I didn’t follow her. My heart felt too heavy to do anything but remain on the couch. I tucked my knees against my chest, aggravated I couldn’t remember what happened between the short time I’d left Tonbo and woken up in Jaxon’s lair.
“Hey,” Blake said softly, breaking the melancholy settling over me. I glanced up to see him in the doorway. “You okay?”
I nodded too quickly, and he was next to me in an instant. “What’s going on? You look worried,” he said, wrestling one of my hands free. “Sorry we were gone a long time.”
I glanced over, surprised to detect no teasing.
“You can blame Blake for that,” my dad said, catching me off guard as he entered the room. Blake gave my hand a squeeze and grinned.
My dad half laughed, half grumbled. “I had no idea he’d want to shovel half of Durango. Next time, I’ll take you, Samantha.”
I grinned at my dad, his face red, his neck wet with sweat. He had his back to us as he headed toward the kitchen.
“I need a drink,” he muttered.
“I guess you showed off all of your muscles for my dad after all,” I teased, glad for the distraction from Jocelyn. Being part dragonfly made one exceptionally strong and from what I’d seen of his upper body, Blake’s muscles were more than adequate—dragon or not. I flushed, feeling the warmth of his hand covering mine, a thrill rushing through me.
The sound of my dad pouring himself a glass of water snapped me out of it.
Black chuckled softly when I jumped a bit. I swear, it sometimes feels like he can read my mind. Scary thought.
“No, I held back.” Blake winked at me. “I didn’t want you to feel bad, Mr. Campbell,” he called out, loud enough for my dad to hear. He leaned back into the couch, pulling my hand into his lap. Guess hours of shoveling snow had made Blake more comfortable with my dad.
My dad mumbled something under his breath, and turned around to face us from the kitchen. He downed his drink and then held the empty cup out to Blake, pointing it out accusingly. “Better watch out, son. I’m going to steal you every Saturday now because of the way you showed off today.”
“It’d be my pleasure,” Blake said with a grin.
My dad sighed, trying to hide his smile.
“Hey, how about that date you owe me?” I prodded.
Blake ran his hand behind his head, scrubbing his neck. “I should shower first.” To my surprise, he leaned over and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Be back in a flash.”
I giggled as he jumped up from the couch to head home. My gaze followed him from the room, my heart aching to see him go, even if it was for a few minutes. I couldn’t describe the longing I felt around him. I’d never felt it with any other boy before.
I turned and caught my dad gazing at me.
“He’s not a bad kid, Samantha,” he said with a shrug. “I was a bit worried with your track record.”
“Hey, for the record, Mom loved Jeremy,” I said in my defense, not really defending Jeremy. My dad had never cared for him that much. After I’d ended things with him, my dad had let me know how relieved he’d been.
“Yes, well, she’s always had a thing for the tall, dark, and handsome.” He grinned, gesturing to himself. “Not that I can blame her really.”
I laughed. “Yeah, well, Jeremy is nothing like you, Dad.” I paused. “Blake’s not like any other guy I’ve dated, actually. Not that I’ve dated that many. But he gets me. All of me.”
My dad’s gaze softened. We both knew what I was talking about. He leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms. “About that… how are you holding up, kiddo? Still no more blackouts?”
I sighed. At least this much, I could share with him, as much at it killed me to not tell him about my new life as a damsel. Sammy was safer ground. “I’m good. It’s just strange to know I could lose myself to her at any time.”
He nodded, and it gave me an idea. Maybe Mack wasn’t the only one who could help me learn who Sammy was. I felt like if I understood her better, perhaps I could piece together the missing holes in my life.
“Hey Dad, what was Sammy like? I mean, when she was around?”
He unfolded his arms and walked over to the couch. Sitting down next to me, he said, “She wasn’t you.” He smiled. “You’re thoughtful and kind. Sammy, on the other hand, seemed hell-bent on making your mom’s life miserable. Within minutes of her showing up, I’d hear the two of them arguing over something.” He shook his head at the memory. “Maybe it’s because she had such little control over her own existence, I don’t know. She didn’t like anyone telling her what to do or think.”
I nodded.
“Luckily, you were the one around most of the time, Samantha.”
“How would you know when it wasn’t me, I mean? I know she didn’t like to be called my name, but it seems like she could have fooled you sometimes.”
“Mm…” He rubbed his chin. “Yeah, she could have, I suppose. But I would have seen through it, I think. Where you were pretty laid-back, Sammy always had an agenda. She seemed driven by something.” His gaze shifted to the carpet. “She made it tough for you, with friends, school… boyfriends. She put a wedge between you and a lot of people because she said whatever was on her mind.” He frowned. “Maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this.”
“No, really, I want to know,” I begged. “It helps me to understand her. Please, Dad.”
His brows furrowed as he met my gaze, but then he relented, “Well, after keeping it from you for so long, I suppose I owe you the truth now. I want you to know I was never happy with that therapist’s decision not to tell you. When the normal medication route didn’t work, they assured us it was the best thing for you. I’m sorry, Samantha. I never meant it to feel like we’ve been lying to you your whole life.”
“I don’t feel that way, Dad. I understand you only did it to protect me. And honestly, I’m glad you did.” I wasn’t going to lie, living with the knowledge that someone else hid within me, trying desperately to come out and take control, terrified me.
I gave him a reassuring smile, hoping he would tell me more.
“You know, if you really want to know more about Sammy, you should talk to Mack.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, I will.” Hearing Mack’s name sent pain trickling through me. I missed my friend. I didn’t care anymore that he’d lied about playing a hand in my changing. I knew he only did it because he loved me, not just Sammy. He didn’t want my unfinished dosage to change me into something unknown, or even to destroy me completely.
“Or you could ask Jocelyn.” My dad’s words jarred me from my thoughts.
“Really?” I asked, my eyes widening.
“I wouldn’t say Sammy and she were best friends, but Jocelyn spent more time with Sammy than the rest of us. She acted as a buffer of sorts at times. Maybe she can help you learn more… about your other half.”
I hitched my lips into a smile, trying to act as if what my dad said was no big deal. Jocelyn and Sammy were friends? Or at least got along? My head spun with the implications.
Dad got up off the couch, giving my leg a friendly pat as he went. “I’ll let you get ready for your hot date,” he said with a wink before leaving the room.
I nodded woodenly, saying, “Thanks, Dad.” But I didn’t move from the couch right away.
So is that why she seems mad at me? She’s upset I’m not Sammy?