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

Current Chapter Posted - April 22nd 2016

I'm so excited because this is the first time in two years that I've posted something PAST chapter sixteen. Most of you know this story was previously stuck on chapter sixteen for two years before I took it down for the rewrite. I just wasn't able to get past it, but it's a damn good thing I practically rewrote this entire craft! In any case, I hope you enjoy this installment as Beer Boy truly makes it his point to always save his Barbie Girl! 

Please remember to vote <3 Happy reading! xo

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{ Chapter 17 } : The Frozen Tendrils Around My Heart 

          "Im joking," Gabriela delivered, cracking a smirk at my startled expression. "Just fvcking with you guys."

Sam's stiff shoulders deflated in relief beside me. He did something then that rendered me a little speechless. Draping his left arm around the back of our booth...his warm fingers slipped down until they brushed my left shoulder casually. When he began playing absentmindedly with my wavy strands, my breath hitched and everyone's eyes caught the gesture with open curiosity. Specifically Gabriela, who's narrowed eyes followed the movement with suspicion.

She took a swig of her beer and gave me a questioning eyebrow.

I ignored her and his touch, and fiddled with my cell phone cover. Because, really, what the hell was I going to say?

"So..." Layla drawled.

Danny's Grill was high with energy, but our booth was so quiet that if someone dropped a pin right now, the sound would resonate. You could practically feel the tension like a thick cloud of smoke in the air.

"Why are we all here?" Gabriela spoke up, directing her gaze only at us four. Not hunter. Just us.

"To play pool," we all answered in unison.

"Right. Then why are we all still sitting here?"

Sam cleared his throat and dropped his hand. My shoulder felt cold. "Because every table is occupied...We're just waiting."

More like stalling, I thought, as I popped open my Pepsi.

Gabby harrumphed and began texting away on her phone. She wasn't trying to be rude. I knew her. This was just her defense mechanism to cope with her issues. Avoid them until they drifted away. She was in the midst of building walls and strong barriers to block out her problems.

Hunter Warren was the biggest problem of them all unfortunately. One she couldn't quite shake off because of us.

Hunter remained fixed on his phone as well, a stoic look etched upon his features. His thumb scrolled through his phone, but his eyes weren't reading or seeing what content lay before them. He was too aware of the red haired beauty lodged next to him.

"So..." Sam tried again.

Not a damn word from any one of us.

In my lap, my phone buzzed with a text message. Layla's name lit my Samsung.

- She's so mad at us. -L

And she had every reason to be.

- I know. I don't even know how to salvage the situation. Impo-fvcking-ssible. -A

- Took the words out of my mouth, Anna. I'm going to kill Josh for this after. I swear, I had no idea he was trying to set them up. Stupid fucker. - L

I shot her a final text, before putting away my phone. My mom always taught me that it was rude to be on your devices when in the company of others.

- Let me know if you need help. - A

This was a fucking disaster. I'd predicted right, but I didn't think it would be this bad. Josh and Sam were making forced small talk and so were Layla and I with our occasional remarks about this and that. Gabby and Hunter were avoiding touch, eye contact and even conversation like a fvcking disease.

Joshua decided to be the plague. "So, Hunter, I heard you got a problem."

Sam cursed under his breath.

For the first time this night, Hunter directed his steely blue eyes at anywhere but his drink or his phone. He propped an elbow along the edge of the table, dangled his beer can from his hand, and gave Josh a bemused smirk. "And what's my problem?"

"You can't get laid."

Gabriela spat her drink out. Layla choked on her saliva and I was stunned into silence.

"F-Fvck, man. What?" Hunter spluttered, placing his drink on the table with a decisive thud as he straightened himself up.

"You heard me," Josh said smugly, eyes brightening with every word that left his big, fat, obnoxious mouth. "We're here to help you fix your problem."

"Wait a minute." Sam jumped in, leaning over me to look at Joshua with wide eyes. "I thought he just couldn't c0me. He's got issues getting it up?"

"Oh my God," I mumbled.

"G-Guys, please," Layla struggled with words.

