The Golden Couple (The Samantha Project Series, # 2) (3 page)

The news was good, but it released all of the emotion I’d been holding in. Tears flowed from my eyes. “Did you hear that, Colin? You’re gonna be okay.” I kissed his cheek and noticed that his skin was still fiery hot.

Jack finished the IV setup, then brought the desk chair over so he could sit next to Colin’s bed. “He’s not out of the woods yet, Sam. We’ll need to keep a close eye on him.”

“I’ll do it. Let me stay with him. I’ll stay up all night.” My tears slowed as I committed myself to helping Colin recover.

“You need to get some rest. I can watch him.”

“No, I have to do this. Colin would do the same for me. He wouldn’t sleep a second if it was me in that bed.”
 

“Okay, but we’ll take turns. You need at least a few hours of sleep.” Jack went to check something on the laptop, then sat down across from me again. “So how long have you two dated?”

“For about a year. But I’ve known him forever. We’ve been best friends since we were kids.”

“I see. Well, it’s clear that you really care for him.”
 

“Jack, why were you asking me that?”

“Oh, no reason. I just wasn’t aware of how serious you two were. That’s all.” Jack got up to check Colin’s vital signs. I wondered if Jack’s comments were out of concern for his son. I was sure he had noticed his son’s attraction to me and mine to him.

Just then Erik walked in. “Hey, do you need anything? It’s been so quiet over here. Is everything okay?”

Jack looked up. “Yes. We’ve got Colin on an IV. Once his electrolytes are restored, he should be all right.”
 

Erik came over and put his hand on my shoulder. “See, Sam? I told you my dad would help him.”

“I know. He’s amazing. I can’t thank you enough, Jack. Really, if you weren’t here—” I didn’t need to continue. Everyone knew what would have happened.

“Well, his vital signs are starting to improve,” Jack confirmed. “But it may be a while before he’s alert again. Erik, how’s Brittany?”

“She’s quiet. Right now she’s watching TV. I tried to get her to talk, but she won’t do it. It’s like she’s trying to pretend that nothing happened.”

“I’ll go talk to her,” Jack said, getting up to leave. “Sam, if you’re going to keep watch on Colin tonight, maybe I’ll stay in the other room and keep an eye on Brittany. Erik, you can stay over here.”

Erik and I looked at each other. I knew we were thinking the same thing. The idea of Colin, Erik, and me in the same room all night was too strange.
 

I could tell that Jack sensed our discomfort. Our reaction only confirmed that his son and I had feelings for each other that we were trying to hide.
 

“Jack, I’d feel better if you slept over here,” I said, “in case something happens to Colin. Plus if we’re taking turns staying up with Colin, it’d be easier if you stayed here.”

“Okay, then I guess you’ll stay with Brittany, Erik.” Jack gave us both an odd look. He left and Erik stayed behind.

Erik sat down across from me near Colin’s bed.
“I think my dad senses something’s up with us
.”
 

“Well, that’s over, Erik. He doesn’t need to worry.”
The words came out before I had time to think. I kept my head down, not wanting to see Erik’s reaction.
 

“So that’s it? You’re just deciding for both of us?
I could hear the anger in Erik’s thoughts.

“I don’t know what you want me to say, Erik. Things have changed. When we were back at your farm, I didn’t think I’d ever see Colin again. But now here he is. And you and I can’t continue whatever it was we started.”
 

Erik crossed his arms over his chest.
“I can’t just shut my feelings off like that, Sam. I don’t think you can either. We share this connection that I can’t even describe. And I know you still feel it.”

“Of course I do. And I can’t explain it. It doesn’t make sense. We just met.”

“It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other. I was drawn to you the second I saw you. And you were drawn to me. You said so yourself.”

I couldn’t deny it. My connection to Erik began the instant I met him, just as he said. It was like nothing I had ever felt.
 

“Sam, don’t you wanna at least see what that means? See where this could go? Because whatever this is that we have going between us, I know you don’t have it with him.”

Erik waited for a response, but I wouldn’t give him one. I kept my thoughts quiet and focused on Colin again, still holding his hand.
 

“I guess that’s it then.”
Erik stood up.
“I won’t bother you anymore.”
He headed to the door.

