Page 85 of Lodged

“You guys, this is amazing,” I say as tears run down my cheeks.

“Wait, what did you remember?” Rain asks as I try to calm myself down.

“My eternal crush,” Merlin pipes up, and we all laugh.

“Anything else you remember?” Rain asks, her voice dripping with hope.

“Let’s not overwhelm her. Remember, the doctor said her memories might come back in waves. Let’s get ready for the show,” River says evenly, but his eyes tell me he’s as excited about this little development as we all are.

We all get into position, but not before Rain gives me an extra hug.

“Let’s do this,” I say, and she counts us down.

“Good evening, Azalea Creek,” I say, and the crowd cheers. “It’s so good to be here. As you all know, I suffered a major accident at the beginning of the year, and right after it happened, I thought my life was over.” River and Miles strum their instruments as Rain keeps a slow beat going, and the crowd claps along.

“But with the love and care of my family, I was able to get back on my feet. And this summer, I met a very special someone who has been my champion since the very first day we met.” I can hear the catcalls from my siblings. Gio covers his mouth, trying to hide a grin, but his eyes crinkle, giving him away. “So, what do you say, Azaleans. Are we ready to party the night away on this amazing new fairground?”

The crowd explodes in cheers and shouts, and I nod at Rain, who changes the beat. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been practicing the songs that my siblings said have been crowd favorites at previous festivals. Funny how they had no problem telling me about our band and which songs to practice but couldn’t tell me anything about my life in Raleigh. Maybe I didn’t share much with them? Ugh, now that one memory has come back, I want everything back. But right now, I need to focus on this moment and serenade Gio. It’s the least I can do for him.

I make eye contact with him every time we play a love song. When I get lost in his light blue eyes, it feels like the grounds are empty, and it’s just the two of us.

The smell of funnel cake, turkey legs, cotton candy, and apple cider hits my nostrils, and suddenly, I’m transported to another fairground—one where I was with him. A shiver runs through my body, and I close my eyes. A bright light flashes behind my eyelids, and in an instant, a flood of memories rushes through my mind.

I know we’re singing “Willow,” but all I can think of is Gio—Gio at the lab, him and I at the state fair, at the beach, and the pumpkin patch he had made just for us. Our getaway in New York, his graduation. Every single memory of us comes crashing back, and I collapse to my knees. My siblings keep playing, and somehow, I keep singing—it’s an out-of-body experience.

“That’s my man,” I whisper into the mic, pointing to Gio as I catch Mama and Granny grinning wide. When the last chords of the song play, I raise the microphone to my lips, look into Gio’s eyes, and say, “Blue, is that you? Cobalt?”

Hearing the nickname I gave him when we were sneaking around, his lips tremble, parting slightly, as though he wants to speak but can’t find the words. I glance at my siblings, and a silent understanding passes between us. With a smile, I place the microphone back on the stand and walk off the stage, each step charged with memories and meaning.

Gio snaps out of his stupor and rushes toward me. “Baby girl, you called me Blue,” he says, his voice trembling as he searches my eyes.

“I did. I remember you.” My voice breaks, and Gio captures my lips in a bruising kiss. His hands press firmly against the small of my back, pulling me flush against him as my hands cradle his neck. Everything around us fades away—there’s only Gio, filling every part of my world.

I’m not sure how long we kiss, but by the time we come up for air, the stage is empty, all the instruments have been taken away, and the crowd has dispersed.

“Damn, that was a hot, scorching kiss if I’ve ever seen one,” Miles says as he whistles, and my family explodes in laughter.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ruin is pregnant after that kiss,” Rain says, and I bury my face in Gio’s chest.

“That’s enough. Last thing I want to picture in my head is Gio going at it with my sister.” River fake gags, and everyone follows suit.

“So, I take it you remember him?” Mama asks, and I slowly peek out and nod.

She giggles, and Granny shouts, “Hurray! Finally! I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep hiding this secret from you, dear.”

Everyone nods in agreement, and I remove myself from Gio’s cocoon. Straightening my shoulders, I grab his hand and give my family what I consider a mean glare—but judging by their unfazed expressions, it’s anything but.

“You’re all lucky Gio found me. I don’t think I could have ever forgiven you if that accident was the end of us. Of this,” I say, lifting our entangled hands, my voice thick with emotion. Gio places a gentle kiss on each of my knuckles, and I can’t hold back the tears that spill down my cheeks.

“I told you from the moment you met him, you two were meant to be. I never doubted you were going to find each other again,” Granny says, effectively breaking the tension of my momentary threat to my family.

“Granny might have told you Dr. Bianchi was your one true love, but it was me who told him you were fine and thriving.” My jaw drops at Merlin’s revelation.

“And you didn’t tell me?” I ask, indignation oozing through me.

“I couldn’t, Ruru.” He shrugs. “Besides, Dr. Bianchi didn’t directly say who he was to you. But once he started asking so many questions about my family and siblings, I put two and two together.” I glance up at Gio, noticing the cutest blush on his cheeks.

“Hey, you can’t blame a man in love for trying to find his better half?” Gio says.

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