Page 54 of Sweetheart

Sam was popular. I was…not—at least in comparison. People knew my name. I was friendly with everyone, yet they didn't really know me,if that makes sense? Point being, I'd thought it might be harder to get them to accept us as a couple.

But by the end of third period, everyone seemed to be on board. It could've been our not-so-secret kiss, or maybe it was the romantic spin in the hall.Whatever the reason, Scam was making the rounds.That was a definite win. Although I didn't know if Brisa specifically had heard yet, like Sam said, it was only a matter of time.

And that meant our plan was rolling right ahead.

I'd also checked off several of the items on my list.

1. First kiss

I put a big check next to that one, ignoring the heart flutters that always seemed to come when I thought about Sam and kissing in the same breath.

Brow furrowed, I thought over #7 (First Boyfriend) before adding an asterisk and short explanation.

7. First Boyfriend* (fake or real boyfriend—both count, no rush on the latter)

Another check.

I'd already marked two others as well—Sam had helped me with #9 (Forehead kiss), and I completed #14 (Play a solo gig) on my own. At the bottom, I wrote in "fingertipkisses and pick-me-up spin" just because I wanted to remember.

Not that I was likely to forget.

I smiled at nothing and shook my head.

Gazing at the list, I saw there were stillseveral more to go, but it was a good start.Slipping the paper back in my pocket, I began walking—only to be joined by Sam a moment later.

"Hey, Kent," he said. "Got your text."

"What text?" I said innocently.

Sam gave me a look.

"Oh, you mean the one where I asked you to meet me after school."

"No, I mean the one where you said, and I quote," he read from his phone, "'Need to discuss details of the deal. Meet me after school. No witnesses.'"

Sam lifted a brow as I bit back a laugh.

"Sounds like you joined the mob and are planning to take me out."

"I wouldn't do that, Bishop," I said. "I still need you."

"And when you don't?"

I narrowed my gaze. "Yougonna snitch?"

"What?" he said.

"After we do this thing, you gonnaturn rat? Because we can't have no rats in the organization."

Sam blinked.

"You talk you get bopped.Understand?"

I held out for as long as I could, but in the next second, laughter poured from my lips.

"You should see"—I gasped—"the look on your face."

He shook his head. "You're scary and weird. You're scary weird, Kent."

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