Sam: You okay? Do you need anything?
It buzzes a few seconds later.
Dean: I fine. I think I loke yoU
I shake my head as I imagine him mashing his keyboard and trying to type when he probably can’t see straight. We’ve all been there, just maybe not three days after meeting someone.
Sam: I like you too, Dean. Let me know if you need anything xx
I slip my phone into my pocket and head over to the kitchen. I help Jess wrangle the kids as Owen walks in the door with some pizzas. Jess has a glass of wine ready and the five of us settle in for dinner together. I look around at my new family and feel my heart grow as they congratulate me and welcome me into their fold. We drink some wine and eat pizza and laugh. I tell them about the organization that I’ll be working for, I thank them both for letting me stay with them.
“I’ll start looking for a place as soon as I can,” I say as I grab another slice of pizza. Owen shakes his head.
“Stay as long as you want, Sam, really. It’s no bother at all. You’re a big help with the twins.
I smile and bite down on the piece of pizza. I try to ignore the phone in my pocket, even though all I want to do is make sure Dean is okay. It’s not that I’m not enjoying the evening, I am, it’s just that a part of me is worried for him. I didn’t think he’d be the type of guy to go and get wasted on a Monday afternoon.
In no time, the kids are washed and in their room for bed. Owen is reading them a story as Jess and I are in the kitchen washing up. I look over at her and smile.
“Thank you for tonight,” I say. “It was so nice of you guys to do this for me.”
“What, pizza and wine? Please,” she laughs. “Sounds like a regular Monday night. Saves us cooking. I’m happy for you, Sam. You deserve it. The job sounds really great.”
“I’m excited,” I start just as the doorbell rings. We look at each other and frown as a loud knock rings out on the front door. The two of us put the dishes down and dry our hands as we head out towards the front door.
When Jess opens it, my jaw drops.
“Dean?!” I exclaim.
His eyes lift lazily up to me as he braces himself against the door frame. He’s wearing a suit, but the shirt is half hanging out of his pants and his tie is loosened around his neck. His hair isn’t perfectly tousled now, it’s just plain messy. He’s struggling to keep himself up and he opens his mouth and closes it before finally speaking.
“Sam,” he slurs. “You’re beautiful.”
Jess glances at me and shakes her head. “Come on,” she says. “Get in. Did you drive here?”
He snorts. “I’m not an idiot,” he says, waving his cast in front of his face.
“Right,” I say, helping Jess to support his body weight. I kick the door closed and the two of us help him to the couch. He collapses down and groans.
“Thanks. You’re so beautiful,” he says as he looks at me. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Okay, Dean,” I say, patting him on the shoulder. “You want some water?”
“No. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Water.”
Jess glances at me again and grins in disbelief. “You have some special kind of luck with men,” she whispers as we head over to the kitchen together.
“Please don’t,” I say with a laugh. I glance back at the couch to see him swaying back and forth. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, it’s not your fault. Better for him to be here than out on the streets in that state. Jesus. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone that drunk since I was in college.”
By the time we get back to the living room, Dean is asleep. There’s a thin line of drool dropping down his chin and his head is at an unnatural angle. Jess and I hoist his legs up and lay him down. I take his shoes off and she grabs a blanket from the end of the sofa and throws it over him. I unclasp the sling around his arm and put it on the coffee table as Jess adjust his pillows.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I never thought he’d show up here. I said I couldn’t see him tonight.”
Jess laughs. “Don’t worry about it, Sam. At least you know he thinks you’re beautiful.”
I laugh and shake my head, look at him as he snores on Jess’s couch. “Is it bad that I’m still attracted to him?”
“No, that’s normal when you’re smitten with someone.” She looks at me with an eyebrow raised and just laughs when I stare back at her.
Smitten.
Maybe I am. I look at Dean one more time and run my finger over his cheek before following Jess back into the kitchen.
