Jake stood before Nick and Luke. He gave Nick a knowing stare before he leaned over and whispered. “You dirty dog you.” Someone had better inform Jake that whispering meant no one else heard.
Jake wrapped his arms around Cara’s waist and leaned his chin on her shoulder and gave Nick an expectant look.
“What?” Nick said innocently and then directed his gaze to Sam. “You and I need to talk.”
“Unless you plan on telling me why you held my clothes hostage, there isn’t anything I want to hear coming from that mouth of yours.” She said in a matter of fact tone before she crossed her arms at her chest and glared at him. Not that the glaring part mattered much, he couldn’t see her eyes.
Luke turned around abruptly. “You held my sister’s clothes hostage?” He looked at him incredulously.
Sam watched Jake chuckle as he looked back and forth between Nick and Luke. He cleared his throat and Luke’s eyes drifted towards him. “You should’ve seen her this morning.” Jake added and then smiled at Nick. “Way to go, man!”
“Jake, man you’re really not helping.” Nick said through gritted teeth as he kept his eyes firmly on Luke’s. Sam’s tongue snaked out and ran along her lower lip. The fact that her brother was looking at him like he was about to throttle him, didn’t faze him in the slightest. She shouldn’t have found it attractive, but then again, everything about her had been spiraling out of control today. “You’ve got something to say?” He asked Luke and Sam turned her head immediately to Luke.
“No, but something tells me you do.” Luke said as he eyed him patiently.
Nick nodded. “I do, but that’s kind of between me and your sister.” His eyes lingered on Luke for a minute before he turned back to Sam. “You think maybe we can be adults about this and not include your entire family?”
Jake frowned and managed to look hurt by Nick’s words. “Hey, where’s the fun in that?”
Sam pursed her lips as she contemplated whether or not she should even give Nick the time of the day. Curiosity won her inner battle and she pointed her finger towards him. “You have exactly three minutes.”
Sam watched from the corner of her eye as Luke nudged Jake. “This is all your fault!”
Jake looked at him outraged. “Mine? I didn’t take her clothes!”
Luke pointed an accusing finger at his brother. “Yeah, but you thought the two of them together was a good idea! You gave your damn blessing.”
“Hate to remind you big brother, but you did too.” Jake said as he cocked his head and gave him a so-there, look. Luke grunted, but had no words.
Sam threw her hands in the air frustrated. “Hello? I’m standing right here. And have no fear there is absolutely nothing going on between me and him!” She pointed a disgusted finger towards Nick.
Cara raised an eyebrow at her, calling bullshit. “Then you better figure out what happened to your clothes.” She said as she tried her best to hide her smile.
Traitor! Sam thought, but before she could reply, Nick’s hand closed over her elbow and he shuffled them outside of the garage. Once they were outside, she jerked her arm away from him. “The clocks ticking, Foti.” She said as she tapped her foot impatiently.
He blew out a breath and slid his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “You’re a pain in the ass.”
“Way to win me over.” She said sarcastically and crossed her arms defiantly across her chest. He took a step closer and she fought to stand her ground. Maybe she should’ve backed away because the scent of his cologne fogged her head, bringing her back to the delightful smell of his sheets. He removed one of his hands from his pockets and reached out. Before she could object or even smack his hand away, he pulled her sunglasses off her face.
“Hey!”
“That’s better.” He said and folded one arm of her glasses; he tucked the other arm in between her breasts. His hand lingered for a moment. “I haven’t decided if I want to win you over yet.”
She swallowed. “But you decided I’m going to sleep with you.”
“That’s a given.” He said and shoved his hand back in his pocket. “You can ignore it all you want, but this thing between us will eventually come to a head.” He cocked his head and studied her expression. She hoped she portrayed herself as a woman who was glaring at a man she hated rather than a man who made her insides quiver at the promise of sex.
“I hate to be the one to take down your ego, but I’m not attracted to you.” She said sternly. She wouldn’t admit that she had never been more attracted to another man or the fact that the last seven years had been so good to him. He was even more appetizing than before he left.
