FTB

Sam narrowed his eyes at Audrey as she climbed onto him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her but he knew something was up. She took a deep breath. He cocked a brow. That was a dead give away. He exhaled.

"Aren't the camera's coming soon?" He asked, playing with a piece of her hair.

"Two more hours." She answered, tilting her head back to look up at him. "But they're bringing someone I know you aren't too fond of."

"That's why you're cuddling up to me." He pursed his lips.

She rolled her eyes and climbed off of him. She sat up, crossed-legged, and started biting her lips. Whoever it was, Sam must've really disliked him for her to be acting like that. He sat up, leaning against the headboard of his bed. She pouted at him.

"God, just tell me, Audrey." He sighed.

"It's Thatcher." She stated. Sam groaned. "I'm not exactly thrilled either but they want us to do like a part where we talk about growing up together and how my dad influenced him."

"Okay." He spoke, turning his attention to the TV.

She glared at him. "That's all you have to say?"

"What else am I supposed to say?" He furrowed his brows. "No, Audrey, you're not allowed to be interviewed with your annoying family friend." He mocked.

"Yeah! You're supposed to say that!" She exclaimed. "You're supposed to get jealous! I'm the most important thing in your life!"

He laughed at her. "Babe, you are, but there's nothing for me to be jealous about. Unless you're into Thatcher."

She made gagging noises. He made an expression showing he was right. She rolled her eyes before laying down next to him. He wrapped an arm around her. He was actually pissed. He hated Thatcher. He just hated the way Thatcher presented himself. Sam could feel himself tensing up but avoided it, knowing Audrey would be able to tell he was worked up. She looked up at him. He cocked a brow at her again.

“Don’t look at me like that.” She growled and pretended to glare at him.

“Don’t look at me then.” He shrugged.

“Can’t help it. You’re so cute.” She said in a baby face as she pinched his cheek.

“Honestly, you are more embarrassing than my mother sometimes.” He huffed, pushing her hand away.

“Whatever.” She shoved him. “I’m gonna go get ready. Camera’s are coming soon.” She rolled her eyes. “Love you.”

“Love you too.” He replied before puckering his lips. She kissed him. “Tell Thatcher you love me too.”

“There it is.” She sang, kissing him again. “And he knows, everyone does.”

“Good.” He smirked as she walked away.

Audrey climbed the stairs from the basement. She came into the kitchen and saw cameras were setting up in the back loft area of her house. She sighed. That’s where they’d be interviewed obviously. She hopped into the kitchen. Nicole was preparing dinner. She looked over at her daughter. Audrey smiled.

“Sam said chicken’s fine for dinner.” Audrey said, giving her mom a look.

Nicole nodded. “Okay, good.” She went along with it.

Audrey nodded her head once before she ran up the stairs to her room. She started getting ready as soon as she got up there. She wasn’t planning on getting dolled up. She just wanted to look presentable. She sent Thatcher a text, asking him to come early and up to her room. He did as he was told. Sam was in the kitchen when Thatcher got there. He watched as Thatcher kicked his shoes off with a grin then hopped up the stairs. What a prick.

Nicole noticed Sam’s demeanor change. “It’s okay. She’s just calling him up to set him straight.” She whispered, knowing the cameras weren’t focused on them.

“It’s just really frustrating because all Thatcher does is hit on her.” Sam confessed. “I think everyone knows we’re together.”

“Thatcher is a piece of work. It takes a lot to deal with the kid.” Nicole sighed. “It took me years.”

Sam gave her a small smile. He sent Audrey a text, just saying that he’d kill Thatcher if he touched her. She smiled at it. There was a light knock on her door before Thatcher walked in. She sat up as he walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. She climbed off of it and sat on her desk chair. She rolled over so she was directly in front of him. He stared her in the eyes while she did the same to him.

“I’m laying down some ground rules, alright?” Audrey said, sternly. He nodded. “First off, do not mention Sam and I being together. My dad doesn’t want Sam to look favourited because he’s my boyfriend.”

“Right, because he isn’t.” Thatcher spat.

“Really, Thatcher?” She hissed. “Don’t be a fucking dick, for once.”

