by Amiee Louise
Gone to Sam’s
Please don’t worry about me
I promise I will call you tomorrow
P xx
I leave the flat quietly and make my way to the parking garage. I start my car and begin the journey to Sam’s place. Before I know it, I’m pulling into Sam’s parking garage and heading up to his place in the waiting lift. My heart is pounding in my chest as the lift ascends and I’m wondering if he will be pleased to see me. The lift slowly stops, and I step out into the familiar foyer. I walk over to the door and knock gently. Sam answers the door bare-chested, in loose jeans and bare feet—he looks so much better than he did yesterday. He is clean-shaven, and his hair is back to its familiar spiky style. His eyes are back to the same sparkling green as he looks at me, taking me in as if he can’t believe I am actually standing in front of him.
“Angel.”
He wraps me up in his strong, muscular arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist. I can’t get close enough to this gorgeous man. He takes me inside, kicking the door shut behind him, and sets me down on my feet.
“I spent the whole of yesterday in the pits of hell because I thought I’d never see you again.”
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one.
“I’m so sorry. I overreacted, and I didn’t give you a chance to explain properly. Please forgive me.”
He reaches out and strokes my face.
“There’s nothing to forgive, angel, I’m the one who should be on my knees begging you for forgiveness. I lied, and I kept things from you.”
“It’s OK; I just need you to be honest with me. Make me understand, Sam.”
His eyes glaze over, and he nods. “I promise I’ll tell you everything, baby.”
Sam makes us both large mugs of hot chocolate and marshmallows. I smile at his sweet, simple gesture, and we snuggle up on the sofa.
“I still see the papers, the pictures on the Internet, and the news reports today from the day I went into rehab; they still come back and haunt me after all these years. All I want to do is to give that pale, ill, withdrawn, scared, and fucked up kid a hug. Looking back, I think I was actually scared how successful we were becoming—we were invincible, no one would say no to us, whatever we wanted we got it, no questions asked. When I told you that Jax saved me, you have no idea what that boy did for me. Brody and I went on a seventy-two-hour bender, we stumbled from one club to another, they wouldn’t refuse us because we were spending ridiculous amounts of money and they could say that they had celebrities in their club. We were doing speed bombs, popping pills, snorting coke, and drinking, all to excess. Everywhere we went, the press were there, following us, they wouldn’t leave us alone. We were still new to the music industry, we already had an album out, which was doing quite badly at the time and we were about to release a second. We were hot property, so any press coverage was good for our profile.
We ended up randomly wandering into some guy’s student house party just to get away from them. This guy was so happy that Bolt and Snake from Rancid Vengeance were at his party. They welcomed us, we did shots, took a lot of drugs, and we were completely off our faces. Brody won’t touch heroin because that’s what killed his mum, but I thought why not. I wanted to forget who I was for a while. I injected heroin that night, and I blacked out. The next thing I remember is coming around in the hospital with J.D. and the rest of the band at my bedside. Apparently, I overdosed that night. Jax scoured the streets looking for us, and we were followed as per usual. There was a photographer parked not too far away, and he led Jax to us—he found me just in time. I had my stomach pumped, and J.D gave me an ultimatum: go to rehab, or he was going to kick me out of the band. I chose rehab. I owed it to myself, my band, my family, and everyone around me who I had let down. The next day, I was flown to a rehab centre in Connecticut, I was twenty-two years old and going into rehab. I was fucking terrified. I was there for thirty days, and it changed my life around completely. It stopped me from spiralling further into that world. I owe Jax everything for finding me that night.”
I listen to his story intently and am shocked at the revelations Sam has revealed to me. I am relieved and glad that he is finally being totally honest with me. I snuggle closer to him, and he squeezes me tightly.
“I’ve wanted to tell you all this for a long time, but I was scared you’d run from me again. I kept putting it off. The more we got to know each other, the deeper I was falling in love with you. I know it’s selfish, but I didn’t want to ruin what we had by dragging up the past unnecessarily. I’m not a drug addict anymore, I swear, but Brody brings out the worst in me. It was stupid and careless of me to let you just walk in on us like that. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
I shake my head and put my finger to his lips to stop him from talking.
“Shhh, just take me to bed, baby, I need to feel your arms around me,” I whisper, and he smiles that familiar dazzling smile that I love so much. He takes me to bed, no other words needed.
The next morning, I wake before my alarm and surprisingly, before Sam, even though I don’t have to be at work until twelve. I pull on a white shirt of Sam’s and go out into the kitchen. I want to surprise Sam by cooking him breakfast. I turn on the iPod dock and listen to soft music, the distinctive sound of Hinder coming through the surround sound system, while I set about finding the ingredients for breakfast. I make bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast—I am not the best cook in the world, but I can make a mean breakfast! I am dancing around, singing, and playing air guitar in Sam’s kitchen when I hear his soft chuckle.
“Someone’s in a good mood this morning!”
