Chapter 7:
Sunday dragged for both Andy and Sam.
Neither wanted to seem too eager to talk to each other but both secretly wanted to text all day.
Sam spent the day with Jerry and Oliver playing video games at Jerry's house.
Andy spent the day doing laundry and then planning her menu for the week and then going grocery shopping and then she went to Traci's and played with baby Leo and discussed her time with Sam. Traci and Andy both laughed and had a nice time together.
Monday morning Andy woke up to a crash in the kitchen.
She raced to her father's room and got his gun out of his lockbox and went towards the kitchen slowly.
She lowered the gun.
"Dad! You scared me! Jeez."
Tommy looked at her.
"Andy… you shouldn't have that."
"Again… You scared me. I thought you were an intruder."
"Sorry kiddo. I didn't know I wasn't allowed in my own home." He said with a sarcastic bite.
"Dad. That's not what I said." She placed the gun on the counter.
"Andy. Just go to school or whatever you need to do. I've had a long weekend and want to relax on my day off." He grabs a beer and heads for the couch.
Andy bites her lip. She wasn't expecting him till tomorrow.
"Uh… Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"I thought you were gone today too… I uh… I invited a friend over for dinner."
"Kiddo, you know Traci is welcome anytime…"
She licks her lip and puffs out a breath.
"It's not Trace… it's um… it's a boy and it's a date and I wanted to cook him dinner and I already got groceries and I made a plan. Okay?" She rattles out nervously.
Tommy looks at his daughter. She almost never brought boys to the house. The last one had been at least 2 years ago.
"Okay…"
"Okay?" She asks confused.
"Okay. The boy can come over for dinner."
"but…"
"Andy is that what you want or not?" He was starting to lose his temper.
"Yes but um… you… uh will you be here for dinner too?"
Tommy just stared at Andy.
"I do live here…" he said slowly.
"Yes… I know… I just need to give him a warning if he's meeting my father on our 2nd date."
"Second date? When was the first?"
She sighs. "Yesterday. I went to his house and we made lunch together and watched hockey." She didn't add that she spent about 6 hours with him.
"Okay…"
"So um… dad, will you be here for dinner or not?"
"Not. I'm meeting some guys for poker."
Which Andy knew meant he would show up home, drunk sometime after midnight.
"Okay." She said with a smile. She started to go put the gun away and get ready for school.
"Wait."
She turned. "Yes?"
"The boy… who is he?"
"Um… I don't think you know him. He's new to the school. Just moved here." She shifted.
Tommy knew that was a tell. She was hiding something.
"Andrea Grace McNally. Name?"
She scowled at her father's use of her full name.
"His name is Sam. Okay? I'm going to get ready for school."
"Andy… what's Sam's last name?"
"You don't need to check up on everyone I date. Leave it alone."
She returned the gun safely to its spot and headed for her bathroom before Tommy could ask again.
After her shower Andy got dressed and packed her bag she had a short basketball practice after school so she needed her gym bag too.
She was just tying her shoes when her phone vibrated.
"Morning. Do you need a ride to school?"
She smiled and replied.
"Actually Sam. That would be amazing! I'm ready now so just text me when you get here."
"I am already here. : ) "
She smiled and headed out.
"Bye dad." She said as she passed him.
"Bye kiddo. Have a nice day." He slurred. He was already drunk.
She opened the truck door and was assaulted by the smell of blueberries.
She put her bags in the back and hopped in.
"What is that heavenly smell?" She asked.
"Do you like blueberries?"
"Yes."
He hands her a container from the back full of mini blueberry muffins.
"Yum!" She says biting into one.
"Mrs. Brenda always makes tons of food, I think she's trying to fatten me up or something."
"Well you can always send it my way. I don't get anything homemade unless I make it."
He frowns.
"No one cooks for you at home?"
"No. Not exactly a Betty Crocker situation at my house. My mom left a while ago and with my dads work schedule… it's just not very ideal for home cooking."
"I understand completely." Sam agreed.
She smiled.
"So uh… whats with the big bag?"
"Oh. It's my gym bag. I have basketball practice on Monday's and Tuesday's after school till 5."
"Oh…"
"Don't worry, I still have plans for us tonight."
He smirked. "Oh yeah?"
"Yes! I went shopping yesterday and got some yummy ingredients. I think you will be pleased."
"Okay… What time?"
"I was thinking you could come over at 7 if that is okay for you?"
"Yep"
"Good, that way I can shower."
He looked over at her and smiled.
She blushed.
"Do you uh… want me to bring anything?" he wondered.
"Nope. I have everything. Just bring yourself."
"Okay."
They arrive at school Andy hops out and drags her bags out. She puts her backpack on and goes to reach for her gym bag but Sam is holding it.
She grins.
"You holding that hostage?" She asks.
"No… I thought I might walk you… uh where do you go anyway?"
