Shit. What was I thinking, leaving her alone in there?
I’m just about to open the door when I hear a soft sniffle on the other side of it. Then another.
A giant fist slams into my chest. Reaches inside it. Grabs hold of my heart and twists.
I may not be the most sensitive guy, but I have a sister. A mom. I’ve seen both of them in pain, and at the time, I would have done anything to fix it.
IknewBea would be in pain.
I just didn’t realize how much it would hurt me, too.
“How’s she doing?” The door Ishouldhave heard open closes with a soft click. I turn to face Rafe and Eden, who came inside without me noticing.
Great. And I’m supposed to be a security specialist?
Rafe stares at me for a second before adding, “Eden wanted to come check on you guys. See if you needed anything.”
Eden glances at my hand, still resting on the doorknob. Her brow furrows. “Why aren’t you in there with her?”
My hand drops as I step away from the door. I cross the room to meet them, keeping my voice pitched low as I reply, “She told me to leave. Said she wanted to be alone. So I came out here.”
Rafe frowns. “Is it a good idea? For her to be alone right now?”
Hearing Rafe put voice to my own concerns makes me feel even guiltier for leaving her. But rather than admitting it, I retortgruffly, “She told me to leave, Rafe. Insisted on it. And she was upset. Crying. Was I supposed to stay and make things worse?”
Eden’s gaze flickers to the bedroom door again. “Does she know? About?—”
“Yes.” My teeth grind together. “I didn’t tell her about her friend. She remembered on her own. But the rest of it… I had to tell her. I couldn’t very well not when she wanted to know where she was, why she was here…”
“Of course.” Eden touches my arm. “I would have insisted on knowing, too.”
I glance over my shoulder at the door separating me from Bea. “I didn’twantto leave her alone. It wasn’t like that.”
Rafe exchanges a quick look with Eden.
“I could try talking to her,” Eden offers. “If you want.”
“Maybe having a woman to talk to would help,” Rafe adds. He stops. “Although.”
Pain shoots through my jaw. “Althoughwhat?”
Eden and Rafe exchange another meaningful look. And shit, I love both of them, but those silent looks are driving me crazy.
“What?” I ask. “Just say it.”
While I wait for them to respond, I steal another quick glance at the bedroom door.
Is she okay? Does she need help? Why am I standing out here, talking to Rafe and Eden, when I could be in there, checking on her?
“It’s just,” Eden starts, “she doesn’t know me. She knows you.” She stops. “Shedoesremember you? Unless the post-traumatic amnesia?—”
“She does. Remember me. But.” Exhaling, I admit something I’m not proud of. “You remember how I was back then. I wasn’t… Shit. I could be a real asshole.”
Rafe frowns. “You were dealing with a life-changing injury. No one expected you to feel great about it.”
“No, but Bea was there for some of the worst of it. Me complaining about my therapy sessions, saying they were a waste of time…”
“I’m sure she understood,” Eden says quickly. “And I’m sure she’s used to her patients having a hard time with things. I know what you had to do in your therapy sessions. It was hard. Painful. Of course you were grumpy sometimes.”
