Mason Book 3

LAUREN

Lauren.

Lauren, a voice whispered, soft and soothing.

Lauren, it teased, a tickle in my chest.

Lauren.

I woke up, disoriented for a moment before I remembered where I was. I took a deep breath and hit the call button.

My head was pounding again. I couldn’t recall my dream, which only made it worse.

The voice calling my name seemed distant. I couldn’t make out anything else. It sounded desperate, pleading with me to remember.

Who was it?

“Lauren!” A woman burst into my room, startling me. She stood in the doorway, her hand still on the doorknob, her teary eyes locked on mine. “Lauren.”

In a flash, she was at my side. Her hands cupped my face, her sobs shaking her as she held onto my arms. “Oh, Lauren.”

It was awkward. I breathed in her scent—honey and vanilla.

Before I could ask who she was—if she was my mother because she looked both terrified and overjoyed to see me—more people rushed into the room. It was too much.

“Mum, give her some space,” a young woman said, pulling the woman away from me. She had dark hair and blue-gray eyes. Something about her eyes struck me.

She moved closer to my bed. “I’m glad you’re awake, Lauren. I knew you were too stubborn to die like that.”

“Rebecca!” Her mother’s voice echoed in the room.

“I was just saying, Mum.” She rolled her eyes. “How are you feeling? The doctor said you lost your memories. It’s kind of funny when you think—”

“Rebecca!” her mother shrieked again.

A man pulled Rebecca away from my bed. I looked at him. Another face I didn’t recognize.

Who was he? Dimpled cheeks and hazel eyes. The way he walked over to me, the smile on his face, it felt warm.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Sore,” I said, searching his eyes.

He must have seen my confusion because he quickly apologized.

“Sorry, I’m Gale. One of your best friends,” he said, and something in me believed him. Not because he said it, but because I felt it.

He turned and pointed to Rebecca.

“My sister?” I asked, looking at the older woman. “And she’s my mum, right?” I looked at Gale for confirmation.

The woman quickly pulled up a chair next to my bed. “Yes, Lauren.”

She took my hand. “I’m your mother.” She smiled, her eyes still filled with tears. She sniffed.

I smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I’m fine,” I reassured her. “The doctor said I’m healing fast and my memories will come back. I’m trying to remember, but it’s hard.”

“You shouldn’t force it,” Gale said, hands in his pockets. “Let the memories come back naturally. Don’t push yourself, Lauren.”

“He’s right,” Mum agreed, stroking my cheek. “Just focus on getting better. The memories will return.” She pulled back as if remembering something.

“Have you eaten?” She leaned in. “What do you want? I’ll have them bring all your favorites.” She stood up.

“Mum, are you sure she can eat whatever you’re thinking of?” Rebecca asked. “Maybe we should check with the doctor first.”

“You’re right, Rebecca. Why don’t you take Gale with you to see Dr. Benedict? I’m sure he has a lot to tell you.”

She came back to my side and took my hand, looking at me for a few moments. “Are you in pain?”

I shook my head. “Not much. Are you okay?” I asked, noticing the redness in her eyes. Now that we were alone, I could see the dark circles under her eyes and her pale face.

“I’m fine,” she said, her voice shaky. “These have been the worst two weeks of my life. I’m so glad you’re awake. I’m so glad you’re okay.” Her voice broke, and she covered her mouth to hide her sobs.

I didn’t believe her. I could tell she was hiding something.

“Mum, what’s wrong? Please, tell me what’s happening.” I searched her eyes, filled with sadness and pain that made my heart ache.

“Did something happen? Where’s Dad?” My eyes bore into hers. Something clicked in my head. “Oh, God. Was he in the car with me?” My voice broke.

“No, he wasn’t, Lauren. Your father isn’t here anymore.” Her voice wavered. Her hand rested on my cheek. “I’m a single mother.”

