Free Falling (Book Two: Secrets)

All movement ceased and Sam rested her head on my shoulder after a quick kiss. She moaned in protest when I sat up a few inches to turn the radio down, laying us back again when I was done.

“I’m sorry for picking that fight with you – and for not believing you about Terrell, for making you feel like you had to answer to me. I was wrong and I’m sorry for acting the way I have been lately.” I could feel her cheek tighten against my shoulder when she smiled at the next part. “I think I was wrong about Terrell; he seems legit.”

She sat up grinning down on me. “Awwwww, you like him!”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “Don’t push it.”

She rained kisses all over my forehead, eyes, and lips, making a high-pitched squeal at the same time.

I smiled. “Alright, alright, alright……he’s cool.”

She continued to smile as she brushed her thumb over my lips with her hands still fastened to the sides of my face. “All is forgiven.”

“I was being such a dick.” Embarrassment swept over me again just thinking about how pigheaded I’d been. “Ignoring your calls and messages like that,” I shook my head thinking about how frustrated and hurt she must’ve felt. “Won’t happen again,” I promised.

She kissed my lips again, more passionately this time. “Actually…..I’m kinda glad we fought; it got you out here with me.”

I smiled up at her and got lost in another kiss. When she rose from my lap to get her clothes back on, I did the same. First, we laughed at having make do with the napkins in my glove-box for the time being, wiping ourselves down before driving back to her dorm. We used the last few minutes before having to meet up with Terrell and Maisha to freshen up properly and change our clothes. When we met them down in the courtyard wearing comfortable sweats and smiles on our faces, they may have know what was up, but just didn’t say anything.

“We still going for a walk?” Terrell asked.

“Why don’t we just sit by the fountain and chill,” Sam suggested. “I’m kinda tired.”

I smiled to myself, knowing why she suddenly didn’t have the extra energy to exert.

“Sounds good to me,” Maisha chimed in, starting toward the ledge of the fountain as soon as she finished speaking.

Sam sat as close to me as she could and stared up at the stars. She looked so innocent, even though I knew better.

“This is perfect,” she said with a sigh. “I hate that you have to leave me tomorrow, though.” I kissed her forehead and acknowledged that I felt the same way she did.

“How long is the drive back?” Terrell asked.

I sighed just thinking about it. “Seventeen hours.”

The distance that I’d driven to be here for only a couple nights seemed to shock him. What he didn’t know was that I’d do it every weekend to be with Sam if I could.

“That’s gotta be rough,” was all he said back.

“Do you have friends there from your hometown?” Maisha asked.

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“Family maybe?” she inquired next.

“Nope. It’s just me.”

She realized that I was about as alone out there as I could be. “Well…..soon you’ll be here with your boo, and the four of us should all hang out again sometime, too.”

Surprisingly, I wasn’t as down on that idea as I was when the night began. “Sounds like a plan.”

Sam yawned beside me.

“Aww, you lame,” Terrell said, waving Sam off.

She laughed and stood to head back inside. “Whatever. It’s almost eleven. I’m going to bed.”

Terrell rolled his eyes at Sam playfully and then looked to me. “What time you heading out, man?”

I shrugged. “Probably pretty early.”

He stood, too. “Well, in case I don’t see you again before you go, have a safe ride home. “

I nodded. “Thanks, man.”

Sam took my hand and we’d just taken a few steps toward her building when Terrell spoke again. “Oh! And don’t worry about ol’ dude. I’m keeping an eye out.”

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