Page 76 of Always Love You More

She doesn’t.

He takes a step forward, and the second he does, so does Johnny.

“Sam,” her brother says, the word a warning.

Her hand drops from mine before she goes to her brother.

Johnny shifts so he’s between her and my father. “Thanks for having her,” he offers. He holds out his hand, and my father takes it, shaking it roughly.

Johnny gives Sam a look that has her stepping forward, glancing from my father to my mother. “Thank you for dinner,” she mutters.

“Anytime,” my mother answers before pulling Sam into a hug.

Sam goes still, her arms slack at her sides.

“All right,” Johnny interrupts. “We should go.”

My mother backs up. “Let me know about shopping.”

Johnny takes in the two of them, confusion etched into his face.

“I’ll walk them out,” I offer, looking to my father for permission, which I get in the form of a grunt.

Sam and Johnny come up beside me, and I lead them out through the living room to the front door. When we get to the porch, Sam stops, and because she does, so does Johnny.

He looks down at her. “What?”

“Can you … you know?” She waves a hand. “Leave us alone for a minute?”

“Why?”

She groans. “I want to say goodbye and don’t want my brother standing over my shoulder.”

“Fine,” Johnny relents. “But I’ll be right over there.” He points at me before leaving. “You remember what I told you, right?”

“Don’t think I could forget a threat like that,” I mutter.

“What threat?” Sam asks.

“Nothing,” Johnny and I say at the same time.

She puts her hands on her hips. “What threat, Johnny?”

“Just reminded him what the consequences would be if anything happens to you,” Johnny responds. “What would happen if he hurt you.”

“He won’t,” Sam says firmly.

Johnny ruffles her hair. “Relax, Bug. I’m just doing my job.”

She swats his hand away, smoothing down the strands he just messed up. “Which is?”

“Making sure you’re taken care of.” Before she can respond, he turns and starts down the front lawn. “Saygoodbyequick,” he throws over his shoulder. “I’ve gotta get back.”

Sam turns, looking up at me. “What’d he say to you?”

I start to answernothing, but she cuts me off.

“And don’t say nothing.”