"And making his girl c0me," Josh added seriously. "I thought maybe you and I could give him some tips and point him in the right direction. You've got this leg m0ve that chicks dig, right man?"

Sam nodded gravely. "This is serious, bro. We're here for you. The lady can't go unattended. Are you at least using your f!ngers -"

"Dude, I think the lady might be the main problem," Josh interjected and cast Layla and I a meaningful glance. "I think you need to leave your girl and find one that responds to your t0uch the right way. You feel me?"

Holy. Goddamned. Sh*t. This was his awesome plan to get them back together - by suggesting that he drop his current girlfriend to be with Gabriela?"

Layla eyed her stupid, chatterbox of a boyfriend like she wanted to kill him.

I was on that boat.

Poor Gabby looked like she was about to lose her dinner on the table. She blanched completely. There was a greenish tint to her creamy complexion.

"Motherfuckers, my performance has no issues," Hunter sneered, glaring at his friends. "Neither does my fvcking d!ck. Back off."

Josh waggled a finger at him. "That's not what you told me when you got pissed-drunk two weeks ago at Dylan and Cole's party."

"Aw," Sam cooed. "It's his heart that's the issue. Told you, Josh, no hard fvcking for this boy. He only makes love. Don't you know that already? What's wrong, Loverboy, did you lose connection with your crazy girlfriend?"

Hunter's eyes flashed but his retort was cut off by Josh.

"We can fix that," Josh repeated yet again. He placed his hand on his chest, right over his heart like a true patriot. "Tell me, Loverboy. Who does your heart desire?"

"Your mom," Hunter deadpanned. "You pieces of sh!t. I've told you a million times to back off and leave me the fvck alone."

Sam clucked his tongue. "Ah. Ah. Ah. Not so fast." He whipped out his phone, and scrolled through his contact list. "I know a bunch of girls who'd be down to fvck you. Or even just s*uck your c0ck. Have it your way."

I glimpsed at him with disgust, along with my two friends.

"Your side b*itches?" Josh remarked casually.

My mouth dropped. Gabby sucked in a deep breath.

Layla kicked him under the table. "Ugh, you fvcking boys! So vulgar. So nasty."

"Nah," Sam denied with a playful smile. "Nate's girls."

"Why do you have their numbers?" I all but demanded. "Your many past lovers, I'm assuming?"

"Lovers?" Sam replayed the word like it was a joke then chuckled darkly. "I don't do the whole relationship thing, sweetheart."

"Your commitment phobia is showing, Sam." Layla rolled her eyes and grunted. "Watch out."

"Damn," Sam pretended to brush off his shirt and face. "Is it gone yet?"

She giggled. Now I rolled my eyes.

"Cut the crap." Hunter's voice boomed between us with fury and anger. Recognizing the threat, Sam and Josh instantly faltered with their devious plans, not wanting to play with fire. "My pen!s has no problem. I can get 0ff and I can get my girl - or any girl for that matter - 0ff without a problem as well. Are we fvcking clear?"

It got awfully quiet in the booth. Crystal clear, I thought.

Until Gabby decided she wanted to play with inferno. "You sure about that?"

Hunter's head whipped her way so fast, as if he was truly shocked that she'd uttered a word to him, that I'm surprised his neck didn't crack with the jerky movement. He blinked at her once. Twice.

To be fair, I was surprised she'd spoken, too.

This was going to go downhill if their changing expressions were any indication. No one would be keeping up false facades anymore. I resisted the urge to cover my eyes, since I couldn't step out of the booth, courtesy of Sam's big strong body blocking my exit.

"Hey...I think one of the pool tables cleared," Layla piped in awkwardly.

Hunter and Gabby had other plans. He angled his torso her way and jutted his chin defiantly. "What's that supposed to mean, Bri?"

Bri? They were on nickname basis?

Tossing her head back, Bri laughed without humour. "What do you think, Hunt?"

"I don't know," he hissed through clenched teeth. "I wouldn't be asking you otherwise, huh?"

