One Smile

31: Football Boy Can Handle You

Jake POV

I am honestly so relieved that I didn't do anything wrong. When she drove away from me I thought I fucked up. I think its cute that she gets flustered when she's turned on by me. I like that I can bother her that much with a kiss and two words. I am about to say the three words that I know are way too soon to say when I hear a nasally voice behind me.

"So that's where the troll was, sleeping around to get a Range Rover," one of Bailey's minions sneers.

"Girl. The queen bitch is gone. You don't have to carry on her legacy," Sam says without looking away from me. I smile because I love how strong she is.

"Why are you with that little girl when you can have this," she sneers again.

"What's this? Ah, you mean an the clap," Sam says and then claps her hands twice. I bust out laughing and pull her into a kiss after I am done. She is the only person who can make me laugh like that.

The person behind me starts to say something again but Sam and I share a peck and I walk her to her homeroom. I then remember that I put some tea for her in my bag. Thank god my grandpa showed me how to make this Italian white peach tea. I can use it to trap her. I pull the yeti out of my bag and give it to her.

"For my queen. It is almost as hot as you," I joke.

"GAG. Why are you two so cute," Naomi shouts from beside Sam. I didn't even notice that her, Julie, Ben, Chris and Collin were walking by us.

Sam just giggles and I find myself staring at her again. I swear I am going to have to make a deal with the devil so she never leaves me.

"I could never leave you. I love this tea too much," she says while taking a sip. How did she know that was what I was thinking? Witch.

"Well, we have homeroom. I would call you sugarplum but I need to know first if Jake is going to beat my ass like Ethan. Homeboy is taking a week off school to recover. Bloody hell you are intense," Ben jokes.

I shrug my shoulders to keep it vague. I want boys to know that she has a man, a man that will kick their ass if they try anything with her. I see Sam look down and I know she's hurt because of Ethan. She reached out to him a few times this weekend and he ignored her. I hope he gets his shit together before I force him too.

"He will come around frizz. I promise," I say down to her. She looks up at me and offers a small smile and I am hooked. So I stop us in the middle of the hallway and pull her into another kiss. She tastes like the tea and it makes me want to kiss her even more knowing I'm the reason she tastes like that.

"Get a room you wankers," I hear Ben shout from ahead of us. I pull away and look down and see Sam smiling at me in a daze. I am going to blurt those three little words.

"Sam, I l-"

"Samantha Drake welcome back. Music class wasn't the same without you and I look forward to having your talent back. We are also doing a musical and I would love for you to try out," I hear Mr. Scarp say from behind me. Can people just let me confess my love? Maybe it is a sign that it is too soon.

"Hi, Mr. Scarp. Happy to be back. I would love to tryout. See you in class," Sam says quickly pulling me to our friends so I don't pummel a teacher.

"He is too friendly with you Sam. I don't like it. He gives me a bad feeling," I say hesitantly. I know she is going to explode but I have to get it out.

"Okay. I will be careful around him then babe," she says before pecking me and leaving with Ben to head to class. I am left standing there smiling like an idiot. I did not expect that. That just confirms it further for me. I love her. I would have told her if she didn't leave me this morning. I will tell her before the end of this day.

*****

It is lunch time and I have never been more ready for shitty cafeteria food. Mostly because I know my queen will be there. I walk in and see her looking uncomfortable by the door talking to the same hockey boy.

"I actually have a boyfriend so I am not interested, sorry," I hear her say before she tries to turn away.

The idiot doesn't get the message and grabs her arm to shoot his shot again. Fuck that.

"Hello princess," I say as I throw my arm around her and kiss her on the head. If I don't focus on her I will kill him.

"Princess. No. I am your queen," she pouts. I chuckle at her and give her a peck on her pouty lips.

"Nice to see you Ferrari. Didn't know this was your boy. You sure a football boy can handle you," the hockey boy teases. I see the jealousy in his eyes. I am about to unleash when I feel Sam kiss my chest above my heart.

"Two responses to your idiotic statement. He is a man. And I am sure this football man can handle me and then handle you, excuse us," Sam then grabs my hand and pull us to our table so we can set our stuff down.

"Stupid jerks not understanding what no means. I can't believe I said I like hockey more. Stupid Ben encouraging these idiots in the first place. Stupid-" I interrupt her adorable mumbling with a quick kiss on the lips.

"You are hot when you stick up for me. I like it," I mumble against her lips before I turn around and head to the food line. I feel her hand slip into mine about half way there and she gives me a squeeze. I realize that this is my moment.

"Sam, I know it is soon but I-"

"Mom and dad, wait for me," I hear Ben yell. Are you fucking kidding me. I swear I am going to murder the next person that interrupts my confession. 4 times. I tried to confess 4 fucking times.

"I am not your mom and according to him he's daddy," Sam mumbles so only I can hear. I chuckle at her as we make our way to the lunch line.

"What. Sweet chicken. Why," Sam gasps. I look around trying to find what shocked her but I don't see anything. "They don't have anything with chicken and they don't have any pasta. What am I supposed to eat? Damn." She genuinely sounds heartbroken and I have to remind myself to tread carefully. It is the weird shit that pisses her off.

"Let's get some pizza. I will make us chicken Alfredo tonight," I offer.

"I love you," she blurts.

"Oh hell no," I shout.