Page 49 of Make You Love Me
“Diving in headfirst, are we?” I snatch up the beer as the waiter sets it on the table. “I can’t even get five minutes of warm up first?”
“Like ripping off the bandage. Easier to not think about it too much before yanking.”
I wince at the analogy. I’ve ripped off plenty of bandages in my lifetime as a reckless boy and later in the military. It’s never pleasant when arm or leg hair is involved. This conversation will be no different, and I suspect I’ll be bald and exposed in no time.
“I’ve gathered that Josie…my sister,” I clarify when she tilts her head in question, “asked her to play along. Jackson said he was asked, for my well-being, and she would be the only one with details about my injuries and the balls to set all this up.”
“Sounds like she was just looking out for you.”
“I thought you were on my side.”
“I am. One hundred percent, but I don’t think she did it to hurt you. I assume you two are close?”
“She’s the only family I have, and she’s been taking care of me since I was a kid.” I think back to the dozen other times she’s made decisions to protect me or prevent me from getting hurt. All I’ve appreciated until now. “But this one cut deep. Imagine loving someone with your entire being and waking up one day to find the future you thought you had with them was a lie.”
Avery’s gaze fell to the table as her thoughts drifted. “I don’t have to imagine. I know intimately what that feels like.”
“You do? What happened?”
“I thought I’d be with Jackson for all my days, but he felt differently.”
“What?” I sit back in my chair, my hand dropping to my lap. Jackson is a disgustingly happy married man, and I didn’t know there had been someone before Emily. When we all served together, the guys would joke about Jackson being married to the Marines because it had been his life’s purpose and he never dated. I assumed he met Emily during his rehab with Avery since she’s also a physical therapist. Dumbfounded, I ask, “You and Jackson dated? When?”
“Shortly after he returned to Richmond. It only lasted a few months, but I’ve loved him my entire life.”
“I don’t…I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s fine.” She waves a hand in the air. “We’re not here to talk about me. Did something happen to bring back your memories?”
“I had a seizure.”
“Oh, my god.”
“As you put it, it’s fine. Not my first. Probably not my last. Side effect of the concussion from hell.”
“Jordan. That’s terrible.”
“Yeah. But not as terrible as remembering the morning after you had the best sex of your life with the person you love. The same person you thought was with you because they cared about you. Now, I’m wondering if she was just using me for my dick.”
“Hmm.” She hides her amusement behind her glass as she takes a sip.
“What?”
“For her to fake date you in your condition and with your history…it can’t bethatmagnificent.”
“What can’t bethatmagnificent?” I ask, setting down the beer I picked up before the odd question left her mouth.
“Your…” She wiggles a finger at my lap.
I look down, solve the mystery, then return her gaze with a smug grin. “She always seemed to think so. Seemed to think so last night with each of her four orgasms.”
Her jaw goes lax before she slowly closes it. “You’re exaggerating. Who has four orgasms?”
“She does, apparently.”
Avery tosses the straw from her glass and gulps down half the liquid inside. It dribbles down her chin before she catches it with a napkin.
“You’re blushing.”
