I head straight for the shower. Today has been so long. After I’m dressed and done with my nightly routine, I climb in the bed. It’s surprisingly comfortable and doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep again.
“Peaches, Peaches.” Something tickles my face and I swat it away.
I grumble, and roll over. “No.”
“I’m sleeping with you,” Carter tells me. The covers lift and the bed dips as his meaty arm wraps around my waist, snuggling closer.
Groaning, I try to move away. “What’re you doing?”
“Spooning.”
I push him off me. “No. Go to sleep.”
“Elijah snores like a Wildebeest.”
I rollover. “What?”
“Seriously, he’s louder than Jared!”
I smirk. “Not possible.”
“Listen.” I do and I can definitely hear both guys sawing logs ... more like a whole forests.
I giggle. “Now I won’t be able to go back to sleep.” I elbow Carter.
He chuckles. “You’re the one marrying him.” I sigh. It’s like a bucket of cold water is thrown on me. “What’s wrong? Your whole body stiffened.” Carter runs his palm up and down my arm.
“It’s still so strange to me. I’m supposed to marry a man that I know practically nothing about.”
“You’ll get your memory back.”
“I hope so.”
He kisses my nose. “You will. Don’t be such a pessimist.” I yawn loudly, making him laugh. “Go to sleep, everything will work out.”
I snuggle closer to my friend, placing my ringed hand on his chest, there’s barely enough moonlight to see the rock that rests on my finger. Carter gives my hand a squeeze, kisses my nose again, and closes his eyes. I can’t take my eyes off my ring. Thoughts zoom through my head.
“Carter?”
“Hmm?”
“I think I’m going to give Elijah his ring back.”
Carter sits up and turns on the bedside lamp. “What?”
I sit up, facing him. “I can’t marry him. I don’t know him. I need to start from the beginning.”
“I get that, but your memory could literally come back any moment.”
“But what if it doesn’t?”
He sighs and takes my hands in his. “I feel like we’ve talked about this way too much. I think you are obsessing and focusing on the wrong things here, Peaches.”
“Carter, I don’t remember the past year of my life. I remember working things out with you, but I still hurt about it right now. Everything is so confusing and messed up. I can’t process anything correctly. It’s so overwhelming.”
He nods, but doesn’t say anything for a long while. “Sophie, Elijah loves you. We all love you, and we understand this is a difficult time for you. Nothing is like it should be, and I think that Elijah would understand if you gave his ring back. We don’t want things to be worse for you. He doesn’t expect you guys to get married tomorrow. You actually hadn’t set a date yet. It only happened a few weeks ago, and you were in a coma and in the hospital for most of that time.”
“I’m scared, and I’m tired of feeling that way.”
He pulls me into his lap, hugging me tightly. “We’re all here for you, Peaches.” He pulls us down in the bed as I start to cry, he doesn’t let go, and eventually we both fall asleep.
Murmured voices and the rumble in Carter’s chest wake me up sometime later. “What the hell are you doing, Walker?”
“I was asleep, Stone. What the hell are you doing in here?”
“Why are you in bed cuddled up with my fiancée?” Elijah sounds super angry.
It aggravates me how he gets so worked up over Carter. He was helping me. “Leave Carter alone.”
“One of you better tell me what’s going on right now!” Elijah’s tone leaves no room for argument. He’s definitely angry. I sit up and rub my tired eyes.
Elijah’s face starts to soften as I meet his eyes. Worry etches his face as he comes and sits by me and cups my face. “You were crying?” I nod. “Why? What’s wrong?”
I snort. “What’s right? I can’t remember anything I need to remember, my head hurts all the time, and I’m exhausted but can’t sleep well. It’s like my life is falling apart, and you’re angry because my best friend was there when I needed him.” My eyes begin to tear up again.
“I’m sorry.” He hangs his head. His eyes raise to meet mine. “I get so jealous. I know you’d never do anything with him. Please forgive me. I’m glad he was there for you.”