She flipped her long red hair behind her shoulder, hitting Hunter in the face with her straightened locks. His eyes closed briefly, before opening narrowed and calculated. "We both know you've got performance issues."

He cursed. "Fvck, Gabby."

"What? It's the truth." They crashed gazes and you could see the unresolved feelings of hurt and longing swirling in both of their depths. "You came way too fast the last time we slept together."

Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Horrified, Layla and I looked at each other across the table. Shots. freaking. Fired.

"Yeah," Hunter laughed sarcastically. "After you c*ame within thirty fvcking seconds of me t0uching you. I didn't even have to e*at you out."

Gabby's nostril's flared. "You saying I'm easy?"

Hunter feigned indifference as he toyed with his empty beer can. "Never said that, baby."

"Ugh, you're impossible," Gabby yelled, then she shoved at his arm. "Get out so I can get out!"

Hunter reclined against the booth until his long frame was sprawled casually in his seat. Every muscle of his was tight with edginess, and that's what gave him away. He wasn't unaffected. "Not a chance. Stop being a coward and running away from shit. Be a grown up."

"Grown-ups don't lead each other on when they have respective girlfriends and boyfriends."

Hunter sprang up like fire lit his ass and gathered his keys and wallet in one movement. "I'm not a cheater. I'm not a fvcking cheater, Gabriela. Get that through your thick skull."

"Oh wow. Some advice. Some actual words. Too bad they mean nothing to me," she snarled. "He thinks with the head between his shoulders and not the one between his legs for once. Wow. Amazing."

Hunter grasped her by the upper arms and dragged her out of the booth. Anger clouded the better portion of his face and suddenly, we were all in motion, fumbling out of the booth, trying to put an end to this disastrous evening.

Gabby froze as Hunter leaned into her personal space, crowding her, before Sam grabbed a hold of him and held him. Josh was right there with him. I stepped closer to Gabby with Layla.

Mortification swept over Hunter as he realized what we'd thought and he flinched, terrified at the prospect of harming Gabriela in any sense of the word. He ripped himself away from her and the boys.

"Don't give me that b*itchy tone, Bri," Hunter snapped, hurt. His eyes darted over her like he was memorizing the details of her face. "I don't deserve it."

"You don't deserve anything but my anger."

"Why?" he cracked, his voice wavering. His eyes shot heavenwards. "What did I do to have you hate me so much? You. Ruined. Us."

"Maybe you should have told me you had a girlfriend before we fvcked," she shouted, tears glittering her waterline, as she slapped his outstretched hands away from herself.

Layla inched forward to close the distance between her, but Gabriela simply batted her away.

"I wasn't with her then, you knew that." The look on Hunter's face burned with an intensity I'd never seen before on anyone. In that moment, I understood how much she meant to him..or had meant to him. "You know that. Those weeks we were together. You and I. No one else."

This was turning into a soap opera as our group drew in the unwanted attention of curious patrons lingering around the bar side. I curled an arm around Gabriela's bicep and hushed to her. She wouldn't have it, as she jerked herself away from me, too.

"Bullsh!t." Her lips trembled as she spat at him. "You were on a fvcking break with her, Hunter. You used me. But guess what? I'm done. You're not worth my thoughts."

Hunter stepped back, shaking his head bitterly. Defeated. Exhausted. Ripping himself from Sam and Josh once again - who were immobile with surprise beside him - he swung around for the door. "No. I tell you I love you and you run out on me. You used me and turned me into one of your fvck buddies. That's what's pure bullsh!t. I didn't deserve that. And you know what else isn't worth it? You. I'm done chasing after someone who doesn't want me."

As pain slithered through Hunter's shuttering eyes, he stormed out of the pub without another word.

The moment between the rest of us was still - frozen somewhere in time.

Until Layla and I reached for Gabriela at the same time and it shattered like a broken mirror. I sensed the shift inside of her before I physically saw it. The way she locked gazes on the door from which Hunter Warren had just escaped. She shook off our advances when she realized what we were doing. "Please, don't touch me."

"Gabs," Layla said ruefully.