“I’m not wrong.” He shrugged.

“Anyways, second of all, if you say a fucking word about what happened between us, I’ll end your life.” She threatened.

“So Sammy doesn’t know, huh?” Thatcher smirked.

“Thatcher, please! I’m asking you to do two damn things for me!” She cried.

“I’ll do them. Relax.” He shook his head, standing up. “I’m not a complete asshole, I just act like it.”

“No, you’re a complete asshole.” She argued as she stood.

She rolled her chair back to where it was. She led Thatcher downstairs to take him to where the interview would be. Sam looked past her to glare at Thatcher. Thatcher grinned at Sam before kissing Nicole’s cheek. Audrey stood beside Sam, leaning on the island the same way he was. He sighed at her. She rested her head on his shoulder. He fed her a piece of popcorn.

“He’s already pissed me off.” She whispered.

“He pissed me off when he walked in.” He pointed out.

She chuckled a bit. “But you don’t have to deal with him for an hour now.” She whined.

“I would take your place if I could.” He assured her.

“Thank you.” She smiled up at him.

“Anything for you.” He kissed her forehead.

“We’re ready when you kids are.” Someone called.

Audrey sat up with a groan. Thatcher was already off the where they were being interviewed. Audrey slowly made her way. Sam tapped her butt as she walked away. She glared back at him as she walked to the back foyer. Thatcher was sitting and had someone putting powder on him. Audrey sat down beside him. The make up person looked her over and smiled. She knew she wasn’t shiny.

“Basically, we’re just gonna ask you some questions about growing up together.” The man in the chair across from them, beside the camera, explained. “And then some fun questions, this and that stuff, you know”

They both nodded. The lights were dimmed and the interview began. It started with the man, named Shane, introducing them. Shane explained who Audrey was and who Thatcher was. The pair nodded along and smiled at Shane when he said somethings. They laughed with each other a bit too.

“So, Audrey, what’s your first memory of Thatcher?” Shane asked.

Audrey took a deep breath, looking at Thatcher. “I think we were at Huntington Beach.” He nodded as she spoke. “I was about five and I was having a fit about being too hot or something, and this kid came over to me and offered me some of his messy, melted, ice cream. It was like strawberry, and there was sand in it and everything.”

“Did you take some?” Shane chuckled.

“No, I ran to my parents. He chased me.” The two laughed. “And then our parents started talking and I was stuck with him since.”

“Is that how you remember it?” Shane asked Thatcher.

He nodded. “Pretty much. I was a stud.”

“He was disgusting. He used to be so pudgy.” Audrey laughed, earning a glare from Thatcher.

They told stories about all the crazy things they would do together when Audrey still lived in California. Thatcher made up some bogus story about how hard it was when Audrey told him they were moving far away. Audrey just gave him a fake smile. They both knew Thatcher didn’t even notice she was gone until the next summer when she came back with a nice rack.

“Now we’re gonna ask some rapid fire questions.” Shane smirked. “Thatcher, you answer first. Are you ready?”

“Oh boy.” Audrey sighed, sitting up.

“If you could live anywhere, where would it be?”

“Huntington Beach.” Thatcher replied.

“Here.” Audrey answered.

“Who was the last person, outside of this room, to make you laugh?”

“Nicole Brown.”

“Sam Reinhart.”

“Who was your first crush?”

“Audrey.”

“Thatcher.”

“Oh, sparks.” Shane teased. “Uh, who was your first kiss?”

“Audrey.”

Audrey hesitated. “Not Thatcher.”

“What?” Thatcher exclaimed, turning to her.

“Next question.” Audrey smiled at Shane.

“We’re gonna do this or that now.” Shane flipped his sheet. “Audrey, goalie boyfriend or forward boyfriend?”

“Forward.” She held back a grin while Thatcher rolled his eyes.

“Thatcher, boxers or briefs?”

“Briefs.”

“Both, cats or dogs?”

“Both.” Thatcher shrugged.

“Yeah, both.” Audrey agreed.

“Well, that’s all guys. Thanks for talking with me.” Shane smiled, reaching to shake their hands.

Notes