“Erik, this isn’t the time, okay? We can talk about it later, but I have to take care of Colin now.”

“Yeah, and when he gets better, you’ll have some other excuse. So just forget it, Sam.”
He left, shutting the door hard behind him.

I hated rejecting Erik like that. But I was also mad at him for making me discuss our relationship when I needed to be there for Colin. Deep down, I knew Erik was right. I would never find a good time to talk to him about us. Because I didn’t want to think about it. Since Colin had come back, I’d been trying desperately to ignore the intense attraction I had to Erik. The desire to be close to him. To re-create the kiss that I couldn’t forget.
 

As I looked at Colin lying there, his weak hand in mine, I was overwhelmed with guilt. How could I possibly have these feelings for Erik? Some guy I just met! Colin and I had a history together. Years of memories. Great memories. I loved Colin. He was my very best friend. And the last remaining piece of my old life.

About an hour later, I felt his hand moving in mine. “Colin?” I whispered anxiously. “Colin? It’s Sam.” His hand moved again and his eyelids peeked open.

“Sam?” Colin’s voice was weak.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m right here.”

“I don’t feel so good.” Colin’s words were somewhat slurred from the drugs.

“I know. But you’re gonna feel better soon.” I bent over and lightly kissed his cheek. The bruises on his face were starting to swell and get darker.

I looked up when I heard the door open. “Sam, how is he?” Jack had returned.
 

“He’s awake. And he’s talking.”

“That’s a good sign.” Jack came over to check Colin’s vital signs again. “Hey there, Colin, you gave us quite a scare.”
 

“What happened?” Colin asked, turning toward Jack.

“I’ll let Sam tell you everything. But the IV seems to be helping. You’ll be feeling better before you know it.” Jack smiled at me, his assurance that Colin was indeed showing improvement.

Jack went to the laptop that was still analyzing Colin’s blood work. “Well, that’s no surprise,” he muttered. “I should have known that.”

I walked over to Jack. “What is it? Did you get more results?’

“We shouldn’t talk in here, Sam.” He motioned me to leave the room.

I glanced over at Colin, then back at Jack. “Okay, but quick.”

Jack and I went outside. “The lab values aren’t all in yet, but so far it shows several drugs in Colin’s system. One of the drugs affects the central nervous system. That’s why he was so out of it at the trailer, barely able to walk and unable to speak. The other one, well, it’s a common diuretic but when given to someone who doesn’t need it, in the amounts given, it can be very dangerous. It can disrupt the heart rhythm.”

“What are you saying, Jack?”
 

“GlobalLife gave him that drug. They knew it would kill him. But not right away. It would be unexpected, hours later. If you had refused to go with Worthings back at the trailer, you would have had to watch Colin die. It was message for you, Sam. To say that you can’t beat them. They’ll always win.”

“But I didn’t refuse,” I said. “I went with Worthings. And then he ordered his security guards to kill all of you.”

“Precisely. It works either way. Once you agreed to go with Worthings, he had his guards secure you and Erik with handcuffs and guns pointed at you. You were his prisoners and he didn’t think either of you could do anything. So that was the time to show you who was in charge. To show that he wouldn’t make deals with you. The deal you made with him meant nothing. And he proved that by sending the guards into the trailer to kill Colin, Brittany, and me. But if you had refused to go with Worthings, you would have had to watch Colin suffer and eventually die.”

It was exactly Worthings’ style. Kill another one of my loved ones, but this time make me watch.
 

I felt rage building in me again but calmed myself remembering that Worthings was dead now. “Jack, do you think we’re still in danger now that Worthings is gone?”

“I hate to say it, but we’ll always be in danger, Sam. There will always be another Worthings. GlobalLife will send someone else after us. Probably a whole team of people. Now that they know that Erik is alive, there’s no stopping them. They’ll do everything in their power to get you two.”

“But they don’t know about Erik. Worthings and his guards were the only ones at the trailer, and they’re all dead.”

“The guards wore listening devices. I could see them on their jackets. The communication on those devices is instantly recorded and sent to GlobalLife, kept on their corporate servers. I guarantee they know about Erik.”

