and I say a silent prayer that she doesn't ask me what I think she's going to ask because I can't tell her the truth, and I hate lying.

"Sage?"

"I really am okay, Ang." I give her a smile, but she shakes her head softly.

"What's okay, Sage? How are you doing with your meal plan? I saw they changed it."

I give a shrug, and when I see her concern grow, so does my nervousness.

"Angie–"

"Are you following your meal plan, Sage?"

I chew on my lip to stop myself from saying the truth and only nod.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." My words come out strained, but when she lets out a breath of relief, so do I.

"Okay, good."

I smile at her, but she goes on. "Because, you know, after last summer, if you're following someone else's meal plan again, then it'd be deemed a concern of your physical and mental health, and you'd be forced to take a break from modeling."

I feel like I'm swallowing actual sandpaper, and I force my tears away because if I cry, I'm done for. I can't take a break from work right now. I might get signed with Vincent, and considering he has rules about his girls eating before going on stage , he'll never let me model for him if he hears I skip a few meals here and there. He'll make it a big deal along with everyone else.

"I know that, but I'm fine."

Angie keeps her eyes on me, and after a beat, she nods to herself and leans in to plant a kiss on my cheek.

"Good." She says she'll check on me before I fall asleep, and when I shut the door, Liam is, thankfully, dressed.

"You're the worst liar I've ever met." He looks pissed , and I almost open this door because I rather deal with Angie, but Liam doesn't have the power to stop me from modeling, so I stay put.

"What are you talking about?" I smile at him before walking over to put the plate of food down.

"You passed out today?"

I glance over my shoulder before confirming.

"How'd that happen?"

"It was after my show. I had an outfit malfunction that stressed me out, but then Vincent asked me to be a Moore Girl– I didn't tell you about that, actually. I'm, of course, thinking of saying yes, but I need–"

"You're getting off track, Dory."

I let out a sigh before turning to him and continuing. "I passed out after he gave me the offer. There was a lot of other stuff happening." I don't bring up my best– ex-best friend because I'm tired of the topic surrounding her.

He doesn't say anything for a second as he watches me. "Did you eat?"

"Yeah…"

"Sage." My name comes out like a warning on his tongue. "Did you eat before your show?"

" Yes . They make the models eat before going on stage."

He studies me for something else before folding his arms across his chest. "What was she talking about last summer and meal plans?"

"Nothing." I go to get my things for my dinner with Killian, but when I try to walk past him, he moves in my way. I look up at him, and he only stares down at me, neither of us saying anything.

"You're really going to make me ask you again?"

"Liam, that was a private conversion, not to mention none of your business." I move past him, but he grabs a hold of my arms before pulling me back to him.

"How come you're suddenly so defensive?"

"I'm not. You're just–"

"Let me see the meal plan you're following."

I pull my arm away from him before taking a step back. "Why?"

"Let me see it, Sage."

"Wh–"

"Sage Loana, enough with the back-and-forth. You told her you were following your meal plan, so tell me what the problem is."

I feel my tears building up, and I try to blink them away, but in an instant, something happens, and his entire expression shifts as he takes a step towards me.

"You're not following your meal plan are you?" His tone is on opposite worlds of his previous one and it only brings more tears to my eyes.

I don't say anything. I don't nod or shake my head. I don't respond at all and use every ounce of my strength not to cry, but the minute his hands cup my face I feel a single tear trek down my cheek.

"Dory…"

"Please don't tell her. They won't let me model, and I need to, Lee. Please ." I squeeze my eyes shut, and all I feel is his arms as they come around me. I break into a quiet sob, and he doesn't say anything as he holds me.

When I pull away, he wipes my cheek softly. "You ruined your pretty makeup."

My broken laugh fills the room, and I walk to the vanity. Taking a seat, I take my makeup off, but I notice Liam watching me in the mirror.

"I need you to show me the meal plan you're following, beloved." His words come out so soft but somehow still hurt.

"I'll go back to following my own." I look at myself as I wipe away the last bit of makeup, but in the mirror, I see Liam close the distance between us. He kneels in front of me, and when I turn to look at him, I wish I didn't.

"Do not lie to me."

I try to respond, but he doesn't let me.

"No, I don't care. Don't ever lie to me, Sage. There's nothing on this earth I hate more than it, and it's beyond disrespectful."

"Okay… I'm sorry. I won't."

He rises to his full height and keeps his eyes on mine. "Show me it." He keeps his tone gentle, and I briefly close my eyes, but when I open them, he's unfortunately still waiting.

I get my phone and pull up Helena's meal plan. I keep my phone on my chest and turn to Liam. "You don't need to get upset." I try to calm him before he even looks at it because, while he denies it, I know he has anger issues, and he's totally going to blow this whole thing out of proportion.

"I'm already upset."

See what I mean?

"Let's not fight for the phone, Dory." He holds his hand out to me and I give it to him before flopping onto the bed. Grabbing my iPad, I scroll through my list of upcoming errands and events.

"Sage…"

"Hmm?"

"Sage, look at me."

"What?" I keep my eyes on my iPad and busy myself as I move some things around my calendar. I feel the bed dip before Liam turns my iPad off. My mouth feels dry, but I force the knot down.

