Tough To Love by Marie Rochelle Read Free Book Online Page B

for him to accuse his buddy of anything surprised her.
    “Julian didn’t say a word about you. He listened to me while I talked, for God’s sake. He’s your best friend. He would never talk behind your back and you know it’s the truth. What’s the deal with you today? You haven’t been right since you came to work this morning.”
    Rally continued to stare at her without saying a word. Sage took this time to let her eyes have one last look at him before she left. What Julian told her over lunch wasn’t true. He wasn’t hiding some undying love for her. No, he would marry Vanity and that would be the last of it for the both of them.
    “I need to go and get my stuff over to the center,” Sage told Rally and waited for the fireworks.
    “What center?” he asked in a low voice.
    “Julian’s center,” she replied. “I’m going to work for him. He needed help and I offered to pitch in until I find another job.”
    “The hell you’re going to step one foot in that place. You aren’t used to working with problem kids, especially teenaged boys. Call and tell Julian you changed your mind and you won’t be able to take the job.”
    Sage was tired of Rally trying to run her life. He needed to learn she wasn’t ten years old anymore and looking for his advice. Serenity was one of the best shelters in town for runaway teenagers.
    “Julian is well-known and loved throughout the entire community for the stupendous work that he has done. He is a perfect counselor every kid should have. I’ve so much respect for him and I’m thrilled he offered me a job working with him.”
    Rally glared at her. “I told you that you can’t do it and that is the end of it.”
    At what time did she give him permission to be the boss of her life? It was time for Rally to learn she was done hanging on his every word waiting for his approval. The old Sage was growing up.
    “Julian is looking for a qualified assistant and I know it’s me. I’m taking this job and you can’t stop me. I’m not a child you can rule anymore. I’m an adult and I’ll live my life as I please.”
    “Sage, I’m not trying to rule your life; however, I know this job isn’t for you. Serenity is located in the hardest part of town and I know why Julian placed it there, but you shouldn’t be working there with him on a regular basis. How about you volunteer there on the weekends?”
    He wasn’t going to win this argument with her. She couldn’t let him continue to think she was that sixteen-year-old girl who looked at him with stars in her eyes. She knew Rally wouldn’t like her new position, but it wasn’t his decision to make.
    “No, I’m not going to quit.”
    “Yes, you are,” he yelled and then took a breath when she glared at him. “Sage, listen to me. I know Shawn and I spoiled you way too much. You aren’t used to dealing with difficult situations, especially like the ones those kids have experienced. You won’t be able to handle it. Stay here with me. I know what’s best for you.”
    Did he really believe she was too naïve to know what was going on in the world? God, he had a worse opinion of her than she thought. Yes, it was way past time she left the nest and got out on her own.
    “Rally, I don’t need or want your protection anymore. Stop pretending you are so worried about me. We both know it isn’t true. I’m an adult and I can watch out for myself.”
    “How can I not be worried about you?” he questioned. “We get into one of our normal fights and, instead of letting it go, you quit and decide you would rather work with Julian. You’re important to me and I don’t want him taking advantage of you.”
    Sage smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern. I really do appreciate it; however, I’m too old for a big brother or a protector. Besides, the times I did need one, Shawn was there for me,” she said back, watching Rally’s jade gaze narrow on her face.
    “Look, Julian is waiting for me. I’ve got to go. I’ll