Page 61 of Surviving the Merge
You can’t move forward without first moving,I reminded myself. Setting the book down on the floor next to me, I reached for my phone and then paused.Who am I even texting right now? Is it Blake? Damon?So much seemed to have changed since I left Kisla. I gathered that from little things Damon would say or wouldn’t say. Blake’s messages were also telling.
Exactly how much progress had been made?What are they learning? What are they unlearning?Deciding it didn’t really matter who was on the other end, I extended my first olive-branch.Syn?? Unbelievable, right?
I stood to pace the studio, biting down on my thumb nail, eyes never leaving the screen. Three dots appeared and then vanished several times. It was Blake, it had to be. Damon had no reason to hesitate. I imagined Blake sitting behind his desk, deciding on nonchalant or poor-your-heart-out. After a few minutes, he finally settled on a response.
I couldn’t believe it either. I’m still not sure who of the twelve is my least favorite. Trevor and Malcolm hold the top spots at the moment, though.
Trevor the abuser. I hadn’t met Malcolm, yet. I typed back,How far along are you?
His response quicker this time.I’ve got four more chapters to go. One more alter to meet.
Silence. Looked like neither one of us wanted to touch the proverbial elephant. My phone eventually pinged.
Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.
You don’t know that,Blake.
17
Now Friday afternoon, I found myself tumbling to the ground inside the front entryway after a wild animal crashed into me when I opened the door. Its brown mane blocked my vision, and its snarl wreaked havoc on my hearing.
“Ow, what are you doing?” I could tell this was serious to her, but I couldn’t control my laughter. Sam was even cuter when angry.
“I’ve got a bone to pick with you, Mister.”
I loved it when she called meMistah.
“I can’t believe you told him things before me?”
“Sam, you know more about me than he does.” We were speaking of Max. During our phone call, I’d filled Sam in on every square inch of my return to Chadwick.
“Yeah, but he knew things that I didn’t. Important things!”
“Like what?”
“Like about your dad. And why you moved here. And... and more.” Her bottom lip poked out in the most adorable way. I fought back a smile, but she suspected one lurked and punched me in the shoulder before rolling off me and stomping to the kitchen. I got up to follow.
“Sam, you’re my first friend—”
“Your only friend—”
“My first close friend—”
“Your onlybestfriend—”
“Sam!”
“Fine!” She whirled around to face me, jabbing her finger against my chest. “But he only gets to have you Monday through Friday. As yourbestfriend, I recognize that you need someone when I’m not there. As soon as the weekend rolls around, you’re mine, Buddy.”
“Sam, I don’t need another Damon,” I snapped, emotionally drained. It came out harsher than I intended, and I watched as she deflated, hating that I took her air.
“Oh, yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. I’m working on it.”
I pulled her into a hug and rubbed circles on her back. I’d learned that Sam had abandonment issues that made her territorial. “I know,” I said.
There must have been a sign on my back welcoming people with these traits into my life. I tried to peek behind me to make sure there wasn’t. Sam looked at me oddly. I gave her my bestit’s nothingsmile.
“Besides, Max doesn’t want to be my friend, remember?” I took her hand, leading us over to the sofa.