I stare at both of them. “You have to get along. I can’t take the constant glaring and harsh words between the two of you. It’s making me crazy.”
“Sorry,” they both murmur.
They both stand to leave. “Elijah, can we talk?”
“Sure.” He looks uneasy as he sits back down on the bed. Carter gives me a little wave before leaving out of the adjoining door.
I turn back to my supposed fiancé. I pull off my ring and hand it to him. He refuses to take it. “No, that’s yours.” He holds up his hands in defense. “I’m sorry, I’ve been horrible to Carter. I’ll stop. I know he’s just your friend. Please don’t do this, Sophie.” Tears fill his eyes, it breaks my heart something awful.
“I want to start over. I want to remember you giving this to me. I want to feel like I’m a part of the decision to marry. Right now, I’m going along with what everyone is telling me. I’m so confused and lost.”
“Is this Carter’s idea?” There’s a hint of anger in his voice.
I stare at him for a long moment, eyes pinched in confusion. “What? No. Of course not. He thinks I’m being dumb too. But, I need to control something. I need to.” I start to sob. I’m so sick of crying.
He wraps his arms around me. “Sophie, you’re breaking my heart. This isn’t you. You’ll remember who you are. Don’t end what we have before you even know what it is.”
I shake my head against his chest. “No, I don’t want to end us. I can’t marry you or be engaged to you until I can remember. I want to start our relationship over. You love me, and I’m sure I love you. I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you if I didn’t, but I need to remember.”
He takes my hand in his and slowly pulls the ring off and sticks it in his pocket. He leans over and kisses my cheek; I can see the sadness in his eyes. No, not just his eyes, his entire face. He stands and leaves the room without another word. I don’t know why I feel so awful, but as soon as that door clicks shut, I throw myself onto the bed and cover my head with the pillow as I sob, yet again. Eventually, I pull myself together, shower, and pack my things. I’m closing up my last bag, when there’s a knock on the door.
Carter stands there. “Hey.”
“Are we leaving?”
“We’re going to go grab brunch. It’s just next door.” Carter grabs my bags and I follow him out to the car and we place my stuff in the trunk.
“I thought we were getting an RV or something?”
Carter shuts the trunk. “We are, but the place is about forty miles from here.”
“Oh.” Something seems off, but I decide not to ask.
The place next door is a 50’s style diner. It’s made up with memorabilia posters from icons gone by as well as posters and photos from today’s Hollywood stars. I love it.
“This is awesome.” I smile up at Carter.
“Yep. I knew you’d love it.”
“There’s one of Elijah’s movies.” I point to the Shift poster. “Let’s sit there.” I glance around the open style restaurant as I turn back to Carter. “Where is everyone?”
He smiles. “It’s just us right now. I’m sure they’ll be around soon.”
The waitress comes over and takes our order. As she’s leaving, Elijah and the guys walk in the door. Jared and Josh come over to sit with us, but the other guys sit on the other side of the restaurant. Elijah must be really upset. I close my eyes, willing the tears away.
Jared wraps his arm around my shoulder and
leans in to whisper, “Don’t cry. He’s not upset. He’s giving you what you want.” He pulls back.
I take several deep breaths trying to settle myself. When I glance up, Carter gives me a warm smile, and Josh winks at me. So I guess whatever is going on, they are all in on it. The server comes back with our drinks and takes Jared and Josh’s orders. We sit there in awkward silence until I can’t take it anymore.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone acting so weird?”
Carter takes my hand in his. “We want to give you space. You’ve been so overwhelmed.”
I pull my hand away from his and pick at my pants. I don’t even know what to think. Is space what I was asking for? I wanted to get to know Elijah better. I mean, we’ve talked, he’s told me about our past, and I’ve seen pictures, but I still don’t really know who he is.
“I didn’t ask for space.”
Carter reaches across the table with his hand out, when I look up he wiggles his fingers, and I place my hand in his. “You didn’t need to ask for it, last night proved you need it.”