My heart ached for someone I couldn’t remember. A wave of sadness washed over me, so intense that I had to look away, fighting back tears.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Mum said quickly, “but you don’t need to worry about all this. Just focus on getting better so we can get you out of the hospital.”

I nodded, my heart heavy.

Rebecca and Gale came back.

“Dr. Benedict said you can eat anything, but take it easy. He also said you might be able to leave in a week.”

“Did you catch that?” Mom asked, her voice filled with joy. “You’ll be leaving the hospital in a week.”

“Athena mentioned there wasn’t anyone else in the car during the accident. Is that true?”

Mom leaned back, sharing a glance with Rebecca. There was a brief flash of something in their eyes, but it disappeared before I could figure out what it was. Fear surged through me.

“She’s lying, isn’t she?” I demanded, my voice rising. “Was there someone else in the car with me?”

“Yes, there was someone else in the car with you,” Gale blurted out. I clenched my fists, my body stiffening.

Rebecca smacked his arm. “Can’t you keep your mouth shut? You heard the doctor. We can’t shock her. What’s your problem?”

He turned to her. “She’s going to find out eventually. Might as well tell her now.”

I felt like I’d been doused in ice water. “Who was driving?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I was afraid that any sudden movement would cause my chest to explode.

The silence that followed was answer enough. I sucked in a sharp breath. Tears stung my eyes. “Are they okay? Did something happen to them? Did I kill someone?”

I didn’t realize I was gasping for air until Mom yelled for a doctor. I shook my head, tears streaming down my face.

“I’m okay,” I kept repeating. My chest tightened with pain. “I’m okay.”

“Shit, are you trying to kill her?” Athena’s voice echoed through the room as her heels clicked against the floor. She shot Gale an angry look.

“Why would you tell Lauren something like that? Are you ready to take responsibility if something happens to her?” she demanded.

“I don’t want to lie to her,” Gale shot back. “We’ve never lied to each other before. She deserves to know the truth.”

He looked at me. “Lauren, you didn’t kill anyone. The man in the car with you is alive, but he hasn’t woken up yet.”

Everyone was looking at me. I could feel their stares, but I was only focused on the one person who was willing to tell me the truth.

“He’s in a coma?”

He nodded.

I struggled to swallow. “I want to see him.”

“No.” Mom was quick to shut me down. She shook her head. “You just woke up, Lauren. You can’t be walking around—”

“Then get me a wheelchair,” I interrupted her. “I caused the accident. I owe it to him to see him.”

Athena stepped forward. “You didn’t cause the accident. No one blames you for what happened, but you need to get better before you start walking around.”

I nearly collided with Mom as I tried to sit up. “I want to see him,” I told her firmly. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and with or without their help, I was going to get out of this room.

Athena sighed, clearly frustrated. After shooting Gale a glare, she turned her attention back to me.

“Okay, but not right now. We’ll check with his doctors to see if he can have visitors, but I’m not making any promises, Lauren.” She glanced at my mom, and their expressions were filled with worry.

At least that was something.

***

I’d been awake for three days now. The pain wasn’t as bad as it had been when I first woke up, and I wasn’t taking as many painkillers.

I was able to sit up and move around without help after a physical therapist helped me exercise my limbs. I was still not allowed to leave my room. Doctor’s orders.

I felt like I was being kept in the dark. I watched everything that was happening around me. The number of visitors was limited, and I hadn’t seen Gale since that day.

I wasn’t allowed to have a phone, and no one would tell me why. I wanted to know what was happening in the world.

Even the number of TV channels was limited. I felt more like a prisoner than a patient. I didn’t understand why.

People said they cared about me, but I wasn’t sure. Anyone who really cared would be worried about how I was feeling. I wanted to leave. I was tired of staring at the same walls and ceiling.

On the third day, they let me use a mirror. When I looked at my reflection in the bathroom, I was speechless. I gripped the edge of the sink, trying to keep myself steady.

Most of the injuries on my face had healed, but some were still visible. A stranger stared back at me, her hair a strange shade of chestnut, sleek and straight.

