Epic Sins (Epic Fail #1)(65)

I take the stairs two at a time and rush down the hall to Kai’s room, where I’m sure Sam still is. I want to see her now. Be with her now. I can’t even think ahead to when she’s not under my roof.

I open the door quietly and hear the familiar music playing. Sam is asleep on the bed with Kai tucked in next to her. I stand over them and see my ‘family’ and want to do everything in my power to keep us together. I notice a stuffed animal that I’ve never seen before. It’s a very old stuffed dog that looks like it may have been through the washing machine several hundred times. It’s gray with the faintest pink tint to it. Kai is clutching it by the ear. I wonder where that came from.



I lift him from the bed and place him gently in his crib. He’s still grasping the dog, and I let him keep it. Then I scoop Sam into my arms. She’s limp and sound asleep. I hesitate in front of her door and then walk down the hall, carrying her into my room. This is where I want her. I gently lay her on my bed and she rolls to her side, sighing heavily. I can’t imagine how exhausted she is after her swim earlier today.

Without thinking, I strip down to my boxer briefs. I slide into bed next to her as easily as I can without disrupting her sleep. Despite what I wanted to do to her earlier, at the moment I just want her to be close. I need to feel her warmth. I drape my arm over hers and pull myself against her. She stirs slightly and then entwines her fingers with mine.

“You awake?” I whisper in her ear and she shivers in my arms.

“No,” she whispers back, and I smile.

“You let me carry you all the way in here when you could have walked?”

“I think I woke up halfway here. When you bumped my foot against the door.” She laughs quietly and I kiss the back of her neck.

She rolls onto her back, keeping our fingers locked together on top of her stomach, and turns her head to look at me, our noses only inches apart.

“Tell me about the stuffed dog,” I demand, and she looks at me questioningly.

“You mean the Dalmatian? I have no idea where that came from.”

“I gave that to him. It reminds me of one I had just like it when I was younger. The other dog, the one he’s sleeping with.”

“Googie,” she says, and I wonder what language she’s speaking.

“What?”

“It’s my Googie. I got him from my parents the day I was born. When I was old enough to talk, I called him Googie because I couldn’t say doggy. The name just stuck.”

“Googie,” I say, smiling, and kiss the tip of her nose.

She slides a little closer to me so our lips touch softly.

“Kai means everything to me, Garrett. But it’s time for me to leave.” Her eyes look apologetic.

“I know.”

“I love him. I’ve never felt this way about a baby that I’ve cared for. I’m in love with your son.” She squeezes my hand and I kiss her gently on the lips.

“You’ve gone above and beyond. Kai wouldn’t be where he is now without you.” I pause and kiss her again.

“Garrett?” she asks quietly.

“Yes?” I nuzzle into her.

“What’s happening between us?” she asks.

I don’t hesitate when I respond.

“Everything.”





Sam

Present

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Age 24



“EVERYTHING,” HE SAYS, and I inhale deeply.

“What does that mean?” I ask.

Our fingers are still linked and he squeezes my hand. “I’ve never been this happy,” he says, and his eyes look glassy. This tender moment is something I never thought I’d experience with Garrett.

“I’m in love with my son too,” he says and blinks heavily. “I can’t imagine my life without him. I see our future together and it’s amazing.” He smiles, and I use my free hand to wipe the tear on his cheek.

“Tell me what his future looks like,” I say. I want to hear everything.

“He’s going to be the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees,” Garrett states as if he’s seen this future already.

“The Yankees?” I ask. “You do realize you live in Pennsylvania. He’ll be surrounded by Phillies fans his entire life. You’re dooming his existence with constant heckling and fights.”

He laughs heartily. “I’m not worried. At least he’s not going to be on the Mets.”

I swat him on the shoulder. “Hey, leave my Mets out of this.”

“Really? A Mets fan? I should have known.” He kisses me tenderly and pulls me closer against his body.

“My father’s favorite team. I grew up carrying Mr. Met around with Googie.” Mr. Met didn’t make it through the fire, and I feel sad, remembering the day my father gave him to me.

“What else does Kai’s future hold?” I ask curiously.

“That depends,” he says.

“Depends on what?” I ask.

“It depends on if you’ll be around to see him grow up.”

His words stab through my heart and I don’t understand why he’s saying this.

“What?” I ask, my eyes burning with impending tears.

He kisses me deeply, and my tears spill down my cheeks. He pulls back then kisses each and every drop until my cheeks are dry.