Love The One You're With

Chapter 12-My Girl

After our kiss, Jake asked, "Why don't you go get ready while I talk to my brother?" I beamed back at him, excited that he wasn't mad at me for being late, but nervous of what he'd say to Sam..

"Okay," I replied softly before kissing him again and shooting Sam a quick reassuring smile. I headed inside and quickly got undressed. I could hear voices outside my window, and my heart raced when I realized that it was Jake and Sam.

"You need to back off.." I could hear Jake say sternly. "Regardless of whatever you thought you had with her, Quinn and I are together now..." Jake said calmly and my breath caught in my throat. We were together? I really like him, but we have never had the conversation about being exclusive or anything..I mean I assumed we were, but it was still a weird feeling hearing him say that, especially to Sam. As they continued, I pulled on a white bodysuit and black jeans before sitting on my bed to finish listening.

"You knew how much I like her, but you still pursued her anyway?" Sam asked Jake in nearly a shout, but I could tell he was trying to keep calm. An involuntary smile spread across my face. Sam likes me? My cheeks burned at the thought. I never thought anything would come from our "no-strings-attached" situation, but I knew how I felt about him..

"By the time I realized who she was, I was already falling for her, Sammy...If you like her so much, you should have had the balls to act on it," Jake replied in a calm tone. "Quinn deserves someone who will never let her question how much she means to them," he added, still surprisingly calm and my heart fluttered again. Jake was falling for me? As happy as that made me, I suddenly felt overwhelmed, like I couldn't breathe.

"Yeah, well I was trying to act on my feelings that day in the bathroom, but I found you in the shower with her instead," Sam muttered so quietly that I almost didn't hear him. He was going to tell me that day? Fuck. I felt so conflicted, and could feel myself starting to hyperventilate as my panic set in. I never intended to come between them at all. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, slowly starting to calm myself and willing away my anxiety as best I could. I could still hear them talking as I laced up my white doc martens.

Finally ready, I made my way out of my room and ran into Sam in the hallway. I wasn't sure what to say..I knew I couldn't mention anything I had overheard, but he just looked so sad. I couldn't help but smile as I thought about kissing his soft pouty lips and telling him how I felt, but I knew now was not the time. Sam smiled back at me before quietly stepping towards his bedroom as he frowned again. I hated seeing him so hurt, so I threw my arms around his middle and buried my face in his chest. The butterflies in my stomach stirred as I took a deep breath. He smelled impossibly good..like clean laundry, incense, and a faint smell of cigarettes and weed. "I had so much fun today, Sammy," I whispered, unable to keep my mouth shut as he held me close to him. I could feel his heart beat faster as he let out a shakey breath and pulled away.

I tried to look up at him, but Sam avoided my eyes as he said, "You look beautiful, Quinnie...have a good night." I felt my cheeks burn as he stepped past me and walked into his room, shutting the door behind him.

After a moment of stunned silence, I walked outside to see Jake smiling at me eagerly. "There's my girl," he purred as he held out his hand to lead me down the steps to his car. "You look amazing!" I blushed and kissed his cheek, smiling as I felt the heat reach his cheeks. I loved having this effect on him.

When we got into his car, I noticed his acoustic guitar in its case in the back seat. "Jakey, are you going to serenade me tonight?" I teased, and immediately felt bad for ruining the surprise as his face dropped.

"Oh..uh maybe," he said with a weak laugh. Good job, Quinn I thought to myself. I reached over the console, resting my hand on his thigh. He smiled as he glanced over at me before returning his eyes to the road. "So what all did you and Sam do today?" He asked nervously. My stomach dropped. I couldn't tell if this was genuine curiosity like he was just asking about my day, if it was coming from a place of distrust, or if it was just because of his conversation with Sam. I knew I hadn't heard the full conversation, but I didn't think I had missed that much..