Living With Hotties (Finished!)

Escape

The next morning, I wake up to a Snapchat notification from Lucas. I open it up and see a selfie- this time of his whole face, no filter, though. It says, "Good morning baby girl 😘 I had an amazing time and hope you did too"

God, he's soo freaking sweet!

I take a selfie, using the bear filter with the mask that pops up when you open your mouth. I put "I had a great time 😄 Thanks for my first actual date" and send it. He immediately sends a selfie- with the doggy filter- back that says "Thank you for being my first 💋 It was amazing!"

I take a selfie using the bunny ear filter, put "I still can't believe that was your first", and send it. He sends a filterless selfie back, this one saying "That good huh 😉". I send him a duck face selfie using the filter with the hearts above your head, saying "Yeah 😊"

I head into the kitchen and, seeing only Theo in the kitchen, brace myself for a serious chat. I grab my usual cereal, pour myself a bowl, and sit down at the island to eat.

"So," he sighs awkwardly. "Moving on already, huh?"

"Theo, it's not like that," I tell him, already feeling hopeless about this conversation. "Besides, what we did was totally unprofessional- I'm supposed to be working here, not flirting or screwing around."

"But you go out with other guys instead of working?" he demands, basically slamming his fist on the island. "But it's okay, because at least you're not being unprofessional."

"You know what?" I almost yell at him, on the verge of breaking down crying. "You're right. Okay? You're right, and I'm sorry. I'll just stop living my life and stay here amd focus on working, okay? Would that make it better, huh? Would that make you fucking happy?"

He freezes, then his face drops and he hangs his head.

"Sam, I'm sorry," he tells me softly, looking up at me with pleading eyes. "I just, was really hurt when I saw you with him and I took it out on you. I know that doesn't make it right, but I'm so, soo sorry."

"Yeah, well, it's gonna be kinda hard to let this one go," I snap, leaving this kitchen without even finishing my cereal.

I throw on some clothes- a floral sundress and a pair of nude color wedges- and throw my hair into a ponytail. I don't even think about putting makeup- I just need to get out of there. I grab my bag and my keys, than walk out of the door, not looking back or explaining anything to anyone.

I get in my car and drive. I don't even think about where I'm going- until I get there. Once I realize where I am, I start sobbing. I drove all the way to my old house, where we lived before my dad left.

Of all the places, Sam. Bravo, dumbass.

I go to pull out and drive away- when someone knocks on my window. I scream and jump, then turn to see a little boy with brown hair and blue eyes waving at me excitedly. I roll down my window, putting on my biggest smile.

"Hey, lil dude," I say happily. "What's your name?"

"I'm Kobe Tyler Nelson," he tells me cheerfully.

Wait- did he say NELSON? Do they still live here???

"Huh," I gulp nervously. "And your parents? What are their names? Where are they?"

"My mommy's name is Julia and my daddy's name is Tom," he informs me, making my heart stop and my stomach drop.

"Well, uh, I have to go now," I mumble awkwardly before deciding to be petty. "Oh, and tell your daddy Sam Taylor says 'hi' and 'that he still owes me and Sandy money'."

"Okay!" he chirps, grinning, as I pull out of my parking spot.

I drive far, far away from there as fast as I can, trying to get a hold of myself before the tears start rolling and I'm no longer able to see where I'm going and what I'm doing. A while later, I find myself parking in front of Justin's bar Avenue.

It's Friday morning and I know the bar's not open yet. So, I grab my stuff and make my way around back. There are stairs going up to the second floor back there, only they don't go all of the way to the ground. Instead, there's a drop-down ladder connected to the railing of the stairs.

Ignoring the ladder like always, I take off my wedges, put them and my phone into my bag, throw it up onto the stairway platform, then jump up, grabbing the edge of the platform and pulling myself up onto it. Then I pick up my bag, take out my rings of many keys, and find my copy of the key to his apartment.

Cailey, Justin, and I all have a copy of everyone's keys. One for Justin's bar and one for his apartment, one for me and my mom's house, and one for Cailey and her and Justin's mom's house. It's kind of funny, actually- we've made copies of soo many keys: our new house, our old house, Justin's new apartment and bar, Cailey and her mom's new house, and all six other houses they moved into and out of.

I unlock the door and walk in, not even knocking. Then I figure I should at least let him know I'm here so he doesn't freak out and I don't end up seeing something I shouldn't.

"Justin! Sam's here!" I announce as loudly as I can, waiting in the living room for a response before going further into the apartment.

Crash! Thud!

"Aw, hell!" I hear him mutter, coming from the kitchen.

I giggle, then head into the kitchen. I walk around the corner to see him standing there, in his underwear and a tee, surrounded by pots and pans. His hands are cupping the sides of his head and he looks exasperated.

"Sorry if I startled you," I giggle, not really feeling sorry- I just knew I should apologize.

"Eh, it's whatever," he shrugs, starting to pick everything up. "Not like it's expensive or fragile."

He starts shoving everything into the cabinets, putting them all away at random. It really starts to bother me, so I go in behind him and organize it all. He sees this and starts to laugh, then steps back and lets me finish it myself.

"So, what can I do for you?" he asks, laughing as I put away the last pot.

"I just," I sigh, not knowing where to start and trying to keep my composure.

His eyes go wide, realizing something is really wrong, and he leads me to the living room. He sits down on the couch, then lays the spot next to him. I sit down, then he thinks about something and walks off. A few minutes later, he comes back with two cups of coffee, a container of sugar and a spoon, creamer, and a half-gallon jug of milk.

"Here," he offers, handing me one of the cups, then setting the sugar and creamer on the table next to the couch. "I didn't know if you still like your coffee the way you used to. So, I just poured you a cup and brought everything out here for you."

"It's still two spoonfuls of sugar, a bit of creamer, and a bit of milk," I inform him with a laugh as I do it myself. "But thanks for making sure before you did anything."

"No problem," he tells me as he sits back down and makes his own coffee the way he likes it.

One spoonful of sugar and a whole lot of creamer, just like always.

Sometimes, things like this make me smile. Just the fact that something hasn't changed makes me feel better.

"So, what's up?" he questions, getting back to the matter at hand.

"Honestly, I needed to get away," I admit pathetically. "And then I had to get away from the place I went away to. So, here I am."

"Do you want to talk about it?" he suggests. "I mean, I know I'm not Cailey, and I'm not the best at helping with these things. But I'm an excellent listener."

"I guess you'll have to do," I joke, smiling. "Can you keep a secret?"

"As long as it doesn't endanger someone," he answers confidently.

"Good," I grin, taking a sip of my coffee.