Like Attracts Like

Taking a deep breath, I mutter, “If you want to me angry with someone, be angry with me.”

Both boys look at me. One set of blue eyes and one set of chocolate brown. 

Sighing, I drop my hand from Jake's chest and reach for Sam’s hand. “Come on, Sam. We need to talk.”

Sam tears his scowling face from Jake to look at our hands intertwined. I see his face soften. “Right. Let’s go, Maddie.”

He turns and leads me away towards the front of the barn. Before Sam notices, I glance quickly behind me at Jake. He has his hands balled into fists at his side but the look he gives me makes my heart break in two. I try to convey with my eyes that I'll talk to him later. I attempt a weak smile that comes out as a grimace.

One thing at a time. Talk to Sam now and deal with Jake later. Way to make a giant mess, Maddie.

Turning my head back around, I discover Sam has parked his truck by the picnic tables and that’s where we are headed. His grip tightens on my hand. He reaches into his pocket to get out his car keys.

“Sam,” I say.

He busies himself with unlocking the truck and opening the passenger door. I can fell the frustration coming off him in waves.

“Sam.” I say louder this time, pulling my arm to get his attention.

Sam pauses. He looks at me.

Clearing my throat, I gather my nerve. “Sam, what happened back there with Jake – it was a mistake. I’m so sorry, Sam.”

Sam laughs but there is no humor in it. “Maddie, it did not look like a mistake from where I was standing.” Shaking his head, he continues. “I knew this would happen. That first night we were back here at The Mill, the way Jake was looking at you, I thought he would try something like this.”

“We were both at fault here, Sam. He kissed me but I kissed him back.”

Placing both hands on either side of my face, Sam leans in close. “Maddie, Jake can only cause you heartache. You know that, right?”

Instinctively, I try to shake my head no but Sam’s hands are holding my face.

Sam states, “We have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We have always supported each other and been there for each other. I don’t think it surprised anyone when we started dating. We are just the same, Maddie. Like calls to like. You and me, Maddie, we make sense.”

Turning my face to kiss his palm, I state, “It’s hard for me to remember a time went you weren’t there. You mean so much to me.”

He grabs my hand and places it over his heart. He is looking at me with so much love in those blue eyes. Sam whispers, “This, Maddie. This is where you are. It’s you, Maddie. It’s always been you.”

I almost look away. It’s so much. Too much. A tear slips out and makes its way down my face. Sam tenderly leans in and kisses me. I kiss him back.

Sam. My Sam. My sweet, good, by-the-book Sam. It’s comfortable with Sam. Like my favorite pair of jeans. Sam’s always been there. I cannot imagine Sam not being there.

But it doesn’t set me on fire. One touch. Hell, one look from Jake. And my body lights up with heat. I can’t deny being with him is exciting and we definitely have chemistry together.

But being to close to fire gets you burned, right?

You guys are kind of digging Sam now, right? *Sigh.* I think Sam is sort of dreamy also. Sam on one hand and Jake on the other. What's a girl to do?!

P.S. Since it is summer and I am super busy (like running through the Spiderman sprinkler, having picnics at the park and going to the zoo), I will most likely only be posting once a week. I so enjoy writing but there are other things more important right now. But fear not! When I do post something, it will be totally awesome. You know that, right?

P.P.S. Previously, I mentioned I would start a page for Jake and Maddie. I did not forget! It's on my list of things to do. 

P.P.P.S. If you are new to Jake and Maddie's story, you can start with the first post, I Choose You.

OXOX Michelle