Page 34 of Memphis

You, too.

I tossedmy phone on the bedside table with a stream of grumbled curses. I was actually having a decent night, and that was something that hadn’t happened since the night of the accident.

It was Antonia.

She was the reason I’d had a good night.

I was genuinely taken aback that she’d come to check on me. I knew she’d been keeping tabs on me through my mother. I’d overheard them talking on numerous occasions, but I thought that was the extent of it. I never expected her to show up here, and it caught me by surprise.

It surprised me even more that her presence had such a positive effect on me. It wasn’t just the comfort of a familiar face. It was much more than that. It was the way she breathed air back into my lungs and made me feel alive again—even if it was through anger. She’d always gotten to me, and I doubted that would ever change.

In the end, having her here meant more than I cared to admit. Before I realized what I was doing, I had reached for my phone and sent her another message.

Me:

Sorry I scared you.

Toni:

It wasn’t like it was intentional.

Me:

No, but I’m sorry all the same.

Toni:

I thought I lost my chance.

Me:

Chance for what?

Toni:

That doesn’t matter.

You just keep getting better. That’s what’s most important.

Me:

I’ll do my best.

Toni:

I’ll see you tomorrow.

Me:

Night Toni

Toni:

Night Weston

I tossedmy phone back on the table and hit the lights. It had been a long day, and my exhaustion was getting the best of me. I’d barely closed my eyes when Jess was barreling into the room with a damn wheelchair. I wiped the sleep from my eyes as I grumbled, “Damn, woman. I haven’t even had breakfast yet.”

“That’s okay. It’ll be waiting here for you when we get back.”