Chapter 12
Everybody Talks
“Ilike her, Lu Lu, even if you were just trying to get her off your man.”
Sam’s bouncing around, still bursting with uncontained energy the show did little to dissipate.
“He’s not mine, and I do not own the rights to him. I’m just the unwanted girl repellent. She lit up when she saw you, so I didn’t think you’d mind. She’s sweet, just young.”
“She ain’t you, though,” he says, country as cornbread.
“Aww, Sammy, I didn’t know you felt that way.”
“I meant to Danny, she ain’t you. It would be pointless for me because at least three other guys would fight me before I could get close enough to try.”
“You’re such a flirt. It’s cute though. I’ll allow it.” I smirk at him as I struggle to heft the full trash bag out of the industrial-size can. Sam takes it from me and lifts it with far less effort, because in this case, size does matter.
“For real, though, I’m tryin’ to be serious.
That whole act they pull, acting like you’re with one of them to shut down other girls?
” He swivels his head back and forth to be sure no one can hear us.
“Jace started it to mess with Danny, which I’ll admit was fun to watch, but Danny does it to get attention from you.
They were both so into you when you moved here.
Don’t you dare tell them I said that. Remember that first time we were outside with guitars, and you jumped in and sang with us?
I think we all fell in love a little bit that night.
” He sniffs with mock emotion and wipes a fake tear.
“Oh, please. Save it for a country song, Haynes. Why are you telling me this?”
“Jace has always been weird about Annie. But her last roommate complained about our noise and double parked her Mustang, so he stayed away to keep his big mouth out of trouble.” It sounds like something he wasn’t supposed to tell, but it’s not new information.
“He knew real quick you’d be good for Danny and help him get closer to Annie.
Harrassin’ you killed two stones with one bird … sorry, you’re the bird in this story.”
I tilt my head and blink slowly. “Sammy, you’re so …”
“Brilliant?” He laughs.
“Pretty. Really pretty. But yeah. Brilliant.” I pat his arm. “Except DC had a girlfriend when I moved here. Did you forget the Barbie swimsuit model? There was never anything going on with us. Jace is just obnoxious.”
“Well, yeah, but he was right about you. You broke whatever spell that witch had over Danny. She was on her way out the door for months. It’s a wonder she could walk with the broomstick up her …”
“Sam!” I warn.
“She was a first-class bii—”
“EHHH.” I put my hand up and make a buzzer sound. “Do not use that word.”
“I’m just sayin’!” He giggles like a little girl.
“Ashley jerked him around for years. He’d cut her loose then feel bad and take her back.
And she hated us. She thought music was a hobby he could do on his own time, except he didn’t have his own time.
There was so much business to handle after his dad passed.
He was always distracted and like, I don’t know, empty?
Her mom still lives here. There was no reason she couldn’t move back after she graduated, but I’m glad she stayed in Knoxville.
He just kept driving there once a week so he didn’t have to deal with a breakup.
It was rough, until …” He drums his hands on a table for an overly dramatic buildup.
“This cute little rocker girl with pink hair moves in blastin’ The Ramones, wearing Poison T-shirts, and won’t let us swear even though she knows every word to all the dirty songs.
She feeds us, watches violent TV shows, and loves baseball.
Do you know that’s every guy’s dream? Like, really, do you know?
” He shakes my shoulders like I’m delirious.
“Stop. STAHPP!” I laugh. “I hang out with guys because I basically am one. I like food, avoid emotions, and hate the Phillies.”
“Amen! Hate the Phillies! Except you’re definitely not a guy.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “You know Ashley was gone right after you got here? That one time you met her was the last time he saw her. He met you and he was done.”
“That had nothing to do with me, but fine. Let’s say it did. Why didn’t he do anything about it?” And why does this conversation keep happening?
“I guess he thought y’all would happen naturally. We all did. Jace is the one who told me I had to come over and meet you last year. He thought you were so bad-aa—I mean, y’know, fun. He loves to mess with you because Danny gets crazy-protective.”
That’s true. Not long after we met, Jace scammed me into cooking a huge meal for all of us—bought the groceries and claimed he’d do it all.
Then he texted absurd questions like “How long should I bake cantaloupe?” or “How much milk do I add to spaghetti?” until I was so annoyed that I went over to help him, which was his obvious intention.
DC was beyond irritated until he detected Jace’s endgame. Annie brought cookies, then Sam picked up a guitar and got us all singing while we watched baseball. It was the birth of a near-weekly ritual.
