“Don’t do that,” he says harshly. “‘Can’t let it get to you if you own it first,’ right? That’s what you said to me the other day.” His expression softens. “As your friend, I don’t like when you try to make yourself seem small. And I’m sorry I ever belittled you before, I was wrong.” He huffs out a frustrated sound. “I don’t know how to defend you from yourself, though, Sage.”