23
Dean
The pounding in my head is what wakes me up. Either that or the sun beaming down into my eyes. Maybe it’s the unfamiliar voices that do it, but all I know is that when I wake up I have no idea where I am. I open my eyes slowly to see a little boy inches from my face. He has a bead of drool hanging off her chin to an incredible length and I back up in shock. The back of my head hits the end of the sofa and I wince as the throbbing in my head increases. I look around in panic, not recognizing anything around me.
The little boy giggles and reaches up to poke my face. His tiny fingers sink into my cheeks and he giggles some more.
“Who are you?” I whisper as he laughs at me. I groan and try to swing my legs off the sofa. I frown as I look down at my clothes. I’m still wearing a full suit, and my sling is folded on the coffee table beside me. I reach over to start putting it on my throbbing arm.
“He’s alive!” comes a voice from behind me. There’s something familiar about it, and I turn to see the mom from my last birthday party. Sam’s friend. I glance back at the kid and recognize the one with the killer aim. I groan.
“Here,” she says as she hands me some water and painkillers. “Have these. You were pretty drunk last night.”
“Did I come here on my own?” I ask as I take the glass and pills from her. She laughs. I can’t quite remember her name. Something with a J?
“You were desperate to see Samantha,” she says with a grin. “You want some coffee?”
“Fuck,” I say and then look at the little boy. “Sorry,” I say, looking back at the woman. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s what Sam kept saying too,” she says. “I said you’d probably have the apologies covered when you woke up. Don’t worry about it. I think it’s cute.”
“Cute?” I ask as my eyebrows knit together. She laughs.
“Call me a hopeless romantic. What’s more devoted than showing up at a girl’s house completely plastered telling her how beautiful she is.”
I groan and put my hand to my head. “Don’t tell me, please. Don’t tell me anything. Where is she?”
“She’s at work. Don’t worry, Dean, you weren’t that bad.”
“Work?” I ask, frowning. “She got a job already?”
“She’s very resourceful,” the woman says—Jess! That’s her name. “She knew some people in town and they offered her a good job if she could start right away.”
“That’s great. That’s really good. Fuck, and the night before she starts I show up like this. Oh my god,” I groan.
Jess puts a hand on my shoulder and smiles kindly. “Don’t worry about it, Dean, really. I think she was flattered.”
“I’m an idiot,” I say. My head is still throbbing and I reach for the glass of water again.
“Yes, but we won’t hold it against you,” Jess says with a laugh. I try to smile but it feels like my face is cracking when I move. “Here, I’ll grab you a towel and you can have a shower. Do you remember where your car is? I can drive you to it when you’re ready. You’re welcome to stay here and wait for Sam to get home, it should only be a couple hours.”
“And re-live this embarrassment all over again?”
“You’ll have to re-live it next time you see her anyways, she says as she walks towards a closet in the hall. “Here.”
I take the towel she hands me and take a deep breath. “Thank you, Jess. You and Sam…
you’re both so nice. It’s… I just… thanks.”
Jess smiles. “It’s the whole small town thing, I think.” Her face settles into a serious expression as she stares at me. My heart starts beating a bit faster and she opens her mouth to speak again. Her voice is low and emotionless.
“If you break her heart, I’ll break your legs. Do you understand me?”
I would laugh if she wasn’t so serious. I nod slowly. “Got it.”
“Good,” she says, smiling again. “Bathroom is down the hall to the right. There should be soap and everything you need in there.”
“Thanks. Small town kindness, hey?” I ask with a grin.
“Don’t take my kindness for weakness,” she responds with a smile. “Or Sam’s.”
I just nod and head down the hall towards the bathroom. I turn it up so hot the steam starts filling the bathroom. I strip off all my clothes and stick my arm outside the shower to save my cast from getting wet as I let the water wash over me. I groan in satisfaction as the pounding in my head dulls under the water. I wash slowly, trying to breathe some life into my heavy limbs.
