Shit, I'm so exhausted I'm even questioning Andi running from me. I was losing it and could’ve used some coffee. Usually, I'd have driven to a friendlier area, but seeing an open parking spot, especially around lunchtime, I took that as an omen.
It had to be one of the stupidest plans I'd ever come up with. Driving around neighborhood after neighborhood was ridiculous, but what else could I do? My brothers had suggested I go back to the worksite and focus on my job. But how could I work knowing that something might have happened to Andi? This was my desperate attempt to find her, and I knew deep down it was stupid.
Throwing the door open, I got out of my truck and looked around. With the shops, high-rises, restaurants, and all the passersby dressed in fancy business clothes, I was definitely out of my element. Every person I looked at, I almost hoped wouldn’t be Andi—and yet again I needed to find her.
It wasn't like I was poor; I could definitely afford to live in the area. My problem was that everyone I met who happened to reside in that town definitely wasn't the type of person I'd want to associate with.
Both of my brothers grew up in neighborhoods that were nicer than where my mom chose to raise me. Considering my dad's taste for variety, we all had different moms. My mom wanted me to understand saving money; appreciating what you have and not splurging was the way to go. Compared to my brothers' lifestyles, my upbringing was totally different. It was a small miracle they didn't turn out to be snobby shits.
The door in front of me opened as a couple came out carrying their cardboard coffee cups. I caught the door right before it was about to close.
"May I help you?"
My eyes stopped scanning and rested on a young, perky blonde.
"Um, yeah." I looked around the café quickly. "Could I get that table over there?" I pointed to a small two-seater near the glass window overlooking the street.
The rich, dark wood booth and modern glass light hanging over my head only reaffirmed the overdone décor of this area.
The clink of my coffee mug being set down on the table snapped me out of staring through the window. I'd been too wrapped up in searching for a glimmer of Andi. Hell, I even had my money set on the table in case I saw her and had to bolt. Hopeless romantic.
I took a drink of my coffee while still gazing out the window. My mind was reeling, and the hope of seeing her again made my heart race. I rubbed my palms on my jeans, hoping to chase away some of my nerves.
If everything was okay with her, she would have called me. That's what really worried me. That something was very wrong. Because if the alternative was that she had been in an accident, lying in some hospital…I couldn't go there.
I was wasting my time; that area didn't fit her—at least not the Andi I knew. The designer clothes, the cars. The cars. My stomach dropped the more I thought about her Audi. It was new, yet she never had any money. She definitely didn't ever want me to know that. It was always a battle to pay for her meals, so I had stopped and started bringing groceries to her place if we were staying there.
There were so many questions about Andi, and after not seeing her for days, knowing in my gut that something was wrong, just added to my worries.
Right after that thought was when my heart plummeted and lifted at the same time. My cup froze mid-lift as something caught my eye across the street.
Her chestnut hair was straightened and not the gorgeous loose curls she usually wore. She looked like she fit in this neighborhood really well. It wasn't the clothes she was wearing that had caught my eye. No, she fit right in even though it wasn't the type of style she had always worn around me. It was the bright, light blue purse she carried that grabbed my attention. Blue. She had called it aqua and had made fun of me. I'd have laughed, remembering our silly exchange, except for the fact that Andi was finally right there.
Which caused a huge pit in my stomach. Somehow I knew this wasn't going to go well.
Despite that, relief spread through me and I felt I could finally breathe. I had found Andi and she was alive.
Seven
Andi
“Andi!”
Lost in my thoughts, that familiar name barely registered, but when I heard it again…that voice. My heart stopped as my eyes flitted from person to person along the sidewalk, searching to find where it came from.
"Andi!"
I gasped. My body froze right where I stood as my eyes landed on the person who’d been calling out my name. His blue eyes… Who he was, I wasn’t sure, but those pale blue eyes were pinned right on me, and my whole body buzzed with excitement. Even more so when he picked up speed toward me.
His gaze was locked on me, and I tore my eyes away to take in everything about this man. His dark blue, long-sleeved shirt stretched over his broad, muscled frame. This man definitely didn’t seem to fit in with the crowd. Even more so when my eyes landed on his worn jeans and work boots. I watched as he slowed his gait but still pressed to get to me.
This had to be Cal, right? It had to be. I was suddenly very aware of how much adrenaline pumped through me from gazing up at him.
If it was Cal, why was I so excited to see him? There I was, practically giddy over seeing this man, and I had no idea what he meant to me or why I was so elated. I was excited to see a stranger when even my own husband hadn’t made me feel this way. My heart pounded inside my chest, my breath—completely reckless. I swallowed hard, not knowing if I should fight the intense euphoria and instead be fearful of the stranger that was calling my name.
The moment he stood in front of me, I was sure he had to have heard my heart beat out of my chest. Everything about him made time stand still, and I had no idea why. He towered over me, his tall frame even more obvious as we were now mere inches away. My head tilted up to search his eyes. His dark blond hair was tousled as if he’d raked his hand through it way too many times. My eyes roamed his face, falling on his full lips, and I licked mine immediately, wondering how they would feel against his. And why would I want that from a stranger?
