Chapter 7: Violet

Thirty minutes later, the four of us are sitting around my grandparent's small round table enjoying the BLT's she just whipped up since they are Sam's favorite. Extra mayo, heavy on the lettuce, one thick slice of tomato, and bread lightly toasted-just the way he likes it. He must have worked up an appetite fixing the leaky pipe. He's already wolfed down two sandwiches and is set on devouring a third. And we only sat down ten minutes ago. Naturally, my grandmother fusses over him the entire time.

I turn my attention to my grandfather and can't help but notice that he looks tired. Maybe even a little pale. He's nowhere near as animated as usual. A prick of concern flares to life inside me. "How are you feeling, Gramps?"

His face creases with wrinkles as he flashes me a smile. "Just trying to shake this bug I've picked up. Other than that, I'm right as rain." He takes a small bite of his sandwich before chewing it methodically. When he finishes, he asks, "And how's my favorite girl doing? Are classes going well?"

I tear off a hunk of bread before popping it into my mouth and nodding. "Everything's fine. Classes are all good."

"Have you thought about submitting applications to any other law schools?"

My grandfather was a district attorney for twenty years and then a circuit court judge for another fifteen. I think he's proud that I've decided to follow in his footsteps just as my father had before me.

Since I'm well aware of the response my answer will elicit, I say offhandedly, "No, I think three schools are enough." I'm leaning toward Barnett for obvious reasons.

In all fairness, the university does have a top-notch law program. I know he'd like me to look further away, but the idea of being more than a three-hour drive from them is tough for me to consider.

As expected, he levels me with a steely look as if he knows why I'm set on continuing my education close to home. "You don't need to stick around here, Violet. Your grandmother and I are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. We think it's important for you to branch out and experience life somewhere else. Maybe look at UCLA or Berkeley. How about Columbia in New York? This is a wonderful chance for you to live somewhere you've always dreamed of. Don't squander an opportunity like this by not considering all of the possibilities that are out there." His eyes skewer mine. "You'll only regret it in the end."

You know what I would end up regretting?

Not being there for them when they needed me. Not spending time with them when I could have because I know all too well how short life can be. So, it's highly doubtful I'll regret not moving further away at this point. I have my entire life for that. And honestly, I like living here. This is my home. And my grandparents are the only family I have.

I glance down at the half-eaten sandwich on my plate and shrug in response. This isn't the first time we've had this conversation. And, because my grandfather is stubborn and only wants what's best for me, it won't be the last. A moment later, Sam slips his hand around mine before squeezing it.

When my gaze flickers to him, he gives me a smile in return. That's the thing about Sam, he totally gets me. He understands why I make the choices that I do, and he doesn't try to change them. He accepts and supports me, no questions asked.

"Barnett's a good school, Gramps," I finally say. "Why do I need to live somewhere else when I'm perfectly happy here?"

Given the fact that my grandfather was a cagey lawyer in his day, he's learned when to pick his battles. And clearly this is one he's not going to win. Instead, he turns his attention to Sam and asks, "And what about you, Samuel? What schools did you end up applying to? I imagine you've set your sights on expanding your horizons a little broader than my granddaughter."

The corners of my lips curl upward as my grandfather gives me a little wink.

Sam shoves the last bit of BLT into his mouth and swallows it before guzzling down half his glass of water. "I threw in an application at Barnett as well but I'm also considering Cornell and Columbia."

Looking thoughtful, my grandfather nods. "All excellent schools. I would expect nothing less from you."

"I'm trying to decide if it's worth retaking the LSAT."

"Oh, please." I can't help but roll my eyes at that bit of nonsense because Sam scored a freaking one seventy-two. The first time taking it. The guy is so damn smart, it's almost sickening. That being said, I couldn't be prouder of him. Sam was the valedictorian of our high school graduating class and now, going into his senior year at Barnett, he has a near perfect grade point average.

While academics have always come easily to him, that isn't the case for me. I have to keep myself focused and organized, biting off little chunks and continually working toward my goals instead of cramming or waiting until the last minute. And I definitely can't have Sam sitting next to me in every class, even though that's how we could have arranged our schedules, or I would end up flunking out. The guy barely has to pay attention. Hell, he probably doesn't even need to attend, but he always does. He never misses.

Sam smirks as his deep blue gaze locks on mine. "What?"

"You scored a one seventy-two on your LSAT. I would be throwing a party if I ended up even close to that." I got a one sixty. Not terrible, but not great by any means, which sums up my academic career perfectly. A little better than middle of the road. "If anyone should be retaking the entrance exam, it's me. I don't even know why you're applying at Barnett. You could get accepted at Harvard Law, if you wanted." I'm not kidding about that either. The thought of retaking the LSAT makes a cold sweat pop out across my brow. That test was brutal. I thought my brain was going to leak out of my ears with all the hours Sam and I spent hunkered down studying at the library.

He shrugs before shifting self-consciously on his seat. Sam has never been one to brag about himself, his family, or his achievements. Like everything else in his life, he keeps it tightly under wraps.

And I get it.

There's a lot of pressure on Sam to achieve great things and follow in Derek Harper's illustrious footsteps. Sam's father is a state senator, so it's important for him to keep a low profile and not do anything that will garner bad press. He doesn't go to parties or bars and get shitfaced or out of control. Nor does he sleep around so that his sexcapades end up splashed across those stupid websites that are solely dedicated to the Barnett football players.

Maybe other twenty-two-year-olds would chafe and feel resentful about that kind of pressure heaped on them at such a young age-the stress to conduct himself like he's in his thirties rather than early twenties-but Sam handles it well.

Most people at Barnett, even those who know him, don't realize he's related to the state senator. And that's exactly the way Sam likes it.

"We'll see what happens. I haven't decided where I want to go yet. My dad attended Columbia." He flashes a brief smile. "He's hoping I'll end up there."

"Nothing wrong with that," my grandfather says, "as long as that makes the most sense for you."

His words are a sudden reminder as to the inevitable changes next year will bring. I can't help but think about how different everything will be when Sam heads off in one direction and I go in another. We've been entangled in each other's lives for so long. Not a single day goes by that I don't see or talk to him.

The thought of Sam being somewhere else, living a life without me, sends a little pang of sadness shooting through me. We've been at each other's side for the last eight years. I suppose I'll have to get used to it. I can't see Sam sticking around here for another three years.

Something shifts in his eyes. It's like he knows exactly what's churning inside my head. Needing to shake off the sudden melancholy, the corners of my lips lift into a brief smile before I finish off the chips on my plate.

"I should probably head over and say hello to my parents." With that, Sam rises to his feet. For someone so big, he's agile. "Thanks for lunch, Mrs. Winterfield."

"I should be the one thanking you for coming over here on a Sunday afternoon to fix the toilet. I'm sure you have better things to do with your time."

Sam's smile softens before he leans down and plants a quick kiss on my grandmother's cheek. "It wasn't a problem. I can stop by anytime you need help."

"You don't mind if I hang out here, do you?" I ask.

He shakes his head as if expecting no less. "Nope, I won't be long. Then we can head back to campus."

Even though I love Sam's family, I'd rather spend more time with my grandparents.

And like everything else, he gets that as well.