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Chapter 14
"Let me."
Sam hands her the razor and he lathers his face filling his sink with water. She guides him to sit on the toilet and holds still has she glides his razor over his face. He can't remember the last time he had slept so soundly, but if he were to guess, it was probably when she had been living with him.
"Tilt your head back," she instructs.
He does as she ask, letting his hands coast up her bare legs leisurely. He's not sure what happened to the bottoms she had arrived in last night, but he wasn't complaining to waking up to her in just her panties and camisole next to him. He circles around to her backside, squeezing gently.
"You're distracting me," she warns, a small smirk playing at her lips.
He smirks back. "Sorry."
There's something incredibly intimate about her shaving him and he feels raw and turned on all at once. She takes her time, taking care not to cut him and when she finally finishes, she grabs a towel, wiping the remaining shaving cream from his face.
"There."
He stands to inspect her work in the mirror. "I look more like me."
She runs her hands down the nape of his neck, down his back. "You do."
Her touch sends a shiver of arousal through him and he turns to face her. "Thank you."
"Any time," she reassures, pressing her lips to his.
He hums his need into her mouth, sliding his hands under her camisole to the small of her back. "Do we have time this morning?" He questions against her lips.
"Not for what I want you to do to me right now," she reasons, pulling back.
His cock twitches in his boxers and he sighs, frustrated. "Tell me."
"We don't have time for that either." She exits the bathroom, making her way to his dresser. Opening the third drawer, she pulls out an old pair of his sweats and his NYU crewneck. She slips them on, and he moves to pull her hair from the collar. "I need to go before Nick and Linda wake-up."
"Or you could stay, have breakfast."
She gives him a look, and he sighs, shaking his head. "We're sneaking around like we're having some tawdry affair, Cassie-"
"-if Linda sees me in your kitchen, in your sweats, she's going going to throw a fit. We need to be respectful of her feelings, Sam, even if we don't agree with them."
"I don't want her dictating our relationship."
Framing her hands around his face, she holds his gaze. "Only you and I have that control."
He holds on to her wrists for a second, before she pulls away, looking for her shoes and gathering her phone. "Will I see you today?"
Slipping her feet into her uggs, she tucks her hair behind her ear out of her way. "I still have some inventory to sort at the Bell Book, and I have a few new guests coming at the end of the week that I need to prepare for. What's your day like?"
"I'm meeting Adam this morning, then a few consultations." "You should find time to meet with Bruce today."
He gives her a look this time, and she leans in to press a quick kiss to his lips. "I've got enough faith in you for the both of us."
...
"Well, this is new," Abigail teases over her mug of tea.
Cassie freezes, turning on her heals to face her cousin who's perched at the island in the kitchen. "Why are you up so early?"
"Why are you sneaking back into Grey house so early?" Abigail counters. She gestures to her outfit. "Didn't Sam go to NYU?"
"I spent the night at his place." "And you didn't stay for breakfast?"
Joining her in the kitchen, Cassie slides on a chair beside her. "Linda."
Abigail grimaces. "Right. So you two are just going to sneak around behind her back or something?"
"When you put it like that it sounds awful."
"It is awful," Abigail reasons. "She has no right to dictate your relationship with Sam."
"She's threatened to take Nick away from Sam."
Abigail shrugs. "Sometimes you just need to call someones bluff. It's all about control for her. She knows Sam will jump through whatever hoops she wants for Nick. You both need to let her know you're not going to play her games anymore."
"We can't put Nick in the middle of that-"
"-Nick isn't a child anymore, Cassie. His voice, more then anyone's, needs to be heard in all of this."
"You're right."
Abigail sips her tea, leaning back into her chair. "I've been know to be every once in awhile."
...
"Oh good! You're both up!" Linda breezes into the kitchen, standing at the counter where Nick sits, eating a bowl fo cereal.
He pours hot water over his tea, leaning against the counter.
"You shaved," She comments, gesturing to his face. "You never did look great with a beard."
"Good morning to you too, Linda," he responds dryly.
"Sorry," she apologizes. "I want to talk to you both about revisiting our custody arrangement." Nick chokes on his cereal.