Jace drives me insane, but he’s got three key motivators: Annie, our family, and annoying me to force DC’s attention. He’s not as sly as he thinks.
Fine by me since I didn’t pay for it or clean it up. Three days later, I filled Jace’s shoes with purple glitter, and they’re still finding bits of shiny craft-store herpes to this day.
I love these lug nuts, and I don’t understand how DC was ever with someone who didn’t. They’re a package deal.
“You rattled him. Like, jumpin’ into his arms woke him up.”
“I did NOT jump into his arms!”
He cackles his contagious pitchy laugh that cracks me up and probably saves his life on a regular basis.
“Whatever you say,” he says, still giggling as I smack his ridiculously hard abs. I should try drums for the core workout. “When he broke up with Ashley, we all had bets on you. We asked, and he never denied it. He just went all no comment.”
“You what?!” I gasp.
He steps back to avoid another swat. “Maybe I should’ve left y’all alone that time it snowed.
I don’t know. But then you met Nathan, and he lost his chance.
He was impossible to be around for a long time.
” I never noticed that. “Now you’re the one stuck in a bad relationship. Like—y’all just switched.”
“I didn’t date anyone for eight months. We were both single for at least six of them, and he never acted any differently. If he was interested, he had plenty of time to let me know.”
“Look, you’re not wrong. I don’t have an answer for that. Maybe he wasn’t sure how you felt. I just know what I know now. Everyone knows but you.”
“And him.”
“Nah, I think just you.”
“You can’t assume people’s feelings. That’s risky. Everyone wants to tell me how DC feels, but no one’s heard it directly from him, least of all me.”
Sam levels my gaze, which isn’t easy fourteen inches taller.
“I don’t have to assume anything. I’m lookin’ right at you, and I see exactly how you feel,” he says.
“Sammy, I squirted whipped cream directly into your mouth tonight, we arranged our class schedules together, and you hang all over me more than anyone. Does that mean you’re in love with me?”
“We have a different relationship, Lu Lu. You get me.”
“I do. But do you see my point? If I can be that way with you, then we can’t assume things, especially feelings. One misguided assumption would blow up our little family, and I love our family.”
“Our family is everything to me. I hear what you’re sayin,’ but I know you can tell the difference between us messin’ with you and how Danny treats you.
Don’t even try that with me, Smalls. You wanna know the real reason he wanted you over there in front of that girl?
He coulda politely told her no thanks, but he can’t risk you thinking he’s interested in her.
That’s what it’s about. The message wasn’t for her. It was for you.”
Dang emotionally intelligent care bear.
Logically, I’d agree. But I thought DC was sending a message New Year’s Eve, and I was wrong.
It’s too late now anyway.
Once I’ve gathered all the disposable plates and Sam’s tied up two more trash bags, he lugs them to the back, and I hold the door.
Jace and Daniel are still loading equipment in the front, getting stopped every few minutes by people wishing Daniel a happy birthday as they leave.
Sam stops walking when we step outside the back door.
“I know Jace was probably a jackass earlier.” He flashes a grin when I don’t correct him.
“And Danny will handle it, but it sucks because I know you’re happy when you’re with us.
With him. You’re gettin’ more confident on stage and having fun.
So why would you date a guy who won’t come watch you sing or get to know your friends?
That just don’t sound like love to me. Relationships are like jackets, Lu Lu.
You try one on, and if it doesn’t fit, you take it off.
That’s how dating works. You’re not a bad person if you walk away.
I’d be proud of you, honestly. I don’t know how to say this without sounding weird, but any of us would be better for you. ”
“Are you saying I should marry you instead? Awww, Sammy.” I coo at him, but for once, I don’t think he’s playing.
I’ve never seen Sam look so serious. He looks like a giant sad moose puppy, and this is why someone conventionally hot enough to bake cookies on his abs does nothing for me except make me want to mother him to death.
My smile fades with his somber expression.
He’s just a baby, but I do respect his opinion.
“I’m sayin’ anyone good for you would love your family, which is us.
Danny said last time he saw Nathan he looked like he wanted to fight, and he was just fixin’ your sink.
And Annie can’t stand him. Ain’t that a sign? ”
“Sounds like you know more about my relationship than I’ve told you.”
Does he know everything? Ugh, Annie. Did they have a meeting or something?
I don’t mind Sam knowing personal things, really.