"I have French first period but I need to take this to my locker in the gym." She looks at her watch. She has a good 10 minutes extra since she didn't walk.
"Okay… Lead the way." He says.
"Are you sure? I bet it's out of your way. What do you have first period?"
Sam smiles. "Uh… Personal fitness…"
"Seriously?"
"Yep."
"Okay… I guess it is on your way."
"Yep."
"So anyone in that class you've made friends with?"
"Yeah.. Oliver is actually the first person I met and Zoe is in it too. Um… Noelle too."
"Fun. I only know one person in my French class… well two if we count Jerry."
Sam smiles. "I generally do."
She scrunches her nose and nods. "Yeah I guess."
They stop outside the locker rooms.
"Um I'll be back in like 2 minutes?" She says.
"Okay." He watches her go in the ladies locker room and he heads to the boys. He opens his locker and deposits his backpack then heads back out.
A minute later Andy comes out.
She bites her lip. "Hey."
"Hey… you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine… I just… I'm excited about tonight. I'll see you at 7." She says and then kisses his cheek and turns and walks away towards the French classes.
"Uh… See you McNally." He calls after her.
She blushes but he can't see.
He heads back into the locker room and changes for Personal Fitness class.
Sam's day is pretty normal. His classes are boring although he did actually get a good score on his Chemistry homework. After school, he goes to Jerry's house with Oliver. Jerry's house is the usual hangout spot. His basement is a teenage boy's dream. It has snacks and drinks and games and a big TV and couches. It was Jerry's mom's way of keeping him home and knowing what he was up to but still giving him some freedom.
Andy was having an annoying day. She was embarrassed in French class when her teacher asked her a question in French and she got the answer wrong. Then she had a pop quiz in math that she normally would have aced but she got distracted and didn't notice it had a back until she turned it in. Then the worst part of her day happened during practice.
Stacy blocked and got the ball and she spun to get it back but Stacy stuck her leg out and Andy's ankle twisted with a loud POP and she hit the floor.
"OW OW OW OW"
"Shhh, Andy you'll be okay." Stacy tried to calm her.
"MCNALLY. JONES. WHAT HAPPENED?" Coach yelled coming over.
"Ow."
"McNally hurt her ankle or foot or something…" Stacy said.
"JONES go get some ice."
"Yes sir."
"McNally ankle?"
Andy nods and takes a deep breath.
"I don't think it is broken but it hurts. It made a pop noise."
Coach goes to touch it and Andy flinches.
"McNally… I won't touch it if you don't want me to but I think someone should check it."
"No… Go ahead. I'm just nervous."
"You sure."
"Yes."
He gently takes off her shoe and sock.
Andy holds her breath the whole time.
He gently moves it about a little and watches Andy's reactions.
She is biting her lip and trying not to cuss him out.
Jones is back with ice and a wrap.
He moves it another tiny turn.
"OWWW SHIT… uh… SORRY!" She says.
"Okay… you're done for today McNally. Go get it checked. And rest it. I think your right. It's not broken. Probably a sprain. Ice, rest, elevate, anti inflammatory meds… you know the drill?"
"Yeah coach. Um, can someone drive me home? I normally walk."
"Sure. Jones, help McNally change and get her home then you go home. Try not to trip anyone else today hey?"
She sighs. "Yes sir."
Stacy helps Andy change and gets her in her car.
"Andy, I swear I didn't do it on purpose you know that right?"
"I do. I'm not mad. Hurt yes but I'm not mad Stacy. Thank you for giving me a ride."
"Well coach didn't give me a choice."
"I know… but I'm still thankful."
"Do you need help inside?" She asks when she has pulled in front of her door.
"No… I'll be alright. Thank you."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Andy hobbles inside and sets her bags on a dining room chair. Her dad is not here and the living room and kitchen are covered in beer bottles and dirty glasses and plates.
"Jeez." Andy says out loud. How on Earth could her father have made such a mess in only 9 hours.
Andy gets a trash bag and cleans up all the bottles and gets all the dishes in the sink. Her ankle is throbbing.
She notices it is just now 5. She has 2 hours to get ready for Sam.
She cuts up some carrots and potatoes and puts them in a pan then she seasons the small beef roast she bought and puts it on top with a can of cream of mushroom soup on top and places it in the oven to cook. Then washes all of her father's dishes and cleans up the kitchen.
Then she heads for a shower. She pops 2 pain pills on the way and picks out an outfit. Since she won't be going out she decides on a pair of cotton shorts which will show off her long legs and a regular t shirt with flowers on it. Nothing fancy.
She carefully showers and is sure to shave her legs. She stands on one foot allowing the hot water to flow over her hurt ankle. It is already swelling pretty good.
She gets out and drys off and gets dressed. She sprays a little vanilla perfume on.
Then she checks on the dinner. It is smelling delicious but is not quite finished cooking.