There was a moment’s hesitation before he pulled me to him, and I was so swept away I didn’t even realize I was in his arms until my head was pressed against his chest. The feel of him was so comfortable and so familiar. I was caught between asking myself why I’d think of another man’s lips on mine and enjoying being pressed flush against his body. Adding to my confusion was that I was certain he wasn’t a brother, uncle, or best friend if I desired a taste of his lips. Comfort wrapped around me with a sense of safety and security I hadn’t had since I’d woken in the hospital. At that very moment, I completely believed I’d always belonged in this man’s arms.
“Andi.” His words rushed out with his breath. “God, I’ve been so worried.” He pulled back, looking down at me, and his hands held my arms firm. “Where have you been? I…Why didn’t you call me?” His head shook as if it seemed obvious I should have.
Too stunned to speak, I gaped as I tried to process all of it while studying his face. Days’ worth of stubble covered his rugged, strong jawline, and the fleeting thought of reaching up to touch it crossed my mind.
“Andi?” His face filled with confusion as I tried to form the words and snap out of my daze.
Swallowing, I rushed out the first thought that came to mind. “I…Are you Cal?”
His brows shot up, revealing a tiny scar above his right one, and his mouth dropped open—I'm sure like mine had only moments before. The warm arms that were wrapped around me released their hold, and confusion mixed with anger now filled his expression, his beautiful mouth twisted in disgust.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No! I mean. You must be Cal. I…” I exhaled a deep, rushed breath. “I have amnesia,” I blurted out. I could tell this was a man who meant something in my life. Hell, my whole body wanted nothing more than to be pressed against him again. He was obviously taken with me; it was clear from his actions and his expressions. So why was telling him I had amnesia so different from any other person I’d had to tell? Te
ars actually pricked my eyes, because of how he would take the information. I wanted to know everything about this man. I needed to know, because my body told me that I had known him really well before.
“What?” He stepped back, staring at me in disbelief.
I watched as his eyes flicked to my stitches, causing me to reach up and run my fingers over them.
The way he said that made me panic. Why did I want him to understand? He had to have heard my heart beating out of my chest and if he were still pressed against me, he’d have felt it for sure.
I swallowed. “A car accident. I had a car accident and…”
“Of course you had an accident, Andi.”
It was my turn to stare at him in disbelief.
“I know all about that. Hell, that’s how we met.”
My brows raised as I gaped at him. “It is?”
“Andi, what the hell is going on?” His anger was obvious. The way the corner of his mouth quirked up as if I were crazy only added to my confusion that he knew about the accident. How had he already known about it but not about my amnesia? My hands shook as I ran them through my hair, searching the sidewalks for some answer to the new questions that hammered my thoughts. Had I been in the hospital longer than what John and the doctors had told me? That didn’t make sense either. None of this was making sense.
“How would you know about my car accident?” And why didn’t he come to the hospital?
He stared at me for a brief moment and then looked at my scar again. “When did you get those stitches?”
“My car accident, last Friday. It’s why I have amnesia.” Or was it longer now? I’d forgotten all about being in a coma for a day too.
His mouth dropped open, and all expression left his face as he exhaled a huge breath and fisted his fingers through his dirty blond hair. I stood silently watching, waiting for him to come to whatever conclusion there was—hoping he’d have an answer for me, because I sure as hell didn’t.
“Fuck.” He breathed the word out.
I blinked, uncertain of what that meant, if anything at all. His eyes swept over me, as if he were unsure what to do with what I’d said. I felt exposed, and I wasn’t sure how to feel or what to do. I crossed my arms in front of my chest, intimidated by the intensity of his gaze over me.
We knew each other. That was very clear.
How well, though, was the question. This time my heart beat not because of excitement, but because I was afraid of how we might know each other.
Eight
Cal
After the most confusing conversation I’d ever had with anyone, I stood there and gaped at her like an idiot. “So you don’t remember anything? Nothing at all?” That’s what amnesia is, right? Other than seeing it in the movies, I’d never dealt with anyone who’d lost all their memories.
“No.” She shook her head. Where there would have been curls bouncing before, now her straight hair hung there and swayed slightly. I think I was so focused on her hair difference that her next admission didn’t even register at first. “I don’t even remember my own husband.”
“What?” She could have kicked me in my gut and it wouldn’t have hurt as bad. Or my heart, take your pick—it all hurt with that one word. Husband. What the hell?
She nodded as if it made all the sense in the world. “I know. It’s–“
“Did you just say your husband?” I spat. My expression must have shown how pissed off I was. I hadn’t seen that one coming at all. Shit, I hadn’t seen the “amnesia” thing either. I was beginning to wonder if I was talking to the right woman. Maybe she had a twin or something? I shook my head, knowing all the reality shows Jay’s girlfriend watched must have seeped into my brain.
“Yeesss.” Her answer came out slow and with unmistakable worry behind it. Rightfully so.
“Were you married the whole time we were together?”
