Page 73 of Forget Me Not
“Thank you, Aimi,” Bas said reverently. “Syve left a little bit ago—not that I’m not glad you cameby—”
“I know, she called me on her way home. I came to see you. Well, to yell at you, actually. Syve said you were finally awake, so I came to tell you how much of a dipshit I think you are. You think out of everyone on this planetsheof all people needs to worry about someone almost dying because they’re being stupid?” she admonished, wildly gesturing with her arms all the while. “But…I’m glad you’re okay.”
A melodious trill emanated from Aimi’s bag, catching all three of their attentions. She quickly dug her phone from her tiny plastic, neon yellow backpack. After a double take at the screen, her shoulders slumped and her playful smile disappeared.
“What’s wrong?” Both men asked simultaneously.
Aimi looked up from her phone, misery painted across her features. “It’s Syve.”
Bastien’s heart thumped wildly in his chest.
“She missed the deadline for the grant submission. She needed to submit everything on Monday…”
Nausea overwhelmed him. Though Aimi’s tone showed no sign of accusation, Bas could not help but feel heavy with guilt.
Aimi must have noticed the change in his demeanor, because she added, “If you blame yourself, it will only make her feel worse. So don’t do that. Seriously. Don’t.”
Cyrus asked her something; the two of them argued while Bastien spiraled.
Don’t blame yourself.That was easier said than done.
“Will you tell me?” he blurted. Aimi and Cy both turned to look at him, confused. “If there’s something we can do—something I can do? I know she really needed that grant…maybe there’s another one?”
Aimi held up a hand silencing him.
“Just let her process this—don’t tell her I told you either! Let her tell you on her own.” She raised her eyebrows, silently demanding secrecy from each of them before softening. “But, yes. If there is anything you can do—not you, put your wallet away!” She pointed a finger in Cyrus’ face. “I will letyouknow if you can do anything,” she said to Bastien.
Cyrus scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“Butcher boy,” Aimi added softly. “I really am glad you’re okay, not just for her sake. And if Cam says anything, I don’treallythink you smell like a wet dog.”
Before he could respond, she was gone, Cyrus trailing after her.
Bastien turned his head to sniff his shoulder—he actuallydidsmell like a wet dog.Time for a shower and some clean sheets.
At least three, maybe five, hours had passed since Aimi left and aside from the ten minutes he spent showering—he had spent every single second digging anddiggingfor any kind of loophole that could be used to help Syve. He wished Dez was there. If anyone could find a solution, it would be him.
Dez. It was the twentieth of August. That meant he had gone and gotten himself shot on the anniversary of his brother’s death.
Groaning in frustration he dropped his phone in his lap and buried his face in his hands.
“Well, I guess that answers my first question.”
Bas peeked between his fingers to see Cam unloading a large plastic container onto the TV tray by his bed. “How are you? Just peachy, thanks for asking. You’re very welcome, Bastien.” She acted out their conversation and Bas could not keep from laughing when she dramatically lowered her voice to imitate him.
“I donotsound like that!” he complained, adding incredulously, “I don’t!”
When she raised an eyebrow, he asked, “What is all this?”
Cam sighed, dropping into the corner chair Cyrus usually occupied.
“Well, I made the mistake of having Aimi on speaker phone when she called to tell me you were sick. Kayla overheard and she has been all over me to make her Uncle Bas soup.” She huffed a laugh with a palm to her forehead. “I told her you wouldn’t want any while you were sleeping, but she wasn’t having it. The second Syve messaged the group chat saying you were awake and probably not contagious anymore, I dove right into the kitchen.” She cracked open the lid to the bowl, giving a Vanna White wave as she did. “I present my great-aunt Aggie’s famous homemade chicken noodle soup!”
“Uncle Bas? Does that mean I have Kayla’s approval to stick around?” He laughed. “But seriously, thank you. This looks amazing.”
“Actually, we all approve of you, so you better plan on sticking around. Syve…she’s been acting more likeSyvesince you two started hanging out. I’m not saying she needs to be fixed, but she’s definitely a little broken. I’m just glad to see she’s ready to glue the pieces together, instead of throwing them away.”
Bas hung his head. Sure, she said that now, but would she still think the same when she learned that he had cost Syve her shop?
