Running Scared (Running Hearts Book 2)

by Saffron Blu

  I screwed up my face. “I’m not going to watch her like a creeper, but I’ll sit with her while you shower.”

  Dom rolled his eyes as he grabbed the bag Al had left for him. “You’re a dickhead.”

  Chapter Seven

  SAM

  As the cheery-voiced woman kept talking on the other end of the phone, my heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

  “But I’m the only person she has here. I can’t leave her to wake up in a foreign country alone,” I argued, cutting her off mid-sentence, not wanting her to ramble on about the rules of flight changes.

  “I understand, ma’am, but unfortunately, it’s out of my hands. Because of your recent travel history, customs will not allow your flight to be changed. If you were immediate family, they may have overlooked it if we’d set you up with a new return flight, but they won’t see your ‘sisters from another mister’ as immediate family like you do.”

  I bit back the argument on the tip of my tongue and forced myself to take a deep, calming breath, knowing no matter what I said, the outcome wouldn’t change. The next day I’d have to leave my best friend in a hospital bed while I flew back home.

  “Okay. I’ll be at the airport tomorrow.”

  “Good. I’ll email you with the steps you need to take regarding changing Aimee’s flight. Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

  I wanted to laugh at the stupid question, considering she didn’t actually help me in the first place, but it would be rude since it really wasn’t her fault. She was sticking to the rules and script she was trained to do and say, so I replied with, “No, that’s all. Thanks.” I spat the parting word because, in my opinion, she’d done nothing to warrant the thanks I was giving her.

  “Have a nice day,” she sang before ending the call.

  Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I looked up at the blue sky scattered with fluffy white clouds. It was a pleasant day, and I soaked in the sunshine, sending up a little prayer that Aimee would wake up before I’d have to leave.

  Dom had been willing to hang around for her, but how long will that last? If she didn’t wake up for another week, would he still be there? And when she did wake up, what would that mean for her? Would she have to stay alone in a hotel until she got the okay to fly? Or would they keep her in the hospital? Again, all alone.

  I undid my too loose ponytail and pulled it back up tighter before turning and heading back to Aimee’s bedside.

  Matt turned in his seat as I stepped through the door, and a wide smile lit up his face. He must have seen something in mine because it dropped in an instant. “Not good news?”

  I shook my head. “They can’t change my flight.”

  The bathroom door opened, and the scent of soap and men’s deodorant filled the room as Dom stepped through the door looking freshly showered. “I can buy you another ticket,” he offered, clearly having heard me through the closed door.

  “Thanks, but it won’t matter. I’ve done a lot of traveling in the last few months… Germany to Australia, Australia to here. It seems to have caught someone in border security’s eye. They are pretty much demanding I leave on my flight, or they’ll probably come looking for me.”

  Aimee’s phone on the tray table started ringing, and I rushed across the room to grab it, not wanting to miss a call from Aimee’s family. They’ll be worried enough about her as it is, they don’t need to worry more if they can’t reach me.

  “Hey!”

  “Sam, how is she?” Sarah’s concern was more than obvious in her straight-up question.

  “She’s stable but still unconscious. The doctors aren’t sure when things will change, but they don’t seem overly concerned.”

  Sarah let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good. If they aren’t worried then that’s really good.”

  “Yeah. There’s one problem, though. I can’t change my flight and have to leave tomorrow.”

  “Okay…”

  I waited for her to finish, but it seemed like she didn’t have any ideas either. “I don’t want to leave her alone.” A hand slipped into mine and gave it a gentle, comforting squeeze, and I knew without looking it was Matt. I didn’t know how I’d become so lucky to have had him here for me throughout this, but I know I’d have been such a wreck if I hadn’t.

  “She won’t be alone,” Dom stated. “Not for a second.”

  I tore my eyes from Aimee and locked them with Dom’s determined stare.

  “I promise you, Sam. I’ll stay here with her for as long as it takes.”

  I believed him. He meant every word. The thoughts I had earlier come back to mind. “What about when she wakes up?”

