Page 139 of Sweetheart

"You turned into the Sam Bishop overnight. Mr. Popular. King of the jocks."

"Not sure I like how that sounds," he said, "but go on."

"I was just me," I said."If we had kept hanging out, you know what everyone would've said."

"Enlighten me, Kent."

"People would've thought that I…"

"That you what?" he prompted.

I met his gaze head on. "They would've said I was in love with you.And the sad part is? They would've been right."

Sam froze.

He didn't move a muscle.

In fact, it looked like he'd stopped breathing.

It took him a full 15 seconds to respond. I counted every one of them with bated breath.

"You were in love with me?" he repeated.

Trying to make light of it, I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, like you didn't know."

"I didn't."

Sam caught my gaze and wouldn't let go.

"I didn't know, Kent."

"Okay, well. Now, you do."

His brow furrowed.

"But don't worry," I added. "I got over it."

Almost.

"Of course."

"Of course," Sam mumbled.

"What you said to Brisa really helped with that."

"Brisa?"

"Yeah," I said then tilted my head. "Here's my question, Bishop. Why didn't you just tellme that you didn't want to be friends anymore? Why did you go to her instead?"

Sam frowned. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I thought we were telling the truth."

"I am."

Shaking my head, I recited his words from years ago. "Being around Scarlett, it hurts. It'sphysicallypainful. I don't think I can keep being friends with her." Sam's eyes widened in recognition, and I gave him a nod. "Beginning offreshman year. You and Brisa were talking in the hall, and I overheard you."

"Kent, I—"

---