Page 72 of Game Changer

He thought for a moment, grimaced, as though thinking hurt.

My brain feels like it’s exploding inside my fucking skull.

“Eh… I don’t know.” He was starting to get frustrated. “WhyamI here?” he asked as he reached up tentatively and touched the bandages wrapped around his face.

Why the hell is my face covered. What the hell happened to me?

“It’s ok, please try not to panic. You had an accident on the ice during a game a few days ago. You have had surgery and were in a coma. But you’re awake now and we are working on getting you back fighting-fit.” she assured him. “Let’s try moving your toes.”

He obliged, and she did a few more physical exercises with him. “We’ll send you for a few tests in the morning, but for now, AJ, please rest and allow your body to heal. Don’t force it. When you’re awake, by all means, try and talk to your friends in small doses – but don’t push yourself. It’s still early days and things are going to be very foggy for a while. It’ll take time. You’ll probably feel dazed and confused, and your body may not work the way you expect it to right away, ok? If you’re in pain, the nurse can give you something. Do you have any questions?”

Oh, only about thirteen thousand.

AJ shook his head slightly; he was barely awake and fighting sleep.

“Doctor?” Lisa asked quietly from her corner, not taking her eyes of AJ. “What was his score?”

“He’s at a thirteen,” she answered, sympathetically. “Much improved.” AJ was starting to doze and the doctor lowered her voice a little.

Speak up…AJ yawned,I can’t hear what you’re telling the Irish girl, Linda.

“I didn’t expect him to not remember who I am,” she sobbed into Jeremy’s shoulder when the doctor left. “I mean, I knew it could be a possibility, but I never really believed he would wake up and not know who I was!”

“I know,” Jeremy answered rubbing her back. “He’ll get there though. He loves you way too much to forget you.”

I don’t even know who she is, how can I love someone I don’t even know?

Chapter 21

She’s been asleep leaning on this bed for a while, should I wake her? She looks so peaceful and she was so upset earlier.

He had started to recall snippets of his missing memory. He remembered disjointed moments with Lisa but they were juxtaposed with memories of Britt, Ana, Ange and other friends. In flashes, he recalled an overwhelming surge of emotion for Lisa. He knew he was deeply fond of her, even if his mind was like someone had shaken up a bag of scrabble tiles.

I remember her eyes… and smile… I miss her eyes.

She jolted awake and glanced across to Jeremy’s empty chair.

“You’re awake,” AJ stated.

She sat upright and looked at him.

Those eyes.

“Yes…” she started, sounding panicked. “I’m sorry, I just… you were sleeping and…”

“It’s ok, Lisa,” he said softly. “Don’t apologize.”

“Do you remember me?” she asked hopefully.

“A little. Flashes of memories. Like someone dropped a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle, only the puzzle is my memory.”

Game analogies seem to be the easiest way to describe what this feels like. I feel like a Lego kit that’s been broken apart and put back together without the instructions. It’s so hard to put into words.

She nodded slowly. “You should probably rest,” she encouraged.

“Please don’t,” he begged. “Please. I hate it when I’m sleeping. I keep having strange dreams, I can’t tell what’s real and what isn’t. That doesn’t happen when I’m awake. Please let me enjoy these few minutes before I’m dragged back into sleep?”

Please don’t leave me,panic overwhelmed him and he instantly felt like a child afraid of the dark.

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