He grinned at her. “Keep telling yourself that.” He pulled her cell phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. “You left this last night, before you threw up all over your beautiful little dress that I had to peel you out of.”
She grimaced. Well, that explained her clothes situation. “I threw up?” He nodded and she simply stared at him. “Be happy my parents taught me manners.” She swallowed and as if it pained her, she continued, “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“No problem. I’ll let you contemplate ways you can return the favor and take care of me.” He winked at her devilishly. His sexual innuendo sliced through her and she decided his three minutes were indeed up. She pushed his chest and reclaimed her air that he had seemed to steal from her. She walked around him and back towards the garage. She knew he followed her, she could
Luke looked up at them when they emerged back inside the garage. “You two square your shit away?”
“We’re all good.” Nick said from behind her.
Sam stood there uncomfortably for a moment, as all eyes were on her. She cleared her throat and Jake turned to Cara.
“Give them their letters, babe.” He told Cara and all eyes wandered to her as she reached into her purse and pulled out two envelopes.
“Sam?” She held out the envelope addressed to her. Sam stared at the white envelope she offered. The moment of truth, it didn’t even matter to her that she hated needles. She would let them handcuff her to a hospital bed and poke and prod her with all the needles in the world if it meant she’d be able to save Jake’s life. The thing is Sam learned a long time ago that Jake was the heart and soul of their family. Long before the Cancer was even an issue, she had seen it. He held all of them together, he was the glue. Her palms were sweating, so she wiped them along her shorts. She smiled at her brother.
He wrapped his arms tightly around Cara’s waist and nodded over her shoulder, urging her to take it. She bit her lip and reached for the envelope her eyes never leaving his. She hoped he saw in the depths of her eyes, in the depths of her soul, how much he meant to her and how badly she wanted to be able to take away his pain. He winked at her, and then she knew. He saw the love, he felt it.
Cara turned towards Luke, and handed him the envelope that held his results. He quickly took the envelope, not procrastinating as Sam had. Jake stepped out from behind Cara.
“Wait.” He said, holding up one hand. “Before you guys open those envelopes there is something I need to say.” He stepped forward and looked between Sam and Luke. “I always knew I was lucky to have the two of you in my life. I know you both would do anything for me, and it means so much, so fucking much to me that you both are willing to do whatever it takes to save my life.” He bit the inside of his cheek and waited a beat before he smiled. “I’m pretty damn happy not to be an only child, and not just because I’d be shit out of luck, but because even if this transplant doesn’t work, I’ve had the best time growing up with the two of you.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “So thank you.”
Luke reached out to him and grabbed him into an embrace. “We’re the lucky ones.”
Sam stood watching her brothers. Other than her father, they were the most important men in her life. Tears fell from her bloodshot eyes and she wiped at them with the back of her hand. Jake reached for her hand as she brought it to her face and dra
gged her into the embrace as well. The three of them stood there hugging one another, and Sam wished she’d always remember this moment for as long as she lived. She closed her eyes and bawled against Jake’s chest as Luke petted her hair, soothingly.
When they pulled apart, Luke nudged Sam. “You go first.”
“No, let’s do it at the same time.” She said.
Jake stood beside Cara, he reached for her hand and held it tightly as they ripped at the envelopes.
Sam opened the letter, her eyes skimming the words, searching for the only ones that mattered. Her heart sank, as she stared at the paper. She looked up at Jake, and shook her head. “I’m sorry.” She moaned. He offered her a smile and wrapped his arms around her, swaying with her. “I’m not a match.” She wept and he kissed the top of her head.
“It’s okay.” He said sincerely and consoled her. It should be the other way around. She should be hugging him, whispering reassuring thoughts into his ear. That’s what she meant by the heart and soul of their family. She pulled back, remembering they had one last hope.
“Luke?” she asked, and she and Jake turned their gazes towards him.
He lifted his head from the paper and looked directly into Jake’s eyes. He smiled slightly.
