Page 58 of Cross My Heart

“He was in a coma,” the man replies. “But he’s awake now.”

A fucking coma?

“Thank you,” I tell them, trying to get them the fuck out my house so I can call Noah. “I will be in contact if I need anything.”

“Feel free to call the number we provided if you need more support.”

“Thanks,” I mumble.

The men get up from the couch and make their way to the door, and I follow them out. I watch as they get in a blacked-out SUV, and I close the door behind me. I go back to the dining room and stare at my phone. Before I can think about it, I dial the number to the hospital in Germany.

The line rings and rings, and if it weren’t for the extension I’d think they were ignoring me. But the phone call is going right to the room. Maybe he’s tired. Maybe he’s still sleeping—what fucking time is it? Maybe?—

“Hello?” Noah asks groggily. “Who’s this?”

I can imagine the cute little frown on his face, and I deflate. “Baby,” I breathe.

“Ty?” his voice is high-pitched, and he sounds scared. “Tyler, is that you?”

“Yes,” I reply. “How are you? Are you okay? Can you tell me what happened?”

“Slow down,” he chuckles. “I’m fine, beat up, but fine.”

“I was told you were shot,” I growl. “That doesn’t sound like you’re fine, Noah Milner.”

“Don’t say my name like that,” he jabs, but I can tell he’s amused. “Ty, I—I don’t know what happened. I just woke up here, and I don’t remember anything.”

“Nothing?” I frown.

“I suffered a TBI,” he explains grimly, and my brain starts trying to decipher what that means, but I know nothing about it. “I don’t have any memories of the past six months.”

I gasp. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“You,” he whispers, and my body relaxes. “I remember us at the hotel. Then saying goodbye.”

“I love you, Tyler,” Noah whispers, and I can see he’s being vulnerable right now. “You’re everything to me. Please don’t hurt me. If you say you’re going to do something…do it.”

I swallow hard. “Noah?—”

“I need to stay with you,” he whispers. “I know we haven’t talked about moving in together, but I have nowhere else to go. We can get a house.” His voice grows in volume as he becomes more sure of himself. “Unless you’re living with your parents? Damn—I should’ve led with that.”

“Noah,” I sigh. “Scarlett and I are still living together.”

There’s a moment of silence. “B-b-but, why?” he stutters, and my heart sinks. “Did you not sell the house yet?”

“Baby, I haven’t divorced her yet,” I start, and he gasps. “I’m going to! I—I just thought I had more time.”

“Let me guess,” he chuckles, but it clearly holds no humor. “She doesn’t even know you want to leave her.”

“No,” I whisper.

“Do you evenwantto leave her, Ty?”

“Of course I do?—”

“Fuck, Tyler,” Noah growls. “You didn’t keep your promise.”

“Hear me out, please?—”

---