L.W.T.B.B Copyright © 2012-2016 xXMopelXx All Rights Reserved.

Rewritten Chapter Posted - April 15th 2016

Would you look at that! We're already at chapter 16 of the rewrite! I couldn't be more excited :) Thank you all for your incredible support last chapter! You continue to push me with your encouraging words and awesome personalities! Thank you for loving Sam and Anna's story as much as I do. 

Please, please, remember to VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE, and FOLLOW on WATTPAD and TWITTER (MajestyMarzy) if you're loving the story! It really helps me out! Happy Reading! xo

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{ Chapter 16 } : Stay Sereno, Reina

      Three knocks echoed against my door, each at a precise two second interval in signature Sam style.

I pulled my ear buds out and paused my track. "Come in."

My door creaked open and Sam's broad shoulders took the space between my doorframe. "Hey."

I smiled a little and closed my calculus textbook. "What's up?"

Except for the night of the party when he ended up crashing on my bed, Sam never stepped into my room and right now was no different. He'd peered in last time with intuitive eyes, taking in my girly dusty rose and gold decor, Beyonce, Backstreet boys and Destiny's Child posters, white vanity adorned with an endless rows of rouges, and my shoe rack housing my various infamous pairs of thigh highs, and said nothing. Today he stayed at the threshold, his strong body languidly leaned against the doorjamb.

There was a sheepish air to him. "Are you busy?"

I gestured to my bed, where I sat crossed legs with my instruments and math exercise sheets scattered all over my messy duvet. "I'm just finishing up some Cal homework, that's all."

"How...long will it take?"

My brows puckered in confusion. "Why?"

A boyish glint lit his green eyes and he rolled his lips into his mouth, causing a dimple to rise to the surface. "Want to go out?"

I was too focused on - surprise, surprise! - the new angry scratch marring his chin. This one wasn't as bad as the other cuts, but it was bigger. Unless they beat each other black and blue at football practice, I didn't know how he got them.

His words hit me like a tidal wave and I registered them a second too late. "Uh, what?"

Sam raised an eyebrow casually, the motion oddly sexy. "You didn't here? I said -"

"I heard just fine," I snapped, flustered. Was this supposed to be like a date? Was he...asking me out? "What I mean is...um...why?"

"Why not?" Sam countered, looking lost. "A couple of us are heading over to Danny's Grill to shoot pool and play poker. Thought I'd invite you."

Now I really was blushing for jumping to stupid false assumptions. "Oh, uh, thanks." That was surprising...and sweet, I guessed. "That's nice of you, but I still have other assignments."

"You can finish them later," Sam said, smirking. "Come on, good girl. Loosen up. Your friends will all be there."

I was the farthest thing from a good girl. "What are you talking about?"

"Layla and Gisella."

"You mean Gabriela," I corrected, carefully enunciating her name. "They didn't tell me they were going."

"Right. That's what I meant - Gabriela - the cute brunette. And Josh just made plans five minutes ago."

I didn't say anything.

"So?" Sam asked, a little impatient. "You in or what?"

I really didn't want to do any homework - because the truth is I was advanced. But then again, I also didn't want to go to Danny's Grill - it never seemed to end well for me. But, I did, however, want to hang out with my friends despite it being a late Thursday night.

"Don't you have any assignments or something else to do?" I was still trying to resist.

Samuel shrugged and scrapped a rough hand over his stubble. The sound was like a grating sandpaper. "I'm practically done my history paper. I just have a conclusion left."

I debated going. I really did.

Sam took the decision out of my hands, like he'd been doing a lot lately. "Giving you ten minutes to get dressed and do the stuff chicks do before going out. If your a$s isn't down by then, I'm leaving."

"I can drive there myself, you know," I pointed out.

"Yeah, but we are leaving from the same house so we might as well carpool and save gas."

He had a point there.

"I'll be there in five," I sighed, giving into the battle. Screw school and everything else, I thought, as I pushed aside my textbooks.

"That's the spirit, Barbie."

                                                                   *                   *                  *  

I assumed we'd be taking my car.

Not Sam's deathtrap of a motorcycle.

Sam's approving gaze had raked down my length, drinking in my denim shorts, loose top and thigh highs, as I descended the staircase, phone, wallet and car keys in my hand.