By the time my shower is done I feel half-normal. I pick up my suit off the bathroom floor and put it back on, feeling fresher and more alive than I did half an hour ago. I fix my hair and take a swig of mouthwash to get rid of the furry feeling on my teeth before opening the bathroom door and stepping out.
I walk into the living room just as the front door opens and Sam walks in. She sees me and a smile breaks out across her face. The tightness in my chest loosens up and a grin starts to form on my lips.
“Hey,” I say. “You’re back early.”
“They sent me home early after my orientation,” she replies. “You look better than you did yesterday.”
“That’s not saying much,” I laugh. “Listen, Sam, I’m sorry about all that.”
She holds up a hand and kicks off her shoes before taking a step towards me. She puts her hands on either side of my face and pulls my face towards hers. I melt into her, putting my good arm around her and crushing my lips against hers. When she pulls away, her eyes are shining and she clears her throat.
“I’m sorry you lost your job. You want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” I answer in a low voice. “It’s bad enough I showed up here last night.” All I want to do is pull her into me and kiss her again, but I hold back. “Congratulations. At least one of us is employed now.”
“I’ll take care of you,” she says with a wink. “Might not be as glamorous as you’re used to though.”
“Glamorous,” I say with a snort. “Wasn’t too glamorous last night.”
Sam puts her purse on the coffee table and starts pulling out her earrings. She glances at me and shakes her head. “Wouldn’t expect you to go off the deep end like that. I didn’t know you were a drinker.”
“Neither would I. I don’t know what got into me. I’m sorry.”
“Stop it,” she says with a laugh. “You want me to drive you back to your place?” Her eyes narrow and she grins. “Was this all just an elaborate ploy to finally get me back to your apartment?”
“Is it working? If yes, then.. Yeah. I’m a mastermind.”
Sam laughs. “Give me a couple minutes to get out of these work clothes and I’ll bring you back.”
I nod and watch as she heads down the hall. I hear her talking to Jess and I sink down on the sofa again. My heart is racing and I feel like my whole body is electrified. My hangover has disappeared and in its place is that familiar excitement in the pit of my stomach that I get whenever Sam is near.
24
Samantha
“Alright, let’s go!” I say as I grab my keys. Dean nods and gets up off the couch. He runs his fingers through his hair and turns around as I walk towards him.
“Thanks again,” he says to Jess who followed me towards the front door. “And sorry again.” She nods and smiles.
“Happens to the best of us. Glad you’re feeling better.”
We walk out the front door and I nod to Jess’s car which is parked just outside the front door on the street.. “I guess it’s my turn to open the door for you now, hey?” I laugh. I turn to look at him as I walk down the few steps towards the sidewalk. He grins and then looks beyond me and his expression falls. I turn my head to follow his gaze and my heart immediately drops to my stomach.
“Ronnie,” I breathe. “What are you doing here?” I freeze, squaring my shoulders towards him as he takes a step in my direction. He holds out his hands in front of him, palms facing towards the sky.
“Sam,” he says. “I’m sorry.”
My blood turns to ice and a new anger starts bubbling up inside me. How dare he! How dare he show up here, unannounced, after we’ve signed the divorce papers! Telling me he’s sorry?!
“I don’t want to hear it Ronnie. Go away.”
“Sam, please!” he says again, taking another step towards me. Dean appears by my side.
“She said she doesn’t want to see you,” he growls. Ronnie’s eyes swing towards Dean and his face hardens.
“Who the fuck are you?” he spits. He looks Dean up and down and puffs out his chest, balling his hands into fists. I take a step between them and try to keep my voice calm. I need to de-escalate this.
“He’s my friend. Ronnie, it’s over between us. You have to leave.”
“Is that how it is? A lifetime of friendship and almost three years of marriage and you’re just going to throw it away! And for what, for ‘a friend’?” His voice is more aggressive now, and I can see that fire burning in his eyes. I take a long breath, trying to keep my own voice steady and ignore the righteous anger that’s flooding through me. Before I can speak, Dean takes a step in front of me.
