“Anytime, sir.”
Not that I was a stalker,but I asked Winston just to let me know if Sam began treatment, or had biopsies, or what his work schedule was like…okay, it sounded a little stalkerish. By the following week of just thumbs-up emojis, I couldn’t take it anymore.
Winston told me Sam was working today. He’d seen him enter the shop an hour ago to start his shift, so I had time.
Once my boat docked, I didn’t procrastinate. I tied it to the cleat and made my way toward Cone Creations. Through the window, I saw Sam was working with Natalie. Winter was alive and well, so the shop wasn’t packed. A few people were sitting at tables enjoying their treats.
I pulled the door open, and Sam met my gaze. His smile dropped and Natalie, who was looking at him when I entered, noticed. What was odd was her confusion. I figured he’d have said something to her—maybe not the vampire part, but that I was nuts.
“Sam, what’s with the frown? It’s Lukas.” She faced me and was much more excited to see me. “Haven’t seen you here in a while, what’s it gonna be?”
“Just some vanilla ice cream with peanut butter sauce, large.” I tossed a twenty down. No one tried to give me change anymore.
Natalie went about making the ice cream, her attention flickering between me and Sam every so often.
“Hi, Sam.”
“Hey, Lukas.”
And that was it.Shit. He was uncomfortable around me now.
“Here you go.” Natalie handed me my ice cream. I took it and went to a back booth. I wasn’t sure if Sam realized I had super hearing, but Natalie sure didn’t. “What the hell, Sam? Why were you so weird just now? Did you and Lukas have a fight?”
“It’s nothing, Nat.”
I narrowed my gaze. Sam was paler with pronounced shadows under his eyes. Was it the illness, or was he having trouble sleeping?
“Nothing? Sam, I thought you were all but ready to move in with the guy and marry him? Didn’t he have some plan to help you?”
“I have to concentrate on myself, Nat. I have three biopsies tomorrow, which will determine the type of treatment I need. I can’t have this conversation right now.”
So he was going forward with treatment, which likely meant he wasn’t going to accept my offer. The ice cream tasted like dust in my mouth. He was going to fight, and that should make me proud and I guessed it did, but it also left me frustrated and heartbroken.
I wouldn’t leave Sam; I’d stay the whole time and be whatever he wanted me to be. I didn’t want to watch him deteriorate, to watch his light dim and burn out, to watch him blow away. I wished he wanted me the same way I wanted him.
“Okay, Sammy. What time do I pick you up tomorrow to take you to the hospital?” she asked and I was out of my seat before he could answer.
“I could take you.”
Both turned to face me.
“You heard us?” Natalie smirked.
“Yeah, good hearing. Sam, would you let me take you to the hospital?”
He blinked, his eyes glassy as he looked from Natalie to me. “I, uh, I guess.”
“I can camp out at your place while you’re there and take care of Bubbles. Oh, and make my fabulous chicken noodle soup you love.” Natalie smiled.
“Yeah, okay,” Sam mumbled.
Someone entered the shop and she went off to serve them, and then it was just me and Sam.
“I respect your choices, Sam. If this is what you choose, I won’t pressure you, but please don’t push me away. I’m here.”
A lone tear finally fell and he quickly brushed it away. “Lukas, it’s all a lot. I don’t know how to process any of it and right now, fighting is what I know. I…I’m sorry.”
I reached across the counter, happy when he let me take his hand. “Don’t apologize, just know I’m here for all your minutes, Sam. Every single one, no matter how long or short.”