Before I could respond, the motel door behind me opened. It was Erik. “Dad, I’m going to bed. Brittany’s already asleep. You need anything else? Is Colin still okay?”

Jack nodded. “He’s doing much better. You can go to sleep. We’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay. Night, Sam.” Erik didn’t sound angry anymore, but he wouldn’t look at me.
 

“Night, Erik,” I said, hoping Jack wouldn’t pick up on the tension.

But he did. Once Erik was back in his room, Jack spoke up. “What’s with him? You two have a fight?”

“I’d rather not talk about it.”
 

Jack paused. “Sam, I need to tell you something, just between you and me.”

His tone was making me nervous. “Okay, what is it?”
 

“Erik is not one to . . . what’s the word?” He stopped to think. “Well, he’s not one who easily opens up to people. And he’s never really been one to show emotion. And while he’s had some experience with girls, he’s, well, he was never serious with any of them. I probably don’t need to tell you all that but—”

“What exactly
are
you trying to tell me?” I asked, begging him to hurry this along.
 

“Just be honest with him, okay? I don’t know what went on with you two, or what was said, and I don’t need to know. But in the brief time that he’s known you, Sam, he’s changed. He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. He lights up when you’re around.”
 

I stood there in silence.

“I can see that you have strong feelings for Colin, maybe even love him. But if you have any feelings for my son, which I think you do, then he deserves to be told. And if you don’t have feelings for Erik, then he deserves to be told that, too. I’m sure you would feel the same if the tables were turned.”

Jack sensed my discomfort. “Well, I’ll go check on Colin again and then get to bed. Or I can stay up first if you want to get some sleep.”

“Um, no, I’ll stay up with him,” I offered, relieved to be off the topic of Erik.

We went inside to find Colin more awake. “Hey, there you are,” Colin said softly.

I hurried over to him. “Jack and I are both here. We’ll be keeping watch on you all night.” He held my hand and I could feel a little more strength in his grip. “You already look like you’re feeling better, Colin.” I gently hugged him, trying not to hurt his bruises.

Jack stood there waiting. “Let me check him once more, Sam, and then he’s all yours.”
 

“Are you a doctor?” Colin asked Jack.

“No. I just know a little about medicine.”
 

“He’s being modest. He knows a lot about medicine,” I said, glancing up at Jack. Despite the lecture he’d given me, I couldn’t be mad at Jack. He
had
saved Colin’s life. “Jack is also a genius with computers. And genetics.”

“Just like your Uncle Dave,” Colin said to me.

Jack smiled. “Dave and I actually attended MIT together.”

“Really? But how did you—”

“It’s a long story,” I told him. “I’ll explain later.”

“Everything still looks good,” Jack said. “Sam, you wake me up if you need anything. Any change in his condition, even if it seems small, you come get me, okay?”

“Yes, absolutely. Thanks, Jack.”
 

Jack went to sleep. I lay down next to Colin and listened to him breathe. He was finally breathing normally again. But in my head, I kept hearing the sound of the labored breathing he had earlier in the day. He’s better now, I told myself, moving closer to him. I felt his head rest gently on mine as he dozed off. I tried not to fall asleep, but the day’s events had wiped me out.
 

“I’ve got some mail for you, Dr. Fisher.” A young man wearing a lab coat brought a small white envelope to an older man sitting at a desk. He, too, was wearing a lab coat.
 

“Thanks, Brian. Hey, did you run those samples yet?”

“Yes, I’ll have the report to you soon. I’m just finishing it up now.”
 

“Great. I look forward to seeing it,” Fisher said as the young man left.

The professor picked up the envelope. “No return address. That’s odd,” he said to himself. He ripped open the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper and the tiniest flash drive I’d ever seen. Fisher held the flash drive up in the air. “I haven’t seen one of these since—” A panicked look came across his face and he started scanning the room, as if searching for hidden surveillance cameras.
 

He placed the drive in his shirt pocket and focused on the piece of paper that came with it. It was a note from someone and as he read it, he spoke some parts aloud. “Samantha Andrews. Make sure she gets
 
. . . on the flash drive. Tell no one. Sincerely, Dave Osterman.”