Page 82 of Always Love You More

Billy looks over his shoulder. “For sure.”

The door shuts behind us, and he stops, turning to me.

“What?” I ask.

“You’re welcome.”

“I would have gotten it changed either way.”

He laughs. “Yeah, but my way was so much easier.” He tilts his head to the side. “Well … I’m waiting.”

“Fine, thank you.” I blow out a breath. “You happy now?”

“So happy,” he says teasingly.

I snort. “You’re such a dumbass.”

“Let me see it,” Billy says, holding out his hand. I pass him my schedule and let him look it over. “We have first period together.”

I glance over at Sam. “What do you have first? We’ll walk you.”

She unfolds the paper in her hand. “English with Mrs. Brown. It’s room 402.”

“All right,” I say, grabbing hold of her hand and starting to lead us that way. Billy moves to the other side of her and follows.

It’s a short walk to the classroom, and I find myself lingering in the doorway, looking down at Sam.

I don’t want to leave her.

Billy breaks off from us, talking to this kid Jeremy who hangs around sometimes.

I lean in so only she can hear me. “Text me if you need anything or if anyone—”

“I will,” she cuts in.

I nod quickly as people move around us, filtering into the classroom. A girl rushes past, nearly running into Sam, and I snake an arm around her waist to steady her.

“Jamie,” she breathes.

“Yeah, baby?”

“I’ve gotta …” Her eyes drift toward the room behind us.

“Oh, yeah, right.”

She leans up, slipping a hand behind my neck, and brushes her lips over mine. “See ya.”

I watch her walk into the classroom and find her seat before turning and walking over to Billy.

“You good?” he asks.

“Yup, let’s go.”

The hallways are almost completely empty now, and everyone is already in their seats by the time we get to class. The teacher’s back is to the room as he writes something on the board. There aren’t two seats next to each other, so Billy takes one closer to the front and I drop into a seat at the back.

I glance around the room, trying to figure out what subject this is. I never actually looked at my schedule. I just followed Billy after he said we had the same class.

There are maps hanging on the walls and a globe sitting on the table at the front of the room, so I’m guessing it’s history or geography.