  “I’ll stay until she tells me otherwise. Okay?”

  I nodded.

  “That boy sounds like he has a heart of gold,” Sarah stated in my ear.

  I laughed. “I’m not sure he’ll appreciate you calling him a boy.”

  “Pfft… he’s a boy to me. Put me on speaker, so I can thank him for everything he’s doing for my daughter.”

  I pulled the phone away from my ear and did as she asked. “You’re on speaker, Sarah.”

  “Young man, I want to thank you for being there for my daughter.”

  “Ma’am, you don’t need to thank me for anything. I’m to blame for your daughter being here in the first place. I’ll never be able to make up for that.”

  “Sam, do you think I should fly out, so I can be there for her.”

  “Honestly, I think she’d rather know you’re looking after her boys while she can’t. We both know how much she hates leaving them in the care of her douche of an ex.” I felt at peace knowing I was right in what I’d said. That’s exactly how Aimee would feel.

  Sarah chuckled. “That’s very true.”

  “Ma’am, I don’t know if you heard me tell Sam, but I’ll tell you the same. I promise I’ll stay with her for as long as she needs me to.” Dom’s eyes darted to Aimee as a haunted look crossed his face. “I’ll be here at her side until Aimee says otherwise.”

  “Oh. I wouldn’t make promises like that. Our Aimee doesn’t have it in her to kick someone out. You’ll be stuck by her side forever if you wait for her to tell you otherwise.” We all could hear the smile in Sarah’s voice and how proud she was of her daughter being such a wonderful person. And being Aimee’s best friend, I knew Sarah had a good point because Aims would never make someone leave if they said they wanted to stay.

  “Well, I guess you might be getting a new son-in-law then,” Dom joked.

  Matt chuckled beside me, and Dom flicked his eyes to him questioningly. “Actually, isn’t that kind of already the truth since everyone here thinks you’re her husband?”

  Lighthearted laughter filled the room, and even though Aimee wasn’t conscious, it lifted our spirits. I hoped if it were true that coma patients could hear what was happening around them, it was lifting Aimee’s spirits too.

  Chapter Eight

  MATT

  We’d stayed in Aimee’s room for most of the day before I’d managed to talk Sam into leaving, so she could get a decent sleep before her flight. Our flight. I’d already been on with the airline and managed to book Aimee’s now-empty seat. It didn’t feel right to leave Sam to travel alone when she was still extremely worried about her best friend. I just hoped she saw me going with her as a good thing.

  I watched her dash around the hotel room making sure to grab all her last little bits. She’d packed Aimee’s things first, and Alberto had already dropped by to collect them. He’d driven down in Dom’s car so he could park it at the hospital for when Aimee woke up, with his dad following behind. Aimee’s bags would be handy in the trunk for when she’d need her stuff.

  “That’s the third time you’ve checked that drawer. And I bet you didn’t even put anything in it to begin with,” I told her, wondering if she had a touch of OCD.

  Sam sighed but relaxed at my words. “I know. I don’t think I ever opened the drawer before this morning. I just don’t wa
nt to leave anything behind.”

  I stepped over and pulled her into my arms. I smiled into her hair as she came willingly. “Worst-case scenario, the maid will find whatever you leave, and they’ll be in touch. Dom can even pick it up, and Aimee can bring it home with her.”

  Sam nodded and breathed deeply against my chest. The warmth of her breath was easy to feel through the thin material of my t-shirt. “You’re right. Thank you.” She stayed in my arms for another minute, nothing but the sound of our breaths filling the room. It was calming, and I loved having her pressed against me. It felt right to have her in my arms. She finally stepped back, and I released her, knowing we couldn’t stay there all day. “Let’s go. I have a flight to catch.”

  Sam grabbed her backpack, and I threw my large overnighter over my shoulder before wrapping my hand around the handle on her suitcase. I still hadn’t told her I was going with her. I kept telling myself it was because I wanted it to be a big surprise at the airport. But the real reason—I was worried that she’d tell me she didn’t want me to go with her.

