Starting Over.

Chapter 31 - Sam’s get together.

“You guys are like a half hour late!” Sam said with her hand on her hip.

“Sorry I didn’t want to wear my work clothes.” I said walking in. David followed closely behind. The house was only two down from mine. The layout was identical.

“David!” A short blond man walked out from the kitchen. He had a short neatly groomed beard and looked a if Sam dressed him up.

“Garrett!” David and him shook hands and then shared a half hug.

“Will told me you finish got a girlfriend.” Garrett said and I tried to his my giggle.

“Yes this is Ryan.” David pulled me to him.

“Oh so the rumors are true.” Garrett said and everyone looked at him.

“Yep, I have a girlfriend.” David nervously laughed as Sam walked over and smacked Garrett’s arm.

“Ow! What!?” Garrett said.

“What is wrong with you! I told you!” Sam scolded him as David led me into the living room where Angela was working on a glass of wine.

“Hey Angela.” I said as we both sat down.

“Weird to see you in jeans and a t-shirt Mr. Featherman.” Angel said.

“Isn’t he cute all dressed down?” I said kissing his cheek.

“Angela, when we’re not at the office. Please call me David.” David said before Garrett poked in.

“David the pool table is set!” Garrett said.

“Alright!” David said slapping his hands together while getting up. “See you soon.” He said leaning down and giving me a quick kiss before walking out.

“No bets David! I mean it!” Sam said walking past him carrying two wine glasses. She handed one to me and sat down.

“So how are things?” Angela said and they both were suddenly at full attention.

“Things are good.” I said taking a sip of my wine.

“Oh they are are they?” Sam laughed putting her hair up. I noticed suddenly she had a odd marking on her neck. I wasn’t sure if it was a scar or a tattoo. I felt it would be rude to ask, so I looked away suddenly.

“So are you feeling a love connection?” Angela asked.

“What’s that mean?” I asked.

“It’s something most the girls in town refer to when they found the one or think they have.” Sam said taking a drink.

“You know, being with him is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I don’t want to jump the gun, but I do feel a real connection with him.” I said and they squealed.

“I’m texting the group chat you said that right now!” Sam said and I awkwardly laughed. I felt my phone start buzzing like crazy.

“Tomorrow we’re having dinner with Will and Audra. I’m kinda nervous.” I said and they both stopped.

“Is George going to be there?” Sam said flatly.

“I heard he was going out of town.” I said.

“Oh, good. Ok.” Sam said and Angela awkwardly looked away.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Will and Audra, super nice. George and Harmony… they can be mean I heard.” Angela whispered.

“No, more like they’re very full of themselves. George’s nickname in highschool was The god. So annoying. We’re lucky he’s not in the family business.” Sam said.

“I’m sure that would be hard with his mayor duties.” I said.

“Yeah being the mayor is really tough.” Sam said in a funny voice. They both laughed but then stopped when they saw I wasn’t laughing.

“Why’s that funny?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” Sam said and I started to get confused.

“It’s ok, it was just a joke we do. Kinda inside joke. We pretend we’re George and make a funny voice.” Angela said and slowly nodded.

“Oh, ok.” I said but I wasn’t fully convinced. It felt like Sam was making fun of me. The night carried on like normal. We talked about work and joked until David came out talking to Garrett.

“No! Twenty was the highest remember?” David said.

“We’ll rematch!” Garrett said.

“David I said no bets!” Sam said annoyed.

“It was only twenty and he wants to double or nothing so talk to him.” David said and I stood up.

“I’m ready to go.” I said with a smile.

“Going? But dinner isn’t ready.” Sam said.

“Oh I’m just really tired.” I said and David rubbed my back.

“Ok! We’ll see you tomorrow then?” Angela asked.

“Yes of course!” I said and faked a smile.

“Garrett, next time we’ll bring Will and then.” He pointed at Garrett.

“I know I know! Audra will never let him play again after he whipped us both last time.” Garrett said and they laughed. David waved at everyone and bid them a good night. We walked out and started down to my house.

“So why did you want to leave. It’s only nine, and I figured you guys did all night ragers.” David said as he grabbed my hand.

“I felt like at one point Sam made fun of me. Then I was just kinda offended.” I said and David walked up to my door putting in my code. We walked inside.

“What did she say?” David asked.

“She made a funny voice and made fun of how I called George the mayor it felt like.” I said and David looked at me confused.

“Then what happened?” He asked almost concerned.

“They told me it was a inside joke that everyone made fun of him. They called him the god or something in highschool.” I said and David smiled.

“I don’t think may people made fun of him then and a lot of people respect him. His word is what goes and yes. They did call him the god in highschool. He loved that nickname.” David said.

“So they were making fun of me? Is he really the mayor?” I asked and David smiled at me.

“Yes Ryan, he’s the mayor and no one was making fun of you.” He said coming up and hugging me.

“If you say so.” I said returning his embrace.