She pushed her hair back with both hands and clasped them behind her neck, letting out short shallow breaths. When she was trying hard to hold back tears, she...usually did that. I couldn't comfort her. She couldn't comfort herself. It was always a lose-lose situation. "Sorry. I just need to be alone right now. I'll catch you guys later."

There was no room for argument. Her departure was met with more silence.

"It's not worth it," I repeated Gabriela and Hunter's words as I shot a look at everyone's guilty faces. "Let her be, Layla. We'll talk to her tomorrow."

Layla sighed and pivoted in her boyfriend's direction with a scowl. "No offense, hon, but you're a fvcking idiot."

Josh's mouth hung ajar as he threw his hands up defensively. "Hey! At least I got them talking. Otherwise they'd never even look at each other."

Layla narrowed her eyes. "You're lucky I love you."

"Aw, baby. Me, too."

My shoulders slumped and I shook my head. I wasn't really mad at Joshua, because he was right. If it weren't for him, they would have never spoken. It was the situation that just sucked. That was the cold hard truth of their reality, and we couldn't exactly do anything for them besides attempt to give them a push in the right direction.

"I love you more, Sugar."

Layla winked and blew Joshua a kiss. "Right back at you, Daddy."

"Excuse me while I go motherfvcking gag," Sam replied with a sick expression. He threw me a look over his shoulder as he whirled around. "You joining me, Barbie, as these two continue to talk about how much their lives would suck without each other?"

"Oh, you love it," Josh egged Sam on a little more. "Can't wait to see the day until you're pu$$ywhipped."

Sam snorted and simultaneously rolled his eyes. "Whatever the fvck you say, Sugar Daddy."

*           *            *

Lay and Josh left soon after. They didn't bother finishing their drinks since, apparently, Layla had to babysit one of her many "bratty" cousins tomorrow early morning. She all but demanded that Joshua drop her home after we finished hugging.

"We should get going soon, too," I told Sam as I watched Layla and Josh's retreating backs.

Sam's big body was casually reclined on a barstool, a thick forearm resting on the bar top as he nursed a tumbler between his nimble fingers. Thankfully it was just a soda. He sipped it carefully as he eyed me over the rim of his glass. "What's the hurry?"

I graced him with my most dubious look. "Our work here is done, no?" A short laugh escaped me. "Actually, your work - you and Josh's- is more than done. I'm fairly certain Gabriela and Hunter will never breathe a word to each other again."

"He's just being a guy and she's just being a girl," Sam said flippantly, "They'll live through it."

My gaze stayed on his as he tipped the drink to his sensual mouth and took a pull, his masculine throat working with the hearty swallow, adam's apple moving up and down with the motion.

Sam licked his lips when I remained quiet. "Now tell me, Barbie." A glint of amusement flickered in his green depths as he jerked his head in the general direction of the pool tables. "How does a rematch sound to you?"

Great, actually, I thought, my mind in the gutter as it tried to imagine the feel and warmth of his mouth, wondering how that bottom bee-stung lip would feel against mine. Oh, God. Was I totally thinking of... Holy shit.

My phone vibrated in the pocket of my shorts and saved me. I held up a finger, a little embarrassed. The ringer shut off before I could answered. It was mom.

"I got to take this," I said with an apologetic smile, yet grateful for the small distraction. Anything to get me to stop thinking about Sam and I, and God knows what else. "It's my mom."

For the briefest moment, his weary eyes held mine when he saw I was headed towards the entrance. A reassuring look on my part had Sam dismissing me as he wheeled around on his stool, and went back to ignoring me, resuming his lazy position as he drank.

My lungs filled with the breezy night air once I set foot outside of Danny's Grill. I dialed my mom's number now that I was away from all the rowdiness of the boisterous place. Until every voice and laughter was just a low drone in the background.

She picked up on the third ring.

"Hey, Mom. You called?"

Her groggy voice filled my ear. "Sorry, darling," she murmured. "Must have been a pocket call. I'm getting ready for bed. Come home soon, will you?"

"Will do. Love you."