“She’s not throwing anything away, friend. You’re the one who fucked someone else. Now do what the lady asked and fuck right off.”
Even though I know that wasn’t the right thing to say, even though I know it’ll only make Ronnie angry, even though I know I could have handled it better, there’s still something that sparks inside me when Dean speaks up to defend me.
“What are you going to do, punch me?” Ronnie scoffs, nodding to Dean’s cast. “Go ahead and try.”
“I’ve still got one good arm, asshole,” Dean growls.
“Okay, okay, okay,” I say, stepping between the men. I can almost smell the testosterone in the air and I take a breath, putting my hands on Ronnie’s chest. I look up at his face and wait for him to look at me. My heart breaks for the millionth time as I remember the eyes that I fell in love with, the same eyes that betrayed me.
“Ronnie, I don’t want to do this. Not today, not like this.” I whisper.
His shoulders slump slightly and he brings a hand to his forehead.
“I made a mistake, Sam. You need to forgive me. It was a mistake. I’m so sorry. I need you, please!” The supplication in his voice tugs at my heart and my eyes start filling with tears. Something else grows inside me at the same time. It feels like strength, or fresh air building me up and supporting my whole body. I shake my head from side to side.
“I can’t, Ronnie. I just can’t. Please leave.” It barely comes out above a whisper. Ronnie’s face contorts and twists until he doesn’t look like himself anymore. He turns around and with an animalistic yell, he kicks a nearby garbage can and sends its contents flying down the sidewalk. He yells again and walks to a nearby car, getting in and speeding off down the road. Another car pulls out behind him and I watch them drive off. I frown and exchange a glance with Dean. He shrugs.
I let out a breath as my shoulders slump down. Suddenly I feel exhausted. I walk slowly to the garbage can and set it upright before bending over to pick up everything that spilled out of it. Dean appears by my side and helps me without saying a word. When we’re done, he turns towards me and wraps his arm around me. I bury my head in his chest and a sob rakes through my chest as my whole body trembles. He coos and rubs my back and kisses the top of my head
as I cry into his chest.
The pain in my heart eases and I pull away, wiping my eyes.
“Thanks,” I say. “Sorry.”
Dean laughs. “That’s all I’ve been saying today as well.”
I try to laugh but it catches in my throat. I nod to Jess’s car. “Come on, let’s go.” Dean slides his hand down my back and we walk slowly towards the car. I get into the driver’s seat and he slides into the passenger’s seat as I turn the car on. I take a long, deep breath and let it all out. I swing my head over and look at Dean. He’s looking at me with concern written all over his face. He reaches his hand over and stokes my cheek.
“You were great back there,” he says. “I don’t know how you kept your cool.”
I laugh bitterly. “Lots of practice, I guess. He used to get mad a lot.”
Dean stiffens and searches my face. I hate the way his eyes are boring into me and I pull my cheek away, nodding to the road and clearing my throat.
“Alright, lead the way,” I say. Dean settles into his seat and we start driving. The silence is only punctuated by Dean’s directions: turn left, take a right up here, left at the lights. I just nod whenever he says something, not trusting my own voice. Finally he points to a tall building.
“That’s me,” he says. I pull up outside and take a deep breath. I can feel him looking at me and he clears his throat. “You want to come up?”
I finally look at him again and the strength of his gaze almost knocks me over. His eyes are searching my face as if he wants to know everything about me. The ice that formed around my heart when Ronnie appeared starts to melt and I nod my head.
“Yeah,” I say. “I do.”
Dean smiles ever so slightly and nods his chin down once. “Cool,” he says. I can help but laugh gently and feel the tension in my body start to relax a little bit more.
“Cool,” I repeat.
25
Dean
Knocked Up- The Complete Box Set Page 58
