Page 3 of Starlight Witch

Kyle bit his lip. “I have something to tell you?—”

“Who is it?” Faron’s voice echoed from the living room.

“It’s Elphyra,” Kyle yelled back.

My heart skipped a beat as Faron’s voice hit my ears. “Can I see him?”

“Yes, of course,” Kyle said, but there was a hesitation in his words that made me nervous. “But…don’t get your hopes up. Please.”

I followed him into the living room, holding my breath. Faron was sitting in a recliner, his feet up. He smiled when he saw me and his smile made me feel like the stars had come out.

“Elphyra, hey—are you here to see me?” His gaze was curious, his voice surprised.

That didn’t bode well. “Yes, I am. Here, I brought you flowers. Welcome home?—”

“Oh, this is Kyle’s home,” he said. “I don’t live here—my house is a few blocks away. I’m staying here during my recuperation.”

I handed him the flowers, trying not to show a reaction. I’d been to Faron’s house several times. Didn’t he remember? “Right. I’m glad you have your brother to help.”

“So am I. I can’t imagine weathering this without him.” He glanced over at Kyle. “You’re a lifesaver.”

Kyle laughed. “Here, let me take those. I’ll put them in some water.” He took the bouquet from me, heading toward the kitchen.

I turned back to Faron, waiting expectantly.

“Have a seat, please.” He was pleasant, polite, and it felt like I was some random stranger who had just happened to visit. “My brother tells me you helped him pass the time while he was waiting on me in the hospital. Thank you…your support has meant so much to him. I can tell. He really likes you.” He paused, then added, “I know we met a couple times before the accident. You seem familiar. I think we’ve talked several times, correct? You’ll have to excuse me. The accident left several holes in my memory.”

Accident? My heart plummeted. His expression was expectant, but it was clear that he didn’t remember that we’d slept together, that we’d been dating. I wanted to go over, give him a hug and a kiss, but that was a bad idea right now. It might overload him.

I forced myself to sit down near him and plastered a smile on my face. “We had several…discussions, yes. You say the…accident…affected your memory?”

“Unfortunately, yes. When the rubble hit me in the head, my short-term memory—things that have happened in the past five or six months—short-circuited.”

I forced myself to avoid reacting. Accident? There had been no accident—we’d been assaulted by Bree’s stalker. But I kept my mouth shut.

Faron continued. “I’m truly sorry, but I don’t remember us meeting before, though as I said, you look familiar.”

His easy smile invited me to slide down beside him, to lean in beside him, to stroke his hair back out of his eyes. The long black locks had been shaved on one side, where they’d had to go in and do whatever it was doctors did in brain injury cases. I clenched my fists in my lap, sitting perfectly still.

After a moment, I let out a slow breath. “I’m sorry, too,” I said, glancing at Kyle, who was staring at the floor, a downcast look on his face. “Kyle, can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Of course.” He sounded like he’d rather do anything but talk to me. He led me out of the living room, into the kitchen, where he turned around, leaning against the counter. “I should have told you before. But we don’t know how long it will be—if ever—before he regains his missing memories. I kept hoping he’d remember as the days went by, before I had to tell you.”

“He doesn’t know we slept together…that he and I were growing close.” I ducked my head. “What does he think?”

“That you’re a friendly acquaintance. He seems to be under the impression that you and I might have something going on. I’ve talked about you a lot,” he said. Then, at my look, he quickly added, “I was trying to trigger off a memory. It backfired, I guess.”

“I suppose I’m grateful for that,” I said, trying to be gracious. Kyle was trying to help. “And you’re sure I can’t tell him?”

“The doctors are adamant that any sudden shocks to his system or psyche could send him back into a coma. If Faron found out about the two of you, the docs think he’d strain his brain trying to force the memories. They say that it might take him several months to remember everything. By the end of December, we’ll revisit whether to try to prod the memories he still doesn’t remember.”

I grimaced. The thought of waiting that long was excruciating. I wanted to be part of his healing, but if he thought of me as an acquaintance, then I didn’t have any reason to hang around for any significant time.

“Thanks, Kyle,” I said. “This is hard to hear, but I’d rather know the truth.”

“Do you really love my brother?” he asked.

I leaned my head back, resting against the wall. Did I love him? The L-word was fraught with minefields. But to be honest with myself, I had to admit that, yes, I did love the wolf shifter, and I loved Bran. And I wanted them both in my bed and my life.

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