Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

OSCAR

“I’m just saying, Osky, that you could put yourself out there more. You’re such a catch.”

Oscar knew his twin sister, Rebecca, meant well. She truly only wanted to see him happy and, knowing him better than anyone, she knew that he’d had shit luck with romantic partners. That’s why he’d finally relented and had let his friend Christian give his number out to Sam, Christian’s best friend.

Oscar had seen Sam around and thought he was attractive. He had the whole boy-next-door vibe going on with his neatly trimmed brown hair and the way he had a smile for everyone.

The fact that he’d agreed to let Christian give his number to Sam wasn’t something he was going to tell Rebecca. Oscar valued his privacy, and Rebecca also valued his privacy—which was why she was always up in his business.

“I’m fine, Becky.” He loved the way her nose wrinkled at the shortening of her name. As if her calling him Osky wasn’t twice as horrible.

Rebecca narrowed her eyes at him. “For the record, I don’t believe you. But my new year's resolution was to stop being so pushy, and I’m trying my best.”

She pushed her short red hair off her face. It wasn’t naturally red. Her natural color was a soft mousy kind of brown. Her current color resembled cherries, fresh off the tree. Oscar’s hair was dark, almost black.

“I wish you well on your resolution, but I can’t see you making it another week. Being pushy is in your DNA.”

Rebecca balled up a napkin and threw it at him. “And being an ass is in yours.” She glanced at the time and let out a sigh. “Well, I have to get back to the office, but thanks for meeting me for lunch. We’ll have to do it again sometime.”

She grabbed her purse and dug a couple of bills out and tucked them under the edge of a glass. For as long as they’d been adults who met for lunch, they took turns paying the bill. Whoever didn’t pay had to leave a tip.

Oscar had the luxury of not having to rush back to work. He worked four days a week at a local microbrewery and today was the first of his three days off. He’d already been to the gym that morning, which left nothing on his agenda for the rest of the day besides maybe a trip to the grocery store.

A text came through from Christian letting him know that Sam was now in possession of his number. It was followed by some heart eyes and crossed-finger emojis… but Oscar didn’t have a lot of hope that things would work out for him. He knew he was different now, but deep down he’d always feel like the fat kid who played trombone. He’d switched to guitar a few years ago and had started working out in high school. The old him only existed in pictures now, but he was still alive and well inside Oscar.

It was snowing when he stepped out of the cafe. He was about to get into his car when his phone chimed with a new message. Thinking it was Christian or his sister, Oscar got in the car before he pulled his phone out of his pocket.

At Flatmer Park. Seizure coming. Please help.

The ominous message had to be from Sam, who most likely hadn’t meant to text it to a stranger, but Oscar found himself not caring if it was meant for him or not. He fastened his seatbelt and started his car.

Flatmer Park was a short drive from where Oscar was, and it wasn’t like he knew what to do in case someone was having a seizure, but he couldn’t ignore the text.

The park stretched the length of an entire city block. It was heavily treed, but well lit, and had plenty of walking paths that Sam could be on.

Oscar pulled into a parking space near one end of the park and picked a direction. He hoped he’d be able to find Sam before something bad happened to him. The snow, really coming down now, muffled the sounds of the city, making time seem to crawl. Each minute felt like an hour as Oscar jogged through the trails.

He was near panic, when he spotted a familiar-looking dog up ahead. He didn’t know the dog’s name, but he knew he belonged to Sam. The dog had stayed with Sam, offering him warmth.

Oscar pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed 911. Sam’s pants were drenched from lying in the snow. His dog kept nudging Sam’s face, whining and licking.

“Nine-One-One, what’s your emergency?”

“I’m in Flatmer Park and there’s a guy lying in the snow. He’s had a seizure.”

“Where in the park are you? We have an ambulance enroute.”

“Down the main trail, about halfway.”

“Is the man conscious?”

“Not yet. But he’s breathing.” Oscar found Sam’s phone in the snow and picked it up, hoping it wasn’t ruined. He tucked it away in the pocket of his jacket.

“How long did the seizure last? Do you know?” the operator asked. It always amazed Oscar how cool these people could stay in a crisis.

“I don’t know. I got a text from him a few minutes ago. So it can’t have been too long. Sam. Sam, wake up.” Oscar tapped Sam’s cheek a couple times, but there was no response. He didn’t want to keep hitting an unconscious person, so he took Sam’s hands instead. They were ice cold from exposure.

