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The entire time, I’ve avoided looking at Saxon because I’m afraid of what I’ll see reflected in his stare. Piper moves closer to my side. My fear must show.
“It’s up to you, Samuel, but for us to figure out what’s going on, you must come back to the hospital with me. It’s in your best interest. Once we get to the bottom of what happened, your life can hopefully return to the way you remember.”
A lump lodges in my throat.
That will never happen because what he remembers was based on a lie. I will support him, but once he’s well again, we have to discuss everything Saxon told me. I want him to explain why he lied. And I’m sure he’ll want an explanation too.
But focusing on one drama at a time, I nod, agreeing with Sophia. Sam peers over at me, watching me closely. Every time he looks at me, it feels like he’s viewing me through different eyes. I suppose he is, in a way. The Lucy he once knew would never have slept with his brother or doubted our love.
“What do you want me to do?” he asks, leaving me winded.
A heavy exhale fills the room, and I know it’s Saxon. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place, and the only way to remove myself is to be strong and act now. “I want you to go to the hospital.”
Sam works his bottom lip, eyes still locked on mine as he mulls over what I just said. He doesn’t owe me anything, but he owes it to himself to find out what’s going on. “Okay, I’ll go,” he finally agrees with a nod. “Will you come with me?”
I should have seen that coming. Of course, he’d want me to come. He’s scared and confused, and I can only imagine how terrifying this must be. Saxon’s last words crash into me, prompting my response.
“He doesn’t remember. He has no idea what’s going on. If he hurts himself because of us…because of what I did…I will never forgive myself…and neither will you.”
He’s right. If I abandoned Sam in his time of need, I would never forgive myself. And Saxon would also blame himself for his brother’s demise. “Of course, I’ll come,” I reply with an exhausted smile.
Sam returns the gesture. “Okay.”
Sophia runs her fingers through her knotted hair, a sure sign she’s just as fatigued as I am. “Excellent. I’ll just make a few calls.” She smiles, but it’s staged because she clearly has other pressing matters to deal with. “Saxon, can you come outside with me?”
The moment his name slips past her ruby lips, my gaze locks with his. It feels like years since I last looked into that deep blue abyss. He once again wears the perfect poker face, doing nothing to settle my nerves. I desperately want to talk to him, but having Sophia and Sam here makes that impossible, so I quickly look away before I burst into tears.
I’m torn between duty and desire.
“Sure,” he replies, his heavy footsteps leading from the living room to the kitchen.
Sam surveys me carefully as I lift my gaze and linger on the spot where his twin once stood. I instantly feel guilty for not putting a lid on my emotions because this is the last thing he needs. I need to focus on getting him to the hospital so we can figure out what’s going on. Everything else will have to wait.
Sam rises, still topless, and I have the sudden urge to avert my attention. He reads my retreat, and a small frown tugs at his lips. “I suppose I’d better get dressed then.” His comment is laced with complete sarcasm, but I can understand why he’s lashing out.
However, all plans are put on hold when the front door bursts open and in runs Kellie. A touch dramatic but I don’t expect anything less from the woman who destroyed her sons’ lives. This is the first time I’ve seen her with a hair out of place and not decked out in her designer threads. It appears we interrupted her weekly yoga session. Greg follows behind.
“Sammy!” Kellie cries, pushing anyone or anything that stands in her way, including me.
Sam smiles, but it’s faint. Kellie doesn’t seem to care and throws her arms around him, crushing him in a near suffocating embrace. “You’ve come back to me. How I prayed for this to happen.”
That small itch pinches at my flesh, the same feeling I got when she treated Saxon like dirt. Now that I know what she did and exactly who she is, I can’t look at her without wanting to give her a piece of my mind.
Greg makes no secret he’s observing me thoroughly, but as far as I’m concerned, they can both go to hell. “If you’ll excuse me…”
Kellie just seems to realize I’m here, which is no surprise, considering Sam has always been the center of her universe. Once upon a time, I thought her love for her son was enduring and sweet, but now, I see it for what it is—biased and completely overbearing.
“Lucy, darling, where are you going?”
My mom’s voice plays in my head, reminding me of my manners. No matter how tempted I am to tell both Kellie and Greg to get out of my house and never return, I swallow down my anger and smile.
“I’m going to change. Samuel is going to the hospital soon.”
She fusses over him, running a hand through his knotted hair. “I’ll come too.” There is no point in arguing with her, so I simply nod.
“Can you call my parents?” I ask Piper, who already has her cell wrapped tightly in her palm.
I don’t bother waiting and leave the room with Kellie’s loud sobs following me down the hallway and into my bedroom. Once inside, I lean against the doorjamb and close my eyes. Tilting back my head, I exhale shakily, biting back my tears.
