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

The moment the hotel door shut behind them, Sage let out a breath like she'd been holding it in all night. She ran a hand through her hair, pacing once before flopping onto the bed.

Harlow sat beside her, tucking her legs underneath her. "Okay," she said softly. "Talk to me."

Sage sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter than usual, lacking its usual sharp confidence. "That girl at the diner… her name's Katie."

Harlow didn't react, waiting for Sage to continue.

"My ex," Sage clarified. Then, with a bitter laugh, "The ex."

Harlow didn't push, just listened.

Sage exhaled sharply. "She cheated on me. And somehow, she made it my fault. She spun it like I wasn't good enough, like I was crazy for even being upset. She had… issues, but instead of dealing with them, she just dumped them all on me. She'd pick fights just to turn around and act like I was overreacting. It was this constant cycle of gaslighting and guilt-tripping until I didn't even know what was real anymore."

Harlow's chest ached. "That's—Sage, that's awful."

Sage shrugged like it didn't matter, but her eyes said otherwise.

"It does matter," Harlow insisted. "She hurt you."

Sage scoffed. "Yeah, well. It's over now."

Harlow studied her for a moment before saying, "I had a Gabrielle."

"My ex," Harlow explained. "Gabrielle. She wasn't like Katie—she didn't cheat or manipulate me. She just… strung me along. Kept me close enough to feel wanted, but never enough to really have her. I thought maybe if I was patient, if I proved I was worth it, she'd finally choose me." Harlow let out a humorless laugh. "She didn't. She just left. No explanation. Just gone."

Sage's hands clenched into fists. "I hate that we have exes who did us dirty."

"Yeah," Harlow sighed, leaning against Sage. "But I love that we have each other now."

Sage softened, wrapping an arm around her. "Me too, angel."

Minutes later, the warmth of the shower wrapped around them like a cocoon, steam curling in the air. Harlow stood behind Sage, arms around her waist, water cascading over them. Sage's head rested against Harlow's shoulder, her breathing even, but something about her energy felt… off.

"You've been quiet," Harlow murmured, pressing a kiss to Sage's damp shoulder.

Sage hesitated. "Just… thinking."

"I don't know if I feel right in my body." The words were barely above a whisper, but they echoed in the small space.

Harlow stilled but didn't let go. "What do you mean?"

Sage exhaled sharply, fingers trailing the water on Harlow's arm. "I don't know. It's just this feeling I get sometimes. Like I look in the mirror and don't recognize what I see. Like I'm wearing a costume that doesn't fit."

Harlow turned Sage around, searching her expression. "That sounds really hard."

Sage let out a humorless laugh. "Understatement of the century."

Harlow cupped Sage's face, thumbs brushing her cheekbones. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. Whatever you feel, however this unfolds—I'm here. No matter what."

Sage swallowed hard, leaning into Harlow's touch. "I love you."

They lay tangled together in bed, limbs intertwined, sheets messy and warm. Sage traced absentminded circles on Harlow's bare shoulder, her mind still spinning.

"You okay?" Harlow whispered, sensing her unease.

Sage hesitated, then sighed. "Yeah. I just… I don't want to think about anything else right now. Just you."

Harlow smiled, tilting her chin up to press a kiss to Sage's lips. "Then don't."

Their lips met again, slow and sweet, a promise between them. And for the first time that night, Sage let herself forget—about the past, about the questions in her head, about anything except the way Harlow fit perfectly against her.

Chapter Fourteen.