Read Stirred: A Love Story for Free Online Page A

of the old year right out of her system, you’re allowed to have fun. After wrestling into her sports bra, she lay back down on the bed. The headache throbbed a little more now that she was moving around. The evening had not gone as she’d expected. It turned out dressing naughty brought out all sorts of other problems, namely Brett’s hands. She’d followed Chapters One and Two to the letter and still ended up texting. . . who? Suddenly, Sage remembered her ride home.
    Garrett. She closed her eyes, inhaled, and exhaled. “Focus on the breath, be in the now,” she told herself as she began to drift back to sleep. Maybe one more hour. Rolling over to her pillow, pieces of her brief drive home with Garrett floated to the surface. Holding his hand, being wrapped in his coat, Jack, even the weight of his body as he leaned over her to help find the seatbelt. How had she been that close to him and fallen asleep? He’d looked over at her when she’d said. . . when she’d said. . . Her eyes flew open.
    “I think I told your brother that I love him,” she blurted out to Kenna minutes after scrambling to grab her phone off the nightstand.
    “Hold on,” she mumbled. “What now?”
    Sage closed her eyes, not quite sure she could say it again. “I told Garrett I loved him, at least, I think I did. I was in his truck and he gave me his coat and Jack was there. It was so warm and the tequila and I sort of fell asleep, but before, I think I told him. Oh crap, I can’t remember if I was thinking it or if the words actually came out of my mouth. Oh, oh my God. Say something, Kenna. Why did you leave me alone with him?”
    “Okay, we need to back way up here. When did you even see Garrett?”
    “Last night. I was in the bathroom and then I texted you, but it wasn’t you. Oh holy shit, I need to sit down.” Sage sank to her couch, folded her legs into her chest, and told Kenna about the mix-up, Garrett showing up, and even Plaid Blazer. Kenna listened and laughed at some points. Despite being pretty sure she needed to leave town, she had to admit parts of the story were funny.
    “So you told him you loved him and then fell asleep. That’s not a big deal. For all he knows, you were saying that as a way of thanking him for picking you up. You know, like, ‘Hey, thanks for getting me. I love you for this.’ It’s not like you went into detail. You fell asleep.”
    Sage was silent. Hand rubbing her temple, she tried to remember what was real and what was imagined. She’d had so many fantasies about Garrett without the help of alcohol that it was hard to pinpoint reality.
    “Right?” Kenna asked. “You fell asleep on the way home?”
    “I think so.”
    “Well, did he walk you to your door? I’m sure he did. Do you remember him walking you in?”
    “Yes, I remember getting my keys and thanking him. I remember shutting off my alarm and turning and then. . . oh, oh, shit, Kenna. I think I said other things. I’m pretty sure I said stuff about his eyes, and I touched him.”
    Even through the phone, she could tell Kenna was holding back a laugh.
    “This is not even close to funny. Are you laughing at me?”
    “No, no, sorry. Well, was he in your bed when you woke up this morning?”
    “No! My God. Like I’d be calling you if he was in my bed.”
    This time, Kenna did laugh. “Okay, so whatever you said, it’s not a big deal. Honey, you had too much to drink. Most of us are stupid when we drink. I’m sure whatever you said has been forgotten. Garrett probably shrugged it off and went home.”
    “Could you call him?” Sage knew it sounded high school, but she didn’t care.
    “Me?”
    “Yeah, get a feel for what happened. I mean pieces are coming back to me, but if you call him, he’ll tell you how bad it was.”
    Kenna let out a sigh. “Okay. I’m sure it’s nothing, but let me get Paige to her friend’s house. Her mom’s taking them to a movie, so we can’t be late. I’ll call him on my way to