“So you knew you didn’t love them?”
“Right.”
“Then what the hell is your problem with me and Jen?” I said, putting my hands out. “You’re being a damn hypocrite.”
“I … I guess you’re right, but I never planned on it being that special, and at least those guys were serious with me. Jen is using you. It’s a game to her. Why tomorrow? What’s she doing tonight?”
“She’s … going to stay up at the beach and hang with—”
“Rob. Justin, Jen’s fucking around with him.”
“You—”
“And I’m sure she will come over tomorrow and fuck you because she does want to, but that’s all it would be and your first time will be sloppy seconds and—”
“Why the hell do you care so much?” I yelled at her. “Jesus Christ, Sam, give it a fucking break and just be happy I’m happy!”
“I care because you’re too good for that, Justin, and there’s better than her out there. If nothing else, girls like Jen are a dime a dozen down the line, but you wanted the first time to be special.”
“It will be.”
“Then why not wait a little longer? Dump that bitch and—”
“I’m not waiting! Why the hell do you think I can do so much better? Never mind. I’m not starting over and wondering how long it would be with someone else.”
“You can do better because you deserve better.” Sam looked down at the ground and looked as if she were trying to decide what to say next. A first for her.
Raising her head, she said softly, “Justin, on the outside, you’re a hell of a good-looking guy, especially like this.” She tousled my thick black hair. “I like your hair like this, not the way you put all that goop in it most of the time. And how many girls tell you how gorgeous those green eyes are?”
I grinned. “Quite a few.”
“And you played baseball and football.” She put her hand on my arm and squeezed. “You were a skinny little geek when we first met. Now look at you.”
I laughed and made a show of flexing my arm. “I do work out.”
“And it’s pretty obvious, but—”
“You checking me out?”
I meant it as a joke, but Sam blurted out, “Of course not! I … I don’t look at you like that. I was just trying to … make a point.”
She looked away, but not before I noticed she was blushing, which was definitely a first.
“Are you blushing?”
“No! I’m hot!” She removed her hat and wiped her forehead.
“Nah, just cute, remember?” I joked.
“Trust me, Justin, I know I’m not hot.” She sounded irritable.
“Hey! I was kidding!”
“But Jen is, and for what it’s worth? I never thought you’d be the kind of guy to go for just that.”
“I like her for other reasons.”
“Yeah, the two big ones hanging out of her shirt. You’re different around her, Justin. When you’re with me and Jim and the rest of our friends, you’re you, and when you’re with her, you’re … a conceited jerk.”
“I am not!”
“Whatever.” Sam stood up. “The point I was getting at was even though you’re good-looking and popular, you’re a sweet guy, and that’s pretty rare at our age. That’s the best part about you, and that’s why you deserve better. Jen is just a shallow bitch.”
“You’re more than that and deserve more. Now, I’ve told you how I feel and you don’t really care, but at least I said it. Hope you have fun tomorrow.” She grabbed the bag and turned away from me, ending the conversation.