Bradley Point of View
Chapter 11 – "Just Friends"
The months go by and Carol had to adjust to not having her mother. She checked in on her father at home and work, Alan always glad to see her. Work was the one place she could busy her mind, keep herself occupied.
Carol had spent more time at Sam's apartment than she had at her own. Charlie had teased her she should move in with him, which always got her a dirty look.
The just friend thing was proving to be harder by the day and she knew it. Sam was her very best friend, he is her constant. She often found herself waking up in his bed, wishing she had done more than just sleep.
Sam never complained about her coming over at all hours of night and letting herself in. He had told her this was their place and that's exactly what it was, theirs.
Working at ENCOM was becoming somewhat difficult. Sam's yearly prank on the company and her being Alan Bradley's daughter made some of her coworkers think she wasn't a company girl. The whispers in the hallways and the strange looks in the break room were just some of the things she endured. To make matters worse, Edward Dillinger had taken an interest in her and was quiet vocal about his intentions toward her.
Charlie was the only thing she had that wasn't connected to ENCOM. Every chance the two of them got they would go out of town or to the lake house for a girls weekend. It was on one of these weekends that Carol Ann finally understood what Sam really meant to her.
Carol needed some space from everything so Charlie picks up from work and they head to the lake house. Fall was on the verge of being over and winter about to take over. The wind was blowing cold and the leaves were almost all gone.
They get to the lake house late, both of them exhausted. Charlie heads for the kitchen to make some sandwiches. Carol Ann checks her cell for message before turning it off.
"Hey, Carol Ann, you want mustard?" Charlie shouts from the kitchen.
"Sure. Charlie, have you talked to Sam today?" Carol places her cell on the counter.
Charlie looks at her, noticing a worried look on her face. "No, haven't you?"
Carol shakes her head, taking a sandwich from the plate. "I told him Thursday I was going away with you this weekend and that's the last time I spoke to him. Do you know what he's doing this weekend?"
"Carol Ann, if you're so worried about Sam then call him." Charlie grins at her, the eyes smiling brightly.
"No, I'm not going to do that. I need a break and that's what I'm going to do. That Dillinger boy won't leave me alone and that is really starting to piss Sam off. I told him I'm not interested in him and we had a promise not to see anyone till we figured out what we are." Carol looks up from her sandwich to a glaring Charlie.
"Figure it out; what the hell do you have to figure out? Let me run a few things down for you. You spend more time at his place than our apartment. You don't date; you don't go out clubbing with me or any of the girls at work. I've catch you in his bed more than once and you swear you two are just sleeping. He's told you that he loves you and you've told him that you love him. The only thing you have to figure out is why the hell you are so afraid of losing him. The only thing you two aren't doing is having sex or are you?" Charlie grins and wiggles her eyebrows at Carol, ducking as she throws a kitchen towel at her.
Carol chews the last bite of her sandwich and marches up stairs. She puts her pj's on and climbing in bed. Charlie knocks on the door, peeking her head in. "Sorry, Carol Ann but you needed a big dose of the truth. How long do you plan on dragging this thing out because I'm sure Sam will let you? He loves you and if you don't want his love tell him so. I don't want my two best friends to hurt each other."
Carol sits up in the bed, sadness dripping from her face. "I love him Charlie so I guess I'll do the right thing and tell him friends are all we'll ever be. I love him too much to hurt him."
Charlie shakes her head, patting her on the leg. "You really don't get it do you. Even if you tell him friends is it he'll still be in love with you. You're going to have to tell him to date other people or you're going to have to start dating. It's like watching a Shakespeare tragedy. You two KILL me!"
The weekend comes and goes, leaving Carol with a heavy heart. Should she or shouldn't she set him free. The one thing she didn't want to do was lose him.
Sunday night finds Carol at Sam's apartment. She flips the apartment key in her fingers, staring at his door.
Sam raps on her car window making her jump. "Holy shit Sam, you scared me to death."
Sam chuckles hard at her, opening the car door. "Did you have a good weekend? I've missed you."
Carol steps out of the car into Sam's waiting arms. He hugs her tight, both of them holding their embrace.
She pulls back from him taking his hand. They walk into the apartment, Sam kissing her on the forehead. "You're being awfully quiet. What's up Carol Ann?"
"Sam, you know I love you and I know you love me but I just can't get pass us being friends. I'm sorry if this isn't what you want to hear but you've been my friend as long as I can remember. I don't know when or if I'll ever be ready for more. Please tell me you'll still be my friend. I'll be lost without you." Carol's blue eyes look pleading and full of sorrow.
Sam sits on the couch next to her, taking her hands in his. "I can wait and don't tell me to give up on you. You're my best friend, I love you. Whatever this is between us I'd rather have it with you than have some fake relationship with anyone else. Carol Ann Bradley, you over think everything. Just friends, I can handle that, as long as I have you."
Carol starts crying, her body giving in to her sobs. She leans into Sam's strong arms, weeping on his shoulder. "I love you Sam. I'll stop over thinking it and just let it be."
Sam pulls her up from the couch, placing his hands on each side of her face. Their eyes lock as Sam pulls her into a kiss. Carol's body goes limp as she kisses him back. His lips feel like home, this is where her lips belong. His hands on her face, his lips on hers, his body against hers, this was the right thing.
They slump to the couch, their bodies still intertwined. Sam pulls back from the kiss, his breath coming hard and fast. "Are you staying tonight?"
Carol smiles at him, her hands still wounded in his hair. "Yes."
Sam moves in to kiss her again when she places her index finger on his lips. "To sleep Sam, nothing else."
He kisses her on the forehead, holding her tight. "Sleep. Like I said, I'll take what I can get."
