*Sam's POV*
I arrived at Cassandra's house with Millie, both of us carrying our gifts. It was Cass's birthday, and we were ready to celebrate.
But as soon as we stepped inside, we were met with an unusual sight. Austin and Cass, wrapped in a tight embrace, their shoulders shaking. They were crying.
Millie and I froze, exchanging panicked glances. What happened? Did something go wrong?
"Cass?" I called out cautiously.
Cass must have sensed our confusion because she turned to us with a bright, tear-streaked smile.
"They're happy tears!" she said, laughing as she wiped her face.
Austin turned to us, grinning ear to ear. "She said yes! It's official. She's now my girlfriend!" he announced, practically bouncing in place.
It took a second for Millie and me to process before we both screamed in excitement, rushing to hug Cass. The three of us jumped up and down like kids, celebrating the news.
"Finally!" Millie laughed. "We've been waiting for this to happen!"
"Oh my god, finally!" I said, squeezing her tight. "I'm so happy for you!"
Cass laughed through her tears. "I can't believe it either. But it just felt right."
Austin chuckled. "Took me long enough, huh?"
Millie smacked his arm. "Damn right it did! We've been waiting for this forever!"
The celebration continued as we popped open some drinks and dug into the feast Cass's family had prepared. Laughter filled the house as we talked about all the times Austin and Cass had danced around their feelings.
As the evening progressed, Millie and Cass turned their attention to me.
"So," Millie started, a mischievous look in her eye. "Have you decided? About the trip? Are you finally coming with us?"
Cass joined in, giving me a hopeful look. "Come on, Sam. You know you want to."
I sighed, pretending to be reluctant. "I don't know..."
"Oh, come on! It's my birthday! You can't say no" Cass pulled the ultimate guilt card, giving me the best puppy eyes she could muster.
I sighed, still pretending to think it over. "You guys have been bugging me all summer."
"And?" Millie pressed.
I groaned dramatically before breaking into a smile. "And... fine. I'll go."
Cass and Millie cheered while Austin smirked. "Good. Because it's gonna be a trip to remember."
Cass turned to Austin. "Hey, you're coming too, right?"
"Of course! It's our first trip as a couple. No way I'm missing that." He grinned.
Then, without missing a beat, he added, "Oh uhmm... Actually, can I... bring some friends?"
I felt the air shift. Silence settled over the table. We all knew exactly who he meant.
Cass, Millie, and Austin turned to me, waiting for my reaction.
I forced a neutral expression. "I mean... I wouldn't mind, but... wouldn't Ashley get mad?"
Millie and Cass immediately nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's probably not a good idea," Millie said. "She seemed to dislike Sam."
Cass frowned. "It would be awkward."
Austin let out a deep sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... it's not really my story to tell, but I guess you guys should know. Ashley and Nate broke up."
'Shocked' was an understatement. Our jaws practically hit the floor.
I blinked. "What?"
Millie gasped. "You're kidding."
"Nope," Austin continued. "Months ago, actually. It just wasn't public knowledge. They didn't really make an announcement about it or anything."
I sat there, stunned. My mind raced to process the information. For months, I had assumed they were still together. For months, I had carried this invisible weight, thinking that the awkward distance between Nate and me was necessary because of Ashley. And now... now I was hearing that she wasn't even in the picture anymore?
Millie was the first to speak. "Wait, what happened?"
Austin sighed. "It's not my place to spill the details. But let's just say... they both moved on. Ashley's happy, Nate's doing his best. They're still friends. No hard feelings."
Ohh, I see now... so that's probably what Nate meant when he said, "no one will get mad anymore" when we were talking at dinner last night.
I wasn't sure why my heart felt heavier instead of lighter.
Cass glanced at me. "Then... does that mean you and Nate can be friends again? I mean, there's no reason for Ashley to be jealous anymore."
I opened my mouth, then closed it. I didn't know how to answer. "I don't know," I admitted after a moment. "It's been too long. Things are just... so awkward now."
Austin was watching me carefully. He leaned forward slightly. "Sam, you should know... Nate regrets everything."
I looked up sharply. "What do you mean?"
Austin exhaled, looking down at his hands for a second before meeting my eyes again. "He wants to make things right with you. He's been wanting to for a while now, but... I think he's scared. Scared he already lost you."
My fingers tightened around my glass. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears.
"He never wanted to hurt you, Sam," Austin continued. "And he hates himself for it. I don't think I've ever seen him so..." he trailed off, struggling to find the right word. "Lost."
Austin continued, "He's one of the best people I know. I just hope you can forgive him one day."
I forced a small smile. "Well... we all have regrets, don't we?"
Austin frowned like he wanted to say more, but I quickly changed the subject, turning the attention back to Cass and her birthday, and our upcoming trip.
The laughter and excitement soon returned, but a part of me still felt stuck in that moment, replaying Austin's words over and over in my mind.
-----
A few days later, I was packing my bag for the trip. Five days. A beach house outside the city. Just us, finally taking a break from law school. I should have been excited.
But my mind kept drifting back to Austin's words.
Nate regrets everything.
I shook my head, zipping my bag shut. No use thinking about it now. This trip was supposed to be fun, not an emotional rollercoaster.
Downstairs, I found my mom setting down a cup of coffee. "Leaving already?"
"Hey, Mom," I said. "I'm so sorry for leaving you alone for five days."
She turned to me with a smile. "Sweetheart, you don't have to apologize. You deserve a break."
I still felt guilty. "I'll call as often as I can."
She laughed. "Go enjoy yourself. Just bring me back some souvenirs."
A honk from outside made me grab my bag. "Well, that's my ride. See you in a few days!"
I grinned and kissed her cheek before heading outside.
I stepped out and saw Austin in the driver's seat, Caleb in the passenger's seat, and Millie and Cass in the back. I climbed in and slid into the seat beside them before greeting everyone.
Then I instinctively glanced around. My stomach twisted slightly.
No Nate.
I felt... disappointed? That didn't make sense.
Cass and Millie exchanged knowing looks before Cass smirked. "Don't worry, Sam. Nate's following in his own car. He had some errands to run first."
My eyes widened. "I wasn't—"
"Why? Miss him already?" Cass teased.
"No, I really wasn't—"
Millie burst out laughing. "Yeah, yeah, sure you weren't looking for him."
Cass nudged me. "Admit it, you wanted to see him."
"I was just checking who was here!" I protested.
"Right," Millie said, rolling her eyes.
I crossed my arms, glaring out the window as they giggled beside me. Maybe they were right. Maybe a part of me had been looking for him. And I just wasn't sure how I felt about that.
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