I look up, embarrassed at being caught singing and dancing like a total loon.
“Good morning, angel, something smells good.”
He strides towards me and pulls me into his arms, kissing me gently on the lips.
“Good morning, handsome, I thought I’d surprise you.”
He smiles—even in the mornings he looks delicious. He is shirtless giving me a glimpse of his perfectly-sculpted muscles and tattoos. He is barefoot, and his hair is perfectly sleep mussed. He is wearing a loose-fitting pair of grey jogging bottoms that hang off his hips, revealing a perfect V on his lower abdomen.
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
He perches himself on the worktop. “Is there anything I can do to help, angel?” he asks gruffly.
I take the warming plates out of the oven and place them on the worktop. I shake my head and plate up the food as Sam’s observes me carefully moving around his kitchen. I didn’t realise how hungry I was until my stomach growls in protest. I take the plates over to the table, and we sit opposite each other. Sam smirks as he takes a mouthful of food. I look at him expectantly, waiting for his reaction.
“Mmm, it’s really good.” Sam smiles.
“Whatever flips your pancake, babe.” I smirk, and he regards me intently.
“Do I flip your pancake then, angel?”
He sounds amused. I bite my lip seductively. I am sat in his kitchen, wearing my lacy black bra, a pair of sexy black French knickers, with Sam’s white shirt open, barefoot and comfortable.
“Don’t bite your lip please, baby, because I haven’t had you since Saturday night. I’ve been aching for you.”
He knows how much his voice affects me; he is doing this on purpose! I run my foot up the inside of his leg, teasing him. He gives me a knowing look, and I feign innocence. Two can play that game, Newbolt.
We finish our breakfast in a comfortable silence. After breakfast, we make slow, leisurely, sensual love on Sam’s silk sheets. Satiated and relaxed, we take an unhurried shower, and I dress for work. I am checking my reflection when Sam comes behind me, wraps his strong arms around my waist, and rests his head on my shoulder.
“You look gorgeous, baby,” he says as he kisses my neck.
“So do you, rock star.”
I wink and cuddle him tightly before grabbing my coat and bag ready to start m
y first week as shop manager at work. I kiss Sam goodbye, promising to meet him for lunch. Sam leaves with me, and we make our way to the parking garage. Sam blows me a kiss goodbye, jumps in his Porsche, and speeds out into the London traffic. I smile to myself, unlock my beloved car, jump in the driver’s seat, and crank up the stereo to get my morning shot of rock music. I am in the mood for a bit of Stone Sour and Corey Taylor’s dulcet tones blast through the stereo, and I sing along and begin my journey to work with a stupid grin plastered across my face. I’m in the best mood I have been in in a few days.
I drive to the exit, and the security gate automatically lifts up. Cole must have recognised my car on the CCTV. I am about to pull out of Sam’s parking garage, and a bus is coming in the opposite direction. I go to pump the brake, panicking when I realise that the car isn’t slowing down. I pump the brake more furiously.
“Come on,” I plead. My voice sounds hysterical, and I realise the car isn’t stopping. That’s when everything went black.
Revelations
Tattoos and Tears – Book 2
By Amiee Louise
Published by Scarlet Lantern Publishing
1
Peyton
I am aware of the noises and hear muffled voices in the background, but my brain can’t focus on what’s going on. I hear the sounds of sirens and the familiar noise of the London traffic. I desperately want to scream out, but my vocal chords do not cooperate, and all I see is perpetual darkness.
The next thing I know, I wake up in an all-too-bright room with blinding fluorescent lights above me. My vision is blurred, and I struggle to focus on my surroundings. All I am aware of is that every part of my body hurts and aches. I go to move, and my body protests. I try again to focus, and that’s when I see him—Sam, my gorgeous rock star. His familiar handsome face is spoiled with concern and sadness.
“Ruby, she is awake.”
His voice is gruff and broken. Ruby’s face comes into focus, and I turn my head.
“Thank God. Peyton, hey it’s me, Ruby.”
I open my eyes, feeling more aware of my surroundings.
“Hey, sleeping beauty,” Sam says, stroking my hand.
“Sam.” My voice is hoarse and doesn’t sound like my own.
“It’s OK. I’m here. You’re in the hospital, angel.” I frown, and he gives me some water through a straw to hydrate my dry throat. “You were in an accident.”
Sam’s jaw clenches, and I know instantly there’s something he is keeping from me.
“Sam, what happened?”
I sound anxious, though I’m not sure why. He looks from me and then to Ruby. She wipes a tear from her eye and sniffs, as if she is building up the courage to tell me.
“You were in a car accident, sweetie,” Ruby finally says. “Forensics have gone over your car with a fine-toothed comb. They reckon it was deliberate—someone cut your brakes.”
Sam’s face turns angry. His jaw is clenched, and he starts to pace around the room, running his hands through his hair.
“W-what? Why? How?”
