Almost Perfect - Brian Katcher [60]
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I picked at my Big Mac, wondering if it had actually been stepped on or if it just looked that way. I’d invited Sage out to McDonald’s to discuss the upcoming trip to Columbia (yes, Boyer has a McDonald’s. We’re not barbarians). Sage had paid for both our meals. Then she’d fluttered her eyes at the dude behind the counter and asked for some Happy Meal toys. He’d passed her a handful with a wink and a smile. I wondered what would happen if Sage didn’t have to restrict herself around boys. There’d probably be two dozen guys lined up behind me. Or in front of me.
“Logan, your sister should win an Oscar! By the time she got off the phone with my mom, Laura had her convinced we’d be doing nothing but visiting the library and going to church. Mom doesn’t have a clue she’s your sister.” Sage paused for a bite of her salad. “I’m so looking forward to next weekend. It’s going to be a blast.”
“Well, Laura’s an expert at tricking parents. She used to sneak out with her old boyfriend when my mom worked the late shift. Never got caught.” The plan to trick Sage’s parents had gone incredibly smoothly. Laura told me she’d make sure Sage had a good time. I don’t think she bought my story that I no longer wanted to date Sage, but that was just as well. I didn’t want Laura trying to introduce Sage to any guys.
“So, what do you think we’ll do with your sister? I mean, I do want to see the campus, but I’d like to explore the town, too.”
I was busy picking yellow pickles off my burger and almost missed what she said.
“We’ll do? Sage, I’m not going with you.” Sage and I had bonded recently, but spending the night away from home, with only my libertine sister watching us … that was a bit much.
Sage held her plastic fork suspended halfway to her mouth. “Not going? But I thought … I mean, she’s your sister. I just assumed you were coming, too.” Her lower lip was quivering just a bit.
I squirmed. How could I explain to Sage that, even after my promises of friendship, I still wanted to keep a wall between us? I wanted her to know that I cared about her like any friend, but I didn’t want to sleep in the same room with her. I could picture Laura volunteering to sleep somewhere else, leaving Sage and me to spend the night alone in the dorm room. To me, Sage was like someone’s wife, a nun, a first cousin. I’d never make a pass at her, but spending the night together still felt wrong.
“Sage, you and Laura will have plenty of fun. Just a night out for the girls.” My words were cardboard; the excuse, obvious.
Sage jabbed angrily at her lettuce. “I’ve never even met your sister. Why won’t you come with me? You don’t have a work schedule to keep. Your mom will let you stay with Laura. Please come.” Sage’s eyes were wide with fear.
“C’mon, you don’t want me along.”
“Of course I do! I’m sure your sister’s nice, but I’m not going up there without you. I’m sorry, I should have mentioned this earlier, but I just assumed you’d be coming. What’s the problem?”
I toyed with one of the toys and didn’t answer. Sage pushed her food away.
“Oh. It’s that.” There was no question as to what “that” was.
“No, Sage.”
“Don’t bother, Logan. I guess I’ll always be ‘one of those’ to you.” Her voice caught; she was suppressing a sob.
“That’s not it! Please don’t think that!” I glanced about to make sure we weren’t being overheard.
“What is it, then?” Her body was shaking.
“It’s … it’s nothing.”
Sage laid her face in her hands. “Tell your sister I’m sorry, but I can’t come.”
God, not the crying. Anything but that. “Okay, okay, I’ll come! I’ll call Laura and ask her to find me a place to sleep.” It wouldn’t be that bad, spending Saturday night in Columbia. Might actually be kind of fun.
Sage’s head shot up, a wide grin on her lips. “Great!” She began shoving food back in her mouth. There was no trace of tears on her face, and I got the feeling I’d just been bamboozled. It scared me. What else could Sage get me to agree to? I decided to change the subject.
“Sage, um, earlier today I saw you and Brenda talking.” It was