Page 46 of Midnight and Mine

“You are my life.”

Hopefully, she figures that out soon.

Chapter Twenty

Wynter

The past week has been amazing. Scott has wined and dined me, without the wine. He has shown me a glimpse of what our life looks like and how we live. Tonight, we’re having a bonfire and cookout at his house, our house, with our friends. He has even invited Nurse Nancy.

Sitting at the kitchen table with Vanessa, Ali, Jessica, and Nancy, I chop up vegetables to throw on the grill. Instead of waking up each day with a sense of dread and the unknown, I now wake up with a purpose, and the only purpose I have is to live. I refuse to let life go on without me. I’ve recollected more every day, mostly inconsequential, but the memories give me hope that I’ll remember everything eventually.

“So, Scott told Beau that you two have kissed several times.”

“He’s a great kisser. And his voice makes my panties disintegrate. So smooth with just enough leather,” I can’t help but laugh.

“I’ve heard that about the Wilson brothers,” Nancy says.

Nancy has become a friend and honestly, I’ve told her more than anyone at this point. Maybe because she doesn’t know my past. She listens and offers advice based on the current situation, giving me the freedom to act however and not be worried about letting the girls down.

“You have?”

Nancy smirks with an aggressive shake of her head.

Ali agrees. “A colleague of mine hooked up with Major, and let’s just say she was wooed. Something about him being fire with gasoline thrown on top. I wouldn’t wait with Scott. I mean you’re married, and I’m sure he’s game.”

“It’s kind of fun to date again. From what I understand, we missed this part.”

Vanessa heckles, “That’s because you’ve been kissing each other since ninth grade. And we all ran around and hung out together.”

It saddens me that I can’t recall all the fun times we had together and whenever they slip up and say something about the past, sadness acts as a veil over their faces.

We take the veggies out, and the guys are talking about the opening weekend of Major League Baseball. Vanessa hands the bowl to Scott, who empties the vegetables on the other side of the grill, opposite the steaks.

Ali turns on her little Bluetooth speaker, then Jessica brings out cocktails, passing them out. “Yours is a virgin.”

I mumble, “I feel like a virgin, it’s been so long.”

Ali, who has no filter, says, “When’s the last time you remember having sex?”

Everyone leans in.

“I keep having this dream about having sex. Now I know it’s a memory because the couch and the pillows werein my dreams before Scott had even brought me here. Plus, I was pregnant and in the dream, and my baby belly isn’t too much smaller than it is now. So, it was within a couple of weeks of the accident. God, it was hot if it was half as good as my teasing dreams.”

Jessica claps in excitement.

Major says, “Okay, ladies, quit gossiping, and let’s eat.”

The guys drag beers from the Yeti cooler, as the women grab the utensils. Grilling goes in the plus column for Scott. The vegetable medley is slightly charred, and the steak is grilled to perfection. He cooks everyone else’s medium but cooks mine medium well. I’ve been reading baby books at night that say my meat should be cooked thoroughly. Baby comes first.

Afterwards, Scott builds a fire in the pit. We scoot the four chairs around to make room for more lawn chairs. Major breaks out his guitar, strumming and humming, and finally starts a ballad. He feels every word as pain strips his face of the laughter that was there just moments ago.

He takes requests, singing some old country songs, and we join in. I don’t know how I know the words to the songs, but my brain hasn’t forgotten. Scott and I hold hands. He rubs his thumb over the back of my hand repeatedly, and I have to admit, I want everyone to leave so I can have him to myself.

An hour later, Ali is sitting in Axel’s lap. Jessica and Maverick are dancing when Major ends one song and starts another.

“May I have this dance, my beautiful wife?” Scott asks as he stands and holds his palm out.

“Yes, but I may haveto lean on you.”

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