Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Rhys had an awesome group of friends who took good care of him, but Emerson still couldn’t help imagining Rhys scared and alone that early dawn morning, even though he didn’t consciously know what was happening to him.
He’d thought of his parents in much the same way over the years, mostly when curled up in a ball at night, scared and going out of his mind. The officers had told him they’d died instantly in the crash, given how badly their car was totaled, but he’d often wondered if that was only relayed to soothe him. How in the hell he made it through those days afterward he didn’t know—it was a complete fog of misery.
On cue, Rhys’s fingers curled around his forearm to point out an area to park, and the memories slammed into him of those heartbreakingly tender nights when Rhys held him in his arms and whispered that he was safe so that he could shut his eyes for a few hours until morning. It made him want to entwine their fingers together. To let Rhys know how much he was cherished.
The moment was broken by Sam asking Rhys statistical questions about cliff-diving into the ocean, and it was just as well, as he pulled into a space and they exited the car.
As they moved toward the path that would take them to the base of the mountain, Emerson was struck by the sheer size of the structure Rhys had been brave enough to climb. And whereas it would’ve normally been old hat to Rhys, his reaction seemed to mirror Emerson’s own, his eyes widening as they lifted toward the sky.
“Whoa,” Sam said, staring up at the summit.
“Tell me about it,” Audrey chimed in as she curiously watched a group of climbers in helmets adjusting their ropes.
“Let’s get out of the way,” Emerson said, shuffling them toward a grassy area.
But Rhys was in his own world, and Emerson held his breath as Rhys stepped away from them and headed closer to the base of Hawkeye Hill. Audrey made the motion to join him, but he held her back, allowing Rhys to work through it on his own. He clenched his fists, hoping Rhys didn’t lose his balance, but he’d be right there if the man stumbled even a little bit.
After another few minutes, Audrey started helping Sam root around for interesting-looking rocks, most likely out of boredom rather than interest, as Emerson wandered toward Rhys.
He stayed out of the way, knowing Rhys was aware of his presence, and for now that was enough.
“Anything?” Emerson asked after a few quiet minutes, his pulse throbbing at his throat. It was fucking horrible to want something and not want something all at the same time. And that made him an asshole, because he wanted Rhys to finally remember everything so they could all get some closure, one way or another. But Rhys remembering, freaking out, and bailing on him again terrified him too.
“Nah,” Rhys replied solemnly. Emerson tried to catch his eye, but Rhys only offered him the cold outline of his profile. Though he could see his forehead crinkle as if in disappointment.
Rhys pointed upward. “Martin said a bunch of rocks were kicked up at the summit and fell over the side, one hitting me square on the head.”
Emerson noticed Rhys trembling, so he placed his hand on his back, hoping to calm him and wondering if this was all too much for him. Maybe they shouldn’t have come out here after all. “Are you o—”
Rhys gave him a stern admonishment through eye contact alone, so Emerson clamped his mouth shut and simply provided him silent support as Rhys worked through his thoughts and feelings.
He supposed being here was traumatic even if Rhys didn’t remember. He’d read that sometimes just the idea of an upsetting event could trigger something in an amnesia patient’s psyche. And in this instance, Rhys might’ve picked up on the danger of the situation.
“No way could you get me up there,” Sam blurted, coming to stand beside them. “The probability of something happeni—”
“Sam!” Emerson warned, cutting him off.
“Not sure I can either,” Rhys replied with a hollow laugh.
Audrey gasped. “But it’s part of who you are.”
Rhys shrugged. “Maybe not anymore. It feels different. At least right now.”
When their eyes met, there was sadness and worry in Rhys’s gaze, like maybe he didn’t know who he was anymore or didn’t quite recognize himself. And Emerson knew all too well what that felt like.
Audrey looked upset, and Emerson felt like he was supposed to say something, but he didn’t know what. Fuck, this was turning into a miserable outing.
“Life is full of surprises, isn’t it?” Rhys added. “But it was a nice drive, and it’s cool to be outside.”
“There was a sign on that path to a scenic overlook.” Audrey pointed in the direction of a tree-shaded area. “Does anyone want to walk for a bit?”