Page 47 of Make You Love Me
“Fair enough. I think Nora is pretending to be my girlfriend because she thinks I can’t remember us breaking up. Some moments of our relationship are clear, like they happened yesterday, and some are blurry. Why would she do that? And why would Josie go along with it? She hates Nora.”
“Wow.” Jackson’s light blue eyes darken before he rises and paces to the window, his fingers gripping his chin. With his long hair tied up into a loose bun, I have a clear view of the tension that popped into his jaw and shoulders at the mention of my predicament.
“You knew, didn’t you?”
How could everyone I know be in on this deceit? Everyone but Avery, who may be the only person I can trust right now.
Jackson spins around. “The doctors recommended that we not correct you. That you be allowed to remember on your own to reduce stress. They didn’t know the implications of that advice. No one was thrilled about it, but we all had your best interest in mind.”
“Who asked you to play along?”
“Jordan. That doesn’t—”
“It was Josie, right?”
“She loves you so much. She didn’t want to see you get hurt again. At least, not until you were stronger.”
“But she’s not here, having to see or deal with any of it.”
My pulse drums in my ears, and if Jackson said anything further, I didn’t process it. Josie left when I needed her most. She’s usually the one I go to when I need to talk through any dilemma. Nora lied and led me to believe she was falling for me. After last night, how could I not think that? She touched me with more desire and love than I’ve ever felt from her, and my own grew over the hours we spent in each other’s arms.
Then there’s Sergeant Montgomery and Jackson, who are some of my closest friends. Marines are supposed to have each other’s back. Not go along with pointless charades that will only blow up at the first opportunity. Guess we stepped on that landmine today and there can be no putting any of it back in the proverbial ground.
Poor injured, fragile Jordan.Is that what they all think of me? Is that what drew them all to deceive me? Did they expect me to roll over and accept it? Screw them. Fuck that.
Feeling capable and strong after my workout with Avery, I rise from the chair. Angry bolts of lightning shoot through my left hip and leg, but I hold steady and bite back a grimace in response.
“Jordan. What are you doing?” Jackson asks, rushing toward me.
“I need some air.”
“Sit down. Let me take you,” he offers, but the last thing I want to do is talk about this with anyone involved.
“No. You’ve done enough.” Ignoring the resulting pain, I plant my weight on my casted leg long enough to move the other toward the door. I continue to wobble toward the front desk where I find Avery talking to the receptionist.
With a confused glance behind me, presumably at Jackson, she rushes to lift my right arm and sets her shoulders under it for support.
“What are you doing?” she asks, panic grating her voice.
“Getting out of here.”
“Why? Are you okay?” She places a hand on my chest, and her eyes widen at the rapid thumping inside.
“I’m fine.”
“Where’s your ride?”
“Busy. Are you free?” Since my pride has been trampled to an irrevocably low level, I take no issue with exploiting her friendly compassion.
“I am. I just had the morning shift today.”
“Mind taking me somewhere?”
“Sure, but you’ll have to get back into the wheelchair. I can’t carry you to the car.”
Chapter 13
Jordan
