The Path to Love

Chapter 6

Sam didn't come to my house for a ride this morning. I waited until five minutes before school started but she never showed up. Clearly, she was pissed.

This isn't the first time we've gotten into a fight and it probably won't be the last. I think she is starting to worry that her uncle could be getting out soon and she's obviously pissed at me for my logic. I can't help that I think that way. I am the only guy she trusts, besides her dad. But even then, her trust for him runs bare. He hasn't been around like a dad should be, and she doesn't rely on him like a daughter should rely on her father. Her parents are like mine, only around in an emergency and working the rest of the time. That's why we became so close, so quickly. We have nonexistent parents and understand each other.

Maybe my logic is twisted, I don't know. Usually I just fuck a girl and that's it. I don't know why I agreed to the stupid bet in the first place. I love Sam, obviously, but do I love her in the relationship sort of way? Is that possible for us? We haven't dared breach the relationship conversation because it would ruin what we have, and what we have is something I am terrified to lose. Sam and I have never crossed the bounds into a relationship, it would ruin everything. We wouldn't be able to be friends again after that. She was right, everything would end for us. I was such a fucking moron.

Of course, Sam was right, she's never not right. Fuck. She's one of those that believes she's always right, and she usually is. Which sucks for me because I'm the one that usually must admit she was right.

After I realized my lapse in judgment, I decided to text her.

Hunter: we need to talk ASAP

Sammy❤: I have nothing to say to you.

Hunter: I don't care. I have tons to say to you. I'm coming to pick you up at school. I will come drag your ass out if I have to.

Sammy❤: I didn't even go to school, I'm home. Just come over *rolling eyes*

Hunter: Otw

I quickly ran over to her house and walked in the front door. She was in her pj's and she looked like a mess. "You've looked better," I stated.

"Thanks," she shot back.

"You've also looked worse," I continued.

"If you're just here to insult me some more, you can walk out the way you came in." She snapped.

Okay, so maybe she was more than pissed. She had every right to be pissed, though. "I came to apologize for yesterday." I started.

"Continue," she replied.

"I should never have agreed to that bet. I know that now. I always said no to the guys and I was just tired of them nagging me about you. No matter how many times I said no, or told them to shut the fuck up, they wouldn't listen to me. They know how much I care about you, but they don't know what happened to you. I just figured I could help you realize that not all guys are assholes. My logic was twisted, you were right. I also realize now that if I were to be in a relationship with you and fuck you, we couldn't be the same as we are now. I don't want to lose you. I can't."

"Your logic was twisted, you're right. I can completely agree with that statement. But I understand why you did think that way. I just don't trust guys besides you. After what happened with my uncle, I didn't know if I would be okay again, but you were there. You helped me every step of the way. You are literally the ideal guy for me to be with. But I cherish this friendship too much to risk losing it. I love you so much and I'm not risking losing you in some way."

"I wish I could have stopped him sooner, Sam. I really do." I replied, finally confessing one thing that has kept me up most nights thinking about. I've spent many nights wondering what if I would have stopped him sooner. Would she be as afraid as she is now? Would she be in a relationship with someone she trusts fully? Would her and I be as close as we were? There are so many questions.

"What matters is that you did. You didn't run for the hills either, you stuck by me every step of the way. You made the court, healing, and moving on process so much easier. I wouldn't have survived it without you."

"Are you scared he could get out in a couple years?" I asked her.

"I'm terrified. I hide it well from my parents, but I can't hide it from you. He haunts my nightmares and the only time I have a break from him is when I sleep with you. I don't dream about him when I'm with you and that's why I like spending the night at your house so much. Oh, and you're very cuddly," she replied, laughing.

"I'm sorry, Sammy." I mumbled.

"It would be so much easier if he were dead. What happens if he gets out and comes after me again? He's had years to come up with a plan. I'm terrified of him," she replied, crying into my shirt.

"I won't let him get to you. That I can promise you." I mumbled into her hair.

"You can't keep that promise, Hunt. You won't be around me all the time."

You best believe I can promise that. He won't be able to hurt you again, Sam. I'll make sure of it. I never told her any of that, I just continued to comfort her. "He won't hurt you again, Sam. He won't," I whispered, promising her repeatedly.