Page 9

CHAPTER 9

blue

“ G et away from me,” I growled at the nearest nurse trying to adjust my IV. “All of you. Get. Out.” There were too many people in this room. My tears were making them all blurry, and the panic in my chest was trying to drown me. I just needed to think. Needed all of them to go away for a minute. “Especially you,” I barked at the man who swore he was my dad. Jerkwad was doing nothing but causing problems, ticking everybody off, and stressing me the heck out. “ Now. You can come back when you can act like you have some sense. But bring your ID because I still don’t believe we’re related.”

He put his hands on his hips and hunkered down, ready for a fight.

“I think you’d better go, Mr. Bishop,” the nurse standing at the computer said. Still, he stood rooted in place. She sighed. “It is completely normal for someone in his state to feel panicked. You are exacerbating the problem by your proximity. We’ll come get you once he’s calmed down.”

The man swore and stormed out of the room. Two nurses followed him out.

The other man stayed though. The one who was leaning against the wall by the window, watching me like he was trying to puzzle something out. The computer nurse remained, but she could barely be bothered to look up from typing, which was fine by me.

Why didn’t I know any of these people? Why didn’t I know me ?

They’d been poking and prodding me for hours. They’d run me through a horrible CT scan with flashing lights that made my headache skyrocket to migraine level. Stupid thing had sent me into a panic attack, because apparently I was claustrophobic.

“Your name is Blue? Or is that a nickname?” The nurse read from the computer screen.

“What?” I spat. “Is that a joke? Are you trying to be funny right now? I can’t remember a freaking thing and you’re going around making jokes. Just awesome.” I huffed. “Nobody in their right mind would name their kid after that dog on Blue’s Clues. Try again.”

“That’s exactly what I said the first time I heard your name,” the man by the window muttered and finished with a low, frustrated laugh.

My jaw dropped. “She’s being serious?” I said to him. “My parents actually named me Blue?”

“That they did.” He nodded.

“Unbelievable. Tell that jackass who claims to be my dad to get back in here so I can give him a piece of my mind. Blue.” I snorted. “Why would anyone do that to their own kid?”

“Oh, I think it’s worked out just fine for you,” the man said with a bob of the head. He was wearing a tracksuit with the initials UK on it and he kept insisting he was my offensive coordinator. But I’d never seen the guy before in my life. I would’ve remembered if he was my coach. But then, for the hundredth time, I reminded myself that I didn’t remember anything. The panic tried to suffocate me again. I squirmed, blinking back tears as I fought to stay above the waves that were trying to pull me under.

He pushed away from the wall, determination in his expression. “Blue, we need to make a statement to the press and?—”

“Stop talking.” I pounded my fist against the mattress. “Don’t you say another word about football and the University of Knoxville.” I glared at him. “And get somebody in here that I know.”

“Maybe the press can wait,” the nurse said calmly to the coach. “For now, why don’t you see if there’s someone in the waiting room that might have a calming influence on him. A friend? Or…does he have a girlfriend out there?” she asked as if there was a sorority of cookie cutter girlfriends just hanging out in the waiting area, doing their nails together, while their busted up boyfriends got poked and prodded in one of these hospital rooms.

The coach huffed out of the room. A minute later, another guy walked in. Somebody around my age. Sucker was stupid tall.

“Did your momma mate with one of those clowns that walk around on stilts?” I asked.

Stilts tossed his chin up and chuckled. “Nice to see you’re still a smart alec.”

Oh, I liked him. “Are we friends?” I asked, trying to sit up all the way. I was tired of lying at an uncomfortable sixty-degree angle.

The nurse immediately put a hand out, stopping me. “You. Stay down. I mean it. The doctor hasn’t checked your chart yet.”

“Well, tell him to get in here,” I growled.

Stilts nodded and jammed his hands into his pockets. “Yeah. We’re friends, roommates, teammates. We both play football for UK, the University of Knoxville.”

