Chapter Fourteen #2
“For the way I left,” Alex began. “I feel like we were finally getting somewhere, and I pushed a little too hard and ruined it. Then I got all embarrassed and ran.” She blushed and looked down at her hands.
“Alex, I can’t help but have feelings about how things ended.
And I’ve held on to those feelings for twelve long years.
Habits are hard to break.” She shrugged and shook her head.
“But I realize that we were young. I can acknowledge now that holding on to some of those feelings for as long as I have might have been unreasonable.” At that admission, Alex’s head shot up, along with both her eyebrows.
“Yes, I’m admitting that I’m stubborn. And that I may have gotten a few things wrong,” Sam continued. “But I’m ready to move on.”
Alex studied Sam’s face for several long moments. “Okay,” she finally said. “So why don’t we start with coffee and cannoli and go from there?”
“Delicious cannoli,” Sam pointed out.
“The best,” Alex conceded with a smile.
After her stressful work week in Boston, Sam was almost happy to return to working on the house.
Brad and the boys had tackled one of the jobs she dreaded most, putting her light years ahead of schedule.
But there was still just so much to do. She didn’t know how she would get the house finished and ready to sell before she was supposed to report back to work.
It was time to call in reinforcements that weren’t named Jordan.
Brad and Adam, another friend from high school, showed up later that day with a truckload of tools and lumber.
Sam didn’t know if they really had availability or were just doing her another favor, but whatever the motivation, she was grateful.
Brad jumped out of the truck and came to stand by Sam in the driveway.
They stood silently for a minute, surveying the house, while Adam started putting down the tarps and unpacking things from the truck.
A few minutes later, a second car pulled in, and a few gangly teens unfolded from it and walked over to help Adam.
“I really can’t thank you enough,” Sam said, breaking the silence. “It would have taken me ages to do all that painting. What can I do to repay you?”
Brad gave her a look. “I thought you were repaying us by going out on Friday.”
“You really want to hang out?” Sam couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.
“Sam.” Brad turned to look at her full-on. “I know things were weird there for a bit with Alex, but I always considered you a friend. Even when you disappeared—and I don’t blame you for that—I didn’t forget what you did for me in high school.”
Sam turned to look at him, noticing that his face was a little red, and he was nervously rubbing the back of his neck. She reached over and squeezed his arm. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”
Brad cleared his throat, looking more than a little bit bashful. “So, I did a little inventory when we were here painting.” He pointed up to the roof. “You know that has to go, right?”
Sam blew out a breath. “Yeah, Melissa thought that might be a good idea. I was hoping to avoid it because of the cost, though.”
“We’re taking care of it for materials.” Brad pointed to where Adam was unloading the truck. “That should save you about three-quarters of the cost.”
“Brad, in no way do I expect you to do that,” Sam said.
“I know.” Brad grinned. “But I have a few new boys I’m breaking in on roofing. This is as good a place to start as any.”
“Hey!” Adam called over, already sweating with exertion. Even still, he was grinning from ear to ear. “Are you going to chat all day, or are we going to roof it up?”
Sam laughed and pushed Brad toward the pile. “Go, or I’m going to get you in trouble.”
“I’m not worried.” Brad smiled. “I kind of own the company.”
“I have a few things to take care of this morning, but after I grab lunch for you all, I can jump in and help.” Sam watched the guys work for a few minutes, mentally calculating the cost of the materials for her budget.
She pulled out her phone to call Melissa.
When the other woman picked up, she said, “The boys are here.”
“Who do you think sent them?” Melissa sounded like she was smiling.
“You too?” Sam asked.
“It takes a village, sweetie.” Melissa’s tone was matter-of-fact. “I’m almost there. I’ll see you in a few.” She hung up before Sam could reply.
Sam went into the house, filled a cooler with water and drinks, and then brought it out to the porch. “This’ll have to do for now,” she called up. “But Easton’s is on me when you all are done.”
Adam grinned at her. “So that’s all it takes to get you to come out with us? Putting a roof on your house?”
“No,” Sam joked. “But it sure helps.”
“You’re terrible.” Adam laughed.
