Haley_Renee_Burger

Sage Castillo has always been a fighter. Raised by a cruel, neglectful mother, she’s learned to rely on herself—until she’s kicked out, leaving her homeless and angry. Enter Harlow Baker, who’s spent years running from her own demons. Haunted by her past and the friend who betrayed her, Harlow’s life starts to unravel when she’s forced to confront the truth.
When the two girls cross paths, their brokenness intertwines, and they find solace in each other’s arms. But as old wounds resurface and dangerous people from Harlow’s past threaten to tear them apart, Sage and Harlow must fight not only for their love but for the safety of the family they’re creating.
Home is where the heart is—but what happens when the past refuses to stay buried? Love is worth fighting for, but is it enough to face their darkest fears?

Angels Fall Fast

After Sage left for work, Harlow stretched out on her bed, her body still warm from where Sage had been lying beside her. She pulled the blankets up to her chin, inhaling the faint scent of Sage's perfume lingering in the fabric. Smiling to herself, she let exhaustion take over and drifted into a nap.

About an hour later, she was pulled from sleep by the sound of the front door opening. A moment later, her mother's voice called up the stairs.

Groggily, Harlow sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She took a deep breath and swung her legs over the edge of the bed before making her way downstairs.

Her mother was in the kitchen, unloading a bag of groceries onto the counter. She glanced over her shoulder as Harlow entered the room. "How was your date?"

At the mention of Sage, Harlow's grogginess melted away, replaced with a giddy energy. She leaned against the counter, unable to keep the grin off her face. "It was amazing, Mom. She's amazing."

Her mother chuckled, setting a carton of eggs in the fridge. "I'm happy for you, sweetheart. But I still wish you liked boys."

Harlow's smile faltered for a split second before she forced herself to brush it off. She'd had this conversation before. "Mom," she sighed, rolling her eyes. "I like who I like. And right now, I really, really like Sage."

Her mother lifted her hands in mock surrender. "I know, I know. Just had to put it out there."

Choosing to ignore the comment, Harlow changed the subject. "Hey, can you drive me to Walmart? I need to grab a few things."

Her mother quirked a brow. "Sure. What are we shopping for?"

The ride to Walmart was filled with casual conversation, mostly about her mother's visit to her family. When they pulled into the parking lot, Harlow sent a quick text to Sage.

Harlow: Hope work's going okay. What's your favorite candy?

A few minutes later, Sage replied.

Sage: It's stressful as hell, but I'm surviving. Skittles, why? What are you up to, sneaky girl?

Harlow: You'll see when you get here tonight. 😉 What time are you off?

Sage: 11:30. Gonna shower and grab some stuff, then I'm all yours. And guess what? I have tomorrow off. So we can stay up as late as we want. 😏

Harlow: Me too. Guess I better stock up on energy drinks. And Skittles.

Sage: I like where this is going. 😏

Harlow laughed to herself as she slipped her phone back into her pocket and grabbed a basket. She wandered through the aisles, picking up a few bags of Skittles, some of her favorite snacks, and a cute mini Squishmallow that reminded her of Sage. She hesitated for a moment in the lingerie section before grabbing a lacy bralette and a new perfume. If Sage was going to be spending the night, she wanted to feel extra good about herself.

On her way to checkout, she spotted the video game aisle and made a beeline for it. Her eyes landed on Mario Kart, and she grinned. They had talked about how much they both used to love playing it, and now she had the perfect excuse for an all-night gaming session.

After paying, she and her mother headed home. From 8 p.m. until midnight, Harlow cleaned up the house, making sure everything was perfect for Sage's arrival. She folded blankets on the couch, lit a couple of scented candles in her room, and organized her gaming setup. In between, she worked on assignments for her addiction counseling classes, her mind bouncing between the psychology of recovery and the thought of Sage's hands on her skin.

At 12:30 a.m., her phone lit up with a message from Sage.

Sage: On my way. Be ready for me. 😘

Harlow's heart skipped a beat. She took one last glance around the room, making sure everything was perfect. Tonight was going to be special.

Chapter Four.