His lips quirk up into a small smile. "The guy who broke up with you."
I shake my head. "No. Not him. And I broke up withhim, he just... didn't make it easy on me. And things were complicated. I had this best friend since I was a kid... and then my parents broke up right after... It was just a lot, all at once," I explain, vaguely aware I haven't explained much.
Sam doesn't push though. "He was an idiot," he says simply. "The guy that hurt you."
Now I'm the one with the ironic chuckle. "They all hurt me, Sam. One way or another," I murmur. "But thanks."
Sam is just offering platitudes, trying to be nice, and I'm dumping my baggage on one of my only friends.
"What-"
"Can we talk about somethin' else, please?"
"Just trying to get to know you, Ror," he replies, and again, I'm struck by the sound of the nickname on his lips, how much it reminds me of Cam, and how conflicted I am by that realization.
"Calculus," I breathe. I surprise Sam with our safe word, but after a second he nods and changes the subject.
"So why do you call me 'Sam'? I mean, everyone else calls me 'Cap'. Besides my family, I mean."
"You introduced yourself to me as 'Sam'."
His brow furrows, and again, I can't help but think of how adorable he looks when he does that. "Did I?"
I nod. "I can call you 'Cap', if you prefer," I offer, but he shakes his head.
"I think I like that you call me 'Sam'," he says, but doesn't elaborate.
"Sam it is, then."
He smiles. "You know, your accent comes out when you get mad."
"I know."
"I like it. It's... cute."
"Well, kind sir, I'm glad you found it entertainin'," I joke, exaggerating my accent for his benefit, and he lets out a loud, genuine chuckle. It's positively musical - a melody of warmth and light - and
"I do. I like it a lot."
We rejoin the party when Andrew comes to retrieve Sam for his beer pong partner, and after confirming that Carl can get a ride home with Tuck, I decide to head home, thankful that I drove myself and haven't drunk anything.
SEVEN
H O M E C O M I N G, L A S T Y E A R
IT’S CRAZY HOWmuch has changed in a year. I spent last year's homecoming teasing Cam about being Sophomore prince, and making up excuses why I couldn't go to the dance. Now, I'm waiting for Robin to pick me up, and my dad is actually giving me the time of day.
I run my hands down the short skirt of my navy blue dress for the hundredth time, the material so alien to a girl more accustomed to cotton and denim than fancy silks. My brunette hair still has some faint strawberry blonde highlights, courtesy of the never-quite-departed summer sun, making the effect a pretty auburn.Pretty. It’s not something I’m used to, but the truth is,prettyis how Robin makes me feel.
Mom has freshened up my makeup for me and lectured me about being responsible for the tenth time since Robin first started taking me out a few weeks ago. We've been on a few dates since then - dinner, movies - all perfectly innocent stuff, all of which culminated in romantic make-out sessions. But he hasn't pressured me for anything more, and I'm grateful for it.
I like him, I really do, but I'm just not ready to move any faster than we already are, and the good news is Robin seems just fine with that. It's almost as if my inexperience is part of the reason he likes me, and he's being respectful of it. We haven't talked about being exclusive - Lord knows I haven't sourced the courage to bring it up - but I really don't think he's been seeing anyone else. He certainly hasn't been taking any other girls out to dinners or movies, or I'd have heard about it - small town and all.
Robin asking me to homecoming was a big deal. Cam goes stag every year. He doesn't want to go with one of his hookup girls, even as friends, for fear of giving them the wrong idea, and since I've always refused his offer to go together as friends, he goes alone. But from what I hear, he usually doesn't leave alone.
Last week I noticed Maddie Stern, who'd attended every homecoming with Robin since their freshmen year, scowling at me in the halls. It was that day, after practice, while I was trying to figure out my algebra homework while waiting for Cam to drive us home, that Robin made a big show of surprising me with pink roses and asking me to go with him. It was decidedly sweet, and all week I've found myself equal parts anxious and eager.
Now that the excitement of the game is over, my nerves have all but dissipated, and I'm just looking forward to dancing with my date. We absolutely destroyed the visiting team. Robin threw four touchdowns, three of which were caught by Cam, and no one cheered louder than me. Except maybe my dad and Mayor Forbes.
