Page 17 of Remember Me

Lottie looks at me, dumbfounded, her forehead scrunching. She’s about to argue when Wren pipes up, “I think that’s a great idea. I can stay for a few more days, but then I really have to get back to the office, babe. All that testosterone together in one space is no good. That place needs a woman’s touch,” she winks as Sawyer rolls his eyes. “Jake will take great care of you.”

“That’s really not necessary, I don’t want a stranger in my house, thank you,” Lottie argues.

A stranger? I am not a fucking stranger, I’m your best friend damn it.

My frustration rises, and before I can say something I regret, I calmly ask, “Would you rather stay here, then? Because the Doctor said you can’t leave unless you have someone with you.” I shoot her a knowing look. I’ve got her there and she knows it.

Dr. Carter shifts back and forth, clearly uncomfortable. “I’ll leave you to discuss this in private.” He shuffles out the door, leaving me and Lottie to our argument.

“Honestly, I’ll be ok, you can just say you stayed with me,” she tries again, but I am having none of it.

“Do not be stubborn about this. You need help and I know you don’t want to deal with any of this alone. Let me be there for you, Lotts.”

She lets out a sigh of defeat and I know the battle is over. The large growl of Lottie’s stomach interrupts us, and I offer to go out and get her some shrimp tacos, her favorite, and she looks positively puzzled I know this. “Remember, I’ve known you a long time Lotts, I know everything about you.”

With a soft smile, I get up to leave her with Wren when Lottie’s small hand grabs mine. “I know I don’t remember you, and I should be freaked out I’m going to have a stranger staying with me–I still am—but I weirdly feel comfortable around you. You must have meant a lot to me for you to be here right now.”

“You mean a hell of a lot to me, and I will show you everything in good time, but right now we need to concentrate on getting you better and not stressing yourself out over remembering me. It’ll come. I’m sure of it.”

She gives me a weak smile and lets me go to grab her some food.

Lottie has been my rock, my constant through so many life-changing events, and now it's time to repay the favor. I won’t let her go through this alone. She’s always had my back and now it’s my turn to have hers. She just needs to remember that. And I vow to make Charlotte Bennett remember me if it’s the last thing I do—starting right the fuck now.

Chapter 12

Charlotte

The day is finally here when I can leave this god-forsaken hospital and go home to my own bed…alone. Although I’m not really alone, am I? The handsome stranger is coming to play nurse until I can get back on my feet. I can’t promise I’ll be pleasant company, though. All I want to do is hide under the covers with my dog and wish all this pain would go away. Speaking of Bella, I can’t wait to see her again. I’ve never been away from her for this long.

I keep thinking about all the things that are waiting for me when, suddenly, reality hits. I’ll need to deal with my parents' affairs and plan their funerals. My stomach drops at the thought of that, and I have no idea how I’m going to cope.

I’ve shut down any time either Jake or Wren have mentioned it. It’s like if I talk about it, it’s real, and I’m not ready to accept I’ll never see them again. I hate the sympathetic looks on everyone's faces, and it’s only going to get worse once I’m out of here. So for now, my emotions are locked tight in a vault, and I grieve when no one else is watching.

Just like right now, when I have a moment alone to reflect on the past week and everything that’s happened. Jake’s arriving soon to take me home, and I’m bubbling with anxiety and trepidation. How can I share a house with someone I don’t know? I wish Wren could stay with me, but I know she can’t, and even the extra week she’s staying is too long—she needs to get back to Portland.

I have other friends here, Kayla and Alyssa, and Alyssa’s mom, Hannah. I could message one of them to come and stay with me. I search around for any signs of my phone but come up empty handed, and my broken rib is making it difficult to turn. I’ll ask Jake when he gets here.

While I stew on it, the door opens and in walks the adonis himself—at least he’ll be pretty to look at while I recover. God, get a grip Charlotte, what is wrong with you? This man gives me butterflies like I’ve never experienced. Sure, I’ve seen handsome men before, but this guy takes the cake. My cheeks heat from embarrassment, I can’t have him look after me.

“Hey, I have your discharge papers and a wheelchair. We’re good to go.” He showcases the chair like it’s a prize on a gameshow.

“Listen, I’ve been thinking: maybe it’s not a great idea for you to look after me. I mean, I don’t know you. My friends Kayla and Alyssa, I’m sure they could help instead-”

“No Lottie. I’ll look after you and help you around the house. Don’t worry, I won’t stay. I’ll come in, help you up and get you settled, and then come back later. I can also take Bella out for you.”

“My friends can do all that, so you don’t need to.”

Hurt flashes across his face at my comment that I don’t see him as a friend. I realize I have just put my foot in it yet again.

“Kayla is stacked with appointments at work and Alyssa has some brand trips coming up, so they won’t be as accommodating as I can be. I’m off all season; let me help you.”

Relenting, knowing there doesn’t seem to be any way out of this, I let him help me into the wheelchair, the bag of meds resting on my lap as he wheels me out of the hospital.

The fresh air hits my face and a cold shiver runs through me. This is it. It’s time to face reality. Keeping my eyes focused forward, I try to remember how to breathe, but my airways constrict until I’m choking on nothing. Warm hands land on my cheeks, forcing my gaze to Jake’s.

“Lottie, focus on me. You’re having a panic attack. It’s ok. You’re ok.”

I’m clutching his shoulders now, gasping for air, which is proving even harder than usual with the injuries I have.