“Anyone with a traumatic brain injury can easily have confabulation. We spoke with Dr. Mann about this last week. It’s an unintentional recollection of false memories including elaborations or embellishments that can range from subtle to delusional. Ivy could easily have planted false memories during his recovery. Ivy is jealous. She resents how much Garrick loves you, and she will never stop trying to sabotage things between you. I wish we could have gotten him out of there sooner.”
“I seem to only find more reasons to hate that woman.”
“Tell me about it. If you knew the things she put Hugh through when they were married.” Her jaw tightens, and fire blazes in her eyes.
“I’m glad he got away from her and he found you.”
“He’s the love of my life,” she says with a dreamy smile.
We are both lost in thought for a few minutes.
“My therapist thinks Garrick is punishing me because he needs someone to blame for the accident, and I’m the obvious choice.”
“That makes sense, but it doesn’t make it right, and I won’t allow it. Whatever is the reason for it, it ends now. Garrick is not going to treat you or anyone else in such a hurtful manner. I’m cognizant of everything he is going through, but he meets with his psychologist twice a week, and he shouldn’t be acting like this still.”
“Maybe it’s a me thing.”
“Or it’s an Ivy thing. I suggested to Hugh we should replace some of the staff, and I think I’ll be putting his psychologist at the top of that list.”
I shrug as I sip my tea and finish my cookie. I barely tasted it.
“I’m going to say something I think you need to hear from me. No one could have sacrificed more for our son than you did. You have done your best for Garrick, and we are so grateful. I hate seeing what it’s done to you, and it’s time you prioritized yourself, Stevie.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“It’s time to let Garrick go, Stevie. He might not realize it, but he needs to let you go too.”
I nod slowly. “I know. I wish I could be who he needs me to be, but I can’t.” A sob rips from my throat. “I’m too broken to help him.”
“Oh, Stevie.” She gets up and pulls me into a hug. “You’re made of strong stuff, girl. You’re going to be okay, and Garrick will be too.”
“I love you, Dawn. I just want you to know that.”
“We love you too, sweetheart.” She kisses the top of my head. “There is no point in prolonging this. I think it’s time to cut all ties and finally move forward with your life. You’ve been waiting long enough to do it.”
ChapterEighty-Two
Garrick
“Ihave bitten my tongue for too long, and I can’t hold this back any longer, man,” Hudson says, sitting beside me at the window after I have somewhat calmed down.
We’re sipping Dawn’s homemade lemonade and looking out over a view I used to love. Now, it makes me sad. It’s a visual reminder of how different my life is, and I don’t know if I will ever get used to my new reality. It hurts. It has fucking devastated me.
“I have tried not to interfere. I know you’re going through so much shit, but the way you’re treating the girl you claim to love is so wrong.”
“I know.” The weight of my agreement hangs in the heavy air. “I always feel like shit after I lose it with her, but I can’t help the sudden spurts of hot anger that consume me without warning. Stevie seems to trigger that reaction the most.”
“She doesn’t deserve this, Gar.” He pierces me with a solemn look. “You need to let her go. You’re both miserable, and you’re dragging each other down.”
“I can’t let her go. I love her too much. I need her to be mine again, and everything will be all right.”
He clasps a hand on my shoulder and shakes his head. “That is never going to happen, and you cannot rely on anyone else for your own happiness. That’s a lesson Stevie needs to learn too. I don’t say this to hurt you, but you need to accept the truth. She’s in love with another man, Gar. She’s in love with Beck, and before you blow up and tell me he’s not here, he walked awayfor her. He saw how this was tearing her apart, and he left to make it easier. It doesn’t mean he’s given up on her because he hasn’t.”
“I can’t lose her too.” My voice cracks. “I’ve lost everything else, and if I lose Stevie, what do I have to live for?”
“Dude, you have everything to live for! You have your whole life ahead of you. You can still do the things you planned. You can succeed your dad in the business, and in time, you’ll find the right woman, get married, and have the family you dreamed of. Everything is possible. I know it sucks to be in this chair, but your life isn’t over, Gar. It’s only beginning. I know it’s easier for me to say it. You’re depressed, and it’s a massive adjustment, but you’re alive, and you’re getting stronger every day. You have so much living left to do. You’ve been given a second chance, and you shouldn’t waste it.”
Tears well in his eyes. “We thought we lost you. We thought we’d never get to see you again, and then a miracle happened. You need to embrace it, man. You need to embrace life and look at everything you still have and not what you have lost. You still have the things that matter. You have your brothers, your dad, and Dawn, and you have me.” Hudson thumps a hand over his heart. “I spoke to your dad this morning, and I dropped by to tell you I’m moving in. I’ll be here for you every day. You need to do the heavy lifting, but I’m going to be with you every step of the way. I promise.”