“So everyone is going to ignore me the whole trip?”
“Not at all,” my brother replies. The server comes back, and Jared asks if the three of them could get their orders to go.
I stare at him like he’s insane. “You’re leaving me here?”
He winks. “Not alone.”
Hutch and Danny have coffees to go and give us a nod as they exit. The food arrives, mine on a plate, and the guys packed to go. They pay for their meals as they stand to leave.
“Jared, I don’t have any money on me.”
“I paid for yours. You’ll be fine.” He winks. I think he has a problem.
They walk out of the restaurant. Elijah’s back is to me, but he doesn’t appear to be leaving. I really wish someone would tell me what’s going on. The server comes back and I ask for a box. I can’t eat now. I assure her there’s nothing wrong with the food and ask where the bathroom is. She points me in the direction. Great, I have to walk past Elijah. I find a few bucks in my purse and throw it on the table as I grab my food and start to walk to the bathroom. I’m almost to Elijah, and I’m so distracted that I trip on a chair that’s sticking out. I’m sure I look like a moron flailing about as I fall on my face right beside Elijah.
He startles. “Are you okay?” His face is full of concern as he helps me to my feet.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just embarrassed.”
He picks up my food bag, which is surprisingly still intact and hands it to me. “Thanks.”
He sticks his hand out. “I’m Elijah and you are?”
I stare at his hand and him for too long I’m sure, but I put my hand in his and say, “Sophie.”
“Nice to meet you. Would you like to join me?” He gestures to the table.
“Sure. Thanks.” He pulls my chair out and I sit. I rub my forehead, my head hurting.
“Did you hit your head?” I can hear the worry in his voice.
“No. It’s hurting.” He’s almost done eating when a jolt of pain zaps through my head. “Ah.”
He grabs my arm. “Sophie?”
I stare at him in wonder as a smile splits my face. “Do you like mustard on your steak?”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Are you seriously telling me that out of everything you could possibly remember about me, that that’s what it is?”
I giggle, shrugging. “I guess I am.”
17 RV Woes
T hat silly memory sets us on a course of conversation that’s so easy it’s like breathing. We totally lose track of the time we’ve been in the restaurant. I eat my food, he orders us dessert, and as we finish, Hutch comes in to tell us they are back with the RV and supplies. I slip my hand into Elijah’s without a second thought and the grin he gives me is unreal. We are finally making some progress. For the first time in what seems like a long time, I might actually be happy.
The RV is nice. It’s not as big as I thought it would be, but there are beds for everyone, a bathroom, and a working kitchen. There’s also a TV with video games to keep everyone entertained. It seems like this will be a smooth and easy drive, especially with all the guys taking turns. We’ll probably be in San Francisco early.
Elijah sits down beside me and hands me a game remote. I crook my head to the side gazing at him questioningly. “So, you may not remember this, but we used to play.” I open my mouth to stop him. He holds his hand up. “I’ve promised to stop telling you things, so I’m not. Let’s play.”
“Okay. I’m guessing I’m either really bad or really good at this.” He shrugs his shoulders, not giving me any clue whatsoever. “Fine. I’ll play, but there will be no making fun of me.”
“Never.” He winks and turns it on.
As I suspected, I’m horrible at this game, but it’s a lot of fun and it’s definitely good to see him relax a little. After I die about ten times, I’m over it. I hand him the controller.
“What? You can’t quit now.”
“Sorry. The motion of the vehicle with the motion of the game is really getting to be too much.” I rub my head. Elijah shuts the game off.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t even think about that.”
He rubs the back of my neck, and it’s fantastic. I’m not as nervous now when he touches me, though his touches still send my body into high alert. It’s not at all unpleasant. I lean into him.
“It’s okay. I think I’ll lie down for a little while.”
“Of course.” He stands and helps me up.
He follows me back to the room. “What are you doing?”
He winks. “Making sure you don’t fall.”
