Loving Oliver

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ３０ Ｌｏｖｉｎｇ ｉｔ Ｗｈｅｎ Ｉ Ｓｔｒｉｋｅ ｏｕｔ... Ｄｅｓｐｉｔｅ Ｔｈｅ Ｂｕｍｐｅｒｓ】

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　３０　Ｌｏｖｉｎｇ　ｉｔ　Ｗｈｅｎ　Ｉ　Ｓｔｒｉｋｅ　ｏｕｔ...　Ｄｅｓｐｉｔｅ　Ｔｈｅ　Ｂｕｍｐｅｒｓ】

I finished breakfast while Sam and Aspen chatted about Dustin and a new sense of normalcy settled over me. Before long their conversation came to a natural end and silence settled over us.

Until Sam cleared his throat, creating a sound of a grunt more than anything and looked over his mug at me.

My stomach dropped and I waited expecting... Expecting something...

"So, I guess I should tell you, " Sam begins leaving the sentence hanging in the air and it feels almost suffocating.

"I'll excuse myself, Parker, I'm gonna go get ready in your room. Meet me there when you two are done." Aspen replies warmly before gently patting my shoulder before she takes her mug with her up to my bedroom.

I manage a nod just barely but can't seem to pull my gaze from Sam's warm brown ones for the life of me.

"I called Bronte, and offered to take her to coffee today. She said yes." He tries to convey the last part of his sentence so casually but I can tell that he's excited, and nervous.

The relief is palpable and I can barely contain my labored breathing.

"That's great news Sam, congrats." I reply before shoveling a large spoonful of fruit into my mouth to keep from grinning like a mad person.

"It's only a coffee date kid. But I wanted to let you know that if you beat me home later today that I'll be with Bronte and I'll only be a phone call away if you need anything. Owen should close up at the restaurant early and be here by the time you and Aspen get back." He finishes with a look before taking another sip from his red coffee mug.

I nod slowly at him letting him know I'm listening and he shouldn't worry about me.

"So to reiterate, I'm a phone call away and if you need me for anything call. Just like last time, just call me." He replies before handing me a napkin. I almost miss the fact that some fruit juice just dribbled from my chin and I try not to blush in embarrassment.

I clear my throat before muttering a thanks. I snatch my bacon up before I rush to finish my breakfast. I still needed to get ready and was way behind schedule with Aspen already dressed for the day.

I fork the rest of my eggs from my plate to my mouth in a rushed fashion before I hear Sam chuckling at my hurried state.

"Kid, slow down. Aspen won't leave without you. The day just started, pace yourself." Sam get's up slowly before shaking his head once with a smile still in place. He manages to kiss me on my head before making his way to the island to clean up.

"I know. I just..." I found myself leaving it hanging in the air. Whatever it was. But Sam seemed to get "it" because he found my gaze for a moment and his eyes softened the way they almost always seemed to around me.

"I know kid. I know."

I found myself looking at my empty plate at a loss for words.

"Alright, get out of here. Go be a teenager. Just you know... behave and be safe please. And-" but before Sam was able to I finished for him.

"Call you if I need you." I chimed in before sliding off the bench and to the kitchen sink setting my dishes there and rushing out of the kitchen.

I didn't miss the way Sam's upper lip twitched in amusement, his poor attempt at shielding it with his mug was lost on us both.