by Carian Cole
It is. Why didn’t she tell me someone new came to visit her? Ember’s never been the type to keep secrets or not share interesting parts of her day with me.
“She had no idea I saved her life. In fact, she didn’t know anyone saved her life.” He puts his hand over his heart. “I’m deeply hurt, Asher. That doesn’t seem very grateful to me.”
“Stay away from her, Redwood.”
“You should at least invite me over for dinner.”
“Not gonna happen.”
He leans back against the bench and crosses his legs. “I’m just not feeling the gratefulness.”
With mounting irritation, I glance at my watch. This little rendezvous is throwing a monkey wrench into my whole day.
“I’ve thanked you a thousand times. And since you obviously told her who you are, I’m sure she thanked you too.”
“She did.”
“So let’s just leave it at that.”
A squirrel approaches, also looking for food, and he glares menacingly at it until it squeaks and runs back up the tree it came from.
“She and I have a lot in common,” he states.
I shake my head. “No. You don’t.”
“Her waking up doesn’t change our deal.”
If only I could be that lucky. “I didn’t think it would.”
“We share a bond. She and I. Stronger than you and I do. Maybe even stronger than you two do.”
A couple walks by with matching paper latte cups in their hands, leaning into each other as they talk and laugh. I wish Ember and I were walking through the park enjoying our morning instead of me having to endure Redwood’s incessant taunting.
“I want to talk to her some more. She has a nice voice. Sultry and sweet.”
This lunatic talking about my wife—even thinking about her in any way—is making my blood boil. Sometimes it makes me sick to my stomach that his lips once touched hers.
But if they hadn’t, she wouldn’t be alive. And he knows damn well how much that torments me.
“Don’t fuck with me, Redwood. She’s off-limits. Period.”
He barks out a laugh. “I don’t need to fuck with you. I put a bullet in my own head. I wouldn’t think twice about putting one into yours if I wanted you out of my way.”
I laugh right back at him. “Shut the fuck up. You’re not gonna kill the closest thing to a friend you have.”
The cigarette dangles from his grinning mouth, smoke tendrils wafting up into his eyes. “True,” he agrees. “Disappointing, but true.”
I spend the next hour listening to his latest gruesome secrets in grave, gory detail. Sordid tales that no doubt will give me nightmares for months to come.
His confessions. A form of penance.
That’s what he asked for when I offered him anything to show my gratitude for saving Ember’s life. Money. Concert tickets. A sports car. A house. Anything he wanted, I would’ve gladly handed it to him. But he chose this.
He made me his priest.
Someone he could trust unconditionally with all his horrifying sins. Someone to be the friend he would never have. Someone whose moral code he could enjoy fucking with, safe in the knowledge that I’d never turn him in.
Finally, I stand, feeling nauseated and dirty. I’m tempted to pour bleach into my ears to unhear everything he just told me. “I gotta go, man.”
Squinting up at me, he shoves his hands into a pair of black leather gloves. “Where’s my stuff?”
“Oh.” I reach into my pocket and pull out a small, brown glass bottle. “I almost forgot.”
I make a disgusted face as he unscrews the cap and pours some of the thick, golden liquid into his mouth.
“That’s gross, man.”
His tongue moves over his lips. “I’ll be in touch, Valentine. Give Ember my love.”
The bottle is filled with honey. My neighbor is a beekeeper and gives me ten bottles of it every season.
If Redwood wants to believe it’s gonna cure him, he can have at it and drink that goop all day.
Fighting traffic to get to the other side of town makes me over an hour late to meet Tor’s mother, Tammy, at the pet shelter their family owns and operates.
“Sorry I’m so late.” I kiss her cheek when she meets me in the bright, blue-and-yellow lobby. “Traffic was crazy.”
“It’s not a problem at all, why don’t you come with me to one of our visit rooms so we can talk and you can meet Buddy.”
“Sounds good.”
“How’s Ember doing?” She takes me through a set of double doors and down a hall with big paw prints painted on the floor.
“She’s doing great—getting stronger every day. She’s gaining weight. She’s not agitated anymore. Her personality is starting to come out. Things are good.”
I follow her into a small room with two windows, four chairs, a dog bed, and various pet toys on the floor.
“Tor and Kenzi said she’s remembered a few things?”
I nod and rock back on my heels. “Yeah. It’s random moments, nothing really solid yet, but I’m still hoping it’ll all come back to her someday.”
Her smile reflects the genuine sympathy that comes with years of knowing Ember and me personally. “I’m sure it will. She’s a fighter. You both are.”
“We’re just taking it one day at a time.”
Sensing my discomfort, she switches gears. “I saw the baby a few days ago, and oh my God, is she not the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen?”
The mention of Tia instantly brings a smile to my face. “She’s perfect. Every time I hold her, I don’t want to give her back. I’ve never seen Tor and Kenzi happier, so I guess it all worked out the way it’s supposed to.”
“I know it’s been hard for you—accepting them. I had a hard time with it at first too, but I’m glad we came around. They’re perfect together, and now we have this adorable little baby in our family.”
