Chapter 9
Nine
Dalton
I knew my family was going to like Sam, but I’m a little blown away by how quickly they fall in love with him. I knew he had Mom that first night during dinner when he talked about his brother, but Sophia and Dad are both tougher on people.
The day after they meet, Sophia pulls me aside to ask why we’re not living together yet. Dad even has a short conversation with me about how glad he is to see I’m happy.
I know he wants me to be happy, but it’s been a while since we’ve had a conversation about anything.
We usually just text each other. I miss the closeness I used to have with him, but that was before, back when Colt was alive.
He’s never actually said it, but I know he blames me for my brother’s death. How could he not?
I could feel him watching me at dinner, when Sam was talking about Nathan. He was probably thinking the same thing I was—Colt would’ve done the same thing for me had we been in that position.
I miss my brother every day, but it’s more intense this Christmas. I wish he could’ve been here to meet Sam.
“I seriously can’t believe you two aren’t living together yet,” Sophia says, blowing on her hot cholate. We’re watching Sam ice skate with Kelly on the frozen pond on the other side of the street in front of the house, and I can’t help smiling at how fucking adorable Sam is.
I was attracted to him the day we met, but after spending a few days with him, that attraction seems to be growing into something else. Something bigger.
To anyone watching, it probably does seem strange we’re not living together. I told them all we’d been together for about six months. Anyone lucky enough to date Sam would definitely have suggested moving in at some point.
So I say the one thing I know Sam would agree with. “Neither one of us wants to do anything until Nathan’s graduated. Since he lives with Sam, a move would affect him too. Sam doesn’t want to make a huge change until Nathan’s comfortable with it.”
Sophia nods, her gaze on Joey, who’s playing in the snow fort Sam helped him build in the front yard. “That makes sense. I just don’t want you to mess this up. He’s the first one you’ve ever been serious about.”
I don’t deny it. No guy I’ve ever dated came even close to me considering bringing him home. Honestly, until I got Sam fired, I wasn’t worried about showing up to Christmas single again. It was kind of expected. Yeah, Mom likes to try to set me up every time I’m home, but I don’t care.
I do feel a little guilty about this, though.
I owed Sam the money, and he wasn’t going to take it without giving me something in return, but I’m doubting introducing him to my family.
They’re so happy to see me with a guy like Sam, to hear that I’m in a steady relationship.
This was supposed to be a tiny white lie, but it’s morphed into something bigger.
Mainly because Sam is very good at pretending like we’ve been in a steady relationship for months.
He’s so attuned to me, even the first day we were here and Dad approached us.
I’m pretty sure a lot of other guys would’ve taken the out Sophia offered, but Sam didn’t.
And then afterward, he was so intent on helping me relax. Like he really cared.
“I like him,” Sophia says, watching Sam spin Kelly around on the ice. “He’s so sweet. Too sweet for you.”
“I know.” I’ve never dated or slept with nice guys. They weren’t complete assholes, but they definitely weren’t like Sam.
Arnie joins us with a cup of coffee, and I resist the urge to pull back from him.
I’ve always tolerated him because he was Colt’s best friend, but lately, I haven’t wanted to be near him.
I’m sure part of it is because he introduced me to Bryce, but I also don’t like the way he’s been watching Sam from the minute he met him.
If it were anyone else, I would’ve blacked his eye well before now.
Even now, Arnie’s watching Sam and Kelly too, but not the way Sophia and I are. His gaze tracks Sam’s every movement, and he only stops when he feels me staring at him.
“What?” Arnie laughs. “Can you blame me?”
“Yes. Keep your fucking eyes off him.” A dark possessiveness burns in my veins. He reminds me of Bryce and the other guys I saw staring at Sam when he was on that stage at Vinnie’s. Like Sam belonged to them just because he took his clothes off in front of them.
A thunderous crack sounds through the air, and I jerk my head up to see that Sam and Kelly have come to a stop on the ice. Even from this distance, I can see Sam’s hands tight around Kelly’s arms.
“Oh my god,” Sophia breathes. “The ice is breaking.”
I run down the circular driveway and across the street. My entire world narrows down to my innocent little niece and the guy holding onto her.
“Don’t,” Sam says when I reach the edge of the embankment. “It won’t hold you. Just catch her.”
“Sam.” I can see the ice broken in a circle around him, connecting to a crack that leads all the way up to the embankment I’m on. The force he’s going to use to throw Kelly to me will only weaken the ice further. But he knows that. He’s going to do it anyway.
“Your uncle’s going to catch you,” Sam tells Kelly. His voice is steady, only the slightest hint of fear peeking through.
I brace myself and hold my arms out. Sophia’s running behind me, but she’s not going to get here in time.
Sam doesn’t hesitate before turning and tossing Kelly at me. She lands hard in my arms, her small body shaking.
“Kelly!” Sophia screams her name as she reaches us, and I hand her over quickly, my gaze still on Sam.
He looks back at me just as the ice gives a final crack, and he disappears beneath the surface.