"I think it will be a good thing for us," she continues. "Nick, what you said last night made me really reflect on my role as your mother and what I need to do to be there for you. I'm proposing that we change the agreement to joint custody."
His heart is practically in his throat, and he clears his throat. "How do you see that working with you in New York, and me here in Middleton?"
"Well, I was thinking that Nick could spend the academic year with me in New York, and his summers and holidays with you here in Middleton."
"Not a chance in hell," Nick explodes. "I'm not moving back to New York! I have friends here! I'm about to start my junior year!"
"And think about all the opportunities that will open up for you back in New York," Linda points out. "I think this will be great for us and our relationship, Nick."
"No," Nick states flatly. "I'll tell any judge I have to I don't want to live with you."
Linda flicks her hair off her shoulder, trying to remain composed. "I'm sure the judge will take your feelings into account, but ultimately, you're a minor, and I'm your mother."
Nick shakes his head. "You're not my mother and you'll never be."
Linda's face reddens and Sam knows she's about ready to explode.
"Are you just going to stand there and let him speak to me that way?"
Sam nods. "I am because that's how he feels, Linda. I need you to pack you things and get out of my house."
"You're just going to kick me out? Where am I supposed to go, Sam?"
"Preferably back to New York-"
"-I'd go rent a room next door, if it wasn't run by someone so nefarious!"
"Keep Cassie's name out of your mouth!" Nick yells. "You could only wish to be half the mom she is!"
"What did you just say to me!?"
Grabbing Nick by the shoulder, he steers him out of the kitchen to the front door. "Go to Grey House and wait for me there."
"No! I'm not gonna let her trash Cassie like that, Dad!"
He frames his hands around his sons face. "I've got this; trust me. Go."
Reluctantly, Nick opens the door, leaving, making sure to slam the door behind him. "Where is he going?!" Linda questions.
"I sent him to Grey House before the both you say anything more you'll regret."
"Like hell he's going over there!" She quickly crosses the living room to go after Nick.
"Cassie is not a danger to Nick. If anything, she's the best thing in his life right now."
Linda straightens at this. "So I'm the bad parent? I'm not the one with a desk full of pills, nor am I the one seeing a shrink!"
His back stiffens. "Excuse me?"
"Are you crazy?"
...
She hears the front door slam and she jumps a little, quickly finishing up her make-up to head downstairs. She can hear George, Abigail and Grace all talking at once and it isn't until she makes it down the hallway to the stairs does she hear Nick talking a mile a minute.
"Ok, slow down, kid," George coaxes. "You're talking faster than I can keep up."
She quickly descends the stairs. "What's going on?" George, Abigail and Grace all give uncertain looks and she turns to Nick. "Nick?"
Angry tears have filled his eyes, and he's breathing heavy in an attempt to reign it in. "She wants to take me away from my dad!"
She exhales, steering him into the sitting. "Come sit down."
He sits on the couch next to her, and George, Grace and Abigail stand in the doorway unsurely.
"Grace, could you go make us some tea please? And Abigail, can you call the school and excuse both Nick and Grace?"
They both nod, leaving the room.
"George, can you call Brandon? Explain to him that there may be a situation at Sam's. Tell him to hurry."
George nods, leaving the room as well.
Nick's buried his hands in his face, and she runs her fingers through his hair and down his back. "Does your dad know you're here, Nick?"
He nods into his hands. "He sent me over here."
As distraught as Nick is, her worry is approaching panic for Sam and what he might say in the heat of the moment.
...
The blood rushes to his ears, his throat tightens.
"I found the pills, Sam. The antidepressants? The sleeping pills? Your weekly meetings with Adam? Ring any bells?"
He can feel the heat rising up his neck and the anger furling in his chest. "You went through my desk."
"You didn't answer my question: are you crazy? Are you even fit to be Nick's guardian right now?"
The panic claws viciously at his throat and he can barely hear her above the ringing in his ears. "Get out of my house-"
"-answer my question!-"
"-Linda, I need you to pack your things and get out of my house," he grates out. "Right now."
