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Regardless of Kellie’s flaws, Sam loves his mother. He composes himself, but his poise worries me. Is this the calm before the storm?
“I know the doctors think Lucy is the key to you getting better, but if you take advantage of her kindheartedness …” He runs a hand over his mouth, as if reining in his rage. “I will rip out your spleen and feed it to you.” I pale at his threat because I don’t think it’s empty. “I’m watching you. I don’t trust you. You may have Lucy fooled, but I see you. I always have. You can’t play me, Samuel. We’re flesh and blood, whether we like it or not. But Lucy…she is my heart.” He presses a tight fist to his chest, the sight reducing me to tears. “Fuck with my heart, and we’ve got a problem. We clear?”
The article in question swells, and I can’t help but fall deeper in love with Saxon Stone.
You can cut the tension with a knife. My glance bounces back and forth between them, praying Saxon doesn’t have more blood on his hands. However, when Sam eventually nods, I don’t know whether to celebrate or cry. Surely it can’t be this easy?
But it appears it is. “So what happens now?”
“Now, I go inside, shower, and take my girl out on the date I owe her.” I can’t wipe the smile clean. To be referred to as his out in the open is beyond liberating. “You’re not going to bitch and moan. You’re going to take it like a man and be happy for someone other than yourself for a change. I don’t like this arrangement, and I know you sure as shit don’t. But learn to live with it because I’m not curbing my behavior to spare your feelings.”
“Here’s to hoping you’ll get sick of me and leave. We both know you’re good at that.” It’s the first quip Sam has delivered, but it pales to Saxon’s promise.
“I have a reason to stay.” He turns to look at me, a longing lingering in his gaze. “And she’s the only reason that matters.” I want to run to him and throw my arms around him, but I stay put. “I don’t want to discuss this again.”
Saxon waits for Sam’s response, but he doesn’t get one. Sam just pins him with a look that turns my blood cold. “Consider it done then.”
Saxon nods once, but make no mistake, if Sam could murder Saxon with a look alone, he’d be a smoldering pile of ashes where he stands. I cross my fingers behind my back, hoping that this is really it. I don’t have any fight left. I just want to move forward.
When Saxon appears satisfied, he turns and walks toward me. I stand still, not sure what happens next. “I’m going to hit the shower.” He kisses my forehead and then ambles up the stairs as if something explosive didn’t just occur.
Both Sam and I are quiet, digesting everything Saxon just said. His delivery may have been harsh, but there is no nice way to express what he did. “You’re sure?” Sam’s question shatters the silence.
“Yes,” I whisper, wishing there was a way everyone wins.
“Your happiness is all I ever wanted… so we’re really over?”
I nod slowly. “No matter what, I did love you, Sam.” I know this feels like he’s the runner-up, but what I felt for him was real. “I will never forget what we shared. You’re a part of me.”
Sam scoffs, clearly not appreciating the finality of my words. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, the hair standing on the back of my neck.
He turns his back, digging his hands deep into his pockets. “You become what you surround yourself with.”
He and the horse he rode in on can go fuck themselves. “Well, that’s love, honesty, and integrity. Maybe you should try it on for size.” I don’t bother waiting for a reply because I have nothing left to say.
Turning on my heel, I walk up the stairs and decide to have an Irish coffee without the coffee. As I ransack the liquor cabinet, my cell chimes. Reaching for it off the counter, I smile when I see who the caller is.
“Is it safe?”
“For the moment. Hi, Piper.”
The past few days have been beyond crazy, and knowing Piper, she gave me breathing room because I had to fight this battle on my own.
“I wanted to give you space to sort out your shit.”
“I know. There’s no need for you to explain. I get it. How have you been? I miss you.” My life has slipped into a time warp, and I feel like I haven’t seen her in years.
“I miss you, too. I’ve been good. Just worried about you.”
Finding a bottle of whiskey, I unscrew the lid and the woodsy smell wafts through the air. “I’m okay. Just taking one day at a time.” I pour a splash of the amber liquid and wonder if I should eat something first.
However, when Piper says, “How’s Sam?” I skip the notion of food and throw back the shot.
“Ugh,” I groan into the phone, screwing up my face and wetting my lips. “Sorry. That shot of whiskey was probably a bad idea.”
“You do realize it’s nine a.m.?”