“I think I’m more annoyed with being called Poppa than anything else at this point.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “And I thought I was having a hard time adjusting to being a grandparent. You sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
While I wait for Tammy to return, I pull my phone out of my pocket and send a text to Ember:
Me: Hi beautiful. How’s your day?
Ember: It’s okay. Just finished PT with Sarah. I have a call with the psych doc in a few minutes.
Me: Sounds good. I’ll be home in about two hours. I might have a surprise for you. :-)
Ember: :-)
Me: I miss you. xo
Ember: I miss you too.
“Here he is,” Tammy announces happily as she enters the room with a beautiful Golden Retriever on the end of a blue leash.
The dog approaches me cautiously when I kneel down in front of him, brown eyes wide, tail down, but lets me pet his head.
“Hey, Buddy,” I say softly. “You’re a handsome little guy.” I look up at Tammy. “He seems really nice.”
“He’s a super nice boy. A little shy at first, but he’s not used to his surroundings. It’s hard for older dogs to adjust to such an upheaval. As much as we try to make them happy and comfy here, it’s still so scary for them.”
The dog relaxes as I pet him, easing himself into a sitting position then offering me his paw to shake.
Laughing, I take his furry paw in my hand and bob it up and down. He wags his tail and offers me his other paw. “He’s wicked cute. You said his owner passed?”
She sits in one of the plastic chairs and runs her hand over Buddy’s back. “Yes. He lived with an elderly woman who passed away suddenly. He’s eight years old, and she totally spoiled him. I think he was her entire life. Her son didn’t want to keep him, and I can’t for the life of me understand why because he’s so calm and well-behaved. He came in here with all his vet and grooming records, new food, his bed and toys, and just signed him over. I think poor Buddy is heartbroken.”
“People really suck.” I shake my head
in disbelief. How does someone just abandon such a beautiful dog?
“Our vet checked him over, and he’s in great health. No dental issues, he’s up to date on all his shots. He gets along with dogs, cats, and kids. He’s been with us for a month, though, so I think he’s starting to get a little depressed.”
“A month?” I repeat. “Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I was. Most people want the younger dogs. Eight really isn’t old for a well-loved, dog though. He could live quite a long time.”
“You want to come home with me?” I ask the dog, playfully rubbing his head. “Get spoiled? Write some songs? Chase butterflies?” He licks my hand, and I smile over at Tammy. “Do you think he’s a good match for us? For Ember? I’m not quite sure how she’s gonna react yet. He looks a lot like the dog she had when she was younger.”
“I think he’s perfect for you two. He’s calm. He’s already fully trained. I think Buddy and Ember will be really good for each other. If by some chance it doesn’t work out, you can safely bring him back to me, and we’ll make sure he’s taken care of until we find him the right home. But I really do think it’ll work out. He’s an incredibly sweet boy. He just needs someone to love and take care of.”
I’m sold.
An hour later, I’m cruising home with an excited dog hanging his head out the window of my Porsche.
Chapter Thirty
How does one surprise someone with a sixty-pound dog?
Should I have put a bow around his neck?
I should’ve talked to Kenzi and gotten some planning advice before I went and did this.
Me: I have a surprise for you.
Ember: Where are you?
Me: In the front foyer.
Ember: I hope it’s not chicken again.
I chuckle at her joke.
Me: Very funny. :-)
Ember: What is it?
Me: You’ll have to come here and see.
Ember: Be right there.
Beside me, Buddy peers around the foyer anxiously, his ears perking up when he hears footsteps coming.
When Ember comes around the corner, she’s all smiles. But when her gaze drops to the dog at my feet, she freezes in place. Her green eyes widen, and she covers her mouth with her hands.
“Oh my God…” Her muffled voice brims with emotion.
I bend down to unhook Buddy’s leash, and he immediately runs to Ember, who kneels down to catch him when he practically bounces up into her arms.
“Teddy!” she cries. “My little teddy bear, where have you been?” The dog licks her face, his tail wagging at hyper speed. “Did you miss me? I missed you so much!”
Happiness and a touch of concern run through my head as I walk over to them. I wasn’t expecting Ember to think Buddy was her childhood dog, Teddy, who passed away years ago. My hope was that he might trigger a memory and remind her of him and give her a feeling of comfort.
“Em—”
“Asher,” she gushes. “I don’t even know what to say. Do you have his ball? We should take him out in the yard and throw it for him. He loves that!”
“Um… I think so.” I hunt through the bag of things Tammy sent us home with and find a bright-green tennis ball at the bottom.
She grabs it from my hand. “C’mon, Teddy!” she says excitedly. “Wanna play ball?”
Barking, he follows her through the house and out the French doors to the backyard.
Sarah falls into step next to me as we join them. She’s witnessed the entire meeting between Ember and the dog.
“What should I do?” I whisper. “She remembers Teddy, which is great, but now she thinks it’s him. He’s been gone for years.”
Ember tosses the ball, and the dog chases after it, then brings it right back to her. When she throws her head back and laughs, I swear it’s like the past eight years never happened. Her face is lit up with a smile, her movements are fluid, and her hair is blowing in the breeze.