My skin was tanned, my eyebrows thick and curved. My eyes were the palest blue imaginable. I pulled away from the mirror and pushed the door open, my mind racing.

Nurse Ivy came to check on me. “Everything okay, Lauren?”

“I can’t believe I’ve lost all my memories. I don’t remember what I like, what I love—if I’ve ever been in love, or what my favorite food is.”

“You will in time,” Nurse Ivy said softly. She moved to my right side, hung up an IV bag, and connected it to a new line in my arm.

A nurse must have put it in while I was sleeping. “That’s what our loved ones are here for, to remind us of what we’ve lost.”

She was right about that.

“Is the man from the accident getting better?”

The nurse smiled. “He’s stable. He has the best doctors on call.”

I yawned. “Is it normal to feel so sleepy? I woke up an hour ago, and I’m already tired again.”

“Your body and brain are on the mend. It’s typical to feel drowsy after a coma. All you need to do is rest and let yourself heal.”

“Am I in the ICU?”

“No, you’re in a VIP room.”

My eyes popped open. “VIP?” I echoed, surprised. I didn’t think we had the money to afford a VIP room.

“Can I please leave this room? Please, Ivy, I know I look like a mess, but I swear I can walk just fine. The pain isn’t too bad. I just need to get out of here.”

“Breathe, Lauren, in through your nose and out through your mouth,” she said, her voice steady, trying to calm me down, but it didn’t work.

Before Nurse Ivy could tell me if she could help, she was paged. She excused herself, promising to get back to me, but I knew it was a lie. It was the same lie Athena had told me.

As soon as she was gone, I sat up and pulled out the IV. Standing up didn’t hurt, and neither did moving my legs.

I made my way to the door. The hallway outside was empty. I stepped out and shut the door behind me, feeling satisfied.

As I slowly walked down the hallway, passing through doors, the lights above were blinding. I didn’t know where to find the man who was in the accident with me.

I didn’t know his name, but I figured I could ask at the front desk. Luckily, I found a nurse who happily checked the computer and told me which room he was in.

I was lucky that he was also in the VIP ward, so I didn’t have to walk far.

I found his room, just five doors down from mine. As I reached for the doorknob, someone opened the door from the inside.

I locked eyes with Athena, who looked surprised to see me. Gale was standing by the man’s bed behind her. I couldn’t see the man’s face, but the sight of his bed made my heart ache. The machines in his room beeped softly.

Athena made me step back, quickly shutting the door before I could get another look inside. She looked nervous, but tried to hide it with a smile.

“Lauren, what are you doing here?”

“Is that him?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. “I want to see him.” I tried to open the door again, but she grabbed my arm and spun me around, blocking my way.

“Wait, Lauren. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” I asked, choosing to be angry. “Why can’t I see him? You said he’s stable, right? I want to see for myself. Please, move.”

Fear and panic surged inside me.

Athena flinched before she steeled herself and explained, “The doctors think it’s better if you don’t see him right now. They don’t know how you’ll react—if your memories will come flooding back or something worse.”

“If there’s a chance my memories will come back after seeing him, isn’t that a good thing?”

“No, it’s not.” She shook her head. “The doctors want your memories to come back slowly.”

“Is that what you’re all doing? Keeping me from seeing him, not giving me my phone when I asked, and not letting me leave my room?

“I’ve been lying in bed for two weeks. I woke up with no memories. I don’t know who I am.” Emotions welled up in my throat and choked my voice until it was barely a whisper.

“How is any of this helping me? Athena, I don’t want to be trapped. I don’t care what happens to me, as long as I feel some connection to something. If there’s a chance that man can help me, I want to take it.”

The door behind us opened.

“For Christ’s sake, let her in, Athena,” Gale said, his voice sharp.

Athena held my gaze for a few more seconds before she sighed and stepped aside.

My heart pounded as I walked into the room and stopped near the doorway. As I tried to move closer to the bed, my legs felt heavy.

