“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t want you to fightme, I want you to fightfor you.And for me, and for your parents, and for every other person who loves you and knows that you’re a hell of a lot more than some one-trick pony. You think flying was your life, and I get that, but Monie, you are so much more than a pilot. You are my best friend. You’re funny and smart and talented, and I’ve never known anyone who could walk into a room and win everyone over like you do. Seriously, you have charisma for days. You have so much more to offer than what you could do in a bird. I want you to fight. If not for you, then for the rest of us, because I need you.”
She was on the verge of tears again. Guilt squeezed my insides as I added Naomi’s name to the growing list of people my behavior was hurting. I’d fought my entire life, and for what? So that one hit could take my prize from me? Getting back in the ring didn’t seem worth all the pain and heartache. I wanted to tap out, but Naomi was right. I couldn’t do that to the people I loved. Still, everything felt so hopeless and hollow. I didn’t know what to say, so I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
“I mean it.” Naomi squeezed my hand back. “You may think you don’t have a purpose anymore, but I need your help. I’m trying to raise this kid, and I have no fucking clue what I’m doing. I barely remember my mom, so how am I supposed to be one? I can teach Maya how to be a bossy bitch, but you’re her only shot at that whole charisma thing. Promise me you’ll try.”
I didn’t want to, but she made some good points. “What exactly does trying entail?”
“Make your doctor’s appointments. Get fitted for a fucking prosthetic. Do the physical therapy. Handle your shit.”
It still seemed pointless to me. But knowing it would make her happy, I reluctantly agreed. “Okay. I’ll try.”
Releasing my hand, she gave me a hug, kissing my cheek. “Monie Love, you are my best bitch, and I’m not letting you go.”
Before I could respond, she opened the door and got out, letting Stocks in. He sat and gave me a hesitant smile. “Hey.”
“Hi.” Resounding response, but it was all I had in me.
He was carrying a gallon-sized bag of my mother’s baked goods. Figuring Mom had sent them as a last-ditch effort to shove food down my throat, I eyed the bag. “Are those for me?”
He clutched it to his chest. “No. I’ll share, if you’re hungry, but she sent them for me.”
Interesting. “Have you been hanging out with my mom since you guys arrived?”
“Yes ma’am. I like your mom. She’s funny, and these cookies are life.”
Mom hadn’t been funny since my accident. I gave Stocks the side-eye, but he didn’t elaborate. Instead, he said, “It’s good to see you.” Red crept up his neck and his look of sheer panic almost made me laugh. “I mean, the circumstances suck and I’m sorry about your arm and everything, but I’m glad you’re okay.”
I was far from “okay,” but lacked the energy to correct him. “Thanks.” I blew out a breath and started the car, dreading the traffic we were sure to hit. The sixty miles between Tumwater and Seattle would be a parking lot by the time we made it there.
“Want me to drive?”
Everyone seemed bound and determined to run my life today, and Stocks wanting to drive pushed me over the edge. “I can fucking drive!” I snapped.
His eyes widened comically. “I know. But you have a hell of a lot of clothes and must have been packing for a while, and fighting with Naomi seems really taxing. Thought you might be tired.”
Actually, I was exhausted. This was the longest stretch I’d been awake since the accident. I let out a breath, trying to look at his offer without the lens of my battered and raw emotions. None of this was Stocks’s fault. Hell, the man had given up his afternoon to drive down and get me, and I was acting like a bitch. “I’m sorry. I just… I have a lot going on right now.”
He quirked a smile at me. “You don’t say?”
Stocks had a nice smile. It was disarming, and I could feel tension roll off my shoulders in response.
“You and I are cool, babe,” he added. “I remember what it felt like to finally find my place in the world only to have it ripped out from under me.”
The details I knew about Stocks wouldn’t fill two hands, but I knew he had a prosthetic leg. Curious about what he’d gone through, I asked, “What changed?”
He shrugged. “I found a new place. Whatever you need… you got it, Monica. All you gotta do is ask.”
He was a good man. No wonder my mom had loaded him up with treats. “Thank you for the offer; I’d like to take you up on it. Will you please drive?”
“I’d be happy to.”
We switched seats and were on our way. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep with little more than a stranger behind the wheel of my new and improved baby, but the minute I reclined my chair I was out cold. The next thing I knew, Stocks was waking me up to let me know we’d arrived.
“You feelin’ any better?” he asked.
Still groggy and disoriented, I sat my seat up and tried to get my bearings. “Yes. Thanks for letting me sleep.”
“Thanks for letting me drive.”
