Page 18 of Midnight and Mine

“They say little things will jog your memory, so maybe you have a connection to ground-up meat with eggs, bell peppers, and onions formed into a loaf with ketchup on top.”

“When you put it like that, there’s no way in hell I’m eating it. That sounds disgusting.”

He puts a piece on a fork and says, “Where’s the free spirit we all know and love?” He pauses, straightens his back, and scans the room. “What if you don’t remember how fun you are and end up being boring?” The laugh catches in his throat.

“Me, boring? Not a chance in hell. I mean, obviously I like to be the center of attention. A pregnant, married woman at the gorge alone and now with a concussion, a broken leg, bruised ribs, and no memory. I’m the opposite of boring.”

Scott rubs his thumb over the back of my hand as we both chuckle. Beyond his shoulder, Drake stands at the door.

“Drake, I remembered a little something. It was a dream about Vanessa. I was talking with Vanessa,” I say excitedly, but Drake barely smiles.

What the hell? Doesn’t he want my memories to return?

“That’s good.” He shuffles to the other side of my bed, handing me a monkey stuffed animal.“I thought you could use someone to snuggle.”

His eyes don’t meet mine and out of my peripheral vision, Scott’s jaw tightens, and his strong arms cross over his torso. “Is that so?” Scott asks through gritted teeth, and I don’t understand the strain between these two supposed friends.

Drake’s eyes are pinned to my broken leg, refusing to make eye contact with either Scott or myself. It’s perplexing as to why my husband’s acting this way. I take the pink monkey with Get Well Soon written on his belly from his hand. “Thank you.”

“I know I’m not supposed to tell you what you like, but you’ve always loved monkeys,” Drake mutters.

“Drake. Don’t be scared. I’m going to remember, and we’re going to get our life back. I couldn’t ask for a better half. I mean who else comes home for lunch?” I tease, but it falls flat—you would need a samurai sword to cut the tension in this room. Not understanding the dynamics or if there is ill will between the two of them, I ask, “Scott, can you give me time alone with my husband?”

Chapter Eight

Scott

Everything in me wants to scream, “I’m your fucking husband.” My heart hammers against my chest, hoping I can control myself without an outburst. The last thing Wynter needs is for me to upset her. I take my hat off and run my hand through my hair and reposition it. She watches me intently until I say, “Sure. Drake, when you’re finished, we need to talk.”

He shakes his head and looks just past my ear instead of in the eye. “Yeah, okay.”

“I’ll be back. I’ll see if I can get them to let Vanessa in to see you tomorrow. It’s too late tonight.” I run the pads of my fingers over her arm, and it causes her goosebumps. Her eyes pinch, the same as she does whenever she’s confused.

“You never answered me. Why do you get to come in when you’re not my family? I mean, I know we must be good friends, but…”

“I work with the hospital both as a medical device representative and a search and rescue volunteer. It gives me special privileges. Drake, the doctor doesn’t want to keep her awake too long, so keep it short.” Drake just nods. I bend down to kiss her forehead. “I know your mom wants to sit with you while Drake goes to work. When do you go in?”

“Midnight.”

I walk out and make my way to the nurse’s station. There are a handful of nurses standing around talking, while others go in and out of rooms. When I find Wynter’s nurse, I ask… no, I tell her, “I want him out of there in fifteen minutes. He’s not her husband, and I…”

Nancy lays her hand on my forearm. “I’ve got you. You won’t lose her.”

“I just don’t understand why she thinks she’s his wife and not mine.”

She shrugs and gives me a sympathetic expression. “Maybe because he was the last one she communicated with? It’s not my area of expertise. The neurologist will have a psychologist come to work with her if it goes on too long. We have to find a balance between upsetting her and making her symptoms worse.”

“Thanks. I’ll give you my cell number. Can you call me if anything changes? I’m going to run home and pick up some things for her and take a shower.”

I’m already sick of explaining to everyone, so I hope our friends and family have gone home. I’m surprised to see that Beau is still in the waiting room with both sets of parents.

“Oh, honey.” My mom blankets me with her love, wrapping her arms around me, and I break like china at the kid’s Thanksgiving table.

“Mom, I can’t stand watching her love someone else. Thinking she belongs to him and him to her.”

She pulls back and wipes her hands over my cheeks. “Scotty Wilson, your love is strong. She’ll remember but if you give up, what does that tell her? She needs someone who will cheer her on no matter what it means for you. Do you hear me? Be the man she needs, and I promise you’ll end up being the one she wants.”

Her parents come over and hug me. “She loves you. Stay strong.”

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