“The paramedics should be close by,” the operator said.

Oscar had almost forgotten about her, but when he looked around, he didn’t see anyone, but off in the distance he heard people yelling.

“They’re close. Tell them I’ll yell for them.” Oscar hung up the call and shouted, “Hey! Over here!”

Sam’s dog let out a few sharp barks, joining in. Oscar didn’t think he was supposed to disturb a dog while it was working, but he couldn’t help but tell him he was a good boy.

The paramedics came into view just as Sam groaned beneath him.

“Sam? Sam, it’s Oscar. Open your eyes, Sam.”

Sam groaned again and his eyes slowly opened. Oscar wasn’t sure how coherent Sam would be or how much he would remember later, or if he knew what happened to him. “Sam, I’m Oscar. You’re in Flatmer Park. You had a seizure.”

“Ace.” Sam spoke and the dog went to him, licking his face and wriggling his body. The dog’s name was Ace, apparently. Good to know. Sam looked at him. “How?”

“I’m Oscar. Christian’s friend. You sent me a text by mistake.”

“You came?” Sam tried to sit up, but the paramedics swarmed them.

“What’s your name, buddy?” A short guy with blond curls sticking out from under his beanie asked.

“Sam,” he croaked. He sounded tired, like someone who’d just competed in a triathlon.

“Sam, is this your first seizure?”

Sam lifted his right arm and held it out to the paramedic. The man spotted the medical alert bracelet and had a glance at it.

“Ah, so it’s not your first rodeo.” His gaze flicked up. “That explains the dog, then. Do you know how long your seizure was?”

Sam shook his head, then turned to the side and puked. He looked like he wanted nothing more than to roll over and close his eyes.

“None of that, Sam. We have to get you up out of the snow before you get sick.” The paramedic looked at Oscar as the other one finished checking Sam’s vitals. He’d hardly noticed her working, having been so busy focusing on Sam. “The trail is too narrow to bring the ambulance to him. If we go and get the gurney, do you think you can get him on his feet?”

“Yeah.”

“Great.” The paramedic helped Oscar stand Sam up. It was slow going, but they managed to get him on his feet and wrapped in a thermal blanket.

“Geez, it’s getting cold out here,” Oscar said. The paramedics shared a concerned look.

Waiting for them to make it to the ambulance and return, and then get Sam all the way back to the vehicle was going to take forever. Probably too long, because he was wet and cold and weak from his seizure.

“Hold on, Sam.” That was all the warning Oscar gave him before he swept him off his feet, carrying him bridal style. Sam was lighter than he looked, which was probably a good thing since he still wasn’t exactly weightless. “Let’s get out of here.”

“How are you feeling, Sam?” One of the paramedics asked as he followed beside. The other one jogged up ahead to get things ready in the back of the rig for Sam’s transport to the hospital. Ace came with them, staying a little ahead of the group. Every so often he’d stop and glance back and make sure Oscar was still following him.

Sam was starting to sound more coherent. “I’m freezing.”

“We’ll get you warm soon, okay. We’re almost there.” The paramedic spoke into the radio on his shoulder, advising the hospital of the patient they were bringing in and their ETA.

By the time they reached the ambulance, Oscar’s muscles were screaming. His hands were ice. And yet he still found himself reluctant to set Sam down on the gurney. They quickly bundled him in a couple blankets and loaded him into the back of the ambulance.

“Ace,” Sam said, and the dog leaped up into the back of the ambulance, then on the gurney where he laid on Sam’s legs.

One of the paramedics stayed in the back, while the other one shut the doors. “We’re taking him to Memorial if you want to see him. Thanks for your help.”

The paramedic clapped him on the shoulder, then jogged up to the front of the ambulance. A few seconds later it was pulling away from the park. It wasn’t life or death, so they went without lights and sirens.

It should have been more climactic. There should have been sirens and lights, and maybe some background music. Instead there was nothing but Oscar’s cold hands and the snow.

Oscar honestly didn't think he’d follow Sam to the emergency room. Not because he didn’t want to see him again, but because he wasn’t sure if Sam would want him there. Oscar had made up his mind not to when he stuck his hands in his pockets and discovered that he still had Sam’s phone.

He’d never been one to believe in signs from the universe, but there were some things that were just too obvious to ignore. Oscar lifted his gaze and looked up, though all he saw was gray clouds and falling snow.

“Okay, universe. I get it. I’m on my way.”