“I don’t think it can hurt to let her believe the dog is Teddy,” Sarah says. “Look how happy she is. Look how happy the dog is. I don’t think he’ll mind if she keeps calling him Teddy.”
“It sounds close to Buddy.” I wave at Ember when she looks over at us. “There’s no way I’m gonna be able to tell her that it’s not him. It’ll break her heart all over again. Do you think I made a mistake bringing him home?”
“No. I think he’ll be very good for her. It’ll be a good addition to her therapy to walk him and play with him.”
I hope she’s right. The last thing I want to do is deceive my wife with something I’d hoped would make her happy.
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket. For the second time today, my stomach burns like acid when I see the name and number flashing on my screen.
“I’ll be right back. I have to take this.”
Sarah nods as I walk back into the house.
“Hey, Sydni.”
“Hey. How’s everything going?”
“Good.”
“How’s Ember doing?”
A glance out the window shows her lying on the grass with the dog, giggling.
“Getting better every day. What’s up?”
“We just got back from our tour, and everyone’s up our ass for info on Ember. I know you don’t want the media and the fans getting to her, and I totally agree, but we have to say something. We’ve been avoiding it for months, giving everyone vague answers. It’s already been leaked that she’s awake and has amnesia. She was the founder of the band, Ash. We have to issue a formal statement of some sort. Her fans deserve that.”
This comes as no surprise. My own PR rep has been doing everything he can to keep information about Ember as quiet as possible, but we knew eventually we’d have to go public.
“Have you said anything?” I ask.
“No, I haven’t. None of us have, but we’re constantly getting bombarded with questions. In person, on social media. You know how it is.” An annoyed sigh blows into my ear.
I do know how it is. My own social media accounts are constantly blowing up with questions from people. I thank everyone for caring and decline to further comment.
Years ago, Sydni did an exclusive interview with a rock journalist about Ember’s condition before I gave the go-ahead for it. Pictures were published of Ember lying in the hospital hooked up to machines, her face swollen and covered in bruises. Sydni claimed she only gave the journalist permission to look at the photos, not publish them. Total bullshit. She made a ton of money off that little stunt, and I came close to strangling her.
“Does she remember anything yet? Do you think she could do an interview or two? Maybe post some pictures?”
“Are you fucking crazy?” I seethe. “There’s no way she’s ready for that. The vultures will eat her alive.”
“Well, if we don’t release a statement, rumors are going to start flying, and we both know what a shit show that’ll be. I can’t believe you’ve been able to keep it quiet for this long.”
I can’t believe she’s been able to keep quiet for this long. It’s got to be killing her—not being able to flap her lips.
“I’ll get with my team this week, have them put a statement together and send it over. Until then, I’d appreciate it if you just keep things quiet.”
“Of course we will. Look, I just got back in town, but I’d love to come see her, maybe take her to lunch.”
“I think it’s too soon for that.”
I’d love for Ember to go out with a friend, but Sydni is too much of a loose cannon to be trusted. She was the so-called best friend who got Ember drunk when she was only seventeen by telling her peach schnapps isn’t “real alcohol” and then abandoned Ember at a party two hours away from home when she took off to hook up with some guy she just met.
“She was my best friend. Don’t you think I should be able to see her? For fuck’s sake, Asher, you can’t keep her locked up in your castle on the hill for the rest of her life. She’s still a grown-ass woman.”
/>
Spinning away from the window, I rake my hand through my hair in frustration. First Redwood, now Sydni, ruining what was supposed to be a great day. I should set the two of them up and let them drive each other insane.
“She’s not locked up. She goes through hours of physical therapy daily. She’s got doctor and psychiatric visits and video chats at least twice a week, every week. She’s still recovering, and she still has no idea who anyone is. Forgive me for not thinking you’re exactly the kind of friend who’s going to be therapeutic for her to be around.”
“Whatever. We’ll expect to hear something from your PR team by next week. Otherwise we’re going to have to handle this ourselves. She was part of our band, in case you forgot, and we owe it to our fans to update them. I’m sure it’s what Ember would want.”
Click
It’s what Ember would want. I hate that we’re all still acting like Ember isn’t really here.
I toss my phone onto the coffee table and run right into Ember, Sarah, and the dog when I turn around.
I touch Ember’s waist. “Sorry, babe. I had to take a work call.”
“Teddy’s thirsty. Do we have dishes for him?”
Crap. I forgot to buy some on the way home. I think this first-time dog owner is going to need a Dogs 101 book.
Sarah picks up on my snafu. “Ember, let’s go hunt around the kitchen and see what we can find.”
Ember chews her lip as she pets the dog. “Maybe we should go to the pet store?”
Great idea. We can probably buy dog food there—something else I forgot to pick up. Tammy would have my head if she knew I was so excited to get Buddy home that I flew right by the pet place.
Snatching my phone and my keys off the coffee table, I grin at her. “Let’s go. We’ll get him everything he needs. You can bring him with us, and he can pick out toys.”
Her expression lights up as if I just turned into a unicorn right in front of her. “Really?”
“Of course.”
“Can we stop by the craft store while we’re out? I want to get some paint stuff.”
I throw her a quizzical look as I snap the leash on the dog. “Paint stuff?”