What Hides Inside: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2

else. Sam knew Andre had to be remembering Amy’s death right now, and it couldn’t be anything but sheer hell for him.
Nodding, Sam squeezed Andre’s shoulder. “Okay. We’ll let you know how he is.”
As the group passed the desk, the white-haired man working there flagged them down. “You’re with Dr. Broussard, right?”
Apprehension shut off Sam’s breath. He clutched blindly at Dean’s arm. Giving him a worried glance, Dean nodded at the volunteer. “Yes, that’s right. What is it?”
The man smiled. “That was the ICU calling. Dr. Broussard is awake. They thought you’d like to know, but I guess y’all are heading there anyway.”
Relief washed through Sam like a tide. He managed to keep himself upright by sheer force of will.
“Thank you very much,” Cecile said, a wide smile on her face. “That’s wonderful news.”
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, David kissed her temple. “It is. C’mon, let’s go see him.”
The trip down the hall to the ICU seemed to last forever. Sam chafed with impatience when they had to wait their turn to wash their hands at the big sink just inside the double doors. On the other side of the nurse’s station, he could see Bo’s room, the curtains still drawn across the glass door. He wanted to run right over, fling the door open and sweep Bo into his arms, hold him and touch him and reassure himself that Bo was really, truly alive.
Finally, all four of them were washed and ready to visit. Sam didn’t mean to push ahead, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. He was the first to enter the little room. The sight of Bo sitting up in bed, looking exhausted but wide awake, was the most beautiful thing Sam had ever seen. Without considering what the consequences might be, Sam crossed to Bo’s bed, sat on the edge of the mattress and gathered Bo gently into his arms.
He heard the others come into the room behind him, heard David’s surprised gasp, but it didn’t matter. Nothing else mattered, because Bo’s arms were around him, fingers in his hair and stroking his back, Bo’s cheek was pressed to his. Bo was alive, and secrets had ceased to be important.
Eventually Sam drew back, letting Bo rest against the pillows. “Don’t ever scare me like that again,” Sam said, the seriousness of the statement softened by the huge grin he couldn’t hold back.
“I’ll try not to.” Bo stared up at Sam. “I almost died.”
Sam’s insides clenched. “Yeah. You did.”
For several long seconds, no one moved or spoke. Bo’s gaze bored into Sam’s. At the foot of the bed, the others stood still and silent. Sam held his breath. When Bo’s hand snaked around the back of his neck, pulling him down to press their lips together, Sam’s world tilted underneath him.
The kiss lasted forever and not long enough. When they drew apart at last and Bo whispered “I love you” against Sam’s mouth, Sam thought he might float away.
“Okay then,” David said, bringing Sam abruptly back to earth. “When did this happen?”
“It started at Oleander House.” Taking Sam’s hand and lacing their fingers together, Bo looked up at David, Dean and Cecile, who now stood on the other side of his bed. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell y’all before, David. I was scared.”
David shrugged. “I guess my feelings should be hurt, but they’re not. It doesn’t seem very important now. You’re alive. Worrying about stuff like you not telling us you’re gay seems kind of stupid at this point.” He flashed a wide, wicked grin. “See, I told you office romance is a good thing.”
Bo let out a raspy laugh. “So you did.”
Leaning one hand on the bedrail, Cecile gave Bo a considering look. “I’d suspected something like this was going on. Is this why you’re divorcing Janine?”
“It’s what set the process in motion, yes. But our marriage has been a sham for years. It’s better for both of us, and for the boys, if we break it off.” Glancing around, Bo seemed to notice for the first time that Andre wasn’t there. “Where’s Andre? And did y’all get hold of Janine? I really need to see my sons.”
Dean shook his head. “Sam found your phone, and Andre’s been calling for hours. He keeps getting their answering machine. He stayed out in the waiting room, in case they call back.”
The grief in Bo’s eyes said he knew the real reason Andre had stayed behind. “They probably went to visit some other family members. Janine should have her cell phone with her, I’ll