“It looks like the jacket didn’t fit. That’sall.And maybe we already know who’s good for you, but that doesn’t matter. Text him now, Lu Lu. Use small words and be clear. Then let me hear it, screenshot it, and block him. I got you today. Ain’t nobody gonna say y’all were ‘on a break.’ He’s not gettin’ near you ever again.”
I got you today. Stahhp it.
He’s young, loud, and impulsive, but once that prefrontal cortex grows in, he’s going to be some lucky girl’s Superman. I hope I’m around to see it, but if anyone hurts him, I will devote my life to her misery.
“I’m not worried. DC and I talked. Then I talked to my mom and Annie. I feel stupid for letting it continue for so long, but I’m fine. I haven’t felt anything but some weird responsibility for Nathan in a very long time.”
“You forgive mistakes and take care of people.” His voice rises. “That’s not stupid! I want you to be exactly who you are.”
Tears.
My big moose has tears in his eyes. I will not survive Sammy tears. He’ll wreck me.
“Sammy, I love you more than blueberry donuts, but if you cry, then I’ll cry, and we’ll sound like croaking frogs tonight. Can we just turn on the music? I’ll text him. I promise. But let’s focus on you. Your social media’s blowing up, and this is Nashville. You never know who’ll see you, and I’m here to help, not bring you down.”
“You never bring me down. Don’t talk that way. You always help me.”
Crap.Clouds spread over his usually sunshiny face, and it’s a punch in the gut.
“Pull over at that gas station coming up.”
“I’m fine,” he says stiffly.
“You’re absolutely perfect, but pull over anyway and you can help me.”
I let Sam come up with a clear and unmistakable breakup message. I censor the language for the sake of my own reputation, but I let him keep the song references.
I gotta laugh or I’ll cry. And at least for now, I’m done crying.
Me:Since you won’t answer your phone, I’m forced to confirm this breakup by text. More than once, your behavior made me believe we were done. But then you’d walk into Pop’s like nothing happened and I wasafraid to bring it up. That won’t happen again. We are never getting back together. I want no contact from this moment on. It’s not me, it’s you. Good riddance.
Once that’s behind us, we block Nathan’s number, hug it out, and get Skittles.
Sam feeling his feelings is probably much healthier than my method of shutting mine up with loud music, caffeine, and sarcasm. I’m sure he’s got the right idea, but emotions make me sort of itchy sometimes. It’s overwhelming to see him upset overme, and I don’t know how to respond to that.
This world does not deserve Sam Haynes.
Once we’re back on the road, we sing through our playlist while Sam constantly tries to make changes, and I desperately try to hold him to the one we have. He’s already going to play everything in a higher key because he insists itperforms better.At least let me hold on to what I know.
He has me send the pictures to the group from his phone, which I do without looking through them much, other than making sure the slightly offensive one goes only to Jace. That prompts him to call with tips and instructions as he drives to work. Obnoxious control freak.
“Don’t try to do too much, Cupcake. Give him space because he moves around more than I do. If you’re in doubt about lyrics or anything, fade back, but don’t stand there like a deer in headlights either. Enunciate clearly but no harshRs orTs, and don’t rush the tempo.”
“Are you kidding me right now? I’ve had more training to sing than you’ve had to take X-rays. Besides, how can I rush the tempo when he’s leading? The tempo’s what he says it is. Bite me, douche waffle.”
“That’s right! I AM the tempo,douche waffle.” Sam holds his hand out for me to smack it, as Jace laughs. He’s just winding me up.
“I see you two are already firing on all cylinders. Get some video. I want to hear about it tomorrow, but let me sleep till noon.”
“Okay, Mr. Stark, 7a.m., bright and early.” I make kissy noises at him. “Have a good night. We love you, Jacey. Go save lives.”
I lock Sam’s phone and see that he’s already made the picture of us with my siblings his lock screen. Except for being over a foot taller than all of us, his light features make him fit right in. I can’t help but laugh though, because it looks like Mom fed him more than the rest of us. He’s got me tucked under one arm and Liza under the other, with Jamie and Layla around us, but Liza looks like she’s fused to his side.
“Aww, I think someone has a crush, Sammy.”
“I love you too, Smalls, but I don’t think older women are my thing.”
“Funny you should say that.”