“I’m your match.” He said sounding surprised.
Sam’s eyes turned back to Jake, and she watched as a tear found its way down his cheek. He looked at Luke, stunned. She reached up and wiped his tear with her thumb, and pressed her lips to his cheek.
Cara threw her arms around Luke, tears cascading down her face. “Oh, thank God!” She gasped as she hugged Luke. He wrapped one arm around her and smiled at his brother. Cara turned around and searched Jake’s face.
“Baby did you hear him? Luke’s your match. It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.” She said as she cradled his face in her hands. Jake tore his gaze from Luke and his eyes met Cara’s. He leaned down and pressed his lips firmly against hers.
Sam smiled at them, before her eyes fell upon Nick. He was leaning against the wall with a small smile on his face. He must’ve felt her eyes bore into him because he turned and met her gaze. He winked at her and a tiny bit of the hatred she felt for him melted away. Like actually only a microscopic portion.
Jake pulled away from Cara, and stepped towards Luke.
“You’re really my match?” He asked hoarsely.
Luke grinned at him and displayed the test results in front of him. “Right there in black and white brother.” He threw his arm around his shoulder. “Let’s get your ass better.”
Chapter Four
Sam sat at her parent’s kitchen table flipping through the latest issue of Modern Bride. She reached into the bag of pistachio nuts, she and Cara had been sharing. Her fingers went to work on cracking the shell and once the little green roasted nut was free she popped it in her mouth. She pointed to one of the bridal gowns featured in the magazine and nudged Cara.
“What about something like that? I can so picture you in a gown like this one.” Sam said admiring the dress. When she looked over at Cara her, smiled faded somewhat. “You don’t like it?”
Cara sat straight up, hoping to disguise her slumped shoulders and the fact that something had been bothering her. “No, it’s beautiful.” She said and stared at the dress.
Sam’s brows furrowed as she worked the shell of another nut. “Then what’s with sad the face you been sporting since I got here? You look like I just ran over your cat.” She popped the nut into her mouth and watched as Cara sighed. Sam’s eyes followed hers as she glanced at the door that led into the living room. The door remained closed and Cara turned her gaze back to Sam.
“It’s just any time I bring up us getting married your brother changes the subject.” She blew out a breath and Sam could see the weight of her words, lift from her shoulders. “I feel like I imagined Jake asking me to marry him.” She said as she twirled her engagement ring around her finger.
Sam’s eyes widened at Cara’s admission. She had no idea that she had been feeling this way or that Jake had been avoiding the topic of their wedding. She was convinced that there was nothing her brother wanted more, than to have Cara as his wife. She reached for her hand and softly squeezed it reassuringly.
“Cara, my brother is head over heels in love with you. And we all know Jake doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want too, if he didn’t want to marry you then, he wouldn’t have asked you. He’s most likely been nervous about finding a bone marrow match.” She smiled at her. “Since that’s been cleared up have you brought up the wedding?”
She shook her head and glanced over at Deb. She was sitting at the counter, preoccupied on the phone with the hospital. She turned back to Sam.
“I just hope he knows that I’m not looking for a big wedding.” She nodded towards the book of dresses. “That’s all fine and everything but after all that we’ve been through, it doesn’t matter to me. I want to be his wife, and vow to be by his side through the good and the bad.”
“So you want to elope?” Sam asked her, and she couldn’t help but wonder, now that she heard what Cara’s version was, what Jake’s was.
She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter how it happens, as long as it does.” She stared at Sam for a moment and then laughed. “I sound like a Bridezilla.”
Sam smiled. “No you don’t. If I ever get married, I’ll probably define Bridezilla.” They laughed and then Deb turned towards them.
“Can one of you stir the pot? If I burn that pot of sauce your father will divorce me and take the house.” She said as she covered the mouthpiece of the phone.
Sam laughed and stood up and went over to the stove. She took the wooden spoon and stirred the gravy that was cooking for the last four hours.
