Page 99 of Pretty Please Me
He doesn’t turn around, just keeps his eyes trained on the road as Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” plays over the radio.
I tap him on the shoulder. “Excuse me. I was wondering if you could stop the bus. It’s… a… it’s an emergency.”
The bus driver grunts. “No can do, lady. I’m on a tight schedule here, and we’re already ten minutes behind. No more stops.”
I look out his window as the guys wave and honk their horn. I realize the mooner is none other than Sam’s brother Drew. He’s abandoned his mooning in favor of flashing his nipples…
I bite my lip. “Right, I get that, but you see, it’s an emergency–”
“Sit down, lady. I ain’t stoppin’ this bus.”
I purse my lips in a flat line as I turn on my heel heading back to my seat in defeat. I fall into the seat and Carl perks up.
“What’d he say? Is he going to stop?”
My shoulders sag and I sigh. “No, we’re already behind schedule. He said he’s not stopping…”
“And you’re just going to take no for an answer? This is true love we’re talking about.”
“What else can I do? I can’t make him stop the bus. Besides, we’re in a hurry–”
“You just need to think outside the box. Don’t you worry. I’ve got this. Just play along.” Carl winks, then drops his head back against the seat and clenches his chest. He lets out a moan and makes a wincing noise.
“My chest,” he groans before releasing a louder moan as he flails in his seat.
“Is he having a heart attack?” the woman behind us cries.
“Someone’s having a heart attack!”
“Stop the bus! We’ve got a medical emergency!”
People spring to life, waving their arms and screaming to get the bus driver's attention.
“Someone dial 911!”
“We don’t have our phones. How are we supposed to call for help!”
Then the bus starts to slow as we pull off the highway onto the shoulder. Carl winks at me and continues his act. I spring up from my seat and push my way to the front, past the other passengers coming to check on Carl in the opposite direction.
“Hey, lady, what’re you do–” the bus driver says as I hit the exit button and leap down the steps.
The van pulls in behind us, sliding to a stop as Sam jumps out of the front and runs to me.
I crash into his arms and bury my head in his chest. He’s warm and sturdy and feels like home. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until now.
“What are you doing here?” I gasp as the cold air whips around us. My teeth are chattering violently as I realize I didn’t grab my coat before running off the bus.
Sam pulls me into him and wraps me in his warmth. “Fuck, I’m an idiot for walking away from you. I was scared, Maggie. I was terrified of losing myself to love. Terrified of feeling out of control. I didn’t know what to do, so I pushed you away.”
I cross my arms over my chest and meet his pleading eyes. “You hurt me, Sam. You shattered my heart and ran off across the world and left me alone to pick up the pieces.”
“I know, baby, and I realized my mistake the moment I got on that plane. I fucked up bad.” He takes my hands and steps closer. “I love you, Magnolia. I couldn’t let another day go by without you knowing that. I love you so much it fucking hurts, and I think I always have.”
I swallow the sob that threatens to escape. “How do I know you’re not going to run when things get serious, Sam? How am I supposed to believe you?”
He runs his thumbs over my hands and moves a little closer. “Let me show you, give me a chance to prove it.” He holds out his arms. “I’ve got all the time in the world. I’ll wait for you if that’s what you want. I’ll wait a thousand lifetimes if that’s what it takes. I’ll be your friend if that’s all you can give me. Hell, I’ll be happy with whatever I can get…”
I shake my head, and he lifts my chin to meet my gaze.