I struggle to take in what Ruby has just said. Deliberate… someone cut my brakes on my car on purpose. Why would someone want to do that? I can’t process this information, and I go to sit up. I scrunch my face in pain, and like lightning, Sam rushes over to the bed.
“Jesus, angel, please try not to move,” he says, his voice soft with concern. A tear spills from my eye.
“Sam, it hurts.”
He strokes my hand. “I know, baby. Jesus Christ, I thought I’d lost you.”
I see the angst in his eyes; he looks as if he hasn’t slept in a few days and my heart clenches.
“Skip is outside guarding the room in case the person who did this tries to come here and Cole’s back at the apartment going through the CCTV footage from my building. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, angel, I promise. Whoever did this they’re not going to fucking get away with it,” Sam spits out angrily.
A guard outside my room—what the fuck? This is all too much for my brain to process right now, and that’s when the tears come. Tears spill from my eyes and they won’t stop. I am sobbing uncontrollably, and Sam holds me, comforting me as best as he can.
A few hours pass, and I have been drifting in and out of sleep, hearing the low humming beep of hospital machines around me. I can hear Ruby and Sam talking in hushed tones.
“She has been out for five fucking days, Sam, who would want to do this to her?” Ruby sobs softly. I can hear Sam’s footsteps pacing around the room.
“I really don’t know, but I’m going to find out, and they’re not going to fucking get away with this, Ruby, I can promise you that.”
Sam’s phone starts ringing. “I need to take this, it’s Cole. I won’t be long.”
I hear him leave the room and the chair scrapes along the floor, as Ruby takes his place next to my bed. I open my eyes to look at her.
“Hey, how are you feeling, sweetie?” she asks softly, and I clear my throat.
“Sore.”
Ruby smiles. “I know, babe. You gave us all such a scare. Thank God you’re all right.”
A tear rolls down my cheek as I choke out, “I’m so sorry.”
Ruby shakes her head. She holds my hand and strokes it reassuringly. “Shush, none of this is your fault, Peyton, I promise you. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for.”
I sob softly, “How long have I been in here?”
“Five days. It was touch and go at first, the crash was really bad. Your car took the majority of the damage; it’s a complete wreck.”
My eyes widen. I know I am lucky to be alive, but my beloved car?
“Sam’s been such a rock in all this. He called your parents and made the arrangements so that you could have a private room. He even dealt with the police and the press. That boy is a saint among men, babe, I’m telling you. Hold onto him.”
I look at her and cock my eyebrow.
“You couldn’t stand him the other day,” I say, smirking; it’s good to know that I haven’t lost my sense of humour. Ruby laughs, and Sam comes back into the room. A look passes between Ruby and him.
“What’s going on? Before you even think of fucking lying to me, just tell me what the hell is happening.”
Sam clenches his fist.
“That was Cole on the phone. He has gone over the CCTV footage from the parking garage, and he found something he thinks I should see. Motherfuckers!” Sam shouts, running his fingers through his hair frantically. Ruby stands up and brushes his arm reassuringly.
“I’ll go and get us some coffee. You two should talk.”
Ruby winks, and I smile weakly. She leaves the room, and Sam takes the seat next to my bed. He links our fingers together and strokes my knuckles.
“Christ, I’ve been in hell these past few days, angel. I’ve been relentlessly questioned by the police because it happened on my property and my parking garage is now a fucking crime scene. I swear I’m going to get the person who fucking did this, baby, I promise you.”
Another tear rolls down my cheek, and I feel like all I have done since I have come around is cry. I’m actually pathetic.
“I can’t remember anything, Sam.”
He looks at me. “Shhh, it’s all right. You had a traumatic brain injury, angel, and some temporary short-term memory loss is normal, apparently.”
“What happened?” My voice is hoarse with unshed tears.
“You were pulling out of my parking garage, your brakes failed, and you crashed into an oncoming bus. It could have been so much worse; it’s lucky that the traffic lights were on red, or it would have been utter carnage. I had no idea what was going on until I got the call to say you’d been rushed into hospital.” He squeezes my hand and kisses the back of it gently. “Even now, you’re still beautiful.”
He smiles that familiar smile and strokes my face. I roll my eyes.
“Flattery will get you everywhere, Newbolt!”
We both laugh, and I h
ear a commotion outside the door. Sam gets up and opens the door.
“I’m her friend and her boss, dickhead. Fucking let me through. I need to see her now.” I hear Seb’s frantic raised voice, and Sam goes over to Skip to diffuse the situation. Seb kicking off outside my hospital room, I do not want to see that. I have seen it with my own eyes before, and it isn’t a pretty sight. Seb, being ex-SAS, is badass and could probably knock someone on their arse by just looking at them.
“It’s all right, mate, let him through.”
Skip nods curtly and gestures to let Seb through the door. He is clutching a large bouquet of purple gerberas and a Starbucks take-out cup. He comes in and then backs up when he sees me lying in the hospital bed. Great, I must look really bad. He comes closer.
