16. Jameson #2
“Because I only wanted you, Sam,” I interject, my voice sounding harsher than I wanted, but it gets the job done.
She stops her frantic speech, and I have her full attention.
A laugh escapes me, but there’s no humor in it.
I’ve waited years and months to have this conversation with her.
“I didn’t give a fuck about playing hockey or going to Minnesota.
If you were going, so was I. Did I love the game, sure, but not like you.
I wouldn’t have cared if I played there or not.
Just like when you were accepted to Ohio, Penn State, and Colorado.
If you had decided on one of them, I would have applied too.
All I was worried about was being where you were.
So when you said you were pregnant, I felt happy.
I had a reason to stay with you. When you said you were keeping the baby, I knew I was going to forever be a part of your life because I wouldn’t let you do it alone.
Before I could tell you any of that, your mom and my dad got in my ear.
I didn’t want to hurt you, Sam, by taking away any more of your choices away.
But it's my fault that I let you think I wasn’t the happiest I’ve ever been, and by then you broke up with me.
You didn’t ruin my life, Sam. You definitely added some excitement and some new opportunities with the moves and change of college choice.
You also gave me the best gift of my life. ”
“Jameson.” Her voice breaks, and her head drops to my neck. I feel her body shudder with tears.
One of my hands runs down her back and the other cradles her head, holding her to my chest. “Let it all out, Pretty Girl. Cry out the hurt, the pain, the misplaced guilt. Never have I cared about the college experience or all that bullshit. I had you, Sam. I didn’t want any of that or to be single.
” I bite the inside of my cheek and decide to just rip the band-aid off the rest of her wounds right now.
“There’s never been anyone else for me. I’ve been waiting for you, Sam.
I know you had a date with the gym rat…”
She pulls away quickly and lays her forehead against mine, our eyes locking. “The only date I had. And it was terrible and awkward. I didn’t even want to go, but I thought I had to try.”
My gaze searches hers. “Why did you think you had to try?”
“It’s going to make me sound like a crazy stalker-ex.” She groans, and her eyes slam shut. “Idrovepastyourdad’sgarageandyouwerehuggingareallyprettywoman.”
I snort. “I’m sorry, what?”
She sighs and leans back so I can fully take in all of her.
“I forgot to pack a blanket of Dylan’s. In hind sight, it probably didn’t really matter, she didn’t miss it anyways.
And when I drove back into town, I drove past CB Tires and you were helping a woman out of a car.
You hugged her.” Sam winces, and her lips turn down into a frown.
Her eyes drop from mine. “She was really pretty.”
I grip her chin with my fingers and bring her face up so she can read how serious I am.
“There is no one more beautiful than you. Inside and out, you are the most perfect woman to me, Sam. The only woman I’ve probably hugged who I’m guessing you saw me with is Kalai.
She’s the fiancé of a friend of mine and when she’s in town I do a complimentary oil change on her car. But she is just a friend, I promise.”
Her body sags in my hold, the tension and angst of this conversation leaves her body, and I’m right there to catch her.
“Promise me, Pretty Girl. Promise me you’ll let this hurt go.
Promise that you believe me when I say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with you and our baby girl.
This is the life I dreamed of, Sam. You’re giving me my future goals with every family dinner and time we spend together.
I’m crazy about you, baby. You giving me a second chance is more than I deserve, but I’m not going to waste this opportunity. ”
Sam leans up and softly touches her lips to mine. “You’re the best man I’ve ever known, Kane. Thank you for never giving up on me. You’re the best daddy to our baby. I’m really ready to try again. I want this more than anything.”
“Thank fuck.” I groan, my hands instantly threading into her hair and my mouth landing on hers roughly.
Her arms wrap around my neck and she pulls me in tighter.
She sucks on my lips before I plunge my tongue into her mouth hungrily.
Our mouths fuse together, neither of us stopping.
Her hands grip my shirt, tugging until she can touch my heated flesh.
When her soft hands run over my stomach muscles, I practically moan in pleasure.
My hips jackknife up and her core rubs right against my cock that is trapped in my jeans.
I want nothing more than to sink inside her tight heat, but tonight is not the night.
While I’m happy we’re back to a new normal and we’re moving forward in a relationship, she isn’t ready yet.
I force myself to slow the kiss, letting her breathe again.
“That was the hottest kiss you’ve ever given me. Seriously, when you leave I’ll need to take a cold shower.”
She bursts out laughing, the sound echoing in the space of my apartment. Her eyes are shining and her smile is full on her pretty face. The black cloud she usually carries around has lifted, and slowly, my girl is coming back to me.
“Oh my God, Kane.” She shakes her head and goes to move off my lap.
My hands automatically reach for her and my expression drops. “What are you doing?”
“I’m heading home. Allie is waiting and I’ve been here longer than I planned to.” She shrugs and her eyes drag over my torso. “Besides, if I stay here any longer, I’ll try to convince you to let me shower with you and I’m not sure we’re there yet.”
I can’t help the grin on my face as I help her to her feet. “One more kiss.”
She leans in and I kiss her again, holding her in my arms before lowering her feet back to the ground. I sigh dramatically and roll my neck. “Okay. Okay, I think now I can actually let you walk out the door.”
Sam laughs and laces her fingers with mine. I walk with her out to her Jeep and make sure she gets in safely. I kiss her again before the door closes. “Breakfast tomorrow?”
Her head tilts. “I think I can swing that if you don’t mind early? I need to meet in the library with my group for my physiology class.”
“Text me when, Pretty Girl. I'll be there,” I assure her, tapping my knuckles on top of her Jeep. She closes the door and I watch as she drives away before heading inside. The place feels darker, lonelier now that she’s gone.
I bypass the miracle couch and head down the hall until I reach my room.
I shower off the grime from the day and as my head hits the pillow, I smile.
I think there’s hope of making Sam Campbell fall in love with me again.