rewind.

“Depends on the day.” When it came to Joelle it would’ve been easier to list the things he wasn’t in to but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of admitting it. “Don’t act like you’re any better at saying no than I am.” He instinctively ran his hands up her thighs and over her ass before settling on her hips. “Wow. You’re such a freak sometimes.” He laughed softly under his breath, pinching her side gently. “I’m cool with your room. This is probably the first and last time you’ll have me here so I’m not that worried about making a great impression.” He rolled his eyes, unsure if she would be able to see through it all. As much as he hated to admit it, he wanted them to like him. He wanted them to like him more than anything he could remember wanting recently besides her and he planned on doing whatever he could to make sure that happened. He had no idea if he would ever make it back or if they would be on speaking terms the next time a holiday rolled around but he couldn’t fully deny that he wanted that. Once his thumb grazed a small area of exposed skin he began tracing lazy circles over the area. “I don’t- I’m just trying to keep you happy here. It only seems fair since I’m getting free food out of it.”

“It’s a fact that I am so much better at saying no than you.” She playfully rolled her eyes at him. Joelle definitely had moments when she caved- who wouldn’t with someone like Scott. But she was also a person that always wanted to be right and prove something. So she felt confident that all the times she said ‘no’ outweighed the time she caved. “I know. It’s one of the reasons you want me.”  She smiled at him before she moved her lips gently against his, teasing him a little. Joelle’s brow knitted together, hearing the sudden doubt coming from him. In a sense, she could see where he was coming from because they weren’t even official. So who knows where they’ll be in a week or so. But with how things were going for them right now, there was great potential. Everyone could see that they were on the right track for something great and real. And she saw how much he was really trying (and succeeding) with her family. He couldn’t fool her with saying he didn’t care. She knew he did. “I know what you’re trying to do and it’s not working.” She shook her head, and decided to give him some physical reassurance, she played with his hair. “My dad invited you out to get drinks and play golf with him. Do you think someone would do that if they didn’t like you? So relax, you’re doing great.” She kissed him once more, this time much softer. Joelle may have a hard exterior but that didn't mean she didn't have a soft side to her. 

“Not really, no.” Sam shook his head, holding her gaze so she would know he wasn’t pulling her leg. If he wanted someone to hook up with he knew the opportunity was there and the rest of his friends would have been more than happy for him to make an appearance but given the choice he would stay exactly where he was, though he had no idea why. “He’s cared about you for a couple weeks now. Maybe if you stopped pretending not to care you would pick up on that,” he taunted, drumming his fingers along the counter. “Sounds like some ass backwards logic to me. I carted you around for months and I never got anything out of it. This is you repaying your debt.”

Tatum was glad to hear his answer. For once, she didn’t question anything and completely believed him. Her smile to him showed that. “I care.” She whined slightly. Tatum knew he was trying with her. She hadn’t seen this much effort in someone in a long time. It was refreshing and it really lifted her spirits the past few weeks they spent time together. But she was still guarded. She didn’t want to put all her pebbles into a basket and get hurt. However, she did care and appreciated him a lot more than she let on. “You got to spend time with me. Did that not go towards my debt? because I feel like it should.” 

“She can’t give me what I want but she doesn’t bitch about anything either. I think that means I’m taking a step in the right direction.” He shrugged one of his shoulders, leaning back in his chair to get a better look at her. “We both know you can’t hold it together and keep your hands to yourself for the night and I’m too weak to say no. So it might be a good idea, yeah.” He scratched behind Biscuit’s ears once more before setting the dog down in favor of pulling Joelle closer to him instead. He had no idea how her family would react to him touching her so he’d tried to keep the contact between them PG at most with a few minor slip ups that thankfully seemed to go unnoticed. “Unless you think everyone will be cool with hearing you moan my name.” 

