Chapter 6

A brief wave of relief washed over him when Linus shook his head again. Then he moved away, slipping his hand from Samson’s grip, taking a few shaky steps forward. Samson clenched his hands into fists, swallowing down a lump. He momentarily closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath. The door squeaked as Linus opened it. Someone was crying in a room down the hall and oddly out of place, two people laughed softly.

“Samson?”

Linus stood in the doorway, gazing over his shoulder at him, a silently pleading look in his eyes. It was clear that as much as he wanted to do it, Linus couldn’t bear to go alone. Should he take any of this as a sign there remained hope for them to patch the fresh tear in their relationship? Or did Samson simply take it at face value, a man he loved turning to him for comfort in a time of need?

“I’m here for you,” he stepped forward. “Always.”