Page 69 of Pretty Please Me
“What? HOW?” Jamie protests.
“Fuck yes! I’m doing it now!” Drew flashes me a shit-eating grin.
“How can you say he wins when my neck is clearly longer?” Jamie argues as he pulls his shirt down to show me.
James makes a show of sliding his domino into place, and Simon follows suit.
I slide my domino to my train as I explain. “I just think mullets ultimately look better with wavy hair. It’s more mysterious and interesting.”
“I can’t believe this. Samuel, are you happy? Your girlfriend just crushed my dreams. It’s almost like you planned it before you came.” His head turns to glare between us. “Is that what this is about?”
His question falls on deaf ears because the only word I heard wasgirlfriend,and now, my whole body is lit up.
Sam’s eyes sparkle, and he winks. “You know what, we actually did. Don’t blame Maggie, though, it was all my idea. I figured you could use a little humbling. I don’t want your head getting too big to fit inside your parents’ house… that you still live in–”
“I’ve been saving money! It’s called being financially responsible!” Jamie yells, slamming his beer onto the table.
“Slam that bottle down again on my brand-new table, and I’m going to break it off in your ass.” James’ threat comes out quiet and controlled as he takes his turn without looking up.
“Sorry, Dad. Sorry, Charlotte,” Jamie says as he attempts to buff the nonexistent mark away with the hem of his shirt.
I bite my lip as I watch everyone play, and when it’s my turn, I go out, laying down four dominoes at once. “I’m out,” I announce.
The chatter grows quiet, and everyone’s eyes fall on me as they look at Sam, who’s twirling his final domino between his fingers.
“You did say I could play two doubles at once, right?”
James hoots in laughter as he claps Sam on the back, and everyone cheers. “Holy shit, son, I guess you really have met your match with this one!”
I’m not sure if they’re excited that I won or just that Sam finally lost, but either way, it feels pretty exciting.
“This calls for a celebration! Who wants shots?” Jamie calls out as he pushes himself up from the table.
“I hate to be the fun police, but Maggie’s had quite the day. I need to get her to bed. We’ve got a big day tomorrow, and I don’t want everyone scaring her off on night one.”
“Aw, come on, Sam!”
“Don’t be a sore loser.”
“You just got here!”
Everyone tries to argue, but he doesn’t relent as he pulls out my chair and ushers me out of the dining room, protecting me from his wild family as if they’re paparazzi.
“Good night, you two. We’ll see you in the morning,” Charlotte calls as she tucks herself under James’ arm and whispers something in his ear. He smiles at whatever she says, wearing a look of peace. I don’t need to have heard her to know they’re happy that Sam seems so happy because I feel exactly the same way.
I just wish it wasn’t coming to a screeching halt so soon.
“Our room is just back here,” Sam says as he pulls me into him, wrapping his heavy arm around me. “My brothers call it the sex cave. It’s the darkest, most secluded room in the house.” He tickles my side playfully, and I let out a squeal.
“Don’t worry, though. I meant what I said. You need some rest tonight.” He flicks on the light, revealing a quaint room with a queen-sized bed and dark wooden headboard. It has a masculine feel but doesn’t appear to belong to any one person.
“I’m going to snuggle the fuck out of you tonight.” He grins as he pulls my sweater over my head and replaces it with a soft, modest pajama top. “But tomorrow, it’s a whole different story.”
He pulls back the blankets and gestures for me to get in, then turns off the lights and climbs in beside me. I curl into him, my head on his chest as he holds me, and a pinch of discomfort pricks in my chest as I realize that maybe I was shown this as a reminder of what I want… My very own family.
That may not be something Sam can give me, but maybe Trent can…
TWENTY-SIX
