Page 17 of Don't Forget Me
“No, bro. You aren’t dead.” Stephen shifted his eyes to the lake once more. “But you’re close.”
“How is any of this possible?”
Stephen patted the deck beside him. “Sit with me. Please.”
Nick did as he asked, keeping distance between them. “What happened?”
How had he gone from dancing and fighting at the gala to being almost dead at his lake house?
Stephen pursed his lips, the look so familiar Nick didn’t want him to stop. It was his thinking look.
“Is this where you live now that you’re… you’re…”
“Dead?” Stephen grinned. “Buried? Six feet under?”
“Stop.”
“A goner?”
“Stephen.”
“Did they say I was too young to die? Come on, bro. I want to know what clichés were mentioned at my funeral.”
“I’m not talking about this with you.” Nick got to his feet and stormed back to the house. Stephen’s funeral had been a big event with everyone he knew in Hollywood mourning the young manager, but there’d been a coldness Nick hadn’t been able to shake. All those people went back to their lives, no different than they were before.
Unlike Nick, who’d never been the same.
A hand gripped his shoulder, and Nick almost jumped out of his skin. He turned to his brother, not wanting him to let go. But when Nick tried to pull him into a hug, his arms came up empty.
Sadness crossed over Stephen’s features. “I’m sorry. Okay? I know it’s probably been hard for you. But my death isn’t why we’re here now. You’re in a coma.”
“A coma? How? What happened?”
“I don’t know, but something happens in the brain when you go into that state. Your body is in the hospital, but you return to the place you were happiest. I think it has something to do with coping and reminding yourself there’s still plenty to live for.”
The place he was happiest. Nick closed his eyes for a brief moment. This house… the lake… his best memories with Stephen were here. They’d been in the process of achieving their dreams, young and hopeful.
“But I don’t come here anymore. Stephen, this happiness… it’s all gone. What if there really isn’t anything to live for?”
Stephen stared at him, words failing him for once in his life. “Nick…”
“What if I want to stay here with you?”
“I’m not here. I’m dead. You and I… our story is over. But yours isn’t. You have to fight. Whatever happened to bring you here, it can’t defeat you. The world needs Nick Jacobs as much as I always did.”
Nick turned away from him, wishing he could believe his brother’s words. Few people would miss him. Sure, his agent and probably only true Hollywood friend would mourn him, but she’d move on. Jasper would have his work cut out for him dividing Nick’s assets for the charities in his trust, but they only had a business relationship.
Sherrie would enjoy the extra press.
He’d become another sad Hollywood story, but no one would be different for losing him.
“Stephen, I’ve never...” He turned back, not really sure what he’d wanted to say. The words died in his throat because Stephen no longer stood behind him.
Maybe he’d never been there at all.
5
ELIZABETH
