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“I’m so glad you’re okay, sis.”
Her gaze slid to me, and she smiled politely. “Oh, Jake. It was nice of you to come, too.” Then she looked back at Bryce, her long dark hair falling across her shoulders as she turned.
My eyes widened. There was nothing there. None of the subtext we were used to sharing in conversations around other people.
I stepped closer, pulling her attention back to me. “Of course, I came, Monica. Why wouldn’t I?” I tried to fill my voice with all the love and tenderness I wanted to show openly, but couldn’t.
I couldn’t help it. I reached for her hand. It was as natural as breathing.
She pulled her hand back and looked at Bryce with confusion. “What’s going on?”
He looked at me. “Good question. I’d like to know the same thing.”
“You don’t remember?” My throat was on fire, raw with emotion, and I sagged.
Six months. That’s how long it had taken for Monica and me to cross the bridge from acquaintances to friends to talking about forever together. All of it without telling another soul.
And now I was the only one who remembered any of it.
“Bryce?” Monica looked so confused. Then there was panic in her eyes. Her heart rate started to jump, the quiet tone of the monitor increasing rapidly. “What don’t I remember?”
Bryce’s hand found my shoulder. “I think it’s time for you to go, man.”
I shook my head. Desperation filled my voice. “No.” I jerked my shoulder to remove his hand. “Monica, please! Please, you have to remember. You and me, we’re together.” She looked at me with a scared expression. Gone was the secret smile and flirtatious gaze I had come to recognize and adore. I whispered, “Oh God, why is this happening?”
“You’re lying, Jake. That’s not true.” Monica’s words cut me to the core.
Bryce grabbed my arm and pulled me to the door. His voice was gentle, a stark contrast to my out-of-control pleading. “Come on, Jake. Just give her some time, okay?”
We were out in the hallway moments later. My breathing came heavily, and I turned to press my forehead into the wall, pounding my fist into it over my head. “She doesn’t remember any of it, B,” I choked out. “What am I going to do?”
“Just give it time.” Bryce’s tone was firm but gentle.
I kind of wanted to punch him. “Easy for you to say. She remembers you!”
“Come on, man. She nearly died. I don’t know what’s going on here, but you need to back off. If seeing you is upsetting Monica, then I’m not going to let that happen.”
I sagged against the wall. Knowing that Bryce was right didn’t make it any easier to accept. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Monica or cause her any additional pain. I just wanted her to remember me. I wanted to tell the world that we were planning a forever together. What if she never remembered?
My mind immediately rebelled against the idea, my stomach lurching in protest. She had to remember. It was too important.
Shewas too important.
I took a deep breath, keenly aware of Bryce’s stare locked on me. I nodded. “I’ll give it time. I have to get out of here though.”
I turned my head to meet Bryce’s gaze. He glanced back toward the door of Monica’s room and back to me.
I jerked my head toward the door. “Go. She needs you.” The admission sliced through me again, like the twist of a knife. I wanted her to needme.
For right now, she needed her brother. I would have to try again tomorrow.
Bryce squeezed a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, man. I need to get back in there. I’ll let you know when I leave. Not sure if I’ll be in for my next shift, but I will let the chief know either way.”
I groaned at the realization that I was due at the fire station for my shift. I swallowed my pain and nodded. “I’ll get one of the volunteers to cover it. Just…” I hesitated. “Keep me posted. Let me know when she remembers.”
I saw pity in Bryce’s eyes. He nodded before turning away and disappearing into Monica’s hospital room and shutting the door behind him.
I stared at the wood grain for a long moment, longing to lay eyes on Monica again. To reassure myself that she was okay.