  We’d taken an airport transfer the hotel offered, and thankfully, we hadn’t needed to share it with anyone else. I’d been pretty lucky not to be recognized in the hotel. I’d hung back while Sam checked out and organized the transfer, so nobody managed a close look under my cap. But I knew if someone had sat with us on the minibus, there’d be no avoiding being recognized. Truth be told, I was a little concerned about the flight and how many people might recognize me on there, but we’d be stuck in the air, and it’s not like they could alert the press. Well, with planes having Wi-Fi these days, I guess they could alert them. That would mean we’d arrive to an army of paps waiting for us, but I’d worry about that later. Nobody would cause problems on the flight, at least.

  We stepped up to the check-in desk, and Sam offered the lady her passport and ticket. I watched as they went through the process of loading her suitcase on the scale before shooting it along the conveyor belt.

  The airline lady smiled at Sam. “Here are your boarding passes,” she said as she handed the little cards over.

  “Thank you.” Sam turned toward me, and I could tell she was ready to direct me away, but I quickly stepped up to the counter.

  “Hi, I’d like to check-in as well, please.” I could feel Sam’s eyes boring into me, but I couldn’t turn to look at her because the woman had asked for my passport and was glancing curiously between it and me.

  Her eyes widened when she’d finally recognized me as one of the members of Running Hearts. She cleared her throat and nodded. “Of course, sir.”

  She typed into the computer in front of her and flicked her eyes to mine, a blush covering her cheeks. “Have you got any luggage you’d like to check-in?”

  My eyes fell on my overnight bag, and I tried to remember what I had in there and whether there was anything I’d want to take out and use on the flight. I crouched down and quickly pulled out my phone charger and earphones before placing it on the scale. “Just that, thanks.”

  While the woman was busy with my bag, Sam caught my attention by tapping my arm. I hadn’t dared look at her in case I saw rejection in her eyes, but I locked onto her chocolate-brown orbs, relieved to see them glistening with tears and a wide smile plastered across her face.

  “Thank you.” She pressed her lips against mine and all too soon pulled away. “I’ll put those in my backpack if you’d like?” she offered, nodding toward the wires hanging loosely in my hands.

  I handed them over as the woman behind the counter offered me my boarding passes. I took note of the seat number and relaxed, seeing the number next to what I’d noticed printed on Sam’s. There hadn’t been any last-minute changes that had separated us for the flight.

  After slipping my passes into my pocket, I wrapped my hand around Sam’s and led her away from the counter toward the security section so we could get settled in the departure lounge. Sam pulled me to a stop in a relatively empty area beside the toilets, and I glanced down at her.

  “Everything okay?”

  She frowned at me like she was working out a ridiculously hard math equation. “Why?”

  I raised a brow. “Why, what?”

  “Why did you get a ticket?” She gave me a flabbergasted look like she shouldn’t have had to explain that.

  “I couldn’t let you go just yet. I want to spend as much time with you as possible.” Feeling like I’d maybe said too much, I quickly went on, “Plus, I’ve heard Australia is beautiful, and I haven’t had a holiday in a long time.”

  Sam gave me a sly grin, making it clear she knew it had nothing to do with Australia being beautiful. “Come on, then, let’s get through security and relax before our flight,” she stated, slipping her hand into mine and tugging toward the line of people waiting to go through to the departure lounge and gates.

  Chapter Nine

  SAM

  I flicked my eyes to my left and watched Matt sleep for a minute, his head resting against the side of the plane. I couldn’t quite believe he was right there next to me, all because he wanted to get to know me more. He spouted something about Australia being beautiful and needing a holiday, but I knew that was a last-minute add-on to feel less vulnerable about laying his reasons out. He made it pretty obvious.

