Page 39 of Told You So
Nick
As I step onto the balcony to call Sam, all I can think is that I’ve got a lot more in common with Reilly than I realized. Not only are we like brothers, but I probably hate Mike as much as he does right now, differently than I hated him before. I hate him for breaking Sam’s heart, and for the mess he created of her entire life. And I hate him for hurting Bethany, too, because clearly, he did. Mike, Slinsky, and all the dirt bags in between, are pieces of shit, and Reilly and I have to sift through their aftermath.
When I glance through the sliding glass door, Bethany is peering out at me. Her lips purse, and it’s obvious she’s anxious. Hell, I am too, but not for the same reasons. Talking to Sam is the easy part. It’s spending the next few weeks working with Bethany that worries me. If today is any indication, it’s not going to be easy.
I wink at her. It’s a peace offering to break the tension that’s already rooted between us, and she’s barely been in my living room an hour.
Shaking it off, I press CALL, and settle in to talk to Sam.
As it rings, I realize, had it been a few months earlier, I’d be out here lighting up a smoke to take the edge off, because Bethany, sitting on my couch, being irritatingly soft and natural, like she belongs there shouldn’t matter to me, but it does. That’s how I know I’m screwed.
“Morning,” Sam’s voice finally comes on the line. Clanking and scraping echoes in the kitchen.
“Sup, girl? Did you save me some breakfast?”
“No.”
I grin. “Liar.”
“Well, there won’t be, if Reilly eats it all.” She huffs and the background noise falls quiet. “So, what’s up. Are plans changing for today?”
“Not exactly.” I eye the empty ashtray on the patio table, longingly. “I need your help with something. It’s a project for one of my classes.”
“Wow, you sure have a lot of projects.”
“It’s my own fault. I shouldn’t have taken another one of Murray’s class. I knew better.”
“What’s the project?”
“Well, my partner and I have to present a fake design project from start to finish—vendors, cost analysis, the works. I was thinking we could use the barn project to take it a step further.”
“What do you mean?”
“Help you and Aunt Alison with the interior, that sort of thing.”
She nearly snorts. “That sounds amazing, actually...What’s the catch?”
I bark out a laugh. “Dammit, Sam, you know me too well.”
“You’re not a tough case to crack, Nick, charming as you are.”
“So, you think I’m charming, huh?”
She’s shaking her head, I know she is because I know her like the back of my hand; she might as well be sitting beside me. “You’re incorrigible.” With a deep breath, she continues. “So...the catch...”
I glance inside at Bethany curled up with her notebook on my couch. “Bethany’s my partner and you’d have to present her with a budget, agree on décor style—you get the picture.”
“What?” It’s a breathy, skeptical sound more than an actual word, and I let that sink in for a minute, uncertain what else to say. “You mean like she will be coming to my house and working on this project—with me?”
“Something like that,” I say tentatively. When Sam doesn’t say anything, I continue. “You would really be helping me out, Sam.”
“Well—of course it’s fine. Whatever you need.” I can tell it’s difficult for her to say, but I know that she means it, which is what matters most to me. “I’m not even going to ask how this happened.”
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Thanks, Sam. Since I’m going to be there today, working on the barn, do you mind if she drives up to see it?”
“Uh, I guess?”
I laugh a little. “Way to sell it, Sam.”