I waved my hands. “So I’ve been told. I’m supposed to believe I’m some hotshot QB who?—”

The words stopped dead in my throat when the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen—probably—walked into the room. Dark hair and dark eyes that managed to still be bright even though they were black as night. She had a perfectly shaped face—like it was AI-generated. Completely flawless. Her skin looked soft as velvet. She was wearing a tight football jersey-style shirt with the same team colors as almost everyone I’d met tonight. But none of the others filled theirs out like that.

It wasn’t just her looks, though I couldn’t have ignored them if I wanted to. It was the feeling she put in my chest. All whooshy and warm, like someone reached in and lit my heart on fire. The thrust of my heartbeat made me a little dizzy. The heart monitor beeped faster. Stilts smirked.

“Holy…” My head gave a little shake, trying to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. The movement sent a burst of pain shooting over my right brow. I closed my eyes shut until it subsided. “I was about to say hell, but I think this might be heaven.” I stared right at her, not caring that I was making an idiot of myself. “You’re my girlfriend, right? Please tell me you’re my girlfriend.”

Blush lit up her gorgeous face and it stole my air.

She shook her head. “No.”

My stomach plummeted.

I glared at Stilts. “She’s your girlfriend? Did you bring her in here to flaunt it in my face? You thought my day wasn’t bad enough already?”

He grinned. “Nah, man. I just met her today.”

So not his girlfriend either. I blanched and swore right before my next thought came straight out of my mouth. “Please don’t be my sister.”

Stilts chuckled. Seemed like that’s all he knew how to do.

A smile spread across the girl’s face and it was like the sun bursting through parted clouds after a week of solid rain. “I used to be your girlfriend.”

I gaped, not sure I’d heard her right. But she held my stare, steady and honest.

“No.” I shook my head again. “Nuh-uh, there’s no way. I would not have let you get away.”

“Good gracious,” the nurse muttered. “Shameless.” She shook her head, but her eyes never left the computer screen.

The girl glanced at Stilts. “Does he always flirt like this?”

“Eh. Not really. He doesn’t really need to.” They shared a look. “I guess you just have that effect on him.”

I tried to sit up again. Again the nurse put a hand out, stopping me. I rolled my eyes and it hurt. “What do you mean? We dated but you don’t know if I flirt like this?”

She didn’t respond. Just scowled, her smile completely fading. I didn’t like that. Nope. Not one bit.

“You must’ve broken up with me,” I prodded. That was the only explanation. No way it had happened the other way around. I tried to remember her. Tried to remember what had happened to us. But, like everything else, there was only a frustrating void.

She folded her arms and chewed her bottom lip, looking uncomfortable with this line of questioning. “Um…you moved away. Today is the first time I’ve seen or talked to you in four years.”

I didn’t know what to do with that information. It was bull crap. No way would I have let her slip away. But four years seemed like a lot to unpack and my head already hurt.

Both of them were standing frozen at the end of my bed like they were nervous or scared. “Why are you way over there?” I asked her.

Her eyes widened, looking a little shocked at my forwardness. I was a little shocked myself. But, I couldn’t remember anything and I was stuck in this stupid bed. There should be some perks, like saying exactly what I wanted to.

She let out a little laugh and walked over to my right side. Then she looked down at me and another massive smile lit up her face. Her eyes were doing this twinkling thing. Oh, she was happy to see me.

She looked down at the floor, biting her bottom lip. “Hi.” That one word and the way she said it was the best thing anyone had said all night. She held out her hand, amused. “I’m Anna. Anna Dupree.”

My head snapped back—ouch—but you better believe I took her hand. I shook it and then squeezed. And I didn’t let go. “Dupree? Are you related to that singer from Whiskey and Women?”

The nurse glanced up, her brow arching. “You remember who Whiskey and Women is, but you don’t remember her? Or him?” She nodded to Stilts. “Or your dad?”

I pursed my lips. “I remember what I remember, okay? I don’t make up the rules.”