“My hero,” I say in a deep southern accent. He chuckles, and kisses my cheek with a loud smack.
“I love you.”
I give him a soft smile. “I know I love you too, I just wish I could remember.”
His expression softens, then saddens. He runs his fingers down my check and rests his hand on my shoulder. “You do and you will remember.”
He leans in slowly, giving me time to deny him, and when I don’t, he presses his lips to mine. I’m not really sure what comes over me, but I thread my fingers into his hair and pull him closer, and when his lips part, I’m the one to take advantage. He groans, wrapping an arm around my waist and one cupping the back of my head.
Suddenly, a bump in the road sends us falling backwards landing on the bed, with his full weight on top of me. I yelp in surprise, then laugh as he groans, shifting off me. I always thought I’d be embarrassed or annoyed, as I had been with Carter, to feel a man’s arousal pressed against me, but I don’t. If anything, I’d say there is a bit of smugness that I, Sophia Parker, small town girl, could make Elijah Stone, Mr. Big-Shot Hollywood, feel that for me.
He’s slightly out of breath. “Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Are you?” I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
He grimaces and readjusts himself, which, again, I would think I’d be embarrassed by, but I’m not. I giggle. “Sorry.”
He shakes his head and leans over me. “Don’t be sorry. I thoroughly enjoyed myself as I’m sure you could tell.” Now I blush scarlet. “I love that blush.” He kisses my now warm cheek. He sighs and rolls to his back. “Are you falling for me?”
“You have to ask?” I snort.
He winks at me. “I had no doubt you’d fall for me.” His mischievous grin drops. “But, I’m honestly worried about Carter. It wasn’t easy finding him in bed with you, no matter how innocent it was.”
I frown. “That was one-hundred percent innocent, but I understand. I wouldn’t want to find you in bed with your friend.”
“It’s in the past. But if we could try to avoid it from now on, it would be appreciated.” He leans over the bed and grabs my laptop bag. “You mind if I check my emails in here while you nap?”
“No, but I don’t think I’ll nap. I’m actually going to try to read, lying down makes the movement easier to take.”
<
br /> “Are you okay with me being here?” He points to the bed. I nod, and he continues to open up the computer.
I grab my book and start to read. I remember writing the book, but it was a while ago, and I want to skim though the last chapter, before I start to read the current book, which I don’t remember at all. Amelia said I’d almost finished writing it and that it was saved on my iPad.
It’s so strange knowing I wrote something I can’t remember, but exciting in a way because now I am like my readers, and I honestly have no clue what will happen to my characters. I’m almost hoping Marshall and Alyx kiss, though knowing me, they won’t. I’m not sure how much time has passed when Elijah chuckles. I peek over at him and give him a questioning eyebrow.
“You are absolutely adorable right now.”
I’m skeptical at what he may find adorable. “Thank you, but why?”
“You’re so into that book. You’re smiling and giggling at stuff, even a few gasps of surprise.”
I blush. “I am into it. It’s really good.”
“Biased?” He pokes my side.
I squirm away. “I would say yes, but I have no idea what’s going to happen. I’m honestly loving this book. It may be the only perk of amnesia.”
“Is there anything you’d change?”
“No, not yet. I’ve seen a couple things that I didn’t expect, but it works really well with the plot line, and the characters from the other books.”
“I’m glad you are enjoying it then.”
“I’m done for now.” I set the book aside. I’m about to ask for my laptop when my cell chimes. I reach over and grab it from the little cubbyhole by the bed. “Oh fudge cakes!”
“What?” Elijah is immediately on alert. I turn the phone towards him and he grimaces. “I was hoping you wouldn’t see that. I forgot you had alerts on your phone.”
I’m a little shocked. “You weren’t going to tell me?”
“I was, but not right now. I didn’t want to ruin your good mood.”
I look at the screen again. There’s a photo of Elijah and me coming out of the diner where we ate earlier in the day. I look back up to Elijah. “Do you think the paps are following us?”
Fame & Consequences Page 20
