Page 16 of Still The One

‘Why don’t I believe you?’

‘Because I’m your little sister and you never do. Listen, I appreciate your concern, Jess, I do. I’m just hoping to get some good karma on my side when it comes to love – if it even exists.Maybe I’ll use this as a reminder of what to avoid in the future. This time I’ll take notes.’

‘Eve,’ she says sympathetically. ‘I know you’ve been hurt and I feel for you, I really do. But I have a sinking feeling this will all go terribly wrong, and you’ll end up hurt again. I’d rather not see you go through that.’

‘Lessons learned is all heartbreak is. You’d know that if you hadn’t married the first boy you met,’ I tease. ‘I’ll live through this. I promise, Jess, I’m being careful. And if anything does go wrong, I’m a survivor. A cynical, cold-hearted survivor.’

Amid a deep sigh, Jess reluctantly utters, ‘Fine. You’re an adult, and you can make your own decisions. I just have opinions and your best interests in mind. He doesn’t.’

‘Not sure he’s currently got anything on his mind, but I get it.’ How will we really know if she’s right about that until he comes to?

7

GUY ‘FOSTER’

Even though I’m starving, in pain, itchy, and hazy at best, hearing Eve speak is comforting – even if it is about the life story of Matthew Perry. The only time I’ve heard her voice until recently was in my dreams, and I find myself wanting to keep her talking just to remember her. I can’t get enough and didn’t realize how much I’d missed it – her – until now.

‘Pretend you didn’t hear any of that phone call,’ Eve says, touching my hand gently. ‘Jess is overly protective of me because I have horrible taste in men, as you know.’

Offensive.

‘Not that you’re horrible – an unreliable dumbass at times, yes – but I think you being in the condition you’re in sort of confirms that. Anyway, despite us being way in the past, I’m reliving every part, and now Jess has me anxious as all get out.’ She sighs heavily. ‘I also remember why I deleted all your photos from my phone. You’re too easy to look at, even with a tube between your lips. But, in case youcanhear me, know we’re staying divorced – I think fate lied to us. I’m just here to make sure you don’t suffer through this on your own with a strange priest offering you up to a God I’m sure you don’t believe in.’

She has no idea how much I appreciate that. A few more chapters of Matthew Perry’s life entertain me, but then the book slams closed.

‘I can’t focus,’ she says. ‘Want to play a game?’

A game I will obviously lose?Sure, Jellybean. If it keeps you here, yes, I do.

She shuffles around, and I wonder what she’s up to.

‘I brought playing cards. Wanna deal?’ she asks with a laugh. ‘I’m kidding. I’ve watched you attempt to shuffle cards, and you’re bad at it when you’re conscious. I’ll deal. Three-card draw. Good luck.’ She deals the cards and then giggles to herself. ‘Ooh, tough hand, mister, I win without even trying. Man, you suck at this game, awakeandasleep.’

Shit-talking, is she? It’s hard to listen and not be able to respond. The sounds of her re-dealing bring back so many memories of when we did this together.

‘Oh hey!’ she says excitedly. ‘You won! Three kings and I’ve got zero. Congratulations! Too bad you’re not conscious to see it.’ She laughs. ‘I’ll photo document it,’ she says. After a few silent seconds, she speaks. ‘Perfect! This one’s going on the fridge. Maybe I’ll bring you a prize tomorrow since we didn’t bet anything.’

Please don’t let it be the Britney Spears book. I have nothing against her personally, but now I’m invested in Matthew Perry’s life outside ofFriends, and I’m not sure my brain can handle jumping around different stories. I can barely stay in the moment for longer than ten minutes when Eve’s here because the past continues to take over, and I’m starting to like it.

‘How’s he doin’?’ Chelsea’s voice enters the room.

‘Well, he’s not as terrible at poker when he’s asleep, but no conversation or anything.’

‘Bad at motorcyclesandpoker?’ Chelsea jokes.

How dare she! The poker thing I’ll accept, but I am not bad at motorcycles. I can ride them, build them, flip them (and stay alive), and they pay for anything I want. Plus, it’s fucking fun!Do not criticize my riding ability, woman.To my surprise, I attempt to respond to defend my talent, and a grunt leaves my lips. Machines start beeping like mad.

‘Holy crap!’ Eve exclaims. ‘Did he just try to talk?’

‘Maybe? It almost sounded like I offended him,’ Chelsea says.

I ammanfended, Chelsea.My masculinity is on the line here. Is that stupid? Yes, the fuck it is. But I am who I am – best in my industry.

‘Foster?’ Eve says my name, gently touching my cheek. It’s the weirdest sensation I’ve ever felt – like the fuzz of an old TV screen, but just under my skin. A tingling that lasts for longer than the actual touch. A sensation only created by my gorgeous Eve. Well, maybe not ‘my’ Eve. I screwed that up, yet here she is in the worst possible moment of my life. Worried.

‘Foster, honey.’ Chelsea pats my cheek. Her touch doesn’t do the same thing Eve’s does. Interesting.

Focus, Fost.

---