I chew my lip before defending Sterling’s actions. “I think I might have freaked him out at my parents’ house.”
“Oh?” Sam asks, angling his body to give me his undivided attention.
“Well, he was staying with me at my parents’ house before his flight left on Christmas morning to go to his parents’ house. We were lying in bed the night before, and jeez, I don’t know…I guess you could say I was drunk on Christmas spirit because I may have started naming our kids and talking about what we could give them for presents from Santa.”
Sam says nothing, so I continue.
“I could tell I maybe went a little too far because he didn’t touch me all night, and normally, he’s all about sex. But I hoped he’d get over it, so I got up at three a.m. to make him cinnamon rolls from scratch before his flight.”
“Jesus, Maggie,” Sam groans, running his hand through his hair with clear frustration.
“What?”
“Fucking cinnamon rolls?”
“Yes. What?” I exclaim and tighten my grip around the wheel. “They are his favorite, and I was just trying to be sweet. He was about to spend Christmas morning at the airport, and I wanted him to feel my love.”
“And then he dumped you over cinnamon rolls and coffee,” Sam concludes, knowing how the story ended.
“French pressed coffee,” I add with a pitiful pout. “And he did it before anyone else was awake. I was obviously a mess when I took him to the airport. I couldn’t believe we were ending things like that. But then he kissed me when we were standing on the curb outside the airport. Like seriously kissed me. It didn’t feel like a goodbye kiss. It tasted like regret. There was a look in his eye when he waved goodbye that made me feel like we weren’t necessarily over for good.”
I peek over and see Sam watching me with wary eyes full of drunken judgment and zero understanding. Which makes sense because he’s a guy. He doesn’t know how to read between the lines. Thankfully, I do.
“When I got back from the airport, I pretended nothing happened.” I shrug and drum my fingers along the wheel. “It was really hard because Kate has a really sharp bullshit meter, but if she knew anything was up, she never said a word.”
“So what is your grand plan exactly?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean…this lie,” he states with a frustrated huff. “How long are you going to keep it up?”
“As long as it takes to show him that I’ve changed.” I shrug as if it’s the most obvious answer in the world.
Sam clearly does not agree because I can see his hands tensing with agitation on his lap. “And you’re planning to do that how exactly?”
“My plan is to just hang out in Boulder and test out some adventurous activities in the hopes of winning him back. I think if I send pictures of all the fun stuff I’m doing, he’ll be impressed.”
“So you guys are still in touch?” he asks, eyeing me seriously.
“Yes, we text. Just friendly texting, but it’s something.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little naïve to go to such lengths for a guy who broke up with you just because you’re certain he wants you back?”
“No,” I reply instantly, pursing my lips in determination. “Because I believe that love is worth fighting for.”
He exhales heavily at that response, his fingers moving up to pinch the bridge of his nose. After a moment of silence, he slaps his hand on his leg, and asks, “Okay then. Exactly what kind of adventures are you considering?”
I smile broadly. “Tomorrow I’m going ice climbing on a silo.”
“You’re what?” he snaps, and I swear the alcoholic buzz he had from earlier disappears and is replaced by rage.
Bracing myself, I reply, “It’s like a silo that you can ice climb. It’s a thing.”
“I know it’s a thing…but how do you know it’s a thing?”
“Some guys who checked into the bed and breakfast told me about it. They said anyone can do it.”
“Have you ever even climbed before?”
“Like ice, you mean?” I ask.
“Like anything. A wall…a cliff…a StairMaster?”
“StairMaster…yes!” I exclaim with a big smile. “I slay it on a StairMaster. Do you think that’ll help with the iced silo?”
Sam groans and scrubs his hands over his face. “You can’t go ice climbing, Maggie. That’s like advanced level stuff.”
“There are safety harnesses, and the guys said beginners could do it. I’ll be fine!” I exclaim, just as Sam directs me to pull into a driveway.
“You won’t be fine,” he retorts, “so you’re not going.”
My eyes fly wide as I throw my car into park and eye him fiercely. “The hell I’m not! You’re not my keeper, Sam!”
He stares at me through the darkness, the faint blue light of the dash illuminating his face as he inhales and exhales so heavily, his nostrils flare. “What time are you going?”
“Around ten, why?” I snap.
“Where?”
“Peterson Farm, why?” I snap again.
He nods. “I know the place. I’ll take you.”
I bark out a laugh. “Sam, it’s not necessary. Those guys will be there. I’m sure they’ll be helpful.”
“Exactly why I’m taking you. You don’t know those guys from fucking Adam.”
“Well, I didn’t know you either, but that didn’t stop me from going ice fishing with you.”
“I was vetted by Marv.”
“Oh yes…Marv’s word is the gospel apparently.”
Sam glares at me. Leaning across the center console, he gets so close I can feel the heat of his breath on my face. “I’m going with you unless you want to tell your brother what you’re doing so he can accompany you.”
“No!” I reach out and grab Sam’s forearm. “I can’t tell Miles because then he’ll know something is up. I didn’t do anything adventurous as a kid. I was more the read a book or go take a dance class type. If he finds out I’m silo climbing, he’ll know something is up.”
“Then I’m going,” Sam states firmly with a casual shrug that makes me want to shake him. “You’re my best friend’s little sister, and I’m not letting you kill yourself on a frozen silo for a fucking football player.”
I bite my lip and turn to face the house. It’s a quaint little two story with a garland wreath on the front door. It looks nothing like what I imagined Sam would live in.
Trying to change the subject, I grumble through clenched teeth. “Whose house is this anyway?”
“My mom’s,” Sam replies, exhaling and sitting back into his seat again.
“You live with your mom?” I ask, feeling disappointment in the little fantasy I have swirling in the dark parts of my mind that I don’t want to admit to.
“No, Maggie, I don’t live with my mom. I was here having cake with my mom and my sisters when Miles surprised me with this birthday outing. My vehicle is here.”
“You’re not driving home,” I state worriedly, preparing to back out of the driveway and kidnap him if I have to.
“I know I’m not. Don’t worry about it, all right? I usually have breakfast at Mom’s on Sundays mornings, so I’ll crash here.”
“Oh,” I reply quietly.
“It’s nice to know you care, though,” he states, and I look over to see a sexy grin on his face.
“Whatever,” I reply immaturely but then slowly pull my lower lip into my mouth because with just that one smirk, the whole car has filled with sexual tension.
We’re quiet for a moment. The only sounds in the car are the idling engine and our soft breaths. Today has been a crazy, unexpected day. Boulder seems to be full of the unexpected, and Sam is at the very top of that list. I can feel him looking at me for a beat, and when he lifts his hand, I suck in a sharp breath because I think he’s going to reach for me…until he pulls out his phone.