"We match," he'd said laughingly, gesturing to our attires as he held the house door open for me.

And we did, well, sort of.

He was wearing light washed ripped jeans, black engineer boots, a fitted black Henley, with a form-molding black cardigan that clung to his sinewy muscles. He'd ditched his usual leather jacket. His face wasn't shaved, cleanly trimmed stubble resting on his jaw. But his hair looked to be freshly cut, the tip of his faux hawk a fuller arrowed golden mass at the top on his head, the sides of his hair faded closely to his scalp. His typical bad boy look.

I'd walked out of the house smiling, glancing down at my clothes as Sam locked the front door. I told my mom I was going out. Sam did the same. Just not together.

Now he'd slapped me with a revelation. We were to take his bike.

At this moment, he was out of his fucking mind, if he even had one to begin with.

"I'm not getting on that thing!" I wheezed, flinching away from him.

"Her." Sam released an exasperated sigh as if he was dealing with a child, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Her name's Ruby."

Oh, of course. Every guy I knew claimed his ride was the love of his life and gave it a ridiculous name. Ruby wasn't a bad name, but it proved that Sam was no different.

"Why are you so opposed to getting on my bike, anyway? I've got a second helmet now, you'll be fine. It's just ten minutes. "

I shook my head. "The last time I hopped on a bike, my boyfriend crashed and I ended up in the hospital with ten stitches. I still have a scar on my elbow from the impact, so no fucking thank you."

"Boyfriend?" Sam echoed and every line in his body hardened, tightening like a bowstring as he appeared alarmed and agitated.

"Ex-boyfriend," I clarified, shaking my head yet again to block the bitter memories from flooding my mind. "So, yeah, sue me for not wanting to get on."

Sam's eyes remained narrowed, but some of the tension unravelled from his rigid stance. "Clearly your ex-boyfriend didn't know what the fuck he was doing."

I heard a double-meaning underneath his words, and hugged my arms around me, holding myself together.

No, he didn't know what the fvck he was doing and I couldn't agree more. Like a fvcking idiot, Joey took his cousin's bike for a joyride one hot summer evening - without asking him, might I add. And like an even bigger fucking idiot, I'd agreed and gone with him, not knowing he'd only driven once before. We crashed sideways when Joey lost control and I injured my arm, while he busted his leg.

"I'm not him, Anna. Not going to do what he did."

Again, my mind sprinted off track and put together words and meanings that didn't exist.

Samuel took a step towards me on my driveway with his second helmet. "Trust me?"

I wanted to, but I felt like I lost that ability long ago. It took time regaining something you thought you'd lost forever.

I bit my lip. "Promise you won't speed."

I guess I was really trying for that change.

Sam took my words as a green light, choosing to nod and close the distance between us in two strides. Grounding to a halt in front of me, he swept my strands behind my shoulders with a gentleness I didn't think he was capable of or possessed. I shivered when his knuckles grazed my collarbone. His eyes rose to meet mine, holding steady.

He put the helmet over my head, without breaking eye contact. "Promise," he breathed.

A small sigh of relief fluttered out of my mouth, but Sam didn't notice as he walked back to his bike, straddled it and motioned me over with a crooked finger and teasing smile.

Caught in a spell, he reeled me in and I drew closer. He threw on his own helmet with a carelessly that I wasn't treated, too, and I sat down behind him, heart pounding, careful not to touch his body.

"You're going to have to hold on to me and come closer, Barbie."

Sam had other plans as the pads of his fingertips reached back to grasp my bare thighs, purposely brushing a teasing pattern on my skin as he jerked me closer with a tug, pressing my thighs against his sides until it felt like I was strangling him with my legs.

"Much better," Sam mussed when it seemed like every inch of my front was plastered to his impressive back.

"Funny enough, this feels like a ploy to get me to touch you, Beer Boy."

"Didn't hear no complaints from you when I had you like this on the pool table. Reversed positions, of course."

I stiffened at that mention of the pool table, before a shaky laugh whistled out of me. "I was a little drunk to realize what was going on."

Reluctantly, my arms circled his waist. God, I could feel his rock-hard stomach muscles beneath my palms. The state of my crushed brea$ts against his back also screamed volumes. Okay, so I was totally f0ndling him. No complaints from me.