We hung up shortly.

For a fleeting moment, I stayed outside, basking in the feeling of the warm night breeze prickling against my bare skin. The soothing sound of the nearby tree leaves rustling filled my ears, along with chirping crickets. There was music and bass and laughter not too far behind. I closed my eyes, taking a moment to soak it all in.

That was my mistake.

Because my momentary sanctuary was shattered by an obnoxious noise. A rude catcall drifted over to me and the hairs at the back of my neck stood up in high alert as my brain registered the sound of an unmistakable drunk Connor O'Malley.

God, this was happening to me a lot lately.

He stumbled forth, emerging from the dark alleyway located adjacent to Danny's immense brick structure.

Razor-sharp eyes weighed down by intoxication consumed their fill of me - eyes that I used to see in my nightmares - as his big hands wiped away the ashy blonde hair out of his sweaty face.

My body went through a lock-down, as a hot poisonous substance trickled through my veins, paralyzing me on spot. My muscles hardened and my eyes bulged out of their sockets. The only mark proving that I was a living, breathing creature was the huffs of oxygen that I inhaled and exhaled at rapid successions.

Connor O'Malley, fvcking bastard, recognized me after all this time. How could he ever forget me? How could I ever forget him? He swayed on his tall frame, before standing up as straight as he could possibly muster up in his inebriated state.

He laughed sloppily with a touch of drunkenness as he eyed me like I was fresh meat. I wanted to retreat, to go back inside and seek refuge in the presence of Sam, but I couldn't move, damn it. I couldn't move. This was like the alleyway all over again, except last time I couldn't put a name to those guys. They were faceless. They didn't matter.

Connor O'Malley? I knew him. He mattered.

He held the ability to break everything about me - everything I spent one and a half years building. Mending. Fixing.

"Well, well, well. Look at what we have here," he slurred, the sound grating my nerves. "If it isn't the wh0re of the town. Aye. Looking for a good fvck between those t*ights legs? I'm right here, Anna baby."

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry. Dammit. My eyes stung, yet I still couldn't move my legs. They were like heavy logs, planted in their respective spots as Connor advanced towards me in a prowling manner.

It was like deja vu and my mind wired back to a time where I stood timidly inside Joey's kitchen. We'd only been dating for three weeks then and he'd brought me home to hang out with his friends. I knew Connor had a thing for me, because he'd never been able to conceal it. The way he looked at me made my skin crawl. Joey had excused himself, turning his back to take a call from his dad. Connor took that opportunity and his stony shell had crumpled as he'd begged me desperately to make love to him...to leave Joey...to... I don't even know what. He didn't take my rejection well then, and I knew he wouldn't take it well now. He'd also had no shame then and he certainly hadn't gained anything remotely similar to it now.

Nausea had my stomach rolling in painful motions and I barely held the vomit at bay.

"D-Don't come near me, you sick fvcker," I managed to hiss, recoiling from him as he neared. Somehow my brain kick-started as the flight and fight response entered in, causing my legs to budge. I only managed three steps before gasping, "Stay away from me, Connor!"

My voice wavered, sounding frail and weak. I hated it.

He threw his head back and laughed maniacally, the glazed and bloodshot quality of his eyes catching me off-guard. Who knew what other drugs he'd mixed with alcohol.

"Missed me, girly?" The bit of Irish accent was emphasized on his tongue. "God knows I have. You just disappeared after Joey, eh?"

I was walking fast towards Danny's Grill, my long legs eating up the distance of the short parking lot. My heart pounded a furious beat against my ribcage and all I could think about was spotting that familiar face - Sam.

Connor's steps weren't too far behind.

He laughed like the monster he was, but I didn't turn around to witness his expression. I knew what would be there. Hunger...the $exual kind. The rap*ist kind. One that wasn't mutual.

"Aye, where do you think you're going?" His hand clamped around my wrist and the grip was so bruising I caved in and gave out a cry, pivoting around. That only spurred him on, his eyes glinting wickedly at the sound emitted. "That pu$$y's got my name on it tonight. Joey's had his chance. My c0ck's ached for you for two years now. There's three hundred dollars in my pocket and they've got your name on it. What do you say? Make it worth my while, baby. You're going to get on your kn*ees and s*uck it like you've always wanted to."

