Page 85 of Always Love You More

The one who’s laughing carries on, “Coach is gonna lose it after that stunt this morning, but it might be worth it. Did you see …?” He trails off as he looks toward the door. “Jesus Christ, man.She’sin this class?”

The guy in front of him turns, and I follow his gaze, my eyes landing on Sam as he says, “This year just got a whole lot better.”

She doesn’t notice me yet, but when she scans the room, looking for a seat, her attention catches on me. Her whole face lights up, and it just about kills me.

She starts down the row, her hips swaying in that way they always do.

“Dude, she’s coming this way,” the guy next to me whispers.

They glance around for the empty seat she’s heading toward, but all the desks around us are full.

Her focus is on me, but the guys don’t seem to notice.

“Hey—”

“Get up,” I cut him off.

Shifting in my direction, he doesn’t seem to recognize me. “What? No, I’m not getting up.”

“She needs somewhere to sit.”

He makes a show of looking around. “Seems like all the seats back here are full.” He glances from her to his lap. “But I’ve got a place for her right here.”

Sam stops in front of us.

“What do you think, sweetheart? I know how much you—”

I push my chair back, the metal dragging against the tiled floor. “I’m gonna say this one more time,” I tell him slowly. “Get the fuck up so my girlfriend can sit.”

He darts his eyes from me to Sam then back to me again. “Yourgirlfriend?” He turns back to her. “Your brother know about this?”

Instead of answering his question, she says, “I’d really get up if I were you.”

When he continues to sit there, I push my chair back farther and start to stand.

He whips his head in my direction and raises his hands. “Fine, whatever, we’ll move.”

Him and his friend stand, starting for the front of the room, as Sam drops into the spot he just vacated. “Thanks for saving me a seat,” she jokes.

“I actually would have, if I knew you were gonna be in this class.”

“That was so much better, though.” She beams. “I loved watching Miles squirm. He’s such an asshole.”

I frown. “You know that kid?”

“He’s on the football team and friends with Carson.”

“Your brother keeps shitty company.”

“My brotherisshitty company.”

I’m about to respond when a bright voice filters through the room. “Welcome everyone!” I turn away from Sam and find a young blonde woman smiling at us. “I’m Ms. Morris, and I’m so excited to have you all with me this year.”

She’s clearly new to this—her tone is much too cheery, far too hopeful.

“This is my first year, so be patient with me.”

Yup.