“I learned from the best, Hamilton.” Sam grinned back, a warm feeling opening in her chest. Yes, she hadn’t really interacted with any of them since high school, but these people were still her people. She realized now that maybe she should have done less hiding when she came home.
“How about tomorrow night?” She waited while Adam called over to Brad. A minute later, the plan was confirmed.
She pulled out her phone to text Jordan.
Easton’s tomorrow at 7:00?
It only took Jordan a second to reply. Are you ready for Operation Alex?
Sam tilted her head. Was she ready to see where this was going?
On the one hand, her time in Hicksville was running out.
After all the work the guys had done, she only had about another week’s worth of things to do with the house.
She could stretch that to nine or ten days, but she probably needed to return to her life in Boston after that.
And work. Neither had quite the draw they used to, even with the promotion hanging over her head.
On the other hand, she hadn’t felt this comfortable in years.
It wasn’t just the time with Alex. It was heartwarming to see how the whole community had shown up for her.
It was the proximity to Jordan and the rekindling of other friendships.
It was Coach’s offer for Sam to come down and help with the girls, which she found herself actually enjoying.
It was all so much more than what she had in Boston.
And she felt like telling herself that she was happy there was just lying.
Still, she hesitated, her fingers hovering above the phone to reply to Jordan’s question.
What was she going to do, give all this up?
She looked up and around at her mother’s house, the other houses down the street, and the guys currently on her roof.
She realized then precisely what she had to lose—everything she was just getting back.
She quickly typed out her reply before she could stop herself.
Yep. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.
Perfect. Jordan replied. I’ll rally the troops…or troop…you know what I mean.
Sam tucked the phone in her back pocket with a smile.
Sam busied herself in the house while she waited for Melissa to arrive.
She wanted to get the last few rooms ready for painting.
After the paint, she would need new switch and outlet covers.
She should probably replace a few of the lighting fixtures, which were showing some wear.
She wandered from room to room with a notepad, crossing off items that had already been done and adding a few new ones based on her assessment.
“There you are!” Melissa’s shrill voice broke through her thoughts, making her jump nearly a mile high in the process.
“Jesus, woman! How can someone as loud and boisterous as you creep up on people so absolutely silently?” Sam leaned against the wall to compose herself.
“Well, we all have our gifts, I guess,” Melissa deadpanned. She looked around Sam’s room, noting the fresh paint. “This is looking great.”
“I know. The boys—and Alex, I guess—did a great job.”
“I helped them pick the colors.” Melissa wandered over to the windowsill. “They even did the trim? Nice.”
She strolled over to Sam and took the notepad out of her hands.
“Okay, let’s see what we have here,” she said, scanning the list. “We’ve done the painting in the most challenging rooms. All we have left are the two bedrooms. That’s a good call on the outlet covers.
I can stop by the hardware shop and pick some up.
And I think replacing some of the fixtures is a great idea.
Do you want me to grab some of those as well? ”
Sam reached out and took the list. “Melissa. You don’t have to do that. You all have done so much already.”
“What have we talked about?” Melissa sounded exasperated. “That’s what I’m here for.”
Sam looked around the room and then down at her list of what needed to be done. She really could use the help. She took a deep breath and then nodded her assent. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that. But also, you do have better taste than I do. I’d grab the cheapest thing and be done with it.”
“Of course I have better taste.” Melissa scoffed. “I remember being horrified at you always wearing gym clothes everywhere.”
“While you were always perfectly made up and ready for your close-up.” Sam laughed. “Yeah, I remember.”
“You always looked ready to jump into a sport at any given moment.”
“Well, that was my meal ticket, you know?”
“Meal ticket or no, maybe when we’re done with the house, we can start on your makeover?” Melissa asked, looking Sam up and down.
“Not fair,” Sam shot back. “I’m doing work here!”
“Whatever you say, sweetie.” Melissa grabbed the notepad and ripped out a page. “I’m going to start counting outlets and fixtures. Is there anything else you need before I go?”
“I’m taking Brad and Adam out to Easton’s tomorrow night to help thank them for everything. If you want to join us, we’ll be there after seven.”
Melissa paused in her counting and looked over at Sam. “You do realize that you’re paying me seven percent already, right?”