Running Scared (Running Hearts Book 2)

by Saffron Blu

  “Good night.” Saxton’s words pulled me from my confusion, and I jumped off the chair as the three of them ran off the stage toward me.

  Matt pulled me into a hug. He was hot and wet with sweat, but I didn’t care. After all his little touches, I wanted him plastered all over me.

  Saxton grabbed his sister, swinging her around in a circle, eliciting an excited scream from her. It was good being privy to this private moment, although I couldn’t help but wish, once again, that Aimee was here to witness it as well.

  The crowd erupted into chants, clapping and stomping feet. Matt let me go and guided me back to my seat. “We better go give them that encore. I’ll be back.”

  The three of them did a three-way fist-punch thing before walking back onto the stage. I glanced at my phone and found nothing from Aimee.

  Ten minutes later, they were all coming back offstage. Saxton disappeared behind the changing screen they’d all dressed behind between songs at some point during the night.

  “Fuck!” he called before stepping out shirtless, a clean top held in one hand, his phone in the other. “We’ve got to get to the hospital.”

  Panic engulfed me. “What’s happened?” You know when someone goes as white as a sheet? Well, I felt it happen to me. I felt the blood drain from my body. Matt stepped up beside me, grabbing my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

  “It says they’ve put her into an induced coma.” Saxton’s voice was full of emotion, and I couldn’t care what that might mean.

  All I could think about was that one word—coma.

  My best friend was lying in a hospital bed, alone and in a coma while I’d been enjoying myself at a concert. At that moment, I hated myself.

  I was aware of people talking and Matt’s arm over my shoulder, guiding me through corridors, but I couldn’t see through the fog that had descended on me. I needed to see Aimee, to speak to her doctors, and make sure she was going to be okay.

  Because any other outcome was incomprehensible.

  I couldn’t imagine a life without my best friend in it with me.

  Chapter Two

  MATT

  Sam was shaking under my arm, and I pulled her in closer to my side, wondering if the cool night air was partly to blame or if worry for her best friend was the culprit. I wished I could do something to help bring back the outgoing person I’d met earlier, but deep down, I knew the only thing that would wash away the shocked and scarily quiet Sam would be to have Aimee out of danger.

  Dom slipped into the back seat of the car, and I guided Sam to follow. “We’ll be there in no time,” I promised, not really knowing which of the two I was trying to comfort. Walking through the corridors, I’d been focused on Sam, but my best friend was clearly being eaten by guilt. I knew him well enough to see that—clear as day.

  I made a mental note to keep a close eye on not just Sam but Dom too. I couldn’t let him fall apart over this. He needed to keep his head straight because we had an album to write, and we couldn’t do that if part of the team wasn’t in the here and now.

  By the time we stepped up to the hospital’s reception desk and requested information about Aimee, it felt like a much longer journey than it actually had been.

  Whispers of Running Hearts could be heard, and I didn’t miss the young nurse checking Dom out as she directed us to a private waiting area.

  She blushed when she noticed my eyes on her and cleared her throat. “Someone will be out here shortly with information for you.”

  Sam slipped from under my arm and charged for Alberto. “What the fuck did you not understand about texting me the minute the doctors told you anything?” She shoved his chest. He remained silent but flicked his eyes to Dom’s over her shoulder. “Don’t look to him for help. Speak.” Seeing the fire in her eased my heart a little, even though I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Al.

  Al sighed and rubbed a hand over his face before dropping into the nearest seat and focusing on Sam, who was still hovering over him, her arms crossed over her chest. “The doctors made it clear they were doing everything they could and you rushing here missing the concert…” His eyes flicked to Dom’s. “Canceling the last concert of the tour.” He shook his head. “It wouldn’t have done anything to help Aimee. It would’ve simply given you more time to freak out and worry. I’m sorry, but I thought it was what Aimee would want. She wanted you to stay at the concert. That’s why I was here with her in the first place.”

