Chapter 21

Sam was almost shy as she and Jake went into dinner later. Jake tried to keep his mouth from twitching as she dragged her feet.

"What's wrong, Brat?" he asked, though he knew.

Sam flicked her eyes to his and she punched his arm at the hint of amusement she saw in them.

"What if they heard me?" Sam hissed.

"I can just about guarantee they did unless they've suddenly been struck deaf," Jake said, earning himself another punch to the arm.

"I can't help it," Sam moaned.

"Sam, we're all adults here," Jake told her. "I'm sure you didn't shock anyone."

"Really?" Sam asked softly, with a hopeful look into his eyes. Then she saw the humor and frowned.

"No, not really," Jake had to laugh and paid for it with a punch to the arm.

"Jake, I can't go in there," Sam whined, peering around the corner.

"I'm teasing, Samantha," Jake smiled at her. "Trust me, you can't be any more shocking than Quinn in your hot mama shirt."

Sam grinned. "That's true."

"I wish I could have seen him losing to you," Jake chuckled, taking her hand and pulling her with him.

"He was so cocky beforehand," Sam laughed. "Though he took it like a man and only whined twice."

"Good evening," Maxine looked up from her knitting to greet the two of them.

"Good evening," Sam echoed, peering at everyone from under her bangs.

They were all looking at them and Sam blushed. Luke's, Maxine's, Quinn's and Nate's faces all broke out into grins. Sam glanced up at Jake and he was grinning. She hit him again which caused everyone to start laughing.

"So Samantha, I hear you had fun today," Luke told her as she and Jake sat on the couch.

Jake chuckled under his breath at Sam's little squeak.

"Uh, ah," Sam stammered.

"I think he's talking about the video game with Quinn," Jake choked out into her ear.

Sam blushed even deeper and Quinn burst out laughing.

"I wouldn't laugh too hard while wearing that shirt, young man," Maxine teased her son.

"I am hot aren't I?" Quinn pretended to preen. Of course, with Quinn it probably wasn't pretending.

"So, are you wearing that when we go out tonight?" Nate asked.

"Shoot, that's tonight?" Quinn frowned.

"Yep," Nate nodded.

"I'm sorry, Sammy…," Quinn began.

"Oh no!" Sam yelped. "You're wearing that all day. That was the bet."

"Sam, I can't go out to the club like this," Quinn looked down at the shirt he was wearing.

"If that was the bet, then you need to keep it on," Maxine put in.

Quinn looked at his mother, then at his father who raised his eyebrow at his son.

"Oh perfect," Quinn threw up his hands and stalked towards his room.

"He's not used to losing," Nate laughed.

"Then he shouldn't have made the bet," Luke shrugged.

"I don't want him…," Sam began.

"Oh no, he'll get over it," Nate continued to laugh. "I can't wait to see everyone's face when he shows up with that shirt on."

Nate headed back towards the rooms, still laughing at his younger brother.