Page 22 of Death, Interrupted

I paused and slowed my breathing. I was talking too fast. Sly watched me the whole time, thoughts flickering behind his eyes, trying to make sense of it.

“I followed to the hospital. They stapled the wound, ran scans, and did some tests. Then the doctor hit me with something that gave me relief and also upset me.”

“And what’s that?”

I studied him for a second. I’d thought about lying, just to make it easier. But he didn’t deserve a lie. For five days, stalking and all, he’d been making sure I was okay. That alone was more care than Joey ever managed. Sly never meant any harm toward me.

“Joey lost his memory that night. And he lost memory of me.”

Something sparked in Sly’s eyes. It was a surprise, and a thin strip of gloating he tried to smother. He bit the inside of his cheek and looked at the floor, sorting himself out.

“So…the man slams his head on a table, passes out, bleeds like a waterfall, and loses the one piece of information I actually respected him for knowing.” His gaze lifted to mine as he threw his hands into the air. “Perfect. Ten out of ten.”

I pressed my lips into a line. “Thought you’d be excited. You got the easy way out. Again.”

“I’m not exactly excited he’s alive. That goes against everything I’ve planned since I was young. Since the early days of his tormenting me. Hell, I crossed his death off my kill list that night. I can’t uncross it.”

I rolled my eyes. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you made it about you. There’s something seriously wrong with you, Sly. I said he’s alive and has major memory loss, and you centered yourself.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do?” His facesoftened almost immediately. “Fuck. I’m sorry. You’re right. This isn’t about me.”

He took a small step toward me and reached for my hand. I pulled back before he could touch me. I wasn’t ready for that. I needed him to stay back for now.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, quieter this time. “I guess you’re out, too. I mean, if he doesn’t remember you, you’re surely not going to remind him about your relationship.”

No, I wouldn’t. I’d be stupid. I didn’t want to get back with him and act like all the abuse never happened. Just because he couldn’t remember, it didn’t mean I didn’t.

“No,” I said. “I’m not going back to him.”

“Good. So you’re single.”

“Sly.” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “That’s not the point.”

“Yeah, shit. I know.” He moved but stopped himself from reaching for me again. “I don’t know everything he put you through. I do know you’re better off without him, and you deserve better. I’m not saying I’m everything you need. But I’m saying I’d treat you how you deserve to be treated.”

Those were big words. I’d heard big words before, followed by the opposite. I wanted to believe him. I knew it wasn’t fair to put him in the same box as Joey because of my history, but I couldn’t let another man in unless I knew he was worth it.

I studied him, then gave a small smile. “I can’t let you get close to me. Not right now.”

“I get it.” His voice stayed steady. The cockiness dropped for once. “I’ll give you whatever space you need. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

Any other woman’s heart would’ve melted at those words. Mine didn’t. I’d learned not to open so fast, especially after the damage Joey did. It took me too long to admit that his behavior toward me wasn’t okay.

I waited to speak until the woman debating tissues finally moved on. “I’ll be okay eventually. I don’t need you to stick around.”

“But I want to,” he said.

“Why?” I asked, brows pulled tight.

“Because…” He dragged his fingers through his hair, looking a little wrecked and unsure. I hadn’t seen that on him before, and it did something to me. He wasn’t afraid to show emotions, something Joey never did. Unless it was anger. That red flag faded over time because I got used to it. That was on me.

“Because when you walked in, that was it for me,” he said. “Something shifted in me. I don’t know every detail of what he did to you, but I saw it in your eyes that you’ve been hurting because of him. Maybe I’ve got a hero complex and want to save you from your past, but I truly want to be there and treat you with the respect you deserve. From the first second I saw you—”

A woman eased her cart between us and reached for the tissue boxes as if we were scenery. Sly exhaled, throwing his hands up. “Ma’am, we’re having a serious, honest conversation here.”