Completely defeated, Zach slumped in his chair and finally understood what he’d done by interfering in his mother’s life and not giving Sam a chance to share in the house-hunting. “I’m sorry. I seem to be saying so much of that right now, but I didn’t do it with bad intentions…”
Meant to be comforting, Matt’s pat on his shoulder did little to alleviate Zach’s misery. “Maybe now that we’ve met you feel that way, but initially you did it because you didn’t trust me, right?”
His cheeks flamed, and Zach slanted a look to where his mother sat, watching the news on the television playing in the waiting area. “Does my mom know?”
“I didn’t see a need to tell her, but I’m hoping when Sam is better you’ll want to on your own. Right now the most important thing is Sam and his health.”
The sound of hurried footsteps in the hall jump-started Zach’s heart; maybe it was the doctor with good news. But it was only Julian, Marcus, and Tyler.
“Hi.”
“What’s going on? What happened?” Marcus and Julian took the chairs on either side of him.
He’d rather stab himself in the eye than repeat the story again. “Something with his heart.”
Julian squeezed his hand tight. “He’ll be okay.”
Zach couldn’t answer him and instead blinked back the tears that threatened to overflow. “I need to text Henry and let him know.” He pulled out his phone and sent Henry a quick text, letting him know Sam was in the hospital and he’d keep in touch.
For the next hour they all sat, drank miserable coffee from the vending machine, and waited, until finally Dr. Diaz, who Zach discovered was Sam’s regular cardiologist, came to talk to him.
“Zach. Can you come with me?”
There was little clue in the doctor’s face to give any indication to Sam’s condition, but Zach had a bad feeling.He’s going to give me bad news. I know it.His father’s sudden, early death had given Zach a somewhat fatalistic view on life.
“Sam is doing better. The pain from his angina has dissipated now that we’ve given him his medication. We’re going to keep him here overnight for observation, but he can go home in the morning.”
“He’s going to be all right?” A wellspring of hope poured through him.
They walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the nurse’s station. “I think Sam understands how important taking his medication with regularity is. Did he complain to you about his chest pain?”
In Zach’s eyes he’d be betraying Sam if he told the doctor Sam had never discussed his medical condition with him. So he didn’t lie, but he didn’t tell the truth either. “No, he never mentioned it. Can I see him now?”
For the first time since Zach met him earlier in the day, the doctor smiled. “Yes, of course. He’s a little tired, but essentially he’s fine.”
Following in the doctor’s footsteps, Zach struggled to maintain a cheerful face, but the sight of Sam lying in bed, still so pale and worn-out, sent a fresh wave of guilt rolling through him. He was the reason Sam lay in this bed.
Zach forgot the doctor completely and rushed to Sam’s bedside, stopping short of touching him, afraid of his response.
Sam opened his eyes and smiled at him. “Hi.” He held out his hand.
“Hi. How do you feel?” Zach took his hand and laced their fingers together, placing them on Sam’s chest. The welcome thump of Sam’s heart beat strong against their hands. They’d come so close to losing each other; if Zach could carry that heartbeat with him forever, he would, to remind him what was real and important.
“Angry, pissed off, annoyed—take your pick.”
That was what Zach was afraid of. “I’m sorry. You were right. I shouldn’t have done it without talking to you first.” He bent down and laid his head against Sam’s broad chest. “I’ll cancel the contract; I don’t want the house if you’re going to resent me for buying it. I only want you. Nothing matters more than you.” He hesitated, afraid to say it, but if Sam wanted to change his mind now, Zach would give him the out he needed. “We can wait and look together after we’re married, if you want.”
They stayed that way for a moment; then Sam squeezed his hand tight. “Come lie next to me.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? I can’t; you’re in a hospital bed.” But a tiny flutter of joy bloomed in his chest.
“Get in this damn bed and lie down with me. You know I can’t sleep without you anymore.”
Biting back a smile, Zach slid next to Sam’s bulky warmth, careful not to put any of his weight on him, yet close enough to map the familiar contours of Sam’s body with his own. He slid his fingers along Sam’s roughly stubbled cheeks, memorizing the planes of his face.Never, he promised himself,I’ll never do anything to jeopardize what I have right here.
“I was wrong to have overreacted the way I did. You were doing something for the two of us, and I focused on the price and not the sentiment.” Sam slipped an arm around his shoulders, and Zach sank into his chest, soaking in the strength of Sam’s love. “It’s who you are: generous and giving. I let myself get distracted by my own problems and lashed out at you instead. I hated feeling weak, like half a man.”
Zach kissed the warm hollows of Sam’s throat, loving the feel of the jumping pulse beneath his lips. It spoke to him.
