When the door closed, Matt approached her cautiously.
“He told you about your parents,” he guessed.
She glowered at him.
“Liz, I didn’t think it was the right—”
“It’s fine,” she said abruptly. “As long as other people keep visiting me, I’ll eventually know everything I need to about my life.”
“Liz, that’s not fair—”
“It’s okay, Matt.” She quickly wiped away the rest of her tears and crossed to him, taking the bag he held in his hands. “Thank you for bringing me clothes.”
“It’s only for a few days, we’re checking you out on Sunday.”
“Mmm-hmm.” She propped the bag on the bed and started rummaging through. She picked up a white lightweight sweatshirt and black leggings, and then shimmied off her bathrobe and untangled the ties in her hospital gown.
“I’ll just step out while you get dressed.” Matt backed away toward the door.
Liz popped her head up. “Why?” she asked him, dropping her gown and revealing her practically nude body, wearing nothing but her underwear. She stared at him. “I’ve been in these for a few days, haven’t I?” she asked, pointing to the last piece of undergarment she had. “Did you bring me any?” She started to pull off that last article of clothing, until Matt, suddenly instantly at her side, stopped her.
“Liz,” he started. “What are you doing?”
“If you’re my husband then why are you so distant? Why is there this tension between us when you look at me? Almost as is if you’re afraid for me to notice something?”
And why haven’t you kissed me?
Matt didn’t answer, instead, he slowly let go of her arms and leaned past her, latching on to the sweatshirt by the duffle bag. He pulled it over her head and when she didn’t move, he gently pulled her hair from under the hood and waited.
She forfeited and ran her arms through the damn thing.
“You’re very intuitive,” he said after a moment. “The truth is, I don’t want to scare you. You’ve just been in a horrible accident, you don’t know who you are or who I am. I…I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage of you. So, yes, I might be a little distant for that reason.”
Liz watched him, hoping to tell if he was being honest. His reasons made sense, but the way he looked away from her every so often—was where the doubt laid.
There wasn’t much she could do about it, if he was still lying, but she had to try.
Or end up a prisoner until she got her memory back.
Chapter 11
MATT
“How are you feeling?” Matt asked Megan later that night. He felt terrible that he hadn’t gone to see her yet. It’s true they weren’t that close and though he may not be a huge fan of hers, she was still family. That and he needed to talk to her—find out what happened.
“Like I’m stuck here until some nipwads tell me ‘yep your wrist is still broken, take this for pain, make sure we have your correct billing address on the way out.’”
He grinned. “Sounds about right.” He looked her over, uncomfortably. “Well you look good, and a little break from work might be good for you.”
“Huh. That’s what Ben said.”
“I’m sorry,” he said after an awkward silence.
“It’s not your fault,” she murmured and rubbed the band around her wrist.
She must have noticed Matt tense at her words.
“It’s not Liz’s either,” she said sternly, this time looking him in the eye.
He gave a slight nod, which he hoped she’d take as gratitude. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Megan shrugged and looked down. “It wasn’t even really that dark out. We were talking. We thought about calling you guys to tell you we were on our way back.” Her eyes trailed back and forth as she tried to retrace the night, then she shrugged. “We started to bullshit about my warmth towards people.”
Matt wished she would just keep her story in order so he could follow but didn’t want to push. It was a miracle Megan had said as much to him as she had.
“Was she upset?” He had to ask. And Megan had to know that it was on the top of everyone’s list of reasons why Liz may have been distracted while driving. A stupid thing that he had allowed to happen.
Megan looked up at him. Her eyes turned cold and her willingness to help had vanished. “Of course she was upset. But she was fine when we drove in the morning. For the most part. She had no problems at the mall.”
Normally Matt would laugh at a ridiculous statement like that. Or crack a joke about the cliché of women shopping when they’re upset. But he was afraid of missing a single word or throwing Megan off her train of thought.
“Was she upset when you were driving back?”
Megan frowned. Then looked down at the floor. “No, actually. We were laughing.”
“Laughing?” A hint of relief washed over him. He found himself longing to hear her laugh again. Heck, at this point, he would take a sneer if it came from his wife.
“Yeah,” she let out a short laugh. “I can’t remember exactly what was so funny, but we were laughing. And then….” she trailed off. Her eyes focused on a spot on the carpeted floor. Matt almost wanted to see what it was that had her attention. But he knew it had to be something else.
A wash of unmistakable guilt grazed her face. Matt frowned. This was a new one for Megan. He’d never seen her express much emotion, and this would top any of them. He noticed her swallow hard. Was it possible? Megan was fighting tears.
“Megan?” Matt took a small step toward her.
She quickly snapped back into the present and brushed her face, briskly. “Thanks for checking on me, Matt. I know Ben asked you to before he left.”
That wasn’t true. He was sure his brother didn’t want Matt anywhere near Megan.
“Actually, he didn’t ask.”
She nodded, understandingly. “You wanted to ask me about Ben and Liz?” her voice was low.