“I thought you were into the bitching.” Arms crossed, she pursed her lips as she stared him down right back. “Well, you just admitted you’re the weak one. I’m pretty sure that makes you the enabler here.” Joelle gave a firm nod and playful smile. She sat on his lap when he pulled her closer, it was innocent and she didn’t feel like she was disrespecting her parents. “As much as I would love for everyone to hear me moan your name. I'm more turned on thinking about how quiet I can stay while you fuck me. Don't you think it's hot?” Her voice dipping into a velvety tone of persuasion while her fingers gently trailed along his neck. “But of course that’s just a thought. You want to win my family over, so if you want the guest room, it’s all yours.”

Sam had no idea why he’d gone out of his way to hang out with Tatum now that his reason for doing so had completely disappeared but for some reason he still found himself sitting on his usual bar stool as he watched her work. “Free for now.” He spread his hands, leaning forward to take a small sip off the top of the milkshake. “I figure it’s only a matter of time before you break something again so I’m not gonna get used to it. Besides, if I’m not here to stare at you you might start to feel neglected and I can’t have that.”

Tatum playfully narrowed her eyes at him, “Well let’s knock on wood. I know you have better things and people to do.” She teased as she knocked on the island. “Oh? He cares about me now?” Tatum raised a brow before she looked down at the counter not wanting him to see her blush. “If that’s the case I should be charging you, not giving your free food.”

“Given his track record, probably not. Doesn’t mean you can’t be though.” Sam didn’t pretend to know anything about how their relationship had been in the past but what he’d seen over the course of a few months made it clear Nick was far from reliable. He’d trusted his roommate with picking up his girlfriend after practice because he was too ‘busy’ to do it himself. He had no idea why she continued to put up with it but it wasn’t something he planned on asking either. Not when he was trying to lighten the mood. “I’ll give you a heads up if I see any coming your way.” He winked at her teasingly before leaning against the wall next to her, thankful he had something to help him balance out. Seeing her smirk was more than enough to cause his own grin to spread but he resisted the urge to tell her he could dream. That was bound to be the closest he got to seeing her naked again and he knew it. “I know. But knowing no one else is doing it actually does make me feel a little warm and fuzzy inside.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Just means I’m still the last one on your mind.”

tatum shrugged it off. she didn’t want to waste any more time being mad at nick. she knew how it would all play out if she brought it up anyways. which is why she basically checked out a long time ago. but to hold up their ‘perfect high school sweetheart’ title, she kept up with the front. “or you know I could just avoid the possibility by avoiding you. I’ve noticed you’re just trouble.” her brows raised teasingly to match his behavior. tatum know how shameless sam was yet she was still caught off guard by some of the stuff he said. even growing flushed. “just because I’m the last one on your mind doesn’t mean it’s the same for me.” she shook her head, biting back the playful grin. “Or maybe it is. Guess you’ll never know though.” there definitely more flirtiness behind it than anything. 

His eyebrows shot up momentarily until he realized that for once her irritation wasn’t directed at him. He wasn’t the one that screwed up this time around, and as much as he wanted her to be happy he couldn’t help but become a bit smug whenever Mr. Perfect showed what an ass he could really be. It might not have been enough to make him look better in her eyes but Sam figured it was something. “What a pussy.” Once she looked his way he hesitated a second longer than he should have before holding his drink out for her. “You seem like you need it a little bit more than I do right now. And don’t worry, I brushed my teeth before I came so you don’t have to worry about where my mouth has been.” The way the corners of his mouth slowly began curving up as his eyes stayed locked on hers made it clear he was joking. Usually he didn’t tend to make himself or his life the punchline but she seemed like she could use some reason to smile. “It’s his loss anyways. Choosing his friends might have been a better idea but now there’s no way he stands a chance at helping you get out of that at the end of the night.” Without meaning to his eyes trailed over the length of her body and back up again. “Sucks for him but it’s great for me.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised or mad about it though.” tatum didn’t go out of her way to defend nick, but she didn’t put the blame on him either. she never did. it was one of her bad habits especially now. because she knew she was the real shitty person. “thanks.” she takes the beer with a soft smile. “I hope I don’t have some girl coming for me later about me taking her sloppy seconds just because I took your beer.” it seemed like the right time to stop pouting about nick and enjoy the company in front of her. she felt like she had to take advantage of the time. tatum noticed his traveling eyes and heat flushed her whole body. “how so? it’s not like you’ll be the one helping me out of this either.” she smirks before taking a sip of the chilled beer. 