We’re close. And I’m sure he’s seen me on bad days, but I try not to show it.
No one wants to be around someone who complains all the time.
DC’s an anomaly. I don’t know why I tell him everything … well, almost everything.
Sam looks both apologetic and nervous, as if I could ever be mad at him … or marry him for that matter. I don’t think it’s possible, being mad at him or marrying him, because, oh my word, I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
“I’m not mad. I’m just surprised so many people are concerned about this subject today. You’re at least the fourth person to bring it up, and I don’t get it. Yes, DC and I are close. But he’s just a flirt. Like you being all touchy or Jace’s comments, just in a different way.”
I open the sliding door of the dumpster with a napkin, and Sam throws the gigantic trash bags in.
“Exactly. It’s different. Danny’s never been all touchy like me. I just know y’all have spent a lot of time together lately, and today, on his birthday, all he wanted was to be with you.”
“He said that to who? You? Because we didn’t make any plans. He asked me to sing tonight, but that’s it. We went to his aunt and uncle’s house to get my car fixed. They played all these great old songs, and we sang. I loved it, but we were there for my car. I never planned to hijack his birthday.”
The increased sentiment in his eyes isn’t the least bit hidden. Nothing ever is with Sam. Every emotion is all over his face.
“He took you to Aunt J’s? Wow. Sure, Uncle Dale works on cars, but that wasn’t only about your car. That was … big. How’d it go?”
“Why … why is that ‘wow’? I mean, I should’ve guessed you knew her. She’s amazing. I love her,” I tell him.
“Same. I need to go see her. I’m supposed to mow her yard.” His eyes look a little glassy, and I’m lost. I have definitely missed something.
“What’s the rest of that story, Sammy-bear?” I ask gently.
“I lived with them for a while when my dad was in jail. My mom worked nights, and it was easier for me to stay with Aunt J and Uncle Dale. We’re not related, but I met DC when I took piano lessons.
My grandma wanted me to learn, so she paid for them.
When she passed away, Aunt J wouldn’t let me quit even though my mom couldn’t afford it.
When I got bored with piano, she put me on guitar, then violin and bass.
Danny got me started on drums—anything to keep me out of trouble.
It mostly worked.” He grins with wistfulness.
“Danny’s my hero. I wanted to do everything he did.
Then Jace came along with his attitude, and I had to do everything better than him. ”
“Sammy.” I squeezed him this time. “I need to thank her for taking care of my family.”
“We’re family, huh?”
“You know we are.”
“Yeah, but it makes flirting kinda awkward.” He looks down at me with mock disappointment, and I roll my eyes for the millionth time tonight.
“Oh, Moose. Don’t tell Jace you’re my favorite.”
“I would never, but you know he’s only a jerk because he cares about us.”
“Ha. I’m definitely not his favorite.” I shake my head.
“Nah, he loves you. For better or worse, he treats you like family. If he hasn’t seen you, he’ll text us. He’s only like that with you. Well, Annie, of course, but that’s different.”
“It’s almost like he guards her, and she could kick both our butts,” I blurt.
“I know! You see it too?”
“Yeah, I do, but we didn’t have this conversation.”
“Nope. We didn’t.” He gives me an exaggerated wink and flips right back to where we were. “Anyway, Jace is a control freak, and he’s scared things will get weird. Same as you.”
“You’re smarter than you look, pretty boy.”
“Nah, this body ain’t built for thinkin’.”
I grab him by the shirt hem and pull him back inside when he flexes and kisses his biceps.
“I doubt any girl can think once she sees you,” I tell him as he steps forward to open the door.
“It doesn’t work on you, though, and I-III knoow whyyyy,” he sings.
“Shut up.”
We’re still laughing as we walk back through the kitchen. Ms. Liz hugs us goodbye and thanks us for cleaning up. When I ask about my purse, she hooks her thumb toward the front.
“Your man got everything.”
I don’t bother correcting her. I’m done talking about this today. Sam pokes my side with a howl and runs out front to tell the others he’s ready, then comes back to walk Ms. Liz to her car. He sticks his hand out and smacks our palms together, then pulls me in for a shoulder bump half hug.
“You killed it tonight, Squirrel. Good talk, too. Love you, be safe.”
“Thanks. Love you too, Moose. Y’all be careful,” I tell them both in the quickest Southern goodbye ever.
Ms. Liz tells me to go out the front door, where it will automatically lock behind us, and I assure her we will. When I get back out front, DC’s the only one there.