  Sam let out a furious grunt. “Don’t you dare pretend you know what Aimee would want.”

  She stormed toward the red door, but before she got close enough to reach the handle, it opened, and a middle-aged guy in a white coat stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.

  “I’ve been told you’re Aimee’s family,” he started, his eyes taking the four of us in.

  Dom threw his ball cap on the magazine-covered table in the middle of the room, and I stepped up to Sam, brushing my hand across the small of her back to ensure she knew I was close by.

  “Mr. Saxton, I’m Dr. Kris Petrov,” the doctor called, offering his hand to Dom as he carried on. “I’ve been treating your wife.”

  Dom’s eyes were like saucers at the doctor’s words, which I’d have found comical if I weren’t so surprised by them myself.

  The doctor’s eyes briefly fell on mine as they worked their way around the room before falling back on Dom’s still wide eyes. “She is your wife, right? Because unless you’re immediate family, I can’t tell you anything.”

  Sam smiled and offered her hand to the doctor. “Hi, I’m Sam, Aimee’s life-long best friend. I was maid of honor, so I know they are husband and wife.” She grabbed Dom’s hand, and I felt a pang of jealousy at how easy it looked. “Mr. Saxton here was just a little surprised because it’s a secret for the time being. The newlyweds have been able to enjoy the privacy that his fame doesn’t always allow.”

  I was impressed with how quickly Sam reacted, not to mention how believable it was. If I didn’t know better, I’d have believed her every word.

  “Of course,” the doctor said, making it sound like he understood, but I didn’t care about his thoughts enough to take my eyes off Sam.

  “So… my wife? How is she?” Dom asked, only stumbling over the title a little.

  I listened along as the doctor explained how they’d put Aimee in an induced coma, which under the circumstances, was the best thing for her, never once letting my gaze leave Sam. I didn’t know if she could feel me watching her or not, but her eyes flicked to me several times. When they connected with mine, I gave her a reassuring smile, hoping it would give her strength.

  “When will she wake up?” Sam asked, the worry evident in her voice. One of her hands was still wrapped around Dom’s, the other one seemed to be fidgeting with something on the hem of her top.

  “Well, that’s something we don’t know. Everyone is different. Best case… a couple of days,” Dr. Petrov announced, the uncertainty behind his words not reassuring one bit, and I could only imagine how worried that made Sam. If it were Dom the doctor was talking about, I don’t think I’d be able to appear as outwardly calm. Sam’s hand squeezed Dom’s, and if I weren’t watching her so intently, I don’t think I’d have picked it up.

  “And the worst case?” Dom asked.

  “A few weeks.”

  Sam gasped at the doctor’s admission and dropped Dom’s hand before pacing the small room. “Aimee is strong. She’ll be okay,” she muttered to herself as she ran her hands through her long brown hair.

  She quickly turned her attention back on the doctor. “When can we see her?”

  Dr. Petrov’s eyes scanned the room before he answered, “As soon as we have her in a private room, I’ll send a nurse up to get you. You’ll only be able to see her two at a time, though.”

  Dom thanked the doctor, who then rushed from the room as if he couldn’t escape quickly enough.

  “What the fuck were you thinking?” Dom yelled, his attention o
n Al as he stormed across the room toward him.

  Sam dropped into the seat where she was and closed her eyes as she rested her head back against the wall. Knowing she probably felt lonely stuck with a group of strangers while one of her loved ones was in serious condition down some corridor somewhere, I decided she might appreciate some company and comfort. I walked over and sat beside her.

  “I wasn’t. The paramedics assumed you were her boyfriend, and I just ran with that. When I filled out the paperwork, I ticked husband, thinking boyfriend probably wouldn’t be enough to get the information,” Al stated, his tone making it obvious he felt bad about things.

  Dom sat opposite him looking exhausted. I felt sorry for the guy because I knew even when he left the hospital, he wasn’t going to be sleeping. This whole situation would weigh on him until Aimee was well and heading home. “You do realize there’s going to be a shitstorm once the press gets a hold of this.”

