Page 132 of Sweetheart

"You wanna stop?" Sam asked.

"No," I said. "I like this song."

"Me too."

He pulled me closer, and I released a sigh.

Resting my head against his shoulder, I tried to drink in this moment. Lock it inside my heart and never let it go. Because letting go was exactly what I had to do with Sam. The talk with his mom only made me more certain.

Yes, I had a few more list items that required assistance.

No, I didn't know how I'd complete them without him.

But it wasn't fair to either of us to keep this going—especially with Brisa waiting in the wings. Maybe she could make him happy, I thought with a pang in my chest. It was time to end this. I just needed to let Sam know.

After this dance, I told myself, listening to his heart beat in time with mine.

I'd do it right after this song.

CHAPTER 19

I was going to call it off.

I was.

But one dance led to another, and soon, I was on my way home without having said a word to Sam about breaking up. Oh, and I took the jersey. Sam called my name as I was about to get into my car and tossed it to me, saying, "Here, Kent."

"What's this for?" I'd asked.

"Something to remember me." He shrugged. "Soyou don't forget after Scam is over."

"As if I could," I murmured.

He'd given me the perfect opening. I should've mentioned ending things then.

But I didn't.

"Thanks for the dance, Bishop."

"Any time, Kent."

All the way home I kept touching the material, reassuring myself that tomorrow. I'd do it tomorrow.

But Sunday, I was simply too busy, practicing violin, replying to emails with questions about the festival, finishing a paper for lit.Then Monday rolled around, and I couldn't do it then either.In fact, I couldn't do much of anything.

Because I was sick.

Did I think this was punishment for me not breaking up with Sam when I promised myself I would?

Perhaps.

But in all honesty, I couldn't beat myself up too much, not when I was struggling to breathe and blowing my nose every two seconds.I knew I'd have a ton of homework, so I went ahead and emailed my teachers. Hopefully, they'd send my assignments. Then I shot an email to the members of student council, cc'ing Principal Rochelle. I included any and all updates regarding the upcoming festival. Everything was running smoothly so far—but that could change. Dad was shocked when I decided to stay home Honestly? So was I. However, I couldn't bring myself to go to school, not when I felt this way and definitely not when there was a chance I could spread my germs to someone else.

My only regret was that I wouldn't get to see Sam.

I'd grown accustomed to seeing his face every day.

Just the thought of him made me smile.

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