Page 85 of Pretty Please Me
“You’re just scared, Sam. You think you’re so mysterious, but I can see right through you, and I have never been more disappointed in someone in all my life.” I shake my head and wrap my arms around myself. “I’m not going to stand here and beg for you. If you’re so determined to be miserable, then who am I to stop you? Maybe I am too good for you after all…”
“Simon can take you to Bramville tonight. Your bags are already loaded in the car.”
I let out a scoff. “So, you planned this in advance? Nice work. Well, consider me gone. You won’t have to worry about me inconveniencing you anymore.”
His jaw ticks, but he doesn’t speak, just stares down at his feet.
“Goodbye, Sam. Thanks for the sex lessons. I can’t wait to show Trent all the new skills you taught me.” I stomp off toward the house to find Simon, my heart cracking more and more with each step. When I reach the bottom of the steps I double over and let out a sob.
The sound of glass beer bottles crashing against the concrete echoes through the night like a soundtrack for my broken heart.
THIRTY-TWO
Maggie
I stare out the car window as the bright city lights disappear in the darkness, another town between us. The distance feels heavy and suffocating like a thick wool sweater that’s been shrunk in the dryer.
I’m furious with Sam, but more than anything, I’m disappointed in myself. How could I have gotten so caught up when not falling in love was literally his most important rule? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I did it on purpose to torture myself. Hell, maybe I did. Maybe I wanted to see just how bad it could get. I guess now I know.
“There’s heated seats if you want them.” Simon presses the button on the front of the dash twice, showing me how to adjust them to my comfort.
“Thanks.” I set it on high, not because I’m cold, but because my muscles are still sore from having sex on the beach. A cruel reminder of the most intense pleasure I’ve ever experienced, only to have it ripped away. I hope Sam’s ass is chafed from the sand, at least.
“I’m, uh, I’m sorry about my brother.” Simon’s voice pulls me back to the present. “He’s an idiot. I promise you he’s going to regret it.”
“Thanks.” I give him a slight nod. It’s awkward having your ex-dominant/friend’s brother, who you only met a few days ago, drive you two hours to a hotel in the middle of the night, but at least he’s giving me space. I guess I’m glad it was Simon and not Drew or Jamie. Who knows how those two would try to resolve the situation? A smirk pulls at my lips as I try to imagine it.
As sad as I am about everything, I’m so happy I met Sam’s family. It was fun to pretend that I belonged among them for a little while anyway. It gives me hope for the future—hope that I can find something similar with someone who actually shares my feelings. Who knows? Maybe I’m driving toward that person right now. Isn’t that what all this was about anyway? What if Sam was just the frog I needed to kiss before I met my true prince charming?
I roll my eyes at the thought. There’s no way in any universe Sam Jordan could be considered a frog. A devil, perhaps? That seems more likely. The one who makes you trade for everything you’ve ever wanted in exchange for your soul. Only for you to realize you wanted the wrong thing, but by then, it’s too late.
All of this is my fault, and now, I’ve lost one of my best friends in the entire world because I was too naïve, too weak, and too inexperienced to know that some people are just good at sex and it doesn’t have to mean anything else. Falling for the first man to give me an orgasm makes me no better than I was at seventeen when I slept with the first guy who gave me attention. This whole time, I thought I’d matured, I thought Sam unlocked something inside me, but maybe it was just him? Maybe I really am broken.
I think back to how I felt on stage last night, singing in public for the very first time and letting myself soak up the rush of it all. There’s no way I would’ve even considered getting up there before Sam. I’ve never felt so confident in my skin. The way we skinny-dipped and fucked on the beach—in public. It’s like my body’s been possessed by aliens but in the best way.
I dig my nails into the palms of my hands. I will not let myself go down that spiral and question how I got here. Sam may have hurt me, but I will forever be grateful for what he gave me, and if that’s the trade I’ve made for a bruised ego and broken heart, I’ll just have to be okay with that.
I hold my head a little higher as I stare at the bright full moon in the night sky.No matter what life throws at me, the moon will always be there to ground me back to the present.
I open my text messages and stare down at the last message Trent sent me shortly after midnight.
Trent
I can’t wait to see you today. I have to get there early to make sure things are set up, so if you don’t mind, I’ll swing by to pick you up around four o’clock.
I heart his message and send him a thumbs-up emoji. I’m just about to send him the address to my hotel when I look up to see Simon pulling underneath the overhang to a fancy hotel.
“Um, Simon… I don’t think this is right.” I crank my neck, trying to read the name of the hotel, but the awning is blocking my view. “I’m supposed to be at the Holiday Inn on Central.” I pull out my phone to double-check my confirmation email and show him the screen.
He puts the car in park and sighs. “About that… Sam may have upgraded your reservation to Bramville Gardens.” He opens his door and starts unloading my bags from the trunk as I sit there, annoyance brewing underneath my skin.
Simon opens my door and offers his hand to help me out. “I told him it’s kind of fucked up to change someone's hotel accommodations after you break up with them… or whatever it was between you two–”
“He told you about our arrangement?” I blurt before he can finish his sentence.
Simon gives me a knowing grin. “It wasn’t hard to put together. I know my brother’s fucked up view on relationships, and you seemed way tooinnocentfor him.” He takes my purse off my shoulder and places it on top of my suitcase. “You’re too good for him. He knows it. I know it. I certainly hope by now you know it.”
He clicks his key fob, locking his car, then turns to head inside. I scramble after him, hanging on to each word like Simon’s about to reveal some deep dark secret to help me understand Sam’s psyche. “I do think he was different with you. You pulled out a piece of him that I haven’t seen in a really long time.” He pauses as we wait for the motion sensor doors to open, and then we step into the luxurious lobby. “Don’t beat yourself up over this. Sam’s a complicated guy, and sometimes I don’t even think he’s in control of his actions.”