She had the wrong idea. He truly was concerned. That and he wanted to know what happened on their way home. Maybe a significant part that the police report had left out. Anything to help him understand why his wife was in there with no memory of her life. But he couldn’t tell her all this. She would just assume that he was trying to find another person to blame.
“I can only conclude from your reaction, or lack of—that you already knew?” he asked her, with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes,” she answered without looking away.
“When did he tell you?”
She thought for a moment. Her eyes immediately shifted up and to her left. A visual of a real event, he identified. He had recently read countless articles online, while in the waiting room about how to tell when someone is recalling true memories…or making them up.
“It was Thanksgiving,” she started, her eyes now searching. “We had started dating earlier that summer and he invited me to ‘meet the family’. Liz and I got along great that night.” She glanced at him. “You two had already set a date for your wedding by then. By the end of the night I told him I had a great time and his family was very warm and welcoming. Then Ben stopped me when we were walking back to his car.” She half smiled to herself. “He told me he really liked me and before it went further, he wanted me to know what happened between him and Liz when you two were…separated.”
He nodded. “He told you right away.” Fighting his anger.
She gave him a thoughtful look, even for her. “Matt you have to understand, it was different for me and Ben. He and I had just started getting serious and I had absolutely no relation to anyone involved,” she paused. “Matt,” she waited until he looked at her to continue. “It was a lot easier for Ben to tell me than for either of them to tell you.”
“Yeah. I know.” He slipped his hands in his pockets. “Thanks, Megan. Oh and hey, if you remember what happened after all the laughing, let me know, I’ll be next door,” he said it lightheartedly with a smirk, but he
wanted to know what had gotten Meg so upset moments ago. Something told him she was holding back. He was getting really tired of people keeping things from him.
* * *
On Sunday, Matt arrived at the hospital early for Liz’s discharge. Since there was nothing really wrong with her other than vanished memories, the doctors had told him there’s no reason for her to spend any more time in the hospital when the best medicine for her would be surroundings of familiar objects, people and places.
Home was the best place for her. Of that he was sure.
He filled out the necessary paperwork and took the remaining forms for Liz to sign. She’d convinced him the night before that she didn’t need him to stay the night again and insisted that she had his phone number if she needed him.
Matt understood to an extent that forcing his presence would only push her away and overwhelm her, so he didn’t put up too much of a fight. He was sure that she was either still annoyed, or embarrassed for stripping down to near nudity, needing a reaction from him.
He supposed he could have kissed her. But that would be too intimate for him at the moment. He couldn’t kiss her just to satisfy her doubts. He wasn’t willing to do that. Not even if it made her feel better in the moment. What if she could sense his anger? He was still angry, wasn’t he? He had to be. Although the past few days, he’d felt nothing but fear and tension. That combination overpowered the anger. But he knew it would soon return. He shrugged off the trailing thoughts and focused on the man standing outside of Liz’s room.
Marcus.
What’s he doing here this early?
Everything about the way Liz’s brother stood in front of that room made Matt uneasy. He looked like an angry bully waiting for school to let out so he can confront the kid that sold him out.
“Marcus!” he called.
“Hey,” Marcus pushed away from the door, as Matt headed right for it, with no intention of stopping.
“She in there?”
“No,” Marcus replied. “I got here just as they were wheeling her away for her final scans before letting her get out of here.”
Matt sighed, pushing past his brother in law. Somehow, he knew that whatever Marcus was here to say, he didn’t want his wife hearing. Marcus clearly wasn’t briefed well enough on how sensitive Liz’s state was and how the slightest lapse can delay recovery.
Matt ignored Marcus and headed straight for Liz’s duffle bag.
“Listen, I know Liz is checking out today.”
Checking out? Matt was annoyed. He knew that Liz’s little brother hadn’t meant any harm, but this wasn’t a hotel. He wasn’t about to argue. He’d rather Marcus just say what he came there to say.
“What’s up?” Matt asked without looking up, placing Liz’s bag on the edge of the bed.
“I think it would be best if Liz came home with me.”
Matt froze for only a second, before continuing his task. “Well you have a right to your opinion,” he offered casually, as if Marcus had just told him he thought they made too many Star Wars movies. Everyone in the world might disagree with you, but you still had a right to your opinion.
Marcus shifted, uncomfortably.
Figuring that response wasn’t enough for him, Matt continued. “It’s not up for discussion where Liz stays.” He emphasized that last word. “She has a home. She has a husband.” Clearly Matt had to spell this fact out for Marcus, since the kid had never been able to hold a relationship for more than a month. “She’s coming home with me. And that’s final.” Matt was more than grateful that Marcus didn’t know about the recent family drama.
“You’re not doing what’s best for her,” Marcus insisted. His voice more demanding. “The doctor said himself; she’d most likely remember her earlier memories,” he paused. “I’m a big part of her earlier memories, Matt. Don’t you want to help her?”
Matt had to breathe, reminding himself that this was his wife’s brother and probably only wanted the best for his sister. He immediately relaxed. “Look, if you were taking her back to your parents’ old house, I’d agree with you,” he said squarely. He wanted Marcus to understand that he did want to help Liz, and not just being possessive. “She’d be in her old room, where she’d spent most of her life. I’d drive her there myself in a heartbeat,” he paused and softened his tone. “But that house is gone. And I’m sorry, but I don’t see the benefit from her hanging around your bachelor pad.”
