Page 10 of Still The One

Matty’s eyes are on me and he looks… interested, to say the least. ‘When’s the last time you two actually spoke?’

‘When I left Florida,’ I admit, sheepishly. ‘Actually, not even then, really, so I guess just before I left?’

‘You haven’t talked to him in five years?’

I shake my head, glancing down at Foster, my heart stuttering painfully. Tangled, messy emotions swirl through my head, confusing me almost to tears. I sniffle hard, looking up at the ceiling to will them away as I plant a hand over my mouth to stop it from quivering because that’s when I’ll lose it.

‘How bad is it?’ he asks, nervousness in his voice.

‘He’s critical. They’ve got him sedated into what we call an induced coma until he’s been stable for a minimum of forty-eight hours. Mostly internal damage, except his left arm. No brain bleeds. No serious spinal injuries.’

He shakes his head, closing his eyes painfully. ‘Damn it,’ he mumbles, now looking at Foster with worry.

‘Was it as bad at the track as it was here?’ I ask after pulling myself together.

Matty nods, frowning at the same time. ‘Worst crash I’ve seen in a while. I don’t know what happened, but I’ve got my suspicions.’

Really? I want to ask what those are, but he continues speaking.

‘But Foster’s tough as nails. We both know that. He’s healed broken bones so many times he’s pro. Even survived a brokenheart once.’ His gaze meets mine and I feel instantly guilty. ‘He’ll pull through – eventually.’

Message received. ‘Should I go?’

Matty is like a second father, a trainer, a coach, and a best friend all wound into one for Foster. He’s who should be here – especially after his broken heart jab and his protective fatherly persona. I get it. I hurt this man. But I didn’t leave with a whole heart either. The breaking was mutual.

A soft smile creeps up on Matty’s face. ‘Nah, I think you should stay.’

‘Why?’

That I did not expect. Truthfully, I figured whoever might show up for him would hate me with the fire of a thousand suns, just like Foster probably does.

Matty shrugs. ‘He was distracted at the track today and considering the date, I have a feeling that distraction may have been you.’

‘Me?’ My head almost can’t comprehend this news. I never even had the chance to know if he saw my thumbs up on his message. My memory distracted him?

‘You know our boy believes in signs – what do they call it? Fate? And considering his distraction and the fact that he ended up here with you as his nurse, that seems fateful. I think he may have something to say about that when he wakes up.’

I feel a slight squeeze on my hand, and I nearly jump out of my skin as I jerk mine from his. I’d forgotten I was even holding his hand.

‘Swedish meatballs!’

‘What?’ Matty asks.

‘He squeezed my hand!’ I say, repeatedly tapping the red call button. ‘He squeezed my hand,’ I say again, softer, feeling instantly like a weight is lifting slightly from my soul. He’s in there. And he can hear me.

5

GUY ‘FOSTER’

Chelsea, my nurse, who announces herself by name each time she walks in – which is helpful given my condition – was right: I can hear what’s happening around me. Thankfully, I can’t feel much, and I’m not really sure how I got here. What I do know is that since the moment I arrived, the woman I was briefly married to has been at my bedside, and the sound of her voice hurts something inside me that I’m pretty sure is more emotional than physical.

‘I think you should stay,’ Matty says softly.

Yes, Eve. If this isn’t some kind of nightmare and you’re really here, please, please stay. I don’t know what happened, but I need you.

‘Why?’ She sounds stunned. Which, seeing our history, I shouldn’t be surprised at.

‘He was distracted at the track today and considering the date, I have a feeling that distraction may have been you.’

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