Cara came up alongside her with another pot. She turned around and focused on Deb. “Should I boil the water for the pasta?”
Deb nodded. “Yes, I’ve been on hold for a half an hour. I’m trying to schedule my son Jake Lanza’s bone marrow transplant. Yes of course we have a donor. Don’t you have his file?”
Sam sighed as she listened to her mother. She didn’t know where the woman got her patience. The kitchen door swung open and the boisterous noise of men filled the room.
“When the hell is dinner going to be done? It’s Sunday, we should’ve eaten two hours ago.” Joe bellowed as he rummaged towards the refrigerator. He pulled out a chilled bottle of wine and block of provolone cheese. Sam bit back her chuckle as she eyed the hunk of cheese. Jake walked up behind Cara and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“What are you guys doing?” He leaned over her shoulder and sniffed at Deb’s sauce. “Christ that smells amazing.”
“Your mom’s on the phone with the hospital.” Cara informed him, signaling him to lower his voice. Joe turned around as the cork to his wine bottle busted free.
He looked at his wife. “Everything okay?”
Deb nodded and waved her hand, letting him know in their own language she had it under control.
The back door opened at that time, and another four bodies straggled in for Deb’s Sunday dinner. Luke was carrying Ava on top of his shoulders, and bent his knees so they would clear the door frame. Leah followed him, her hands full of boxed goods from the bakery. Lastly, Nick stepped through the door, one arm full of three loaves of bread the other carrying a six pack of beer. He kicked the door closed with the heel of his sneaker and Joe hurried to him.
“Here son, let me relieve you of all those carbohydrates.” Joe said with an expression of concern as he grabbed the bread from Nick. “There take a load off.” He said as broke the heel off of one of the loaves of bread. .
Deb brought her free hand to the ear that didn’t have the phone against it, trying to block out the rest of the kitchen noise to listen to the conversation. She caught her husband digging into the bread and her eyes went wild. “Step away from the bread! That is for dinner Joe!” She said through gritted teeth. The family that surrounded her laughed. �
��Yes, I’m here I’m sorry I had to scold my husband. The man is ridiculous. Okay, you have a set date? Great!” She looked up at the entire bunch of them that rallied around the counter. She smiled as she eyed them through the glasses that sat on the edge of her nose. She circled a date on the calendar in front of her and pushed it towards them so they could all see the day the transplant had been scheduled.
“Okay, thank you. God bless you, have a great day. Take Care. Bye, now.” Deb said, smiling into the phone. Joe grabbed the phone and hit the end button. “What the hell is wrong with you?” She stared at him as if he had lost his mind.
“Excuse me, but you were two greetings away from inviting whoever was on the other end of that conversation to have dinner with us.” He said sincerely concerned that his wife would feed another mouth.
Deb rolled her eyes and took her glasses off and she turned her gaze to her family and smiled. “We have a date!”
Jake glanced down at the calendar. “July twenty first.” He blew out a breath and glanced across the kitchen to his brother. “You okay with that?”
Luke balled his hands into fists and stretched his arms out in front of him insinuating to take his blood right then and there if he could. “Let’s do this.”
“Wait daddy, my dance competition is that weekend. Who will bring me if you and Uncle Jake need to go to the hospital?” Ava stared up at Luke in wonderment. Luke’s smile fell as he looked down at his daughter. He put his hands on his hips and contemplated a remedy for the situation, in true Luke form.
Jake interrupted his thoughts. “We’ll change the appointment munchkin!” He smiled at Ava, and Luke turned to face him abruptly.
“No, we won’t.” He said firmly. He looked around the room, his eyes landing on Leah’s.
“I would but I’m working that weekend, twelve hour shifts.” She said as stared down at Ava.
“Alright, well we will just have to miss this competition, Sweetie.” He bent down, he was eye level with his little girl. “They’ll be plenty more, and you know how important is that daddy has this procedure to help Uncle Jake get better.”
Broken Pieces (Riverdale #2) Page 3