"Sage, this meal plan is for someone who weighs at least one twenty."

"She weighs one ten on a bad day…" I keep my eyes on my iPad screen, and I can see Liam watching me carefully through the reflection, but I don't turn to him.

"And you weigh…?"

I feel my eyes burning again, and the bed dips as Liam lies beside me on his elbow. He tries to catch my eyes with his, but I look over to the side.

"Never mind that. It doesn't matter how much you–"

"Yes, it does."

" No, it doesn't. It doesn't matter this much, Sage. You're eating like someone who weighs way less than you. If you can't recognize how unhealthy that simply sounds, then this is an even bigger problem."

I keep my head turned, and when my eyes start to water, I let out a frustrated breath.

"This says Helena on it. Isn't that the hating ass bitch who fucked up your outfit tonight?"

I almost tell him not to call her a bitch but realize I shouldn't defend her.

"And I bet it was her idea for you to follow this shit? Sage, this is ridiculous. That girl clearly has it out for you. How long have you been following her meal plan?"

I almost shrug but remember how passionate he feels about lying and decide not to answer at all. I feel his fingers softly push my hair behind my ear, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

"I'm going to assume this hasn't been happening since last summer since you would've–"

"Been skinnier?" I turn to him now.

He watches me for a beat before shaking his head softly. " Hospitalized , Sage. You would've been in a hospital and you will be if you continue this."

I shake my head at how dramatic that sounds. I knew he'd be like this, everyone acts like this is the end of the world and they don't get it.

"I'm fine."

"You're not, though, beloved. You're sick."

"What?" I sit up on the bed, but he stays in his position as he looks up at me. "I'm not sick ."

"You think this is okay?" He nods towards my phone and rests his head on his hand as he studies me.

"Well, I'm aware it's not the best thing, but–"

"But you think it's okay, obviously, since you're doing it and have done it in the past."

"Well, yeah, it's fine. I've been fine all this time–"

"You're sick."

"Stop saying that!"

"Sage, if you are convinced that it's okay to eat like this and you're doing it because you're not happy with how you look, then you're mental health is–"

"My mental health? You think I'm crazy because I want to go on a diet?!"

"I didn't say you were crazy ." He gestures for my phone. "And that's not a diet. You're fucking starving yourself. Literally."

I don't move an inch, and he briefly closes his eyes before letting out a breath.

"You should go."

"Dory–"

"No, Liam, really. I'm leaving soon anyway, and I don't see why you care so much. You said it yourself, we're just fucking, and you already got what you came here for, so just go." I keep my back to him as I grab my purse, but in a quick move, he turns me to face him.

"You're seriously going to be like that with me right now?" He sounds hurt at first, but then he shakes his head, and I can see his anger settle. "I didn't come here just to fuck you, Sage, and it doesn't matter why I care; I just do , so how about you sit your ass down and eat whatever she brought you."

"I lost my appetite." I try to walk off but he grabs my arm and keeps me in place.

" Find it."

I snatch my arm back harder than needed, and I can see his temper rising. My feet are suddenly glued to the ground as he leans down so we're at eye level.

"I see you're bitchy when you're confronted, but let's not play the mean game because I promise you I'm going to win every time, beloved." He keeps his voice low, and we stare between each other's eyes, but I can see he's not going to be the one to back down, and it only makes me angrier.

I turn on my heel as I face the wall with my back to him, and he doesn't say anything else. When my watch dings, I glance down at it, and Killian tells me he's downstairs. I turn back around, but when I try to walk past Liam, he takes a step in my way.

"Where are you going?"

"My date is downstairs."

"Well, tell–"

"You wanted me to eat, right? I'm going to get food." I push past him, but I realize my mistake too late.

"What the fuck did I tell you about pushing me like that?"

"It won't happen again." I reach for the door as he calls out to me.

"Come over here!"

I walk out and quickly round the corner instead of walking ahead at the elevator. I hear my door slam shut a second later, and when I peek around the corner, he walks for the elevators. He looks up at the floor they're each on before turning. I lean behind the wall again, and a few seconds later, another door opens. Just as I look, the door to the stairs shuts, and he calls out to me. I head for my room again, and the second the door shuts, I lean against it.

I let my eyes fall shut as I let out a sigh, and I feel so drained. I know Liam is trying to help, but I don't need help, and he's wrong. I'm not sick. My mental health is fine. I'm happy .

I wipe away a tear just as it falls. "Ugh!" I throw my bag onto the bed before sitting on the ground with my face buried in my hands. "He's so– ugh !" I wipe my cheek, and I only get more mad that I'm crying again.

When my phone starts ringing, I don't even reach for it, but when I look at my watch, I see it's Killian and decide to answer.

"Sage, love. I'm downstairs. What room are you in?"

"Hey, Killian. I'm so sorry to cancel at the last minute, but I'm not feeling well and have an early flight tomorrow. Can we reschedule?"

He tells me it's okay and offers to keep me company, but I kindly decline.

I decide to get in the shower, and as the hot water hits my back, the shower fills with a soothing steam. I turn to let the water hit my face, but my vision suddenly blurs. I turn the water cooler before crouching down, and it takes some time, but this usually helps.

My vision goes completely dark, and I take a seat, but the cold water doesn't work, and I feel myself go limp.