"I'm not leaving without Nick-"
"-GET OUT!" He barks. "RIGHT NOW! Pack your things, and GET OUT!"
The doorbell rings, startling them both, and he turns to answer it.
"Cassie told me to hurry," Brandon gives by way of greeting. "Let me in, Sam."
He steps out of the doorway letting Brandon in.
"Oh great," Linda lets out angrily. "Someone called the police!"
"What seems to be the problem here?" Brandon questions.
"I want her out of my house," he answers, pinning Linda with a glare that causes her to snap her mouth shut. "Now."
Brandon looks between them. "You heard him, Ma'am. I suggest you pack your things. I'll wait and escort you out."
Linda heads upstairs.
Brandon turns to him. "You should leave. Let me handle this. I'll come find you at Grey house."
...
She manages to get Nick calm enough to tell her what happened while doing her best to reassure him that everything will be alright. Grace sits worriedly by her friend, and Nick grasps her hand in his as they wait to hear from Sam.
Abigail straightens from where she's been leaning in the doorframe, sharing a look with Grace who turns to her mother.
"Mom," she says softly.
She turns to her daughter, who looks at Abigail, connecting their gaze.
It's a minute before she senses him and she reaches for the arm of the couch under the weight of his pain.
"Let me," Abigail offers, heading to meet Sam.
...
Abigail steps out onto the doorstep, closing the door behind her. His steps quicken when he spots her, and she registers the panic on his face, hurrying down the steps.
"Shit," she curses, practically catching him when he's close enough.
"...I can't..." He manages to choke out. "...catch...my breath..."
She helps him through to the garage, sitting him on one of George's work benches. "What do you need me to do? Do I call 911?"
Sam shakes his head. "...give me...a minute..." He slides off the bench to the ground, planting his hands on the concrete. The blood is rushing to his ears and all he can hear is ringing. He feels like he's going to pass out and wretch all at the same time.
He can feel the sweat seeping through his shirt and he clenches his eyes shut, attempting to pull air into his lungs.
Fingers are sweeping through his hair and he manages to pull his head up to find Cassie kneeling beside him. Her mouth is moving only he can't hear her. She grabs his hand splaying it across her chest and he can feel her inhale deeply under his fingers.
He fights like hell to mimic her and after a few futile seconds, he pulls a strained breath into his lungs. Out of the corner of his eyes he sees the flashing lights of the ambulance and there's a flurry of commotion seconds later.
The paramedics are asking him questions and it's all muted and muffled. He can feel himself start to get dizzy and he holds out his arm, gesturing for anything. His head swims, and he falls back onto the concrete and he can feel himself faint for a few minutes before coming to again.
The paramedics are pulling at his sleeve and Cassie's loosening his tie, unbutton the top of his shirt. He can feel the prick of a needle in his arm and he lolls his head in her general direction. Reaching for her, she grasps his hand, holding it to her chest again.
"Dr. Radford, can you hear us?"
It sounds like's he underwater, but he nods.
"I need you to do your best to breath in, ok?"
He concentrates on his hand rising against Cassie's chest and the cold, concrete floor beneath him.
Breathe.
He inhales deeply, and everyone nods around him.
"That's it! Again!"
His head slowly stops spinning and the vice grip that had settled in his chest loosens. "In through your nose, 3, 2, 1 and out through your mouth, 3, 2, 1...that's it. Again."
He lies there on the ground, willing the air into his lungs. When he finally seems to be breathing more steadily, the paramedic slips an oxygen mask over his face.
"Are you on any medications, Dr. Radford?"
He shakes his head.
One of the paramedics approaches with a portable ECG machine, and they unbutton his shirt to place the cardiac leads across his chest, abdomen and shins. "Vitals are good."
"Do you have any pain in your chest? Your arm?"
He places a hand on his chest.
The paramedic nods. "We're going to load you into the ambulance now, ok?"
There's movement as they prepare the gurney, and Cassie leans over him filling his vision. "I need to stay with Nick, he needs me, but Abigail is going to ride with you to the hospital, ok?"
He nods.
"Nick and I will meet you there."
He nods again, squeezing her hand.
She squeezes back, kissing their joined hands.
TBC