"You just need an excuse to touch me," he lilted back in a teasing manner, igniting his engine to life with a twist of his keys. "Claiming to be drunk was just a cover up, eh?"

My mouth fell open in disbelief and my eyes narrowed. Sam chose that exact moment to push the kickstand and I gasped as we moved forward. I clutched him for dear life.

He chuckled again. He knew what he was doing. Such a jacka$s.

Flustered, I bit out, "Yeah, and teaching me how to play pool was just a way to get me to gr*ind on your quickly hardening d*ick, huh?"

*               *              *

Sam once told me he was shitty at promises.

Clearly, he meant it.

He drove so fast that we arrived at Danny's Grill in four minutes.

My face had remained tucked into his back as the scenery blurred past us, my oxygen trapped in my lungs. I sat shaking violently behind him.

"Fuck you," I spat, my knees buckling as I practically fell of his bike when he finished parking.

I shot him his helmet and he caught it with one hand before it hit him square in the chest. With his other, he tugged off his own.

"I'm down." His eyes glinted in amusement. "Never done it out in public, so this should be fun. Beware though - we get caught, Barbie, I ain't stopping until we're finished."

Ugh. He was such a cocky a$$hole. His voice morphed into background noise as I sauntered away, blindly flipping him the middle finger.

The mawkish smell of alcohol flitting in the pub evaded my senses the second I stepped inside. I veered through a flurry of bodies to get to the bar. My drink first, then I'd find my friends and deal with Sam.

Sam never missed a beat, as he stayed hot on my heels, catching up to me in a few long strides. I smelled him before I saw him. "I'm kidding, Anna."

That, I, for sure knew. While I witnessed his sweet and caring sides, I was all too familiar with his natural cocky and confident demeanor. Often, it pissed me off, so I'd just learned to block it out. Like I was doing right now as I ignored him from my position at the bar.

The pub house was lively with energy as always. Familiar faces swam in the sea of bodies and, for once, sensing the need for a change, I took the time to smile and wave at those who I recognized.

A few months ago, I would have never done that.

"Did you know your best friend is into my friend?"

Of course, ignoring Samuel Adams for a long period of time was practically impossible. He was the kind of guy who others yielded to. He demanded attention and commanded authority.

"Yeah," I said absentmindedly, thinking of Layla and Josh. I motioned a bartender over, but judging by the chaotic state of the place, I figured it would take him awhile to get to my side. "Obviously, they are dating."

All the bartenders seemed occupied and I remembered that it was because Thursday nights were ladies nights at Danny's Grill (an old tradition) and that meant three dollar shots for all the girls past ten pm. That tidbit explained the throng of females taking residence along the east wing of the bar, flushed faces and loud girlish laugher escaping their mouths, where a cute looking worker poured cocktails and lined shots.

"No. Your other friend."

It took a second longer for the meaning of his words to register, and then I was recoiling from Sam. "Gabriela is not interested in Joshua," I sneered defensively, shooting him a glare.

He rolled his eyes. He, honest-to-God, rolled his eyes in a sassy fashion that I was a little dumbstruck. "No, dumba$s. Gabriela. She's into my friend Hunter."

I blinked. Oh. Okay. Yeah. I kind of knew about that...ish. I asked him, anyway, "What about it?"

"We've been called here to play matchmaker," Sam jested. He had to talk a notch higher for me to be able to hear his voice, even if he was leaning into my ear. "Joshua and Layla are fvcking crazy. They want to set them up together."

The little snippet of information left me surprised - and if I'm being true with myself, a little hurt - because Layla never texted me or told me anything about that. I played it cool, though, merely shrugging my shoulder at Sam.

I supposed we'd all been too preoccupied with our stuff and issues that we hadn't been able to properly talk about anything. I knew without a doubt that Layla would have let me know...

There was some kind of history between Gabriela and Hunter that was for sure. Other than the fact that I'd assumed he was the friend she'd slept with. To my knowledge, Layla and I both were unaware of the rest, since Gabby never breathed out a word to us about her relationship with Northwind's quarterback.

Through my train of thoughts, an important piece of information stuck out to me, waving like a warning red flag. Narrowed eyes, I wheeled around towards Sam and almost gasped when I realized how closely he'd planted himself beside me. My arm brushed his chest.

