Chapter 18

Sorry this took so long to update, but I've been I bit busy. I guess :/ :D

It was the next day and Joey was starting to pack up his things. David had come by a few minutes ago and had handed his son some clothes. Those clothes were now folded on the end of the bed. Once Joey had chucked the last item into his rucksack, he started to get changed.

After he pulled on his black jeans, Tom walked in.

"Those are some nasty cuts." Tom said as he saw the tears on his brother's bare torso.

"Too right. They stills hurt like mad," Joey paused. "Do you know what meds the doctor has given me to take away?"

"Ah yes," Tom fumbled in his jean's pockets for the prescription note. He read out the list, "well I won't bore you with the medical names," he started. "You have been given some antibiotics, paracetamol and a type of morphine. Now, you have a low dose of this morphine because it shouldn't really be used after your head injury, but it's the better for your other injuries. Be careful and tell me if you experience any abnormalities," Tom sternly ordered.

"Are you my brother or my doctor?"

"Well, at the moment, I seem to be both."

Joey pulled his white t-shirt over his body and then sat down on the bed.

Tom came and sat down beside him and put his arm around Joey's shoulders. "Come on. Let's get you home."

Joey smiled and stood up. He grabbed his bag, putting it on one shoulder and headed towards the door. "You coming or what?"

Tom followed his brother out and down to the parking lot. They got into the car in silence. Not a miserable silence, just there wasn't much to talk about. Neither of them could find anything to start a conversation.

Back at their flat, Joey had located himself on the couch in the lounge for the last three hours or so, and was watching the week's official music charts on TV. He had a glass of lemonade and an apple on the oak coffee table in front of him. Tom was making himself a coffee in the kitchen – creating large noises in the process. Somehow.

They both turned their heads when the front door closed. Joey turned to his brother, "who'd that be?" Tom gave him a 'I don't know' look.

There was slight shuffling out in the hall. Then Sam walked into the room with her black handbag over one shoulder and a brown jacket in the other hand.

"Hey Sam," Joey said.

"Hey Joey," Sam said, then there was a little pause. "Hey Tom," she turned to look at him and gave him a friendly smile.

He smiled back.

"So, Joey," Sam spoke, "how are you?"

"Ah, you know. Just came out of the hospital for the second time this year, on courses of meds and have visible injuries. I feel on top of the world. Thanks for asking. Couldn't be better," he joked.

"Oi, don't be sarcastic," replied Sam and then laughed. "I'll take it as you are fine."

Joey just chuckled. Sam continued, "Tom, you left this at mine last night." She held up the jacket that was in her hand.

"Oh thanks," he said, stepping forward and taking it from her.

Joey raised an eyebrow. "So are you two still…?" He asked.

Sam and Tom glanced at each other, then quickly looked away.

"Ah, not sorted it then?" Joey pursued.

"Sorted what?" Tom asked, confused.

"Well, at the beginning of the year – when the accident happened – you seemed together. Now you seem to be quietly avoiding one another. And then you stay round Sam's." Joey concluded.

"I slept on her couch. Nothing happened," Tom said. Unfortunately, he added in his head.

"Yeah, like Tom said, nothing happened." Sam confirmed.

"Right," Joey said, sounding a little unsure of the situation. "I think you guys aren't being honest with each other or me." Tom and Sam started to protest, but Joey carried on. "So, I am going to Dad's. You two will talk and fix whatever this is." Joey said, while standing up.

"Since when did you become a counsellor?" Tom questioned.

"Since you two started bickering," Joey gave them a sarcastic, but a supposed sweet, smile and walked out the room.

Sam said, "he appears to have this all worked out. So what have you got to say?"

Tom looked at her, then spoke. "How did we even get like this? We're joking around and then you walk off in a sulk."

"What?" Sam exclaimed in utter confusion. "You were ignoring me. And talking to other women."

"Last I heard, you were talking to other men. So how can you say that?"

She laughed. Was he really being serious? "Yeah, but that was after you talked to that girl at the bar."

They heard the door slam, and continued the conversation. Or discussion?

"Well, bye Joey," Tom shouted. Then he turned back to Sam. "I don't remember you saying anything about it at the time. You could of come over to me."

"You walked away. What was I supposed to do? Run after you?"

"That sounds like what you want me to do for you. What is your problem with me talking to other women?"

"What's your problem with me talking to other men?" Sam retaliated. "Why?"

He just stared at her. What could he say? "Because," his voice now less fierce than before, "I don't like seeing you with other men. I want to be the one who you laugh with, who you always talk to, who is there for you, who protects you. I've been off and on with women so long, I want to settle down. I want to settle down with you. It's not been easy for me lately, but you've been there for me."

She considered for a while. "Why now?" Her voice, too, was calmer.

"I've realized that I want to commit to a relationship. To you. I'm sorry for my nonchalant approach. I'm sorry for making you think I was ignoring you. I'm sorry for everything." He finished and looked up at her.

Sam looked down to her feet. A moment later she looked up with a smile gracing her lips. She slowly walked towards Tom. She placed both her hands on his chest and touched her lips to his.

He pulled away a moment later. "Thank you," he whispered. He embraced her in a hug.

She rested her head on his chest; hearing the familiar sound of his heartbeat. She began, "let's go watch TV."

Sam didn't want to rush anything this time. All those months ago, they had jumped into the deep end; as they say. It wasn't so much a mistake, she thought, but a learning curve. Nature's way of saying, 'take it slow.'

They walked to the cream, fabric couch. Tom a step behind, but still close. He leaped over onto the couch, landing on his back. Sam walked around to the front, giggling lightly. Tom reached his hands up to her waist and drew her down to lie before him. He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her on the cheek, and reached forward for the remote.

He was lost in his thoughts. He had no idea what they were watching. He looked down at Sam and realized she had fallen asleep. Not bothering to turn the TV off. He closed his eyes, too. And fell into a peaceful sleep. A smile on his face – matching the one on Sam.

Slightly different take on the end of 'Tom's speech.' Hope it was OK :/ :D