She grabs an ice pack and settles on the couch for a few minutes.
Sam arrives at 7 and can smell something really good before Andy even opens the door.
"Hey!" She says smiling. He looks good in his jeans and tshirt.
"Hey" He says back, he is admiring her long legs.
"Well, come on in." She says with a little giggle.
He steps inside and she shuts the door.
She carefully limps over into the kitchen to check the roast again. It's finished so she pulls it out to rest on the counter.
Sam comes behind her and notices she is only standing on one foot.
"Andy this smells great." He says.
She smiles at him. "It's one of like 4 things I can make pretty well."
"Um… Andy what's wrong with your foot?"
She bites her lip.
"I got hurt at practice."
He gently helps her to the couch. Where she puts her foot back up on the pillow on the coffee table where she had it before he knocked.
"Tell me." Sam says placing the ice he found on the couch, on her foot. Then sitting next to her.
She hissed at the contact.
"Uh… just a regular injury. I was playing and the ball was taken from me so I spun around to get it back and my ankle did not like that."
"Did you get it checked out?"
She smiles. "yes… my coach looked at it and he's pretty used to sports injuries."
"Okay and you were told to do what exactly?"
She stares at him.
"Do injuries make you nervous Sam?"
"No… I just don't want you to overdo it."
"I'm okay. Ice, elevate, meds and rest. I've done 3 out of 4. Rest will come later."
"Nope. You can rest now. No moving." He says with a grin.
"Oh yeah? How can you stop me?" She asks trying to flirt with her eyes.
He leans almost all the way in and brushes her nose with his. Then promptly backs up.
"I'm going to do everything. And you can just rest."
"Sam, I'm fine. All I need to do is serve it up and we can eat in the dining room." She points behind him.
"I can do that." He says seriously.
"Okay. Who am I to resist a sexy man waiting on me." She whispers.
He heard her though and turns and stares.
She blushes and bites her lip.
"Plates?" He asks.
"The cabinet next to the microwave."
He takes two plates out and plates up some dinner and sets them on the dining table that she already had silverware and napkins on.
"Drinks?"
"Fridge." She says standing up to go into the kitchen.
"Nope. Sit. I told you to rest."
She starts towards the kitchen.
"I have to put the ice away. Relax."
He pulls out two pineapple fanta's and heads to the dining room.
She smiles, puts the ice away and goes into the dining room.
They enjoy a nice meal. Sam tells Andy all about Oliver and Zoe getting in a fight in first period and Zoe throwing a volley ball at Oliver's head.
After dinner Sam clears the table and helps Andy back to the couch.
He goes back to the kitchen and puts the leftovers away and he was about to load the dish washer when he remembered it doesn't close properly. So, he gets the dish soap and begins to wash.
"SAM! YOU ARE NOT DOING MY DISHES. STOP. PLEASE?" She yells.
He pauses and looks at her.
"It's fine. Just give me 5 minutes and then I'll come sit with you. Find something for us to watch?"
She's irritated. He should not be washing her dishes.
"Sam, Please just leave them. I can do them later."
"Relax Andy."
She's done arguing. She finds a game show on TV and waits for Sam to come back. It's already almost 9.
5 minutes later he settles next to her.
"Hey." He says wrapping his arm around her.
She snuggles in closer.
"Hi."
Andy puts her legs across his lap and scoots even closer. Sam's hands move instantly. His right hand finds her lower back to offer support and his left hand finds her knee directly in front of him.
Andy leans her face in and brushes her nose against his like he did to her earlier.
"I'm glad you came over."
"I'm glad you invited me. And cooked."
She smiles. "I'm glad you liked it."
"It was great." Sam said leaning in again.
They met in the middle finally and began making out.
Andy wrapped her arms around his neck and Sam moved his left hand to her hip pulling her closer.
Andy is enjoying the kissing but Sam's tongue keeps sweeping her lips and she pulls back.
She stares at him.
His eyes have darkened slightly and he's licking his lips.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
She bites her lip.
"Your tongue…"
He smirks. "Too much?"
"I just…I've never…"
His eyebrows go up.
"You've never kissed with tongue?"
Her eyebrows furrow.
"Nope."
He leans in.
"I can fix that."
She blushes but allows him to continue.
He puts his lips back on hers and sweeps his tongue back against her lips. This time she parts them and then their tongue's are dancing. It's a weird sensation but she likes it.
He pulls back.
"Good?"
"Different."
"But good?"
She smiles.
"I guess." She giggles.
"Andy… it's kinda hot that you are so… um… inexperienced."
"Hey now. Behave."
"I'll try."
Just then they hear a key in the door.
"Shit." Andy says unwrapping her arms and swinging her legs down carefully.
Sam stares wide eyed as a tall man enters. He is stumbling and carrying a brown bag which Sam guesses contains a bottle of liquor.