On any other night the way Kelsey rolled her body against his would have been more than enough to hold Sam’s attention. His hands would have roamed over her body without caring who happened to look their way as she all but wrapped herself around him on the dance floor until they eventually slipped off to find a room. Or a car. Sometimes it even turned out to be the bushes behind the house that the party was being hosted at. But despite the pressure of her body and the feeling of warmth that radiated off her Sam still found his attention zeroing in on Tatum once he spotted her across the room and the stupid magnetic connection that only seemed to grow between them on his end had him finishing off the last of his drink before half mumbling some excuse to the girl who should have had him. Maybe at the end of the night she eventually would, but for now he was more interested in chatting up the one person he knew he was getting nowhere with. “Hey. I didn’t know Nick was here.” He grabbed another drink from the cooler next to her and easily cracked it open, hoping she might actually believe it was his first of the night despite the lack of space he’d unintentionally left between them to be heard over the music. “Don’t tell me you guys are wearing some lame couple’s costume or I might actually puke here.”

"we did.” if her tone didn’t make it clear she was annoyed, a hard eye roll followed. “pretty sure nick changed because his friends were giving him shit. nothing new.” she shrugged. tatum felt like she relived the same night over and over again. same parties and the same type of people. a group of people she didn’t fit in with anymore. and honestly, she didn’t want to try to fit into nick’s life anymore. it wasn’t what she wanted. but of course, she came because of her roommate. “if you puke it’s not my fault.” she pulled her attention away from the dj and finally met with his eyes. tatum and sam finding each other at crowded parties became more frequent these days. she blamed it on chance and wasn’t complaining about it though. a part of her looked forward to seeing him. 

If you ever forget I’ll remind you. [He prided himself on being discreet. He could want something more than anything else in the world and still manage to look disinterested when other people were watching. In his experience pretending not to want something always made it easier to get. Or at least less embarrassing if he didn’t. The same could be said for his attitude towards Tatum for the most part. Sure there were times he slipped and she caught him looking but around their friends nothing had changed despite his growing desire to have her attention.] Oh so you’re telling her everything now, huh? Because I can think of something she might care about a little more. Hey, my services aren’t cheap. I’m a hot commodity around here, Price. This is the first night I’ve had time to myself in weeks and look where I am. [He motioned towards the field around them though his smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth made it clear he was only teasing. Oddly enough there was nowhere else he wanted to be at the moment.] What does that even mean? A guy like me? [His eyebrows furrowed slightly once his eyes locked on hers. They were too close. He knew it without her having to say anything but he still hesitated before he straightened up again. After that even looking at her seemed harder.] It’s, uh, Pegasus. I used to love Hercules when I was little so… yeah.

[She made a thin lipped smile at him, but the glare she was giving him showed that she wasn’t exactly happy with his semi low blow. But just like she was accepting the fact that they hooked up, she didn’t take his threats as serious anymore. ] You sure know how to make a girl feel special. Too bad you didn’t bring your guitar because if this were a date, I’d definitely say this is in the top three. [She says coyly with a soft smile.] A guy like you... you know, the arrogant and opinionated guy in a band type. [She said, laughing awkwardly when the realization that labeling him wasn’t as fun or a good comeback anymore. When he immediately straightened up again, she quickly straighten up herself too. They had a moment, but she was surprised --- maybe a little disappointed that he didn’t make a move.] Hold up... Are we talking Disney Hercules? Because that was and will always be my favorite! Please tell me you dressed up as him for Halloween or something because I want pictures.