Carry Me Home Tonight – 10
It only took Rachel an hour to realise that she had just made a bad mistake in asking Noah Puckerman to the Sadie Hawkins dance with her. What on earth had she been thinking? She had never really been the type of girl to mess around with peoples feelings, and yet in the space of a few hours she had messed around with four people. Puck, by asking him when in reality she didn't want to go with him, Quinn, because of all the history between her and Puck, Tina, it was obvious Tina liked Sam but if Rachel had just been honest from the start about her feelings for Sam, then Tina wouldn't be going to the dance with someone who didn't really want to go with her. And of course….. Sam. His feelings mattered the most to her. She couldn't run from him any longer. Why was she trying to fight happiness? It didn't make any sense to her.
She bit her lip and picked up her phone, quickly typing out a text and pressing send before she could change her mind.
RACHEL: Hey. Are you free to come over? We need to talk. Xx
She held her breath, watching the screen on her phone….wondering if he was going to reply. Luckily she didn't have to wait long.
SAM: Are you sure you aren't too busy with Puck? Wouldn't want to disturb loves young dream.
She frowned at the text and replied, her fingers typing quick out of annoyance.
RACHEL: Stop being childish. Please come over? It's important. Xx
She started to panic when she didn't receive an instant reply. She had never been any good at being patient. She jumped five minutes later as her phone beeped.
SAM: Be over in ten.
SAM: X
She couldn't help but smile as the text with the kiss came through. She felt anxious for the next ten minutes, jumping every time a car drove down her street. Eventually, she saw him pull up outside. She quickly checked her hair in the mirror, took a deep breath and opened the door before he had even knocked. She ushered him in quickly, not knowing what to say now he was finally stood in front of her. She knew what she should be saying, but somehow the words had all got stuck in her throat.
He shoved his hands in his pockets as he waited for her to say something, before pulling his hands out again and fiddling with the lining on his top. He was nervous too.
"What is it Rachel? Why did you need me to come over?"
She stepped closer to him, and was about to reach out for him before she decided against it, taking a step back to where she had just been.
"I … I can't tell you so quick. Just give me a minute. I'm not good at this, I've never been in this position where I have to explain things."
Sam raised an eyebrow and looked like he was about to laugh.
"You are good at telling me you can't be with me. You are good at running away from me. You are good at inviting douchebags like Puck to school dances, but you can't tell me why you needed me to urgently come over? Come on Rach. Don't give me that."
His tone was soft. She knew that he had turned her world upside down in the last week. She knew that he was all she could think about. She knew that there was no way she could go to the Sadie Hawkins dance with Noah Puckerman. She just needed to say it. She closed the gap between them and took his hand in hers. She had expected a fight, but he kept still as she wrapped her fingers round his, his gaze never leaving her face as she looked up at him.
"You were right Sam. Earlier, in the choir room….. when you said I keep trying to sabotage us….you were right. None of this has been easy. From the moment you started talking to me, there has been drama after drama. You have pulled apart the person I am bit by bit, you told me you dated a bitchy cheerleader after berating me for being one, you kissed Quinn, we have had fights, we have agreed to go to a stupid dance with other people….. we have had ups and downs right from the start. But I have been using all of those as a way to not be with you. Because whatever is happening inside me is scary. I don't want to feel this way about you, but I have resigned myself to the fact that I do. So that is why I needed you to come over. I needed to try and explain that….. unfortunately…. I ….well, I like you."
Sam stayed perfectly still. They were so close to each other that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. Just when she thought he wasn't going to say anything, a smile crept onto his face, showing his dimples.
"Wow. I'm not entirely sure about that speech at all Rach. I mean… I think it was nice but it's hard to tell with the way you said things like "Unfortunately you like me" and "you don't want to feel this way about me" but I think I'm just going to have let all of that slide because what you are actually saying is…. Well….. you like me?"
She nodded, and couldn't help the smile forming on her lips at his question.
"As if you didn't know."
Her voice was almost a whisper. There was no need to talk loudly to each other, they were so close. She could see every detail on his handsome face. The way one of his dimples were bigger than the other, the little crinkle next to his left eye when he smiled. He was gorgeous.
"I'm sure this doesn't come as much as a surprise but…. I like you as well. I mean, of course you know that. I've been telling you every day for the last week."
Her smile turned into a grin at his words, and he leant forward, kissing the tip of her nose softly.
"This means no more running. Do you think you can do that? We have to make a go of things properly. All this drama we have been having, it needs to vanish. I want to concentrate on us now. You are important to me Rach, we need to work on us. "
She nodded in agreement, then buried her head in his chest as he wrapped his strong arms around her. It was amazing how just by doing this, he instantly made her feel safe. She breathed in the scent of him, knowing that whatever happened now, she wouldn't be able to run from him. She missed him when he wasn't near her, her heart ached every time she thought about him. She knew she owed it to both of them to make it work.
She placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heart thump wildly. She loved feeling his heart beat that fast, because it meant that she wasn't the only one who felt out of her depth. She looked up at him, biting her lip in worry as she knew he wouldn't like what she had to say.
"I will tell Puck tomorrow that I can't go to the dance with him. But Sam, I need you to still go with Tina."