  I didn’t want to leave Aimee in America, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit she wasn’t the only reason I wanted to stay. I wanted to spend more time with Matt. I liked him a great deal, and I felt an undeniable spark between us that I wanted more time to explore. The kiss we’d shared in the elevator was playing on my mind, and I was dying to taste his lips again, but I didn’t dare make the first move in case he didn’t feel the same. I’m a chickenshit, and I know it.

  “Is that who I think it is?” the girl beside me asked. She’d been quiet most of the flight, but I’d caught her glancing at Matt several times during the twenty-two-hour flight, and clearly, she’d plucked up the courage in the last hour.

  I turned my attention around and took her in. She looked to be in her late teens and most probably a huge fan of Running Hearts, so there was no point denying it. I nodded. “I think it might be.”

  “My friends are never gonna believe I sat next to Matt Dalcin.” She gave me a sheepish smile. “Well, almost next to him.” She pulled out her phone. I guessed it was to send a message to her friends, and I quickly placed my hand over her phone.

  “Would you mind waiting until we’ve landed?” I gave her what I hoped was a pleading look. “Otherwise, there’ll be an army of fans and paparazzi waiting for him at the arrival gate.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t even think about that.” She nodded and placed her phone back on the tray table. “It can wait.”

  I sighed in relief. “Thank you.” I glanced back across at Matt. “I’m sure Matt wouldn’t mind posing for a selfie and giving you an autograph once we land, too.”

  “Oh my god! Really?”

  I nodded, hoping I wasn’t offering something Matt wasn’t willing to give. I’d seen him happily pose for selfies when he’d been recognized in the hotel once or twice.

  She grinned and bounced in her seat, obviously unable to contain her excitement. “That would be amazing. By the way, I’m Shelly.”

  I took her offered hand. “Sam. Nice to meet you, Shelly.”

  Our conversation was cut off as the pilot spoke through the speaker, updating us on the local time, weather, and our upcoming descent.

  I nudged Matt beside me. “Hey, sleepyhead...”

  He cracked an eye and trained it on me. “Are we there yet?”

  I smiled in amusement. “Almost. We should be landing in about twenty minutes.”

  He groaned and stretched in his seat, his shirt lifting and flashing me a delicious peak of his abs. “And then we have to get on another plane.”

  “The next one is only an hour and twenty minutes long. I’m sure you can handle it.” I patted his thigh in mock sympathy.

  Matt placed his
hand on mine and gave me a warm smile.

  I turned my hand over beneath his and linked our fingers.

  “I might just make it.”

  Matt gave Shelly an autograph and selfie as I’d promised. Nobody else seemed to pick up why—they’d made it look like a couple of friends taking a quick snap—so we made it on the next flight and to our final destination of Brisbane without any delays.

  The closer I’d gotten to our destination, my mood seemed to sour. I wasn’t looking forward to driving to Aimee’s parents without Aimee. She should be there with me getting hugs from her kids.

  “Are you okay?” Matt asked, squeezing my hand gently as we walked out of the airport and toward the long-stay parking.

  “I will be when Aimee wakes up and comes home.” I twisted the hand I was using to pull along my suitcase to catch sight of my watch. “Could you ring Dom and see how Aimee is?” I asked since it wasn’t too late in New York just yet.

  Matt pulled out his phone without question or argument. Butterflies took flight in my stomach as I stood listening to his side of the call.

  “Hey! Yeah, we just landed in Brisbane. Sam was wondering if there’s any news?” Matt bit at the corner of his bottom lip while listening to Dom’s response. I wished Matt had put it on speakerphone, but I knew it was best not to with them being celebrities and everything.

  “Okay, I’ll let her know. Get some rest, and I’ll call you on the flip side.” Matt slipped the phone in his back pocket and his hand back in mine before proceeding to tug me along the pavement.

  “Well?” I asked, unable to wait any longer. I suddenly felt sick, wondering why it was taking him so long to tell me what Dom had said. Could the doctors have given him some bad news?

  If I had left the country, and Aimee had fallen into a more dangerous state, I’d never be able to live with myself.