Chapter 20

"Jakey's so jealous," Quinn turned to look over at Sam. They were on their way to Reno for the weekend. Bryan was driving his Yukon. Nate was in the front seat beside him and Quinn was in the backseat with Sam. Quinn had his arm around her shoulders as she leaned into him resting.

"I wish he could have come," Sam murmured.

"He wishes too," Nate said.

"Somehow I doubt he wishes he could come because of Adam's store," Bryan joked, causing all three of the brothers to laugh.

"Well, I care about Adam's store, but I'd like to see Jake too," Sam retorted.

"I don't think he cares a bit about Adam's store," Quinn laughed. "It's all you, Sammy."

Sam couldn't help the smile. She knew it was true. She and Jake talked or text just about every night. Sam was confident about Jake's love. She knew he was confident about hers as well.

Quinn saw the smile and smiled down softly at the girl nestled against his chest. She smiled up at him. Quinn kissed her forehead and Sam shut her eyes when he did. She loved Quinn, but she did wish that Jake was there instead.

She heard Quinn's low chuckle and Sam quickly opened her eyes to look at him. She could tell by the look on his face that he knew what she had been thinking. Sam giggled and Quinn hugged her closer.

"What are you two doing back there?" Bryan asked, looking in the rearview mirror.

"Sammy's fantasizing," Quinn laughed.

Sam's jaw dropped. "I am not."

"Sure you were, Sammy," Quinn teased. "You're in my arms, but fantasizing that my arms are someone else's."

"Mine?" Nate teased from the front seat.

"Dream on, big brother," Quinn laughed. "It wasn't you."

"Must be me," Bryan laughed.

"Close, but not quite," Quinn told him.

"Kit!" Nate crowed. "I knew Sammy had a crush on Kit."

"What?" Sam yelped.

"Nope, not Kit either," Quinn was laughing hysterically.

"Has to be Adam," Bryan said with a sigh. "No wonder Sammy invited herself to come with us this weekend."

"I didn't invite myself," Sam huffed. "Your mom invited me."

"After you got down on your knees, grabbed her and bawled like a baby," Quinn responded.

"I did not," Sam slugged him.

"Ow Sammy," Quinn complained. "Do you hit Jake like that?"

"When he deserves it," Sam grinned.

The three guys chuckled.

"Somehow I don't doubt that," Bryan said, meeting her eyes in the mirror.

"Ask him, he'll tell you himself," Sam shrugged.

Sam's phone rang and she dug it out of her pocket. Her face broke out into a smile.

"Three guesses who that is and the first two don't count," Quinn announced to his brothers. Sam swatted him, sat up and answered her phone.

"Hey," Sam's voice was soft. She heard all three guys snort.

"Hey," Nate imitated Sam's voice.

"Hi," Jake's voice rumbled in her ear. "Are they being obnoxious?"

"What do you think?" Sam laughed.

"We love you Jakey," Quinn said into the phone.

Jake groaned as Sam laughed.

"Are you glad you're at school?" Sam asked.

"Heck no," Jake was adamant. "I'd put up with them if it meant I could be with you."

Sam sighed. "I wish you were with me."

"I bet Jakey wishes he were too," Quinn burst out laughing. Nate gave Quinn a look.

"Hand Quinn the phone," Jake told her. She did.

"Hey Jakey," Quinn greeted his brother.

"You're an idiot," Jake told him.

"Now why would you say that?" Quinn asked, pretending to be hurt.

"She doesn't have any idea what you were talking about, but I do," Jake said. "Some of us build a relationship before we have sex."

"You're eighteen years old," Quinn laughed. "How long are you going to build?"

"Until we're both ready," Jake told him. "Lay off."

Quinn saw that Nate was looking at him and Bryan was watching him in the mirror.

"Okay Jakey," Quinn promised. "For now. Just get to it, huh?" He handed the phone back to Sam and put his arm around her again.

"What was that about?" Sam asked Jake.

"Nothin'," Jake assured her. "I love you."

"I love you too," Sam sighed.

All three Ely brothers riding with Sam gave a loud sigh and Sam rolled her eyes.