34

It was late again.The kind of late that made everything feel softer, like the world was holding its breath.

Sam had stepped out earlier for air.Just a hoodie, some cold porch steps, and a racing heart that hadn't settled since he hit send.

Now he was back inside.Back on the couch. Back with the group.

Chris was leaning his head against Nick's shoulder in that half-asleep way he'd never admit to when fully conscious.Colby sat with his feet up, arms crossed — like he knew something big was coming.Matt was half-scrolling, half-watching Sam like he was waiting for a firework to go off.

And then...

Sam's phone buzzed.

Just one word on the lock screen:

Voice Memo – Melinda 🖤

He stared at it for three seconds.Then five.Then pressed play.

The first chords of "exile" by Taylor Swift played low in the background.The room went dead silent.

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🔊 Melinda's Voice Memo (played aloud):

"You're adorable when you're nervous, sweetheart.You don't have to rehearse stuff for me.I don't judge you if you stutter.I don't judge you if you say the wrong thing."

"Sam, I don't mind — it makes you real.I'm not a YouTube video, baby. I don't care."

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Chris (barely audible):"...Oh my god."

Nick:"She's unreal."

Colby just sat up straighter. Quiet. Watching.

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"But I do really like that you rehearse for me — I think that's really sweet.And I know you heard me, even if you didn't respond, baby."

"Sweetie, I do just wanna show up.And I didn't wanna break you...But hearing you say that it broke you in the best way — I'm not even joking —makes me wanna buy a plane ticket right now just to see you and give you a hug."

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Matt (softly, under his breath):"She's not playing around, man..."

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"Because I promise you, even though sometimes it doesn't feel like you are, you are okay.I promise you, baby."

"The reason you haven't had it the way I do is because I don't do it because I feel obligated.I do it because that's just how I feel."

"And I use forty different nicknames in one voice memo because I want people to know I care.I don't care if I'm talking to a 30-year-old — I'm still gonna call them baby boy."

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Sam ran a hand over his mouth, trying not to smile.Trying harder not to tear up.

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"Now my sweet little golden retriever boy, pick up your hurt paw,lick the wounds, and put a bandage on it, baby — just until I can come kiss it."

"Sweetheart, you don't ever have to be scared of me."

"And I understand it's terrifying when people see you for who you really are —I really do."

"But I can say... I would never force you to show me something you don't want to show.And I may be able to see it,but I won't mention it until you're ready to mention it to me yourself."

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Colby (quietly, to Matt):"She knows exactly how to love him."

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"Because I respect you, darling."

"You may have forgotten, baby...But I haven't forgotten the version of you that planted itself in my heart —the broken, battered, stuttering sweet boy version."

"He's resting safely in my heart.The guy who saved me."

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Sam closed his eyes.Not to shut it out — to feel it harder.No one spoke.

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"Baby, you don't ever have to explain yourself.Why you didn't respond? It's okay.It's time to process. Time to think."

"I will never get mad at you for not responding."

"And you may not know me very well right now...But ask me any questions, darling, and I will tell you everything about myself you want to know."

"And I do like to believe I know you pretty fucking well —even though that might scare you."

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Nick (with a small, stunned laugh):"She just reads him."

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"And when you say you didn't cringe when I said 'sweet boy'...Pretty sure what you meant was you didn't say 'ayo,'because that's what you always say when you cringe."

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Matt lost it. Burst out laughing."Yo, she knows your lingo, bro!"

Colby just shook his head, smiling like a proud dad.

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"I know you well even though you don't know me very well.And I promise, I will always make you feel safe."

"No, it didn't take a month.But it took the time you needed, and that is okay."

"And I'm glad you got the courage, baby."

"And I'm guessing the right person to give it to you was probably Colby —so say hi to him for me."

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Colby:"Hi, Melinda,"he said aloud, smiling into his water bottle.

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"And hi again, baby.And messy, slow, and scared but trying is my favorite version —because it means you're willing.And that means you're trying.Otherwise you wouldn't be talking to me right now."

"And I'm glad you're not walking away, my sweet boy —because you know what?I'm not going anywhere."

"I don't know what this is either, or where it goes.But I'm also here."

"And I always will be.Whether it's as a friend, a person you can lean on, or something more...We'll see where the time goes.Because I'm not going anywhere."

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Sam's head dropped into his hand.He didn't even try to hide the tears this time.

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"And I promise you, darling...everything you do is okay with me."

"Just believe in yourself, baby boy."

"Okay?"

"I'll give you some of my courage if you need it.Because I'm right here."

"And I will hold your head and look into those beautiful blue eyes of yoursand hold your head above the water —even if it means my head falling under every once in a while.Because I know how to swim."

"And if you haven't learned yet...I can teach you."

"And I will hold you...until you know how to."

"So for now, baby...Just breathe."

⸻

End of Voice Memo.

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Silence.

Colby was watching Sam.Nick was frozen.Chris sniffled once, rubbed his face like it itched when it didn't.Matt blinked like he was trying not to cry — or trying not to fall in love with the idea of love.

And Sam?

Sam whispered, so softly it was almost missed:

"...I think I'm in trouble."