Forbidden Ties

Chapter 18: An Interrupted Proposal.

Sam's P.O.V.

The smell of coffee and fresh toast greeted me as I walked into the kitchen, my steps lighter than they’d been in weeks. A tiny smile tugged at my lips as I glanced at my phone, the latest message from Kyle lighting up the screen.

“Can’t wait to see you today. Last night was incredible.”

I bit my lip to keep from grinning too much.

Sliding into my usual seat at the table, I tried to act nonchalant. Tried, because no one else in the room was supposed to know just how much I was glowing inside.

Apparently, I wasn’t subtle enough.

“Big smile so early in the morning,” Jax said, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he took a sip of his coffee. “Let me guess, it’s Kyle texting you?”

I glanced up from my phone, his eyes boring into mine from across the table. For a split second, I hesitated. I could brush it off. Laugh, say something vague. But no. If Jax wanted to play this game, I was ready.

“Yes,” I said simply, letting the word hang in the air. “It is Kyle.”

His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but I didn’t give him time to respond.

Before the awkward tension could fully settle over the table, a familiar car horn blared from the driveway. Kyle’s timing was impeccable.

“That’s him now,” I said, standing and grabbing my bag. “He’s giving me a ride to school today.”

“Really?” Jax leaned back in his chair, eyebrows raised in mock surprise. “How… sweet.”

I ignored the edge in his voice, flashing my parents a quick smile. “I’ll see you all later.”

My heart pounded as I walked out the door, not daring to glance back at Jax. I told myself it didn’t matter how he felt about Kyle, or about me leaving with him. Still, the air felt heavy as I stepped outside, the sunshine and Kyle’s easy grin waiting to pull me into a brighter day.

"Morning, beautiful," Kyle greeted, leaning casually against his car.

“Morning,” I replied, the smile finally breaking free.

Sliding into the passenger seat, I resisted the urge to look back at the house. Let Jax stew in whatever he was feeling. I had a whole day ahead of me—and for the first time, it didn’t revolve around him.

The ride to school with Kyle was light and easy, filled with laughter and stories about his weekend plans. He had this way of making me feel like the world wasn’t so complicated, like everything was just… simple.

But, of course, life had other plans.

As we pulled into the school parking lot, a crowd had already gathered around the bulletin board near the entrance. A few girls squealed in excitement, and others were snapping pictures of a fresh announcement.

“What’s all that about?” I asked, stepping out of the car and grabbing my bag.

Kyle shrugged, locking his car. “Let’s find out.”

We joined the throng of students, weaving our way closer until the announcement came into view: Homecoming King and Queen Nominees, Class of Seniors.

A surge of excitement bubbled up from the crowd. Names were printed in bold letters, and just below the line for the nominees, someone had already started a running tally of bets.

Kyle let out a low whistle as his eyes scanned the list. “Huh. Looks like I’m on there.”

I blinked, then read the list myself. Kyle’s name sat right at the top. My stomach turned when I saw the second name.

Jax Ryder.

Out of five nominees for Homecoming King, the two of them stood side by side on the list, as if someone had written it that way on purpose, knowing exactly what kind of effect it would have on me.

“Wow,” I said, the word feeling hollow as it left my lips.

Kyle, oblivious to my inner turmoil, chuckled. “Guess I’ll have to start campaigning.” He bumped my shoulder lightly. “Think you can whip up some posters for me? I need your artistic genius.”

I forced a laugh, nodding. “Of course. You’d make a great king.”

But my voice was distant, detached.

As the crowd around us buzzed with excitement, I couldn’t stop staring at the names. Kyle. Jax. Two people on opposite ends of my heart. Now they were pitted against each other in a popularity contest, as if life hadn’t already done enough to confuse and torture me.

It wasn’t just the homecoming nomination. It felt like everything lately—every glance, every conversation, every choice—was a game designed to tear me apart, to make me question where I stood and who I wanted to stand with.

Kyle leaned closer, nudging me out of my thoughts. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly, plastering on a smile. “I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t. Not even close.

"I'll see you at lunch," I said to Kyle as we reached my locker. His easy grin followed me as I turned, walking to my next class. My heart felt lighter than it had in weeks—his positivity was infectious, and for once, my thoughts weren’t entirely consumed by Jax.

When lunch rolled around, I found Kyle already seated at our usual table, his tray untouched as he scrolled through his phone. The second he spotted me, he stood up, pulling out the chair beside him.

“Chivalry isn’t dead,” I teased, sliding into the seat.

“Not when I’m around,” he replied, a boyish smirk lighting up his face. “I was starting to think you’d bailed on me.”

“Never.”

We settled into easy conversation, the cafeteria’s buzz fading into the background. Kyle’s presence was like a balm, soothing the chaos that usually swirled inside me.

About halfway through the meal, he cleared his throat, leaning forward with an unfamiliar seriousness in his eyes. “Sam, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

I tilted my head, curious. “What’s up?”

Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, his usual confidence faltering for just a moment. “Okay, I’m just going to say it. I like you, Sam. Like, really like you. I have since the first day we talked.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Kyle…”

“Wait, let me finish,” he said quickly, holding up a hand. “You’re funny, smart, and you don’t take crap from anyone. I like how real you are. And I know things have been...complicated for you, but I want to be the guy who makes things simpler.”

My heart thudded in my chest.

“So,” he continued, his tone softer now, “I guess what I’m trying to say is…will you be my girlfriend?”

The room seemed to freeze, his words hanging between us like a fragile bubble I was too afraid to pop.

“Kyle, I—”

I didn’t get the chance to finish.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, an all-too-familiar presence stealing the air from the room. I looked up, and there he was. Jax.

He stood just inside the cafeteria doors, his eyes locked on us. On me. His gaze flicked to Kyle, then back to me, his jaw tightening as he took in the scene.

Kyle followed my line of sight, his smile faltering as he noticed Jax. The tension between us thickened, pressing against my chest until I could hardly breathe.

“Sam?” Kyle’s voice was hesitant now, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Jax.

What was he thinking? Why did he look so...angry?

“I—” My voice came out weak, my words stumbling over themselves as I tried to form a coherent thought.

But before I could say anything, Jax turned and walked away, leaving me with a choice I wasn’t sure I was ready to make.