Epic Sins (Epic Fail #1)(26)

“Of course I do.” She knows this already. She’s heard me tell countless stories of babies just like Kai.

“That’s what I thought. So tell me what we need to have on hand. He’s being discharged from the hospital the day after tomorrow.” She pulls out the pocket notebook that she carries with her everywhere. It contains her lists that help her run her daily life.

After I tell her the supplies I’m going to need, I suddenly realize what I’ve committed to and I feel sick.

“I don’t even know your boss, Aunt Peggy. How can you expect me to move in there? This is absurd!”

She started working there when I went to nursing school and we never talk about it. She also does other personal assistant work for several families in our area, and I can never keep straight who she’s working for when.

“His name is Garrett Armstrong and he’s a musician.”

Garrett Armstrong.

Garrett Armstrong.

I repeat the name over and over silently in my head, knowing it sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it.

I hear Cassie’s high-pitched voice behind me, “GARRETT ARMSTRONG?” she screeches.

She runs around the couch and jumps up and down in front of me. “Do you know who he is?” Her voice goes up another octave and pierces my ears. I shake my head.

Aunt Peggy is finishing up her list and she clicks her pen after closing her notebook.

“Uh, Epic Fail?” Cassie says and the recognition sets in. I saw a tabloid article on the Internet this morning about Garrett Armstrong and some groupie OD’ing on his tour bus.

Cassie’s eyes light up. “Aunt Peggy, if Sam doesn’t want the job, I’ll take it.” She clasps her hands together and is nearly bursting at the seams.

“Fine, the job’s yours,” I say and stand up to leave the room. I can’t be a part of any of this. My head is pounding, and I just want to curl up and go to sleep.

“Samantha Katherine Weston.” My Aunt’s voice booms through the living room.

Dammit.

“Oh shit,” I hear Cassie say under her breath. “I was only kidding, Aunt Peggy.” Her voice turns sweet and she rushes past me up the stairs.

“Talk to your aunt. I don’t think you have a choice,” she says as she disappears down the hall and into my room.

I stop in my tracks and turn back to face my aunt.

“Do you care how I feel?” I try to expose her guilt.

“No. Not in this case. You’ve always trusted me, Samantha. You’ve always trusted that I know what’s best. You must trust me now. You are what’s best for Kai. You’re going to help turn what could be a very troubled young life around. Give this baby a chance. Please.”

I raise my eyes to meet hers again and they’re filled with worry.

“I saw him this morning.” She covers her mouth with her hand and chokes back a sob. “He’s at your hospital.”

My heart sinks.

“Dr. Hagan said he came into your NICU the day Ben died. He was supposed to be transferred to CHOP, but well, after what happened, there was a bed available at your hospital. She’s spent quite a good deal of time with him, and she knows he has a good chance at a good life, as long as he has the proper care. I told her that I was going to ask you. She agreed it would be a good idea.”

“You know I’m on administrative leave, right? I could possibly lose my nursing license. I may not be qualified for this job,” I say, and she shakes her head.

“I spoke with Jim and confirmed that you can do anything you want while you’re on administrative leave.”

“Why would you speak with my boss? Aunt Peggy, you’ve gone too far.” I’m angry now. She’s never meddled in my career before, and it makes me uncomfortable that she’s speaking with my co-workers and boss.

“When you meet Kai, you’ll understand why I’ve done what I’ve done.” She turns to leave the room. “I’m going to the pharmacy to buy everything on the list.”

And with that, she’s gone.

I hear her car back out of the garage and Cassie comes bounding down the stairs.

“Holy shit!” she exclaims.

Yeah, holy shit.





Garrett

Present

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Age 26



I PULL INTO MY LONG DRIVEWAY and watch through the rearview mirror as the privacy gate closes behind me. I’m trapped in a cage now, and I’m dreading what’s inside waiting for me.

I press the button above me and the garage opens slowly. I pass Peggy’s parked car as I maneuver my way next to the Land Cruiser. Bile rises in my throat and I slowly open the door.

What am I doing?

Three days ago, Peggy talked me into taking in a sick baby. My sick baby. I’ve regretted even giving her the power to force that decision on me. How did I let this happen?

Before I can turn and flee, the door between the garage and the house opens and Peggy emerges.

“We picked up Kai a few hours ago, and Sam is getting him settled. I wanted to talk to you before you came inside, so you know exactly what to expect.” Her worried expression tells me I shouldn’t have allowed this to transpire.

I open my mouth to tell her to get them out of my house, but she ignores my movement and speaks again.