“Maybe we should let her decide.” Marcus held his tone steady.
Now he’d heard enough. “I don’t think you understand the severity of her condition, Marc.” He kept his voice firm, but respectful. “You can’t force her to choose. It’s too much pressure for her.”
“You can’t force her into your bed, Matt. You’re a stranger to her.”
Just as easily as Marcus had said those words to him, Matt threw the bag down and pinned Marcus against the closed bathroom door.
“What happens in the privacy of our home is our business, Marcus. Don’t you ever accuse me of taking advantage of Liz.” He held a sharp edge in his voice. He slowly released his wife’s well-meaning brother but not before making sure Marcus had seen the fierce look in his eyes.
He’d placed the last piece of her belongings in the bag. “You’re welcome in our home anytime, Marcus, but I’m not letting her out of my sight.”
The door to Liz’s room opened and a male technician wheeled her into the room.
For the first time since she’d been in that accident, Liz was smiling. Matt gave Marcus a warning look. Say one word and you’ll regret it.
Matt returned her smile as he looked down at her in the chair. “You ready to get out of here?”
Chapter 12
LIZ
Liz nodded, picking at the hem of her shirt. The truth was she was more than ready to get out of the hospital where people fussed over her, made decisions for her and basically treated her like she couldn’t walk. She had lost her memory but was still capable of helping herself out of bed.
She began to stand. Matt reached for her hand, but she grabbed the one the attendant had held out for her, instead. Again, she didn’t need one, but it took more effort to avoid the help. “I’m ready.” She looked at Marcus and gave a warm smile. “Are we all leaving together?”
She didn’t miss the warning look that her husband was giving her brother. Neither deaf nor blind, people.
“No,” Marcus replied. “I actually have to get to work. But I wanted to see you before you checked out today.” He glanced at Matt, before stepping toward her. “Please call me if you need anything at all. I checked your phone and all my numbers and email are still there.”
She frowned at that reassurance, but she was too happy to question anything and gave her brother a strong, solid hug. She wanted him to know that she felt the connection between them and whatever stir up was clearly happening between him and Matt before she came in, didn’t matter to her.
“Do you ever come visit?” she asked, hopeful.
“Uhh…not—”
“As often as we’d like,” Matt interjected, finishing the sentence. “Marcus lives a good hour away and weekends always get…tricky, right Marc?”
Marcus kept his focus on Liz. “I will come visit whenever you’d like me too. Never too busy for my big sister.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek, nodded a thank you to the attendant and nurse and headed out.
Liz’s heart dropped. She wished to hell she was leaving with him instead. Leaving with her husband was probably the right option, even if she was feeling something off about the way he looked at her from time to time.
After signing all the papers shoved at her at the front desk, Liz pushed her way from the revolving doors and stepped out into the warm, sunny driveway. A black SUV pulled up in front of her and the windows rolled down. A man dressed in khaki shorts and a white polo shirt stepped out and handed the keys to Matt, who followed behind her.
Matt seemed a bit uneasy. As if he hadn’t planned for this
or known what to do. What was she thinking? Of course he hadn’t planned for this. His wife was in a terrible car accident that caused possibly permanent memory loss. Still, something was off with him.
He pulled the passenger door open for her. “I hope you don’t mind, I thought it would be a better idea if I take you to one of our favorite spots in town before we head home.”
She didn’t mind at all. Home was the last place she wanted to go. Especially with a stranger.
“Nice car.” She admired when Matt jumped into the driver seat a few short seconds later.
“Thanks. It’s yours.”
She frowned.
He glanced at her and grinned. “You totaled mine, remember?”
She didn’t. But knew it was true. She didn’t answer and looked ahead as he pulled away.
They drove in silence for a while. She had been watching the roads carefully, as if she were expecting to recognize something. Then she focused on the people on the streets. It didn’t take her long to figure out what she was doing. Desperately searching for someone to be familiar to her. As if there would be someone out there that could trigger something in her. Anything. But everyone appeared to be as much a stranger as the man sitting next to her.
“Can I ask what you are thinking?”
“How close are we to our neighborhood?” she asked instantly.
“Wondering if you’d know anyone here?” When Liz didn’t respond, he sighed. “I’m sorry, you hate being predictable.”
“I just realized that this is by the beach. Do we live near the beach?”
“Not us. But my parents do.”
“Oh.”
“We’re actually not anywhere near here. We do live on Long Island, but not near the water.” Matt’s face fell while he paused and focused on the road. “We probably should though, you love the beach,” he paused. “We were staying with my parents at the time of the accident, which is why the hospital you were brought to is closer to their neighborhood.”
Liz opened her mouth to ask another question when the car settled onto a bumpier road. It was loud and rough. The sound and harshness of the road made her jump and gasp as she clutched her hand across her chest.
Remember Me Page 6