Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“It’s okay,” the doctor says. “So New Year’s Eve is the last memory you have?”
I nod. “Did something happen?” A flash of Declan and me getting into a limo has me looking at him. “Did we get into an accident?” I rake my gaze over him, but he looks okay. No bumps or bruises. “Are you okay?” I ask, just to be sure.
Declan clears his throat. “I’m okay. No, we didn’t get into an accident. You did a few days ago, but I wasn’t with you.”
“Oh,” I breathe. “That’s good.” But then I’m confused. “Where were you? You were with me in the limo, right?”
“I was. The limo dropped you off first and then me.”
“Okay, so then what happened?”
“Kendall, can you tell me what month it is?” the doctor asks, ignoring my question.
“Umm…” If my last memory was on New Year’s, and the accident, as Declan said was a few days ago, that would make it… “January?”
Declan curses under his breath. “What?” I ask, getting annoyed. “What’s going on?”
“You were in an accident a few days ago,” the doctor begins, “but it wasn’t on New Year’s. It’s February sixteenth.”
I think about what he’s said, but I don’t remember anything past New Year’s. Declan and me dancing, the ball dropping, and him kissing me softly, me wondering where Kyle was. After several texts, he replied, apologizing that his emergency meeting ran late but that he would meet me at my place. The limo took me home, and I fell asleep waiting for him.
“I can’t remember anything after New Year’s,” I tell the doctor. “What does that mean? Is there something wrong with me?”
Dr. Oswald shakes his head. “Losing your memory isn’t uncommon with brain injuries. We’ll need to run some tests now that you’re awake to make sure you’re healing properly, but I wouldn’t worry about it. You also just woke up, so your brain is still fuzzy.” He pats my shin. “I’m going to put an order in for those tests. Take it easy and let the nurses know if you’re in any pain. I’ll be by with the results to discuss this further.”
With a gentle smile, he exits the room.
“We were so worried,” Mom says.
“What happened?” I ask, wanting to know since I can’t remember.
“There was a car chase in front of your building,” Dad explains. “Your car was hit and rolled, and because you weren’t wearing your seat belt, you hit your head.”
“Is my driver okay?” We use a car service, so it could be various people, but the same handful tend to rotate.
“It was Greg,” Mom says solemnly. “Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.”
My heart sinks in my chest, a contradiction of emotions hitting me hard: sad that a good man lost his life yet grateful I’m still alive.
“Can you please text Marcia and tell her I want to make sure his funeral is covered and his family is taken care of?” Marcia is my assistant back in LA. Since I moved here after my tour ended, she works remotely. With my brother and Layla having a baby, I wanted to spend some time at home and take a little break of sorts. With Kyle and me getting married in a few months… Oh, shit! “It’s February sixteenth?”
“Yes,” Mom answers, her brow popping up in concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, we’re supposed to get married in a few weeks,” I say to Kyle, who flinches. “How are we supposed to do that if nothing is planned? Maybe we should postpone it,” I blurt out.
“Actually,” Mom says, smiling softly, “it’s all planned. You can’t remember, but you’ve only been out for a few days.”
“Oh, right,” I breathe. “Yeah, okay…”
My head throbs, and I’m suddenly tired. “I think I need to rest,” I mutter.
“Okay,” Mom says, giving me a kiss. “We’ll be by tomorrow. Camden, Phoebe, and Bailey have been coming by every day. I texted them you’re awake, and they wanted to come by, but I told them to wait until tomorrow, so you’re not overwhelmed.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “I love you.”
“Love you more, Sunshine.”
“Your phone was recovered,” Dad says, pulling it out of his pocket and setting it on the nightstand. “I made sure it’s charged. If you need anything, call or text us.”
Declan says goodbye next. He looks at me oddly, like he wants to say something, but instead, he sighs and kisses my forehead before retreating and leaving Kyle and me alone.
When a sharp pain radiates through my skull, causing me to wince, Kyle asks if I’m okay.
“I think I need more pain meds.”
“You can press the button here, and the nurse will come,” he says. A few minutes later, the nurse has upped my pain reliever, and we’re alone once again.
“I can—”
“You should—”
We talk at the same time. I have no idea why it’s so awkward between us, but something feels off.