Page 14 of Cruel Love

“Shut up. I didn’t say right now. I’ll be back to normal in a month.”

“That’s ambitious.” Shane’s frown deepened, and he shot me another look as he pulled into the driveway.

I had to live with Mom for a while before I was cleared to go back to school and the football house. It had been strange to realize I was living away from home. Everything was hard to understand because I felt like a freshman in high school, not college. “You know I can do it. A month is plenty of time to build my strength and endurance back to where it was.” Where’s the faith?

“Just don’t do too much. We thought we were going to lose you.” He started to get choked up, and I made a weak attempt to punch him in the shoulder. Neither of us commented on it.

“There’s a lot I still don’t know.”

“There is, but don’t stress about it. I know it’ll come back. It has to.”

I agreed. There was no way I would be left behind anywhere, but especially with football. I had made a D1 team, and Shane said I was starting quarterback. That was golden and moved me so much closer to my goals.

We pulled into the driveway, where I refused to let Shane help me. When he hopped out of his side, I got my door open and swung my legs down, using the door to brace myself. I had to stand there for a few seconds before I was sure my legs would hold me. That shit was so weird. I just wanted to be myself again.

Shane hovered, and I hated every second of it. I think he did too. I was more determined than ever to speed up the process and get my life back. Mom was asleep, which was fine with me. She had said I was staying in the downstairs guest room, but for the time being, I wanted familiarity. I would move when she woke. I was fucking exhausted. By the time I got to my room—first time with stairs since the accident—and Shane dumped my stuff there, I had enough energy to lie on the bed, and that was in. Within minutes, I was sawing logs.

When I woke, it wasn’t nearly as bright out. I glanced at my phone for the time when a text came through from Aspen: Went to the hospital to see you. Glad you got to go home.

I’d planned to call her when I got home, but then I passed out like a fucking baby. Talking to her—or even better, being around her—was the best part of my days. And if I could lock down whatever was between us, I bet I could have her in my arms at night too. There were some intense vibes between us. I still hoped she was actually my girlfriend.

Me: Sorry about that. Want to come over?

Three dots appeared on the screen then disappeared. It happened a few more times, and I started to get annoyed.

Aspen: Sure, but it’ll be later. I have something to do first.

I didn’t like that. Not even a little. Is she seeing some other guy since her boyfriend got all fucked up in the head and forgot everything about her?

Aspen: I have to have dinner with my family. I can come after that.

Fuck yes. We would repeat that amazing kiss because I’d never wanted anything more.

CHAPTER EIGHT

ASPEN

The heavy silence in my parents’ house unsettled me. It was nothing like what I’d grown up with. In the kitchen, they worked side-by-side to get the meal ready. They weren’t talking, but the lack of arguing was as disturbing as it would have been if they were making out.

For the second time, I wondered if coming to dinner had been a smart move on my part. I set a bowl of mixed greens on the circular kitchen table that had seen better days and took my usual spot. Dad placed a pot roast in the center, and Mom carried in a small bowl of fruit. She’d always liked to add strawberries to her salad.

“So”—I spread my napkin in my lap—“how are things going?”

“Great.” Mom’s smile looked strained. “I talked to Regan. Things are going well with the portfolio she’s working on for her fashion class next year.”

Why haven’t I heard about this? “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you hadn’t heard. Because she won that scholarship, she met with the director of the fashion department, and he proposed a lookbook, or something like that, with sketches she designed for the fall. It’ll be a project that she and a few of the other honors students will work on. Then they’ll collaborate for the fall fashion show the school plans to put on.”

“Wow, that’s exciting.” I missed my sister like crazy. We were due for another long phone conversation. “I’m glad things are going so well. Do you miss having her home?”

“Of course.” Mom’s smile was sad, but she glanced at Dad, and her features softened. “But we’re enjoying our time together.”

The whole scene was so weird. It was like I’d entered the twilight zone. My parents fought. That was what they did. I wondered if they were still getting divorced but was almost afraid to ask. The lines between Dad’s eyebrows lessened when Mom caught his gaze before he returned it to his food.

For a moment, things seemed almost good. But then he withdrew into himself again. Maybe he was trying not to scream at me like he had in the hospital. I still couldn’t bring myself to fully forgive him for what he’d said. The sound of the tray and all the instruments clattering to the floor when he’d bumped into it screamed through my mind, followed by his horrific words: “You survived a potentially fatal car accident but emerged with your problem intact.”

“How’s Phoenix doing?” Mom asked, effectively pulling me from the cringy memory.

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