Perhaps if he’d been taking it the way the doctor wanted him to, he could have answered him truthfully. So he did the second best thing and dodged the question with an evasive response.
“I had a bit of an issue last week.” He searched the room to make sure no one was within earshot. “In bed.”
“I did warn you that with this medication that may be a side effect. We can switch you to a different medication if it becomes an issue.”
“It already has. Once is one time too many.”
“Other than that, how are you feeling? Has it helped the pain?”
“That issue is my only problem.” Once again, not answering the question, but it worked this time.
“Good. Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll change your prescription to another medication and call it in. You should pick it up today. If you have any problems, though, let my office know immediately, okay?”
“Okay, yeah.”
“It’s very important you take your medicine, Sam. I can’t stress this enough. You don’t want to cause lasting damage. Let’s catch this now and stabilize it.”
“Right; I know.”
He hung up and stirred his coffee, staring off into space. Maybe he should call off the wedding; give Zach a chance to meet someone young and healthy. The thought of that, of living without Zach, caused a different kind of pain in his heart, and it was one Sam knew no medicine would ever be able to help him with. They’d yet to develop a pill to cure a broken heart.
“Sammy, what’s wrong? You look like you lost your best friend. You miss me that much?”
Henry stood in front of him, a quizzical tilt to his brows, and Sam gazed at him for a moment. If he didn’t talk to someone, he’d go crazy. Even though Rob had told him to talk to Zach, they’d never met; Henry would know what to do.
“Sit down.”
“Uh-oh.” Henry pulled out the chair and hung his coat on the back. Mrs. Caruso bustled over with a smile and a steamy cup of cappuccino with cinnamon on top.
“How’s my beautiful girl and the baby to be doing? Before you leave I have something for you take home to her.” She glanced over at Sam, and he winced, noting her sharp black eyes narrowing as she studied his face.
“What’s the matter? You don’t look good.”
“I’m fine, really, Mrs. Caruso. Just didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Ah,” she said, smiling, a knowing light entering her eyes. That’s what having a young boyfriend will do for you.” She cackled with laughter.“Amore.”As she bustled back to the counter to take care of a customer, Sam could hear her continued laughter.
“What’s really wrong? You look like shit.” Henry glared at him. “Don’t give me any of that bullshit of being tired. I’ve known you too long.”
Therein lay the problem. He couldn’t lie to Henry’s face; bastard always had a way of figuring him out.
“I’m sick.”
Henry froze, setting down the cappuccino, which had been halfway to his lips, back in its little saucer.
“You’re talking about a cold, aren’t you?” The tone in Henry’s voice begged for Sam to agree with him, even as his eyes glittered from suspicious wetness.
“You know I’m not. It’s my heart. I’ve been having these pains—”
“So go to a doctor. Dammit, Sammy, they have medicines to help you.”
“Don’t you think I have? The medicines are screwing me up, so I haven’t been taking them. All of this has made me realize I can’t satisfy Zach for much longer. He deserves so much more than I can give him.”
“So what’s your option, leave him?”
Although he meant it as a joke, when Sam didn’t answer him, Henry’s expression turned from disbelief to horror.
“Are you fucking crazy? You love him to pieces, and he practically worships you. You guys were meant for each other.” Henry leaned over, words spilling out of him almost faster than he could speak. “What did Zach say when you told him? I’m sure he’s willing to help you do anything and everything you need.”
