Page 147 of When Hearts Awaken

But maybe there’s another reason for it.

A spark of hope flares up inside me. I replay her words in my mind.

Lil’ Tay.She hasn’t called me that since I was fourteen, and she was eighteen then. She treated me like a little sister until I grew older and we became best friends.

“You all look so different.”

My breath hitches and I slowly approach her, watching the furrow deepen between her brows. “How old are you, Alexis?”

I hear a sharp inhale. I don’t know if it’s from Ethan or someone else. A sinking feeling sweeps in as I watch Alexis looking at me in confusion. “Sixteen. I want to say sixteen, but that can’t be true, right? You guys look so much older.”

“Fuck,” I hear Charles mutter under his breath.

“So, you don’t know who I am, Lexy,” Ethan murmurs, his voice hoarse. He swallows. “You have no clue.”

A knock sounds at the door and a group of doctors with nurses and technicians walk in. The one in the front, an older man with salt-and-pepper hair, looks at Charles and says, “I’m Dr. Carlson from neurology, and these are my colleagues from critical care, respiratory, and physical medicine/rehabilitation departments. We’re here to assess your sister and to come up with the best plan of treatment for her. Can I ask you all to step outside and give us some space?” He motions to his colleagues—there are at least ten of them crowding the room.

“Of course,” Charles murmurs and takes my hand. “Anything you need, doctor, just let me know. Spare no expenses.”

Liam pushes Ethan toward the exit. My brother looks like he wants to stay behind. Liam mutters, “What’s going on, dude? You’re acting strange.”

Ethan stills and lets out a half-chuckle that anyone with eyes can see is fake. “Just shocked.” His nostrils flare. “Happy for you guys though.”

“Lil’ Tay!”

I stop, turning toward Alexis again.

Her forehead is pinched, and she’s clutching her head like she has a migraine. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I need to tell you I have proof.” She shakes her head and winces. “I don’t know what that means. But I need to tell you that. A hiding place. I’m not making any sense.”

“Ms. Vaughn, don’t try too hard right now. Let us check your vitals first, okay?” One of the doctors gives me a sharp glance and shakes his head, as if to tell us to leave the room faster.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, a headache beginning to form at the base of my neck, and we filter into the hallway.

Proof? Hiding place? What?

“Thanks for coming, man. I knew you were worried about her, so I wanted you to see her in person. But it looks like her memory is jacked up and the docs are going to take a while in there with her. Go back to work. I’ll call you if anything changes.” Liam clasps Ethan’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

Ethan nods, his eyes still looking gutted and lost. “Right.” His lips curve up in a fake smile. He glances at me. “See you at the family dinner this weekend.”

A heaviness sits on his frame as he leaves us, and I make a note to ask him about it later.

Liam shrugs on his leather jacket and shifts on his feet. Charles clears his throat. The brothers look awkward as fuck standing here. Rolling my eyes, I push them both toward a quiet seating area.

“You two need to talk. I’m tired of you being at odds with each other and I don’t even know Liam that long. Your sister is in there and she needs you both. She has a long road to recovery in front of her. Get your shit together.”

Charles smirks and shakes his head in amusement. He pulls me to him. “You’re the smart one.”

“No shit.” I smile into his chest. I whisper, “Liam still loves you. I can tell. Just talk to him, be vulnerable. You guys will be okay. I’m going to head out. I need to do something.”

Alexis’s words sift through my mind like a riddle. A riddle I feel in my gut I have the answer to, and I know I won’t rest until I figure it out.

“I love you,” he murmurs before pulling apart. He gazes into my eyes. “You okay?”

I grin. “I’m not sure ‘okay’ is the right word for what I’m feeling right now. I’m confused as shit, but I know the answers will come. Don’t worry about me. I’ll call you later.”

He nods, warmth teeming in his eyes.

I glance at Liam, who’s sprawled in a chair, nervously bouncing his feet on the floor.

---