  Sam didn’t acknowledge that I was there, even though I knew she’d have felt me since all the seats were connected, and when someone sat in one, they all rocked a little. I stretched my legs out in front of me and placed my arms on the armrests, my elbow brushing against hers as I did so.

  “It might not even get out. The hospital isn’t going to say anything. They won’t want the corridors full of paparazzi,” Kat stated from the corner of the room, reminding me she was there. I’d been so focused on Dom and Sam on the way here that Kat had slipped my attention.

  “I’m not worried about the press turning up here. I’m more worried about word of my secret marriage getting out,” I heard Dom admit.

  I hadn’t taken my eyes off Sam, and I could all but feel her anger pulsating out of her beside me. “There’s no fucking marriage. It’ll be nothing more than a rumor. Aimee’s up there, strapped to God only knows how many machines and all you care about is the press getting information on you that could harm your career. You’re the reason she’s up there, and if I didn’t need you to get information from the doctors, I’d have kicked you out by now.”

  “I couldn’t give two shits about my career. I’m more bothered about them harassing Aimee when she wakes up and tries to get back to her life,” Dom yelled across the room, Sam’s assumption having clearly bothered him.

  It wasn’t like I blamed either of them, really. All Sam knew about Dom was that he was a famous rockstar, and anyone would expect him to only care about himself, but I knew Dom, and she was so wrong. The guy I knew would put anyone he thought deserved it before himself, and seeing how he’d been with Aimee, she was more than deserving in his mind.

  Chapter Three

  SAM

  A whole twenty-four hours passed with nothing but quiet time spent at Aimee’s bedside. With every puffing sound the ventilator made, I wanted to curl into a ball and cry.

  Aimee was my best friend. She had been in my life for so long, and we may live continents apart, but I wouldn’t know how to get through the days without hearing from her. I talked to her more than I did my own family most days. She was laid right before my eyes, yet I missed her. I missed her silly gif messages and sexy men’s photos.

  “Hey, why don’t we go back to the hotel? Some sleep would probably do you good,” Matt suggested. My eyes flicked to his across the room, and the sympathetic look he gave me made me wonder how bad I must look.

  Alberto and Kat had both gone home not long after we’d arrived, knowing there was nothing they could do, and we’d only been causing chaos in the waiting area as people started to recognize the Running Hearts’ band members. Initially, we’d been told there could only be two people by her bedside, but Matt refused to leave. Sitting outside her room had a similar effect that the band had in the waiting room, so the nurses caved and allowed him in too.

  I frowned as I watched Aimee for a few seconds. “I don’t want to leave her alone. If you’re bored or tired, you’re more than welcome to leave.” I flicked my eyes to Dom. “That goes for you, too.”

  Dom slid down in his chair, seemingly settling in. “I’m good right here.”

  “Sam, you’re shattered. You need to sleep, so you can be strong for when Aimee wakes up.” He gave me a pointed look. “Besides, the doctor said she’d be out for at least a couple of days, so she won’t even know you’re gone.”

  I was exhausted. A dull headache was throbbing right behind my eyes, and I knew the dizziness I was feeling was also because of the lack of sleep. I ran a hand over my tired eyes and released a sigh of defeat. Matt was right, I’d be of more use to Aimee when she woke up if I was well-rested.

  I pierced Dom with a demanding stare. “You promise you’ll ring when you want to leave?”

  “Sam, I swear I’m not going anywhere. And I’ll call Matt if her condition changes at all.” He seemed genuine in his promise, and he’d done nothing in the time since we’d met to make me doubt his word, so I decided to put my trust in him.

  “Okay.” His shoulders seemed to relax at my agreement, and I suddenly saw how tired he looked. “Make sure you take the nurse up on her offer of bringing a bed in for you so you can get some sleep, too. You look about as tired as I feel.”

  Matt stood and patted Dom on the shoulder. “She’s right, bud. You look fucking awful.”

