“That’s too bad,” my father says while cracking his knuckles.
“Tal, come in,” I say. “Dad, go home and watch sappy movies with Mom.”
“Fine,” he replies with a sigh. Kissing the top of my head, he says, “I’m still going to have words with Sage the next time I see him. Tell your brother he’s lucky he’s injured so I won’t throw hands at him.”
“Will do, Mr. Duncan,” Tal replies before he flattens his back to the hall wall to let my dad through before he finally comes into the apartment.
“Hey, sorry about that,” I tell him when I shut and lock the door. “How did Sage’s appointment go today?”
“His head is fine.”
“That’s great to hear.”
“And no tears from you. That’s a good sign,” he jokes as he takes my dad’s seat on the sofa.
“Yep, all dried up,” I agree when I sit beside him. Tal lifts his arm so I can curl up to his side, and then he drapes his arm over my shoulders. He still smells like smoke, but I don’t think it’s the kind that gets him high. And at least he didn’t drink before driving over here. Thank goodness for small miracles.
“But you’re still sad and depressed.”
“That I am,” I reply.
“Want to fuck me to take your mind off him?” he asks.
“No thanks.”
“It worked before,” Tal remarks.
“Not really. Orgasms make us both feel good for a few minutes, but it doesn’t take away the sadness of me missing your brother or you not being with who you want to be with.”
“Guess you’re right. And the doctor said something today you may not want to hear.”
“Tell me, Tal,” I say when I sit up on my knees to face him.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes!”
“Okay, fine. The doc said that the post-traumatic amnesia can make people act differently and do things they normally wouldn’t do. It can cause them to be uninhibited…”
“Why do you think that I wouldn’t want to…oh,” I mutter as it dawns on me. “Sage slept with me and told me he loved me as a side effect of the brain injury?”
“Possibly. That’s not a definite, but it would explain why he did a complete one-eighty. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine,” I say with a wave of my hand as my eyes water. “You warned me that he had lost his memories but not really changed his mind.”
“No, don’t cry!” Tal says when he wraps his arms around me and pulls me over to his chest.
“Why? Because…you’ll leave?” I ask between sobs.
“What? No. Why would you think that?”
“Because you said…you said you wouldn’t…pick up the pieces again.”
“You know I’m full of shit,” Tal admits with a sigh.
Chapter Seventeen
Sage
I’ve been driving around for hours in the darkness after leaving the gym, not just because Senn’s truck was parked outside my house, but because I need time to clear my head. I’m trying to weave the things I did and said the past few days with the memories of the past few years that have all come back.
When I think about my career in the cage, I’m proud of all I’ve accomplished, all the wins, being the best in the world. But at the same time, I’ve been so lonely these past few years; and if what Tal said is true, and I don’t think he would lie to me about it, he’s not in love with Eden. He loves her, yes. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. I just don’t think he wants to spend the rest of his life with her like I do.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with Eden.” I say the words aloud because for the first time in as long as I can remember, they feel right.
I need to see her, to apologize and beg her to give me another chance.
It’s time to stop fighting it.
Which means, it’s time to face her father.
Senn’s old yellow truck is still parked in front of the house when I finally pull to a stop. His thick arms are crossed over his chest, eyes narrowed at me. That’s all I can tell from the glow of the streetlamp. He’s probably going to hit me. Even knowing that, I climb out of my car and start for him.
“Finally!” he exclaims, pushing off of the truck to start toward me.
“Could you try and avoid the head since I finally figured out what I want and don’t want to forget?” I ask him.
“Oh yeah? And what is it you want? To lead my daughter on for a few more years, make her throw away any chance of happiness with someone else while she waits for you?”
“I want Eden to be happy as much as you do,” I tell him.
He scoffs. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”
“I know. Which is why I’m going to go see Eden tonight and apologize.”
“That all you gonna do?”
I swallowed harshly at that statement. “I’m going to tell her that I love her, that I never stopped loving her, and that I want her to give me another chance…”
“You don’t deserve another chance!” Senn shouts at me.
“I know I don’t. Maybe she’ll give me one or maybe she won’t. I have to at least try.”
“And if she agrees to take your sorry ass back, then what?” he asks. “You going to break her heart again in a few days? Weeks?”
“I’m hoping I never break her heart again,” I tell him. “Which is why I want to ask you what I should’ve asked eight years ago.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that? If I won’t beat you to death?” he asks, coming so close our noses would be touching if not for our shoes.
“I want to ask if I can have your permission to marry Eden.”
That has him stumbling back a step like I sucker punched him in the face. “You what?”
“I want to marry her. I’ve always wanted to marry her. I just