"Doesn't Hunter have a girlfriend?"

Sam snorted charmingly. "If you can even call her that." Seeming irritated then, he tried to motion over the bartenders again.

His statement was a little weird, but I didn't delve too much into it. All I knew was messing with a taken man was not a good idea - more so if he was crazy psycho Rachel's boyfriend. I sure hoped Layla knew what the fvck she was doing.

Speaking of the devil, I spotted her short mop of brown and blonde ombre hair from across the room. Her and Joshua were seating in a spacious looking booth, sitting opposite of each other as they conversed in seemingly hushed tones. He murmured to her and she laughed, pearly-white teeth and all.

Deciding to drop my quest for Pepsi, I left Sam at the bar and prowled towards the booth, schooling my features. I figured Sam would probably follow, anyway.

Surprising myself, I slid into the booth beside Joshua, instead of Layla, after offering them a warm smile when I neared. Layla's eyes sparked just as Josh's did, and I noticed the hopeful glimmer in his eyes. I still felt bad for being rude to Joshua in the past and although we got off on the wrong footing, I was trying to redeem myself by mending one issue at a time.

"Hi," I murmured to them, but it came out as a little strained.

If Joshua was caught off-guard by my effort, he hid it well with the broad grin inching upon his face. He angled his body towards me so he could look at me better. "Hey, Anna."

Layla smiled pleasantly at seeing Josh and I actually trying to interact.

"Sorry, I'm late," I chimed in. "Sam only informed me of the plan about twenty minutes ago."

Joshua's grin stayed in place. "S'all good -"

Layla interjected, "Uh, why Sam? Didn't Gabby text you?"

"Why would Gabby text me?" Was she aware of their plan? Because there's no way she'd willingly come here.

"Because I texted her and she told me she'd text you to let you know."

Now I was confused. So she did know she was being set up?

"Um," Joshua gave us a coaxing smile. "I texted Sam. He told me he'd text Anna."

Layla's head whipped towards Joshua and she fired an accusing tone at his sheepish expression. "Wait a minute. Why would your friend that barely knows my best friend BTW text her?"

Okay. Confused for sure. Sam was at our house, so it made logical sense for him to tell me. I was across the hall, for goodness's sake. I spoke up. "Why wouldn't he?"

Layla gave me a look that spelled are-you-stupid. "Since when do you and Sam talk?"

Oh. It hit me then. I never told her about my new living arrangement. Shit.

"They're living together," Joshua pipped in with his big fat mouth, before I could say anything.

Layla choked on her pink cocktail, inhaling sharply once the splutters subsided.

Concerned, Josh said, "You OK, baby?"

Her bulging eyes were directed my way as she roared, "He's living at your house? What the fvck!"

"It's a long story," I shot quickly, not down to rehash the entire fiasco from day one in such a public place. I added, "I'll tell you later, Layla. Anyways, where's Gabby? I thought she would be here -"

"Bathroom," she hissed. "Sam's fvcking living with you? You and I need to talk. Now."

"And we will, promise. Just not here," I threw a measured glance at our surroundings, hoping she'd pick up on my hint. "Now's not a good time, Lays."

"Fine," she blew out, then glared at her boyfriend. "You didn't think to tell me?"

He gave her a dubious look. "Sorry, babes. Thought you already knew...Well, until now."

"I'm so confused," Layla sighed. "You're explaining everything to me tonight." She snapped her fingers at me then, her big brown eyes widening with recognition. "Oh my God. That's why he insisted on making sure you got home safely the night of the party!"

"Layla...just drop it." I cradled my head with both hands, my strands falling forth. "Let's just focus on the plan, cool?"

She blinked. "What plan?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Gabriela...Hunter...You wanted to set them up together? I hope you know this is ridiculous-"

"Anna. What. Are. You. Talking. About."

"The reason why we're here," Josh butted in again.

"To set up Gabby and Hunter." I said, a little impatient now. "You and Josh apparently want to hook them up together."

"I...uh...what?" Layla's accusing gaze bounced towards a stricken looking Josh. "Baby, am I missing something?"

Josh blew out a rough exhale and laughed shakily. "Okay. Fine. It was my idea."

My