Gorgeous Anna laughed and it was like wind chimes on a spring morning. “Yeah.” She grinned. “Ford Dupree is my uncle.” Then she tipped her head back at the ceiling and let out a little groan. “Or he was.”

Stilts chuckled again like they were sharing an inside joke.

My forehead crunched. “Was?”

She looked back down at me. “I disowned him today.” But I could tell by the way she said it she was kidding.

“Here.” Stilts walked over and put his phone in my hand. Then he pushed play on a TikTok video. Huh. So I remembered Whiskey and Women and TikTok but not her. How could I not remember her ?

It took a second for me to realize I was watching myself. And her. Mostly I was watching her. On a football field, with a crazy amount of spectators. We hugged and I grinned. Oh, she was crying. Against my neck. And I looked happy about it. Thrilled.

When it was over and I handed back the phone, I was the one chuckling. “You like me.” I clicked my tongue. “Imma get you back.” She blushed again and tucked her hair behind her ear. I squeezed her hand, which I was still holding. “We’ll invite your uncle to the wedding. He can be the best man.”

“Oh my gosh. Stawp.” She rolled her eyes but giggled.

“What’s your name?” I asked Stilts, as I threaded my fingers through Anna’s. She totally let me too.

Stilt’s mouth was upturned, laughing at me brazenly holding her hand. I didn’t care.

“Madden. Frist.”

“Madden.” I scoffed. “And you play football? Just like the video game? Your momma and daddy had your life planned out from conception.”

Now he scoffed. “You’re one to talk, Blue Bishop.”

I shook my head. “I don’t believe y’all. That isn’t my name. You all think you’re funny. And now that I’ve got amnesia or whatever, you’re trying to pull one over on me.”

A doctor walked into the room. A no-nonsense guy with gelled brown hair and thick-rimmed glasses, wearing his fancy white jacket that said “I am in charge here.” “All right. Party’s over. You two need to head on out. Visiting hours ended four hours ago.” I checked the clock. Two a.m. “You can come back tomorrow morning at eight.”

Anna took a step to go, but I tugged on her hand, pulling her back to me.

“Nuh-uh.” I shook my head, pushing through the pain it caused. “The girl stays. Or I’m outta here.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” the nurse said. “And she’ll come back tomorrow. Won’t you, Anna Dupree?”

Before Anna could agree I shook my head once more and tightened my grip. She totally squeezed back. She didn’t want to go. “Nope,” I said. “She stays. Or I will get my amnesia’d butt up out of this bed and leave. Wherever she goes, I go. The end.”

The doctor’s eyes narrowed and his lips pursed for a moment. “Fine.” He nodded at the nurse, motioning for her to follow him into the hall.

I was acting like a complete tool to the doctor and nurses, but truth was, I’d thought I was going insane until Anna walked in. When she’d entered the room, she’d brought peace with her. If she left me alone, here with all these other strangers, I might actually tip over the edge and end up in the mental ward. I stared up at Anna, unabashedly watching her. Which made her blush some more. I could look at that face all dang day.

I pulled her onto the bed next to me, scooting over to make room. She snuggled into my side, making all kinds of happy things happen in my gut region. Oh, she smelled good. Like some kind of flower I couldn’t quite place.

I tossed my chin up at Stilts. “You should come back tomorrow. I like you.”

“Sure. I’ll be here.” He walked over and offered me his fist.

I stared at it. “What am I supposed to do with that?”

Anna leaned forward and bumped her knuckles to his to demonstrate. “It’s called a fist bump.”

“Oh, niiice. I like that.” I mimicked what she’d done.

Stilts tossed his chin up once more. “I’m glad you’re okay, Blue,” he said and then walked out of the room.

I leaned back against the pillow and turned my head, staring right into Anna’s dark eyes. Which, now that the light was on them, I realized weren’t as dark as I’d thought. They were more amber than black. And they were really pretty like the rest of her.

“Hey,” I said in a low, smoldering voice. I was already starting to figure her out. She giggled, which is exactly why I’d done it.

