Chapter Text
The heavy scent of hay and horses was a welcoming aroma for Sam as she made her way into the Three Ponies barn, needing a break from all the celebrating going on outside. She lifted her long auburn hair off the back of her neck, wincing at the perspiration gathered there. Summer had rolled in with vengeance, the desert sun its merciless companion.
She slowly made her way down the center aisle, smiling at all the heads turning her way, in search of one horse in particular. They may not always be the best of friends, but Sam knew this mare could understand her feelings right now better than just about anyone. She found her at the other end of the barn, watching Sam approach with mild curiosity.
"Hey Witchy girl," Sam crooned, reaching out to rub her velvety black nose.
Jake's temperamental mare tossed her head, stomping her hoof against her stall door, most likely in protest of Sam's nickname for her.
"You're gonna miss him too, aren't you?" Sam sighed, not at all phased by Witch's behavior. She leaned against the stall door, crossing her arms over the top before resting her chin on them, watching the mare drop her head to munch on some hay while her mind floated back to the night 6 months ago when Jake had taken her hand in his, effectively altering their friendship in ways Sam had yet to fully understand.
Once the initial shock had worn off on that cold December night, a fluttering warmth had erupted deep in Sam's belly as she followed Jake across the bonfire to talk to Kit, his warm, large hand engulfing her smaller one. He hadn't let go until his family was ready to leave 45 minutes later, giving her palm a squeeze, his arm bumping affectionately against hers before he slowly disentangled their fingers. Sam immediately missed the contact between them, and spent the rest of the night ducking away from Jen's wide-eyed gaze like her life depended on it, too overwhelmed to put her feelings into words.
Ever since, Sam had felt their dynamic shift ever so slightly into something... more. Now, whenever she saw him approaching, those butterflies started dancing again, her heart speeding up in a way it never had before. Of course, it all fell away once he started to annoy her, but she had to admit those moments were becoming few and far between.
And Sam wasn't sure if she was making things up in her head or not, but she swore Jake had been acting differently towards her as well.
He was always just, there, his hand brushing against hers as he handed her the grooming brush, his knee bumping the outside of her thigh while he pulled Witch up alongside Ace, sending shivers of excitement down her spine. She was pretty sure she'd touched Jake more in the last 6 months than she had over the past 6 years combined.
She'd also caught him staring at her multiple times in the lunch room when her gaze had been inexplicably drawn to his, both of them quickly looking away as soon as their eyes met.
She wasn't sure what it all meant, but she knew she really didn't want it to end, which was why she wasn't exactly in the mood to celebrate Jake's graduation. In a few short months, he'd be leaving for college a couple hours away, and Sam wasn't sure how often he'd be back.
"Hey Brat. What're you doing all the way in here? I've been looking all over for you."
Sam jumped at the sound of Jake's voice only a few inches behind her, startling her from her reverie, her hand flying to her chest.
"You really gotta work on your situational awareness." He came to stand next to her at the stall door, shaking his head.
"Yeah well, you really gotta stop sneaking up on people," Sam grumbled, her heart jumping at the sight of him in spite of her annoyance. The graduation ceremony had been so hectic this morning Sam had barely had a chance to even congratulate him before they rushed back home, getting all their chores done so they could make it to his celebratory dinner at the Three Ponies tonight. Jake was as dressed up as Jake was going to get, wearing a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans. He looked handsome, older somehow, than he had yesterday.
"You better not be feeding her any sugar cubes." Jake's eyes narrowed in on her dress pockets with suspicion.
Sam held up her hands in defense. "Don't worry, I'm not. We're just having an old-fashioned bonding sesh. Someone's gonna have to look out for her once you leave, you know."
Jake nodded his agreement, casually leaning his arms against the stall door, clasping his hands in front of him. Their forearms were touching now, as were their shoulders, his body so close she could feel the heat radiating off of him. Sam froze, staying perfectly still, not wanting to break the spell.
"Yeah, I was thinking 'bout having you run through some exercises with her this summer."
"Really?" Sam glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, surprised he'd even consider it. Witch could be testy, and Sam knew how he felt when it came to her safety.
"If you wouldn't mind checkin' in on her every once in awhile. Quinn and Nate said they'd help, but I don't know how reliable they'll be."
"Of course I don't mind, Jake. I'd love to help. I'm sure she'll get used to me in the next 2 months."
Jake winced, dropping his gaze to his hands. "Yeah, about that. It'll have to be more like 6 weeks."
"6 weeks?!"
Witch gave a snort of contempt at her shout, Chocolate Chip echoing her in the next stall over. Sam bit her lip, realizing just how loud she'd been.
Jake merely raised an eyebrow at her outburst.
"Sorry, that was loud. But seriously, 6 weeks? Why are you leaving so early?"
"Cross country practice starts early August."
"That's so soon." Sam felt her shoulders slump, her heart dropping as reality sunk in. Jake would be gone before the summer was even over.
"No need for the long face Brat. I'm not gone yet." Jake gently nudged her side, his arm pressing more firmly against hers. In a moment of emotional vulnerability, Sam leaned into his touch, resting her head ever so slightly against the hardened muscle of his upper arm.
"And here I thought you'd be happy to be rid of me."
Sam couldn't help but give a small smile, shaking her head. "A year ago, maybe. But now..." she trailed off, unsure of how to finish that thought without giving too much away.
Luckily for her, Jake was a man of few words who required even less from others. He hummed in response, leaving Sam to wonder if that meant he felt the same way too.
They continued to stay there like that in the silence, leaning against one another while they watched Witch try to stay awake, her eyes drooping closed every few seconds. Sam was hyperaware of every place her body came in contact with Jake's, her body thrumming. She tried her best to commit this moment to memory in case it never happened again. As the minutes went on though, she began to relax, her head resting more heavily against him until she heard Brynna calling for her from the other end of the barn.
"Samantha, are you in there?"
Sam sighed, waiting a second before reluctantly lifting her head, leaning back to stare down the aisle at her step-mom.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"I'm sorry honey, but we gotta get going. Cody's late for his bedtime, and your dad's gotta be up early tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll be out in a minute."
She turned back to Jake, only to find him already watching her, a soft yet unreadable expression in his mustang eyes.
"I have to go," she said lamely, as if he hadn't just heard the whole conversation.
"Wanna meet me back here first thing tomorrow? We'll start workin' on getting you two better acquainted." He jerked his head towards Witch.
"Sure." Sam's face broke into a smile, more than happy that Jake was staying true to his word, at least for now. "Hey, congratulations by the way." She waggled her eyebrows. "College boy."
Jake huffed a laugh, straightening away from Witch's stall. "Thanks Brat." He walked forward, stuffing his hands in his pockets, jerking his head for her to follow. "Let me walk you out."