Trigger - Part 2

CHAPTER 6 - No holding back

"Liam? Sage!?"
Luke walks towards us and Liam's grip loosens as he pushes me to the side and storms towards Luke. His fist driving through Luke, Luke retaliates.

Unable to move, think, process. I watch as the two brothers ravage each other.

"You fucked her!"
"What? I didn't sleep with her Liam!"

Luke pushes Liam away and rubs his fist a couple of times. "Is that why you are acting like a lunatic?"

"Bullshit man! I knew you wanted her! I knew-"
"-I did not actively have a choice."

"What? What are you saying?" Liam's breathing strained as he holds onto his ribs.

"She-"
"-I took advantage of him." I say softly feeling like guilt herself busy strangling me.

Liam's eyes grow big as a look of confusion and disbelief mingle. He groans and rubs his eyes with his thumb and finger.

"I-" He starts laughing, shaking his head.
"Who the fuck are you Sage, because the Sage I knew would never have done this." He looks at me and my heart shatters.

"I- I don't know..." I whimper feeling my tears run.

"You don't know? Is that all you can say? Fuck sakes Sage! This isn't a game! This is our life and as much as I struggle to find my feelings you sure as hell found them for me and fucked them up. Worse than Meg!"

Meg?

"Liam, enough."
"No Luke... I wanted nothing to do with her yet you forced her in. You made sure she was a part of our lives and look at us now. Third time I drew blood from you, because of her. The fucking thing that beats deep within my chest actually hurts. I buried it so deep down after Meg, but you said it was okay to feel again. I can't believe I am actually standing here admitting this. Looking like a fucking idiot. Is that what you wanted, Sage? To reduce me to a fucking idiot with feelings?"

"Liam! I said enough!"
"Why? Look at her. Do you think she actually cares? She can't even remember us! - FUCK!" His fist drives through the door before swinging it open and slamming it behind him. My skin jumps.

"Luke, I'm-"
His hand lifts.

"I think you have done and said enough. Where is my phone?"

Silently I point towards the lounge.

He disappears around the corner and a few seconds later he appears again walking to the front door.

"Wait! Are you going to just leave me here?" I wipe a couple of tears from my eyes trying to sound brave.

"It's best if we take time apart."
"But-"

He turns to face me. Nothing but hurt in his eyes.

"I-" I swallow more tears. "Please don't leave me alone, Luke. I am sorry! I... I don't know what to do. Tell me! What must I do?"

"No Sage... just stop." He turns around and opens the door.
"Luke!"

The door shuts.

•
•
•

"Can I help you?" I lean against the door seeing a guy dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt.
"Is that how you greet all your guests?" He smiles and fixes his watch.

"Who are you?"
"The name is Zack-"
"-Zack? The one I spoke to yesterday?"
"In the flesh."

I narrow my eyes not sure what to make of this visit.

"Why are you here?"
"Luke asked me-"
"-Luke? Where is he?"

"Do you always interrupt people?"
"Sorry." I say quickly, while noticing his hair is sort of the same style as Luke's just he has earrings and a neck tattoo.

"Luke sends this." He holds up a phone and a car key.
"What's this for?" I take the phone and key. 

"You wrecked your car and phone so he got you new ones. He also got you a job as a secretary at a magazine company. Next week Monday. I'll text you the location."

A job? Magazine?

"I don't understand."
"What do you not understand?"

"Why is he giving me these things, and a job? He hates me, why is he helping me?"
"He doesn't hate you, Sage. By getting you all of this just proves how much he cares for you."

I look at the key and phone in my hand, unable to shake a quilt feeling.

"He is never going to see me again. This is probably a goodbye gift."

I look at Zack as an expression of sorry washes over him. He takes a deep breath and sighs.
"Look, I don't know what happened here but I do know Luke and right now it is best to just give him some time."

"Hm. Time..." I scoff.
"Is his number on the phone?"

"Ah, no. But he has your number."
"Okay? So why can't I have his number? What if something happens and I need to contact him?"

"You can contact me."
"And what if I don't want to contact you? No offense."

"Ouch, a little taken." He smiles and rolls his eyes. "I have been given clear instructions not to give his number to you. Besides, there will be no need to contact him. I will be keeping an eye on you so nothing to worry about." He continues with a smile.

"So you will be spying on me?"
"No. Just watching you from a distance."

"That is the same thing!"

His laughter hangs thick in the air.
"True, but it's just for your safety. Like I said, he cares."

"Then tell him if he cares he can give me these gifts himself!"
I chuck the phone and key towards Zack. His reflexes faster than I thought he catches the phone before it falls to the ground.

"And how will you come around without a car, phone, money or food?"
"None of your concern. thank you for stopping by but if you'll excuse me, I have a job to go find." I close the door and lock it.

"Are you serious Sage!? Come on, open the door." I see the handle turning as it starts rattling.

"Sage!"

"Not until you drag Lukes arse down here."
"I can't! He is not here"

"What do you mean, where is he?"
"Just open the door."

I unlock the door and open it slightly, seeing Zack holding the phone and key out in front of him.

"He is out looking for his brothers."
"Brothers?"

"Ash and Axel. They went missing a couple of days ago."
"Missing? I didn't know he had more brothers."

"Yeah, we believe that Ivonkov-"
"-Nikolai Ivankov?"

He nods his head slowly.

"Wait a minute, I don't understand... What does Nikolai have to do with any of this? How do you even know about him?"

"Oh yeah, your memories... um..." He takes a breath followed by a long sigh and a puzzling look on his face.
"May I?" He gestures past me.

Unable to move he takes a step closer.

"I'll explain everything." he continues while towering over me.

The strong wood-smelling cologne scent dances off of him.

That is a familiar scent.

"Sure." I move to the side allowing Zack to enter past me. I look out in front of me seeing the grass covered in raindrops almost like a million diamonds are sprinkled everywhere. I close the door and turn to face Zack.

"Will you tell me everything? No holding back?"
He nods his head slowly.
"Sure, No holding back."