“Of course. He needs his father and his stepmom.”
“He needs to get out of here.”
“Yes, I agree.” The familiarity of the house in North Bend and being surrounded by the natural environment he loves would surely aid his recovery. Plus, he’d get the right kind of emotional support. Something Ivy is ill-equipped to provide her son.
“I’m hanging around, but I’ll be outside in the hallway. Garrick wants to speak to you in private.”
“I’m assuming he knows what day it is?”
“Yes.” He drags a hand through his hair. “Fair warning, his mood swings are all over the place. He might lash out, but don’t take it personally. He’s been grumpy with everyone.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.” I heft my purse higher on my shoulder and step inside the house with Hudson at my side.
The nurse exits the room when I enter, nodding before she leaves. Garrick is in a wheelchair, facing the window, with his back to me. He must have heard me come in, but he doesn’t turn around. Trepidation tiptoes up my spine as I walk toward him. Acid churns in my gut, and nausea swims up my throat.
“Hey, Garrick,” I say, hating the audible tremble in my voice.
Slowly, he spins around, taking his time eyeing me from head to toe. I’m glad to see him looking healthier. He appears to have put on some weight, his hair has grown out a little, and there is more color in his cheeks.
“You look pretty,” he says in a voice that sounds more like him than the last time we talked. He grips his chair a little tighter, and I’m glad to see some slight muscle definition in his arms. Helena’s and Garrick’s hard work is starting to pay off. “Is that for my benefit orhis?” He hisses the last word, and I visibly flinch.
“Please don’t do this.”
“Do what?” he asks, wheeling past me and heading toward the couch. “Hudson grabbed some coffees for us. I got you your favorite.”
The rapid change in our conversation and his tone is already giving me whiplash, but I go with the flow. “That was thoughtful, thanks.”
“Come sit beside me, baby.” He pats a spot at the end of the couch beside his chair.
I gulp over the messy ball of emotion in my throat as I take a seat beside him, setting the box on the coffee table alongside our drinks.
“What’s in the box?” Garrick asks, dazzling me with a smile, as if he hadn’t just been rude.
I decide to let it go. It’s not his fault if his mood swings are erratic.
“I baked you red velvet cupcakes.”
His eyes light up. “You promised me you would.”
“You remember?”
Turning his head from the box, he drills me with an intense look. His eyes are more green than brown today and missing those amber flecks I used to adore. “I remember everything aboutyou, Stevie, but the rest of my memories are sporadic. What do you think that means?” He flashes me a confident smile, and it takes me back in time.
But I’m not answering that. “Do the doctors think you’ll get the rest of your memories back in time?”
“They don’t know.” The smile disappears off his face.
“Would you like to sample a cupcake?”
“Yes.” His features soften. “Thank you for baking them.”
“You’re welcome.” It didn’t go down well with Beck. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. The look he gave me when I told him what I was doing this morning said it all. I made double the batch and left half for Beck, but I don’t think it appeased him.
His jealousy is new and not something I’m used to dealing with. Especially when it comes to Garrick. But everything is different now he’s alive.
I give Garrick a cupcake and place his coffee in the cupholder attached to his chair.
“So, tell me what’s been going on in your life? Hudson says you still work at that company in the city.”