Sams eyes widened as he stepped back from her. His hand rested lightly on his shoulder as he shook his head slightly.
"What? I can't. I want to go with you. Come on Rach, I've just got you back."
Her smile turned into a frown as she pushed him gently.
"Don't be selfish. You accepted Tinas invite, you made your own bed and now you have to go. Sam, I know these people, remember? Tina is fragile. For her to ask you in front of everyone was such a huge deal. She hurts easily. You can't let her down now."
Sam ran a hand through his hair as guilt flashed through his eyes at her words.
"But wouldn't it be kinder to tell the truth? The only girl I want to be at any dance with is you. Tina seems like a nice girl, I don't want to be unkind by lying."
"No. You can tell her that you just want to go as friends, but you still have to go. It's hard enough being in Glee club at that school, I don't want anyone picking on Tina because the quarterback decided to not go to a dance with her. All we have to do is pretend we aren't together for a few more lousy days until the dance is over, then we can be a proper couple."
Now it was Sams turn to frown.
"What? You want us to pretend we aren't a thing. I don't think I can do that. Not now I have only just made you see sense."
She grinned as she ran a hand lightly down his arm. She couldn't fail to notice his shiver as she did so, making her belly turn to mush.
"It's just a few days Sam. Do it for Tina."
"But you get to tell Puck you aren't going with him, why do I have to play by different rules?"
Rachel rolled her eyes, still grinning at the look on Sams face. He was one step away from full on pouting. She was finding him unbelievably cute at the minute.
"Because Puck can talk any girl at that school into going with him. And Puck isn't sensitive like Tina. Stop sulking, my Dads will be back any minute and I need you to kiss me before you go."
Sams eyes lit up as she spoke. He folded his arms across his chest, looking down at her, clearly amused.
"Oh, you NEED me to kiss you do you? Well that is unfortunate seeing as you have just lectured me about how we have to pretend we aren't together for the next few days."
Rachel shrugged her shoulders, and turned her back on him as she headed for the front door, opening it wide.
"OK. I'll see you at school then. See you later Sam."
He blinked in shock as he stepped towards her.
"But you just said you needed a kiss. You can't just usher me out."
She kept a straight face and nodded.
"I did say that yes. But you made it clear it won't be happening so like I said, see you later."
His forehead crinkled in confusion as he tried to figure out if she was being serious or not. He pushed he open door shut, looking into her eyes as he leant towards her.
"I see what you are doing Rachel Berry. Reverse psychology. It's working. You win."
She backed away from him just before his lips could touch hers, grinning with mischief.
"I wouldn't want to make you do anything you aren't comfortable with."
He groaned, pulling her towards him, caressing her neck with his hand as he kissed her on the cheek.
She laughed as his hot breath tickled her ear.
"Shut up and kiss me Rachel."
His voice was a low growl, making every nerve in Rachels body tingle.
Her arms snaked around him as she closed her eyes, leaning in for the kiss. As soon as they met, she knew this was what she had been waiting for all day. She knew it was what was meant to happen between them. She had always been a firm believer in doing things that made you feel good, and kissing Sam was one of the best things she had ever done in her life.
Her lips parted slightly as he kissed her harder. He had clearly missed her as much as she had missed him. She had always watched the movies where the two leads immersed themselves in the perfect kiss, and here she was, living it. It wasn't just the way Sam made her body feel when he kissed her, it was everything. It was the way he kissed her as if he would never kiss her again. It was the way one hand stroked the back of her neck as he found her tongue with his. It was how he pulled her waist closer to him with his other hand. It was the emotional level on which they were connected.
She was certain nothing could ever feel as good as this. Ever since that first kiss with Sam, she had wanted to run her fingers underneath his shirt. She wanted to feel the body that drove all the girls wild at school. She lifted the hem of his shirt slightly, her breathing faster as she realised what she was about to do.
She soon broke out of her trance as she heard a car pull up on the driveway. Her Dads were back. With a groan she broke apart from Sam, smiling apologetically. She was dizzy and flushed, hoping that she would calm down before her Dads saw her.
"My parents are home. You have to go."
He smiled cheekily as she rushed him towards the back door.
"Probably for the best that they came back when they did. You definitely know how to drive me wild."
She blushed as she opened the back door, smiling at him sweetly.
"I don't know what you are talking about. See you at school tomorrow. "
He chuckled, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
"See you tomorrow beautiful."
He hurried out, she closed the door just as her Dads came through the front. She went to greet them, jumping as her phone beeped in her pocked.
SAM: Missing you already X
Her Dads stared at her while she giggled at her phone.
RACHEL: It's been two seconds! Xx
"Is there something you want to tell us Rachel?!"
Her Dads exchanged amused glances at each other as they watched Rachels cheeks burn red.
"No, nothing at all. I have finished my homework, today was exhausting. I think I might go for an early night."
She kissed her Dads goodnight and ran up the stairs two at a time, feeling so happy she thought she might burst.
Then she collapsed on her bed, grinning from ear to ear as she held her phone in her hand, waiting for Sam to get home so he could text her back.
She couldn't wait for tomorrow.
A/N – Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed or favourited this story. I can only apologise for the long wait between chapters. My laptop broke months ago and only just been able to get a new one.
Will try and update this again asap.