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Sam walked out of my house before I could recover from the shock. Which was a good thing, because when I did, I was feeling a little violent myself.
This was not the joyful reunion I dreamed about. The Sam I loved was still there—but he was hidden, under a shell of anger.
I knelt next to Jake, swallowing when I saw the bruises already forming on his throat. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He pushed himself up. “I should have known better than to toy with him. I went through the same phase. It’s like every nerve is raw. I got mad when I couldn’t find the brand of soda I wanted in the local market.”
“Okay.” My panic must have shown; Jake laid both hands on my shoulders.
“He’ll get past it. I did—and he’s much nicer than I was. Plus, he’s got a reason. You.”
“Me?”
Jake let out a sigh. “How many people have to tell you Sam is crazy about you before you believe it?” I stared at him, heat spreading over my face, more than aware it was turning my face beet red. Pale skin equals constant embarrassment. “Just—be there for him. I’d have given anything to know someone cared.”
“Jake—”
“Stop.” He grabbed my wrist before I could touch his face, softened the withdrawal with one of his flashing grins. “I’m not the one who needs those melting looks. Go aim your pretty eyes at my cousin, Finch. Get him to help. I can use his strength if we—run into something.”
“Something. Like the Devil isn’t enough something.” His laughter had me smiling. “Okay—I’ll try. But I don’t know how much influence I’ll have over this new Sam.”
“You’d be surprised.” He tilted my chin. “You seriously underestimate your power, Finch. Tomboy or not, you grew up a beauty.” My blush turned painful. “A little of that charm won’t hurt either.”
“That’s acute embarrassment.”
“Just lay it on.” He let me go. With a shaky breath, I stood and headed for the door, wondering if Sam was still outside, or if I’d have to go hunting for him. “Alex.” I turned back to Jake. “Let him know you care—that’s going to be really important to him right now.”
“Okay.” Every bit of advice made me less sure of myself.
“And Alex—”
“No more. I’m already freaked out enough, thank you.”
Jake leaned against the wall, crossing him arms. “Then you’ll do just fine. Freaked out seems to bring your game.”
“Not helping, Jake.”
His laughter followed me out the front door, and on to the porch. Where Sam paced like an angry cat.
He must have sensed me, because he spun, those grey-blue eyes almost glowing. I froze, trapped by that gaze, my mind blank. Again.
He stalked to me, and the panic closing my throat must have projected itself. Halting, he held up his hands. “I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t want to scare you. Damn,” he whispered, dropping his hands. “I can’t seem to control my temper lately. I won’t blame you if you want to walk away.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” I pushed my hands into the pockets of Candace’s jacket, so he wouldn’t see how much they shook. “I told you I don’t care, Sam. I believe in you, no matter what.” He lowered his head. “We’ve been through too much together.” Swallowing, I finally spit out what was in my heart. “I love you, Sam, and I’m not going anywhere.”
He moved so fast I didn’t have a chance to react.
Pinning me against the wall, he loomed over me. “I came back to find the truth about what happened—at Halloween, and ten years ago. Once I do, I’m leaving, Alex.” He lowered his head, the ends of his streaked blonde hair brushing my cheek. “I can’t take the chance that I’d hurt you. Ever.”
“You’ll hurt me by leaving.”
He looked at me. The pain in his eyes left me breathless. “Not as much as I could if I stayed.”
Before I saw it coming, he kissed me, so fierce and despairing, tears slid down my face. His lips brushed my damp cheek, and he whispered, so low I almost didn’t hear.
“I love you, Alex. I always have.”
Pushing off the wall, he bolted to his SUV. And left me clutching the wall, shaking from the aftereffects of his words.
I knew by the time this was over, my heart would be in tiny, unrepairable pieces.