I cried again - this time in absolute disgust - and that only pissed him off as he crushed my hand in his and pulled me roughly against his chest, his horrendous alcohol infiltrated breath evading my senses. My stomach churned and I heaved.

Somewhere in the far corner, I registered the entrance door to Danny's open as Connor tried to stupidly haul me against the brick wall. I screamed and kicked him, struggling to be free.

I wasn't like this. I was stronger. I was never a damsel in distress. For fvck's sake, I'd learn how to fight and defend myself. But for some reason I couldn't apply any of my knowledge to my current bloodcurdling situation.

The nightmares came rushing back in a flurry of images and I saw myself standing there, outside of Westwood High, where Joey attended school, being verbally abused in front of all those people...all those guys...all those fvckers who'd betted hundreds of bills on my v!rginity. All those bastards who wanted a run at me now that Joey had his fun.

"Let me go! Let me go!" I yelled at the tops of my lungs, my eyes burning with unshed tears, as Connor dragged me like a rag doll. Drunk or sober, he'd always been freakishly strong despite his lanky built. The alcohol and drugs running wild in his system only heightened his natural aggression. "You sick m0therfvcking bastard." I spat in his face and loved the satisfaction that coursed through me at witnessing his shocked expression. "I'll kill you."

Connor growled, jerking me against him. My head came within two inches of being banged against the brick wall, but I caught my footing on time, my forearm suffering a minor graze in my attempt to fight against him. "Shut the fvck up, b!tch," he snarled, his spit flying everywhere. "Once I'm through with you, my friends are having a go-"

A sickening crunch echoed in the air and Connor dropped dead at my feet.

Or at least I hoped he did.

Sam's chest heaved up and down with untamed anger as he glared down at Connor, rage and fury contorting his beautiful features in a way I'd never seen before. Looking like a possessed man, Sam bent down, retrieved a half-alive-half-dead-looking Connor from the ground and clocked a solid one on his jaw. My eyes flinched shut at the sound of crushing bone.

When Connor groaned, showing traces of life, Sam's control snapped like a taut elastic band. He swung another one at Connor until he was barely conscious. Like those guys in the alleyway, Connor could never be a match for Sam's caliber.

Connor may have attempted a measly punch at Sam, but an uppercut and a sharp jolt to his ribs had Connor falling short. Sam kept going at it until I came to my senses and screamed with realization, rushing to stop him.

Sam ripped his arm away from me when I reached out for him. Panting. Swinging another punch blindly at Connor. His eyes were not seeing anything beyond the Irish scumbag in front of him.

"Sam!" My voice boomed with panic and I placed myself between him and Connor's unconscious body.

Sam looked affronted, his eyes blazing with an unnamed emotion as he looked me over like I was insane for putting a stop to this.

"Sam." I ran my hands down his arms for the first time, feeling the tense and bulging muscles bunch beneath my touch. "Sam. Please. Breathe."

His laboured breathing levelled out, and then his eyes were scanning my face, my body, and my face again. He searched for signs of...I don't even know what.

"Are you okay?" I asked him now, just like he'd asked me all those times. I was winded and out of breath, but I was trying. He had to be okay.

"I let you out of my sight for two minutes, Barbie," he growled, deep breaths escaping him. "Two minutes and this is what happens. How long was he harassing you? Fvcking tell me."

"J-Just now. I-It's okay, Sam, you-"

"It's not fvcking okay!" he snapped, eyes taking on a wild edge as he grasped my upper arms and shook me. I was already shaken. "I've told you a bunch of fvcking times not to go out alone at night - "

Angry that he was treating me like a little child who couldn't take care of herself - because really, I'd been taking care of myself for a long fvcking time - in an emotional fit, I spat out, "Well you let me go on my own, too!"

