Page 36 of Screw Christmas
“I think that would be best. I’m already overwhelmed. Honestly Mom, I’m not sure how you’d think that’s a good idea.”
Her lips turned into a frown, making me feel like royal horseshit. “Mom, it’s just that I’m confused, and I just don’t need extra pressure. Marriage is a huge step, and I just don’t feel secure enough to be able to say yes or no. I don’t know who he is anymore, I only know who he was a year or so ago. A lot can change in a year. If you could advise him to wait that would be appreciated.”
“I will.” Her mood perked up a little. “I’ll tell him that he should wait a month or so, until the time is right.”
“Good. Thank you. On a different note, do you know what is going on with Dylan? Why did he come here? Did you know he was coming here? Did I?”
“Well, I have a confession to make.” She suddenly looked nervous, her gaze shifting away from mine.
“Which is?”
“I knew he was coming here because his father and I are back together. We’ve been together for a while now. We were keeping it to ourselves because I know you haven’t been supportive of our on-again-off-again relationship over the years. Dylan knows so it’s only a matter of time before you found out. I feel really guilty for not telling you, I just wanted to make sure we were solid this time.”
I jerked back as if I were slapped. That was news to me, and I was one-hundred percent certain it would have been news to pre-amnesia Maya as well. It hurt a little that she didn’t feel she could share that with me. Had I been that unwavering on my stance over his father? I didn’t think I had; I just didn’t want to see her hurt. She was the type of woman to fall deeply and make a man the center of her world, sometimes losing herself in the midst of it, causing her needless anxiety and depression—at least that was how it had been over the years with Dylan’s dad. I just didn’t want her hurting again.
“I’m sorry sweetheart. I promise I’ll never lie to you again.”
“I understand. I’m sorry that you felt you had to keep it from me, Mom. I wish only the best for you and if you feel Walter is the one for you then I’m behind you no matter what.”
~*~ TT ~*~
Dylan
Fucking finally! I laid my head back and sighed in relief seeing the guard enter through the locked doors leading to the jail cells. He was coming to release me. I’d already had my court appearance and was released on bail thanks to my father coming to my aid. I just had to wait here for everything to be put in order.
Sitting in jail was bad enough, but sitting in jail while some lying, cheating piece of shit moved in on the woman I loved was something else altogether. And fuck only knows what was going on with my callback. For all I knew the part was given to someone else and I was going to be back to the drawing board. I couldn’t freeload off Maya if I wanted to be with her. I needed to pull my own weight. I was the one who should be caring for her, dammit, not the other way around.
How could I be so close to everything I could ever want—a great part, a beautiful woman who I connected with on so many levels—and yet so far away? It was like life was throwing me one big tease. One more go fuck yourself hardball that life knew I didn’t have a chance in hitting.
“Ready to get out of here?” the guard asked. I’d never seen this guy before.
Chuckling, I nodded as I placed my hands on my knees and stood. “As ready as I’ll ever be, that’s for sure.”
The guard was about to open the cell when a second officer came busting through the doors.
Oh, for the love of God, I couldn’t leave without parting words from the all-powerful Officer Aaron Cooper. What I wouldn’t give to punch the prick and bust his nose all over again.
“Hey Conners, can you give us a minute before he takes off?” When the officer looked a little uncertain, Aaron added. “It’ll be fine. I’ll just be a minute.”
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
“Just one minute. That’s it.”
“Fine. One minute.” He gave me one more look and then another stern look at Aaron before leaving us, closing the door behind him.
“I’m so glad you could take the time to come all the way here to say goodbye, Aaron.” Giving him a wink while blowing him a kiss, I added, “I missed you too.”
“Yes, well, here’s the deal. I have a court-approved restraining order against you.”
“Maya would never agree to that.” Would she? The Maya before the accident certainly wouldn’t, but what had been said to her since she’d landed in the hospital, as far as she knew I was a psychotic nutjob. I needed to talk to her. At least to get some clarity and see what she remembered. If only she spent some time with me. It would come back; I was sure of it.
“No, not from Maya, she refused to get a restraining order. She just wants to put this nightmare—you—behind her. Where you should have stayed. I got the restraining order, for me, from you.”
My head fell back as a clap of laughter erupted from me. “You, from me? Right.”
“Not because I’m scared of you. I’m not. It’s because with me living with her, to care for her while she recovers, it means you can’t be within two-hundred yards of her or her residence since I’ll always be with her. So, if you have any wise ideas about trying to run back to her and dislodge the memories I’m trying to keep buried until I’ve won her back, you’ll be back in this cell faster than you can blink. And as a cop, I can make sure her building is patrolled frequently and the officers have a picture of you, just to make sure. So if you value your freedom, you’ll stay away from her and us.” He sneered at me. “Do I make myself clear?”
My jaw clenched as I stared at the man on the other side of the bars. He was a real piece of work. “What happens when she remembers? You’re not the one she wants.”