  Dom let out a short, sharp laugh. “So fucking charming, thanks.”

  Standing, I checked the time on my iPhone only to see the black screen reminding me it had died while I was talking to Aimee’s mum not long after speaking to the doctors when we first arrived. I made a mental note to update her once I got back to the hotel and managed to get some charge into the thing.

  “We’ll be back in a couple of hours,” I stated.

  “It’s midnight, and you might as well get a good night’s sleep. Come back in the morning or, even better, lunchtime, if you can manage to sleep that long. Your body will need it,” Dom suggested before flicking his gaze to Matt. “Can you give Al a ring and ask him to bring me a bag of stuff… clothes, toiletries, and a charger for my cell?”

  “Sure thing. Are you ready to go, Sam?” Matt asked as he stopped by the door.

  I followed him out the door and fell into step beside him as we made our way to the exit. He pulled his cap down low on his head, and it did a good job of hiding his face.

  “Are you worried people will spot you?” I asked, curious about his answer. I’d never thought about how much fame would affect everyday life before but having witnessed the chaos the three of them being in the same waiting room caused earlier, I have a feeling it happens more times than not.

  “I’m not bothered about the fans recognizing me. In fact, I love giving them autographs and posing for the odd impromptu photo. It’s more that if the paparazzi are out there and see us, they may try harassing you, and that’s the last thing I want.” He gave me a quick side glance before dropping his eyes back to his feet once again, clearly trying to hide his face even more.

  “We can always walk apart, so it doesn’t look like we’re together. You know, two random strangers exiting the hospital at the same time,” I offered, dropping back a few steps.

  He slowed his pace and grabbed my hand in his. “That isn’t at all what I meant. We aren’t walking out of here as strangers.”

  I stared down at his hand as we started heading for the entrance once again, wondering why he’d stayed with me and now was leaving with me. I knew his friend was also at the hospital, but they’d both only known Aimee and me for a few minutes when she’d been hurt, and they’d both—Dom and Matt—seemed to have taken us under their wings immediately. Hell, even Alberto had, having gone to the hospital with Aimee in the first place. It felt like we’d luckily stumbled upon the most caring people in America.

  I braced myself for an onslaught as we stepped out of the main doors, but other than a couple of guys with cameras chatting near a parked van, there was no one to be seen. The guys barely glanced in our direction, and Matt made sure to keep walking, casually slipping his arm over my shoulder as he tugged m
e into his side.

  The temperature was cool, and I was grateful for Matt’s warmth against my body. I’d been running on adrenaline earlier in night, and to be honest, I couldn’t remember if it was warmer or cooler. Hell, it could’ve been snowing, and I don’t think I’d have noticed.

  It didn’t take us long to walk to the hotel. Luckily, we’d been booked in one close by the hospital, although I’m sure it wouldn’t have been hard to find a cab at this time of night.

  I veered us toward the elevator as we stepped into the hotel lobby, and Matt paused our progress. “Wait, I need to go and book a room.”

  I bit at my lip nervously. “You’re welcome to Aimee’s side of the bed since she isn’t using it. It saves you spending money on a room when there’s an empty spot there.” He looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite decipher. “I promise I’ll behave.” I gave him a wink, trying to make him smile, and it worked.

  Matt laughed. “It’s more that I’m wondering whether I can behave.”

  I nudged him in the ribs. “I’ve taken self-defense. I’m pretty certain I can handle you.” It was a lie. I was bone-tired and knew I wouldn’t be able to fight off an ant, let alone a fit, six-foot-three man.

  As the elevator doors closed on us and I pushed the button for our floor, our eyes clashed, and something crackled between us.

  Standing perfectly still, my mind went blank as all I could think about was his arm brushing against mine.

  Chapter Four

  MATT

  The feel of Sam’s arm against mine was branding me, and I knew I’d be able to feel the sensation long after she stepped away. My eyes bored into hers, asking for things I shouldn’t be asking for.