68 Days And Counting

Chapter Forty Five: On Behalf Of The Entire Family

Maddy's eyes went wide. "Caleb."

Caleb quickly got up, trying to get the pieces back together but it was obvious nothing was working. "Oh my God. Maddy, I'm sorry. Here, here," Caleb threw the pieces back down and we watched as he took his wallet out and handed her American bills. "How much did it cost?"

"$100." Maddy said.

Caleb stopped digging in his wallet, giving made a blank face. "You're funny."

Maddy laughed then sighed. "It's okay. I'll just buy another one."

Caleb proceeded to urge Maddy to take money instead while Sam sat down in between my legs, typing on his phone. When he locked it , he leaned his head back on my lap and closed his eyes. I bent forward, pressing a kiss to his lips and pulling back to see a faint smile on his lips. "You good?" I asked.

He rubbed his eyes before taking my hand. "Yeah, just tired. Are you excited for the day after tomorrow?"

I used my other hand to flick his nose and he swatted my hand away with a laugh. He had seemed really upset when he came with Caleb to pick me up from my dorm. I knew he had come back from therapy that and it irked him and changed his mood. So this was the first laugh I had heard from him all day and I couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, last game." My finger traced to his lips and he kept the content look on his face.

Maddy ignored whatever Caleb was saying to look at us. "This year went by quickly."

Caleb snapped his fingers in Maddy's face. "Don't ignore me. How much do you want? $50? I'll even buy you one of those fancy glass water bottles so you can carry it around and feel cool."

"Feel cool?" Maddy said, looking a little offended.

"Okay," Caleb tried to correct himself but failed, "How about I buy you two waterbottles instead? it's a two for one deal. You can't pass up this chance."

I, this time, ignored their conversation and turned back to Sam. "We go back home in two weeks." I told him. "You get to see everyone."

Sam sighed, his eyes still closed. He shifted so he was closer, indicted with the pull of my hand to bring me closer to him. It took him a moment to speak before he managed to say the words, "Tomorrow, Caleb and I are driving to Bath. Will you come with us?"

He opened his eyes and I stared back wondering if he was serious. Sam had never gone to Bethany's grave after she died. He didn't want to see it. I knew how much it pained him too. And because he's going on the day she died made me bend forward to give him the weirdest hug ever but I didn't care. I just wanted him to know he had my support.

When I pulled back, he looked up at me skeptically. "So that's a yes."

I nodded. "Yeah, of course."

Another presence cleared it's throat, attracting all of our attention. "What's going on here?"

Matteo had a basketball under his arm and his hair was matted to his face by the sweat covering his entire body. Maddy cringed at his appearance and tossed him a towel. "Here, you look gross."

Matteo chuckled, wiping the sweat off his face while mumbling, "Yeah, that's exactly what you're thinking." Matteo put the towel over his shoulder to stick a hand out towards Caleb. "Hey I'm Matteo."

Caleb took Matteo's hand and used it to pull himself off the ground and wipe himself off. "Ah, so you're the famous Matteo. I've heard a lot about you, mate."

Sam groaned. "Stop saying mate. You've barely said it before, stop trying."

Caleb pointed a finger at Sam. "You're annoying, mate." Sam rolled his eyes as Caleb continued his introduction to Matteo. "Like I said, I've heard a lot about you."