It was like we were exchanging horrified expressions. Her face fell, and her mouth gaped as her hand flew to her stomach. “Oh God. We…you…” Her hand motioned between us. She swallowed. “We?” She looked like she was going to throw up. I felt that way too, but the way she was reacting I would have thought my looks were revolting to her or something.
“Yes, we’ve been together for a couple of months.” I paused, noticing her features paling even more. “Are you all right?” I knew she wasn’t as I watched her clutch her stomach, but I wasn’t sure what else to say. “Do you need some water?” I looked around, spotting a café two doors down.
She nodded as I began to guide her. Even though I was trying not to look, I couldn’t help it. Her eyes were glossed with tears which fell down her cheeks. Without thinking, I wiped them away quickly.
As shitty as I felt and as angry as I was, I wrapped my arm around her waist to support and guide her toward the door. And God, if it didn’t feel fantastic to have her back in my arms. I wished I could forget about the whole conversation we’d had and hold her as I had before.
We entered the crowded café, and I was completely relieved when I found a small, empty table against the wall. Helping her to sit, I then took my seat across from her.
Searching through her purse, she sniffled while I tried to figure out what to say to her. I had so many questions, but I knew she had to be just as upset finding out that we had been together while she was married.
Married. Shit. I couldn’t believe it. Why wouldn’t she have told me when we first met? How could she lie to me like that?
Grinding my teeth was giving me a throbbing headache. I tried not to glare at her, so instead I scanned the café. Remembering the reason we’d gone in there, I spotted a waitress and waved her over.
“Water, please.”
The waitress glanced at Andi, awaiting her order.
“Two, please,” Andi said.
I had actually ordered for Andi initially, but I guess the waitress hadn’t taken that hint.
“Thank you,” Andi said.
I pressed my lips together, holding back a snide comment. Thanks for what? Screwing her while she was married? I shook my head, knowing I needed to calm down.
For days I’d been worried something horrible had happened to her, and here she was…married. Although, really, she had been in an accident, and I should have been thanking every force in the universe for making sure she was still alive.
I was going to ask her if she purposefully hadn’t told me, but what good would that do? She couldn’t remember even having an affair.
“You…you didn’t know I was married either.” She said it as a statement.
I shook my head. “I had no idea.” I leaned forward, resting my forearms on the table. I watched as her eyebrows furrowed while she stared at my arms. She was lost in thought about something, and I wished I knew what it was.
The waitress placed our waters on the table and waited expectantly. The café was packed, and I was sure we were taking up valuable real estate. “One black coffee and one mocha latte, non-fat, no whip, please.”
She nodded, looking slightly relieved, and walked away.
Feeling the weight of Andi’s stare, I looked up. Those gorgeous honey-brown eyes were full of the same questions I had. Merely looking into hers stabbed at my heart, knowing what I now knew.
“Did you always call me ‘Andi’?”
Why would she ask that? The more I thought about it, the sicker to my stomach I felt. “It’s not your real name?”
“Andrea. At least that’s what I was told. It’s also on my driver’s license.”
She looked like she wasn’t too sure of that either. Maybe saying it was on an official document made her feel better for some reason. “You don’t seem so sure of that. Are you sure you’re really married?” It came out a bit harsher than what I wanted, although at that point, I wanted to leave and try to figure it all out. With the weight of her stare, I couldn’t think straight.
“The doctors showed me a marriage certificate at the hospital. Even seeing it, it didn’t seem real to me.”
I wished they had called me. I’d have told them exactly who should have been the one to take her home. But they didn’t. They called her husband. Because she had one. I shook my head, trying to face the reality. She was married and didn’t remember anything about our time together. Would she have considered it an affair? Or would I have been someone she’d have left her husband for? And why was I asking that? I didn’t want to take anyone from a marriage.
The waitress set the coffees down. I was relieved to focus on something else. I slid Andi’s mocha so it was set in front of her. Picking up my cup, I blew over the top of it and was about to take a sip when I felt the weight of her eyes on me. Her beautiful bottom lip quivered and tears threatened to fall.
“What’s wrong?” I doubted I had already forgotten how she liked her coffee.
“You ordered this for me?”
“Yeah, I always…” I paused for a moment, knowing I had done it out of habit. Was I wrong to do that? I was doing what I’d always done for her.
“Is this what I liked? Did I always ask for this?” I could hear the uncertainty when her voice broke.
My heart dropped seeing Andi so lost. Only a couple of days ago she was confident, easygoing, and fun. The woman in front of me seemed unsure of everything. Her shoulders sagged as her eyes pleaded with me.
“I’m sorry. I…” I swallowed. “That’s exactly what you always ordered. After our first week together, I made sure to remember it.”
“What else do you remember? Please tell me. The doctor told my husband it would be best that I learned things on my own. That it’s supposed to be better for me. I…Nothing is coming to me and nothing feels right to me.”
As angry as I was that she was married, I just couldn’t see her like that. She may have lied to me before, cheated on her husband, but she sat there completely broken.
Accidents Happen (Forever Happens Book 1) Page 4