Page 27 of When Hearts Remember

Alex

It’s me. I did it. Proud of me, Keeper?

A few seconds pass by and he replies.

Delaney

I figured it’s high time you have a name to call me.

Delaney

Does your text mean what I think it means?

Chapter 9

Present: Eight Years After the Accident—Twenty-Eight Years Old

The spoon clatters tothe ground.

“Shit,” I mutter, and begin the tortuous process of moving my legs off the bed.

“I got it, Lexy.” Taylor leaps off the leather couch, picks up the utensil, and hands it back to me.

A growl makes its way up my throat and a ball of fire gathers in my chest.

Ten months.

It’s been ten months since I woke up to a new world and a new reality and I still can’t grip a spoon with my right hand. The same goes for leaning on my right foot, and heck, anything on the right side of my body.

“Dammit, Tay, let me do this or I’ll never get better!”

Taylor gasps then her eyes soften.

The outburst shocks me—it’s not me. Not the old me, anyway.

I remember when I enjoyed dreaming, laughing, and letting life’s hiccups roll off me because I knew the clock was ticking and I shouldn’t waste any time focusing on negative events.

But now, these hiccups jolt me.

Not to mention, ever since I woke up, there’s a sinister thread of fear and lingering anxiety. I’m always looking behind me, my heart pounding from the slightest surprise.

Like I’m afraid of something.

But what?

Lexy, get a grip on yourself. Now’s not the time to indulge in your overactive imagination.

I snort, and Taylor looks bewildered. Heck, I don’t blame her. I feel out of control inside too.

“Sorry, Tay. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. You didn’t deserve it.”

“You’re too hard on yourself, Alexis. Shit, if I were in your shoes, I’d probably be hurling plates and knives against the wall.”

A sharp spasm ripples at the base of my skull, and I wince.

Muffled screams. Headlights. Water—so much dark water.

Clutching my chest, I focus on my breathing as my pulse riots inside me.

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