“Hey.” She matched my energy. At least, she tried. But I could already tell being a shameless flirt was not in her wheelhouse. My hair fell into my eyes, blocking my view. She reached over and brushed it back, sending more happy feelings down to the gut region. “Your mom is going to be upset when she sees you. She hates it when your hair gets in your eyes.”

I tucked her hair behind her ear. Hey, if she could do it, so could I. While I was there, I let my fingers trail across her cheek. I was right. Her skin really was like velvet. “My mom’s coming?”

She nodded and reached up for my hand that was now trailing down her jaw. She pulled it against her chest. Double hand holding with this stunner? Absolutely, yes.

“She should be here in a few hours,” she said.

“Do I like my mom?”

“Yeah. She’s a really good lady. And your little brother is coming. Colt. He’d be fifteen now?” Her eyes darted up, doing the math in her head. “Yeah. Fifteen.”

“And I like Colt?”

“I think so. You used to, for sure. You were really protective of him.”

We stared into each other’s eyes and I hated that I couldn’t remember her.

“Please tell me you don’t have a boyfriend, Anna Dupree.” It came out like a prayer. There was nothing I wanted more. Not even getting my memory back.

Now her fingers were brushing over my cheek, not at all like someone who had a boyfriend. “It’s complicated.”

“Tell me?”

But she didn’t. She just stared into my eyes. “I missed you, Blue Bishop. So much.” The way she said it stabbed me in the chest. I’d hurt her. Maybe we’d hurt each other.

I pulled her hand to my mouth and kissed her knuckles. “You don’t have to miss me ever again.”

She smiled just barely. “Is that how this is going to go? You’re just gonna come shooting back into my life like you never left?”

“Yes. One hundred percent.” She giggled but I was dead serious. “I don’t know that guy who left you. But he was a complete fool. This guy though. He might not know much…” I shrugged. She laughed and it came straight out of her nose as an adorable snort. “But I know he’s never leaving you again.” I blew out my breath, a little overwhelmed. “I think I had a love-at-first-sight moment when you walked in here. Is that how it went the first go ’round?”

She sighed. It was so cute. “Yeah. For me at least. And I think for you too. That’s what you said anyway.”

“You didn’t believe me?”

“No. I did. But then you left…”

Again with the unpacking.

“Well, I’m never leaving you again,” I repeated and I knew it was true. Whatever had kept us apart before, it wouldn’t happen twice. I wouldn’t let it.

Her head tilted. “Blue,” she said in a hush. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

I studied her. There was a freckle above her right eyebrow, a tiny scar over the left one. Her eyes were so serious. Man, she was gorgeous. With all my might, I tried to remember something .

“Stay with me,” I said. “Don’t leave when my mom gets here. I don’t know her.”

She adjusted her head on the pillow. “You don’t know me .”

“Yeah, I do,” I whispered. “I just can’t remember. But I know I do. I can feel it right here.” I lifted our hands and bumped them against my breastbone. “Tell the truth. I know you, Anna Dupree. Don’t I? Like way deep down inside?”

She paused for two heartbeats. “Yeah. You do.” She gave me a gentle smile. “And I know you too.”

“So, you’ll stay?” I needed her to. Desperately.

Her eyes went serious, considering it too long. For a moment I thought she would say no. Worry crossed her expression, like staying with me might cost her something that mattered a lot. But I couldn’t take it back, and I didn’t want to. She pushed my bangs back again, her fingertips barely brushing my forehead. “Yeah. I’ll stay. For as long as you need.”

I relaxed and smiled. Then I let go of her hands, but only so I could pull her into my arms. She laid her head against my shoulder and wrapped an arm around my back. We lay there, just breathing together, calm infusing the air around us. It felt like I’d been away for a really long time, and I’d finally come home. Somehow, deep in my gut, I just knew. Being with her must’ve been the best time of my life.

I hoped she knew what she’d agreed to. Or maybe it was better that she didn’t. ’Cause I was pretty sure I was going to need her forever.