Page 97 of Wrecked

Chapter 32 – Sam

Dayton, Ohio

I wake up to an empty house. Mom and Rachel are both working first shift at the hospital today. For breakfast, I eat leftover pizza from last night before taking a shower and heading off to the gym to work on strength training. I got my cast off a couple of weeks ago, but I’m not ready to go back to work. My leg often aches, and I’m not up to peak physical condition.

I’ve been gone from Chicago longer than I originally thought I would. I’m surprised no one’s calling yet and demanding I return.

I talk to Beth regularly, and she’s always her usual sweet self. She never makes any demands on me. I speak to Shane about once a week. He just wants an update on my physical condition and how physical therapy is going.

The one person I haven’t spoken to since I left Chicago is Cooper. And that’s a good thing, believe me. I don’t even want to talk to him right now. I’m still hurting too much.

To complicate things, my physical trainer, Craig, keeps asking me out. He’s a great guy, and if I hadn’t met Cooper, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. But the problem is, I have met Cooper, and I can’t stop thinking about him. So, of course, I tell Craig no.

Who am I kidding? The truth is, I can’t see myself with anyone other than Cooper. I wasn’t exaggerating when I told Beth that man owns me, body and soul. I think about him all the time. I dream about him. When I jerk off, it’s his face I picture.His hands I pretend are on me. And it sucks, because he doesn’t seem to care one bit that I left.

* * *

The decision about when to go back is taken out of my hands when Shane shows up one morning at the fitness center where I’m training.

I’m on the mat doing push-ups when someone walks into the fitness center.

Craig says, “Can I help you, sir?”

“Thanks, but no. I found what I’m looking for.”

I’d know that voice anywhere.Shane. When I glance at the floor in front of me, I see a pair of black loafers.

“Hello, Sam.”

“Hey, Shane.”

“You know why I’m here,” he says, his voice clipped. Apparently, he’s not in a good mood, probably because he was forced to fly down here and collect me. I’m sure he’d rather not be so far from home when his wife is pregnant.

I was expecting this. In fact, I would have been surprised if Shane didn’t keep his promise to come down here and haul my ass back to Chicago. I tell myself I’m going back for Beth, not for Cooper.

“Yeah, I do. But Shane, I’m not back to full strength yet.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s been long enough, and Beth wants you home. So, are we going to do this the easy way, or the hard way?”

I sigh because I know there’s no use in arguing with him. “The easy way.”

He smiles. “Good. Make whatever arrangements you need to make and say your goodbyes. Our flight leaves at seven sharp. Will you be at your mother’s house?”

“Yeah. I want to say goodbye to her and to Rachel.”

“Fine. I’ll pick you up at six. Be ready.”

After Shane leaves, Craig asks me, “Who the hell was that guy?”

“That was my boss.”

“What the fuck? He can’t just come in here and order you around like that.”

I laugh. “Yes, he can.”

* * *

Right on time, Shane picks me up in a rented black sedan. I’m waiting on the front porch with my bags packed, ready to go. The driver pops the trunk lid for me and helps me load my stuff. I sit in the back seat with Shane.