Secrets And Lies

Chapter 3: Reunions and Apologies

Ryan

       I blanched at the deep voice saying my name with such familiarity. Sam. Sam had found me. I slowly turned, my stomach jumping at the sight of my best friend. I quickly displayed a calm mask out the outside, while inside, I was a nervous wreck.  The earlier, loud voices of the cafeteria bled together and muffled out. The 'wooshing'  of my erratic heart hurdling in my chest was the only thing I could hear.  Sam's presence alone didn't cause this. It meant Taylor wasn't far away.

       "Sammy," I stated quietly. I was pleasantly surprised that my voice didn't waver or indicate how I really felt.

       "Holy shit! It is you!" His voice broke on the last word, eliciting a smile from me. His face split into a grin that, if possible, made him even more charming. He caught me off guard when he crushed me in his arms, picking me up in a tight hug. Everything about him was the same as when I saw him six months ago—his dark brown hair; perfectly coiffed as always. The same color as his father's, his blue eyes danced as he smiled and were a stark contrast to his tan skin. I always told him that he had won the genetic lotto. Sam's mother was of the Lummi tribe, and his father immigrated from Norway, making him tall and very good-looking. Everyone always tried to get him to notice them, even the girls that knew he was gay. They all wanted to be the one that 'changed him.'  As if it worked that way.

       "Can't breathe..." I gasped and tapped his back repeatedly.

       "Sorry.." He set me back down, and I immediately missed the contact. "Why didn't you tell me you were back? Why didn't you call me? You look amazing, by the way!" He finally paused to take a breath, his grin stretched from ear to ear. 

       "I wanted it to be a surprise?" I stated, but it came out more like a question. "Surprise..." I sang quietly, almost a whisper. Did I really just add jazz hands? I was trying not to show how nervous I was, but Sam was gracious enough not to point out how miserably I was failing.

        "Right. Ry, you can't lie to me. " He shook his head and looked up at the heavens for what I guessed was the strength to deal with me. I've been state-side for less than twenty-four hours, And I am oh-for-two, in the faking it department. I need to do better, or it would be the pity parade.

       "Okay, I didn't know how to do this. I honestly didn't know how everyone would react." I blew out a breath. The line in front of me had moved drastically, and people behind us complained. Grabbing Sam's sleeve, I tugged him closer to the person in front of us.

       "Ry, I would be nothing but happy to see you. I love you. You know that." He draped an arm over my shoulder as we shuffled forward.

       "I know Sammy. I'm not worried about you. It's Taylor..." He held up his free hand, effectively making me shut my mouth.

       " She will be pissed and more than a little confused, but she will get over it. You know her. She's always too bubbly and happy-go-lucky to be mad for  long." He pulled me closer to his side, making my worry melt away a little.

I looked up at his goofy grin and couldn't help but smile. Immediately, I felt fewer of the butterflies that had set up shop in my stomach. I felt a sliver less of the mess I am.

       "I hope you're right."

       "Come on.." He grabbed my free hand once I had my tray.

Ignoring my protests, he dragged me to his table, where my brother and Taylor were sitting. Taylor was too busy texting on her phone to notice the new addition he had brought over. That was something that used to drive me crazy. She always had her nose in her phone. I was grateful for her addiction at this very moment. It gave me more time. More time to figure out what I would say.