The rest of my words got stuck in my throat. Sam's eyes connected with mine as painful realization dawned upon them. His shoulders slumped in defeat. I winced at what I'd just released and Sam sighed deeply.

Damage was done. I looked at the ground, folding my arms around me as Sam counted under his breath, raking his fingers frustratedly through his mussed hair.

"You're shaking," he remarked, voice returning to its normal baritone, but with an hint of franticness.

And I was. I'd just encountered a blast from the past - one Samuel had just pummelled the life out of. Almost. Practically. I didn't want to think of the consequences of his actions or mine.

"Anna," Sam pegged softly, his big warm hands back on my arms. "I'm sorry for lashing like that at you. Barbie, I didn't mean it." He rubbed them up and down. "You scared the fvck out of me, is all. I'm sorry. Open your eyes for me. Please."

My answer was to throw my arms around him and tuck myself into his embrace. Shock coursed through Sam for a split second, before his tense body relaxed and molded itself to mine perfectly, holding on tight as I shook.

"I didn't mean it." His sweet plea was muffled by my hair. "Don't be mad or scared. Please. You're shaking." He squeezed my waist and his lips moved against my temple. "Don't shake. Please. I didn't mean it. Tell me you're okay at least, and that he didn't hurt you more than I can see."

I tightened my arms and pressed my mouth to his strong neck. "I'm fine." It was the truth. In this moment, it really was the truth.

Connor may have laid his hands on me, and caused me a tremendous amount of revulsion, but seeing Sam act as my beacon of light, I felt elated. I'd always fought my battles. I was never a damsel in distress who needed rescuing... not until Sam came along at least. I was capable of putting up my own in fights.

But I needed someone right now. Even if that someone manifest itself as Samuel Adams.

"Okay," he breathed, his hands falling to the small of my back and pressing me impeccably closer to him. "Okay."

The feeling of elation lifted off and our surroundings sunk in. We were still in the empty parking lot of Danny's Grill, with an injured Connor O' Malley at our feet, and an entire populace of people inside of the pub house. If someone peeked through the windows, they'd see the scene we painted.

Like I was scorched by his touch, I flinched away from Sam, my hands dropping at my sides. "O-Oh, my God. W-We need to leave now, Sam. If someone sees Connor, t-they'll call the cops-"

"Hold the fvck on," Sam said incredulously. "You. Know. This. Guy?"

"No. Maybe. Yes." I tugged at his hand impatiently, steering him in the direction of his bike. "Let's just go home and leave him here while we have the chance. P-Please."

God, I didn't want Sam in trouble. I didn't want Connor to remember him. I didn't want him to press charges. I didn't want the cops involved. I didn't want Sam involved. I didn't care about me, right now. I just wanted Sam out of harm's way.

And just like that, my Beer Boy was back.

"Slow that fine a$$, Barbie," Sam murmured, clutching my waist once again. "No one's going anywhere. I need a drink first. I'm two seconds away from killing him, so I need to decompress. We're going to go back inside, where I'm going to tell my friend, the guy who owns this place, to have one of his men fetch this jacka$$ right here and make sure he's alive so I don't have to deal with the cops. No one's getting in trouble. No one's going to jail. And certainly no one is dying."

I didn't believe him.

"I promise, Anna," Sam whispered, holding my eyes. "It's going to be okay. Trust me."

I swallowed and gave a hesitant nod, my fingers curling around his wrist like he was my lifeline.

He smiled at that and gently pried my fingers off his skin, before placing our hands together. He squeezed and warmth seeped through me at the small contact, reaching up and up, higher and higher, until I felt it spreading and weaving around my beating heart and melting away the frozen tendrils housing my vital organ.

For the first time in a long time, my insides no longer felt cold.

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A/N's: Again, I'm sorry if there were any mistakes at the end! I hope you enjoyed this installment! I know I enjoyed writing it! Leave me your thoughts in regards to Gabriela and Hunter, Layla and Josh, Sam and Anna and their moment and evil Connor O'Malley! I thought this chapter was something more funny and a breath of fresh air!

Thank you for getting this story to #28 on Romance category!