Page 12 of Stone Coast

"This isn't a secure line," he said in a serious voice.

My brow knitted with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You really did suffer brain trauma. You're not just messing with me."

"No, I'm not messing with you."

“I mean, you always did have a dark sense of humor. But letting me think you were dead for several years, then showing up out of the blue might be a stretch, even for you.”

“If it’s any consolation, that sounds like a really shitty thing to do,” I said, cringing.

“Is that your way of apologizing?”

“I guess, but you’ve gotta believe me. I have no memory of that whatsoever.”

After another pause, he said. "There are some things about your past that we should not discuss on an open channel. Where are you?"

"I’m in the Pineapple Bay Hospital." I paused. "Did we work together?"

"I can be there in an hour. I take it you're not going anywhere."

"No, I'm here for a while.”

"Have you talked to anyone else since you regained consciousness?"

"Some guy who thinks he's my boyfriend. A girl who says she's my best friend. The doctor, the nursing staff, and my boss."

"Your section chief?"

I didn't know what he meant.

"No. Ross Jenkins. CEO of… shit, I can’t even remember the name." Then it came to me. “Synovectis Solutions, I think.”

He paused. "I'm on my way. If you talk to anybody else, keep up the blank slate act."

"It's not an act."

"Regardless. Don't talk to anyone about any details regarding your past."

"My past? What did I do? I didn't kill somebody, did I?"

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

I stammered, “Okay. But how will I know it's you? I mean, this new version of me has never seen you before."

"You’ll recognize me. Trust me."

He ended the call, and I was more confused than before I had dialed him.Section chief? My past? Don't talk to anybody?What the hell was going on?

My phone buzzed with a text a few minutes later. It was a picture of a younger version of me with an exceptionally handsome man with dark hair, piercing eyes, and chiseled features. The kind of features that make women swoon and want to remove articles of clothing. By the looks of the picture, I had a feeling I may have removed a few articles of clothing with this man before. I wasn’t entirely opposed to removing articles of clothing again. Maybe that might help spark a few memories. Though in my present condition, I don't think I'd be sparking much of anything with anyone.

I felt a little conflicted about having those feelings. I mean, there was Grayson. I didn’t know how I was supposed to feel.

I waited anxiously for the next hour. I was nervous. What was he going to tell me? Who was I? Would it all come flooding back the moment I saw him?

7

TYSON