I took a deep breath and moved closer to the bed, my eyes landing on the man hooked up to the machines. He was breathtaking. That was the first thought that came to mind.

His jaw was covered in stubble, hiding a strong jawline underneath. He was broad and muscular, and the hospital gown he wore didn’t hide the muscles underneath.

His eyes were closed. He looked peaceful, almost like he was sleeping. There were no bruises on his face or any signs that he had been in an accident.

I rubbed my chest unconsciously, feeling a strange ache inside. My eyes didn’t recognize him.

“His name is Mason,” Gale said.

Mason.

I kept rubbing my chest, moving my hand up and down.

Mason.

My head started to hurt.

Laughter echoed in my head. I love you, Mason. A whisper.

My heart pounded. It raced a mile a minute. Something felt stuck in my chest. It pricked me. Poking at every angle, causing nothing but pain and discomfort.

“Are you okay?” Athena asked, looking at how I was clutching my chest.

I turned my head and dropped my hand. “Does he have a family?”

Gale answered. “He has a wife and a son.”

Oh, God.

My breath quickened, and I looked at him. “I want to apologize to them. I feel like I owe them that, even if I don’t remember the accident. I don’t know if I was driving or not.” I looked back at the bed.

“The wife has made it clear that she doesn’t want to see you. I think it would be best if you don’t meet her, and say goodbye to Mason now.”

“But…”

“I get it,” she said, her voice full of understanding. “Nobody blames you. I think it’s just too hard for her to see you awake when her husband isn’t.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks. She gave my hand a comforting squeeze. “Don’t beat yourself up. You only woke up a few days ago.”

A newspaper sat on the table, the first bit of news I’d seen since waking up.

My hands shook as I reached for it. Athena started to protest, but her words faded when she realized she couldn’t stop me. As I flipped through the pages, I noticed they all had the same date. August 2022.

“Who’s footing the bill for my room?” I asked, setting the newspaper aside to face her. “Can I even afford it?”

“Yes,” Gale replied.

“So, I’m the one paying for it? What kind of job do I have? I doubt they’d be thrilled to find out I’ve lost all my memories and everything I knew about my work. Do I need to start job hunting?”

I tried to keep my voice casual as I swallowed.

“Lauren, you don’t need to worry about a job. Eva’s covering everything.”

I frowned. “Eva?” The name didn’t ring a bell.

“Uh…” Athena scratched her head. “Your mom.” She quickly added, “Let’s head back. I’ll answer all your questions in your room.”

I turned back to look at Mason. Something inside me wanted to hold onto this man I didn’t know. There was a pang in my chest I couldn’t identify, but it disappeared the moment Athena led me out of the room.

Back in my room, Athena helped me onto the bed and settled into a chair. “Are you hungry? Should I get you something to eat?”

I shook my head, not feeling the least bit hungry.

Gale’s phone rang, and he answered, responding with short, one-word answers before turning to Athena.

“I have to go. Work’s calling.” He turned to me and said, “I’ll come back to check on you later, Lauren.” Then he left the room.

“He should’ve taken me with him.” I groaned, running a hand through my hair.

Athena chuckled. “For someone with no memories, you sure do remind me of your old self.”

“What was she like?”

“Tough,” she replied with a grin. “Definitely one of the strongest people I know. You were also kind, loyal, and loved like no one else. That’s what I admire most about you.”

“So, I’ve had my fair share of relationships? I know you can’t tell me much about my life, but you can at least tell me this: do I have a boyfriend?”

Even as I asked, I knew the answer was no. If I had a boyfriend, they would’ve told me. He would’ve been here the moment I woke up.

“No, you don’t have a boyfriend.”

Just as I thought. My only hope was that something would trigger my memories to come back.

Maybe seeing someone or hearing a voice would open the floodgates. It didn’t work with Mason, but maybe it would with someone else.

I rested my head on my pillow, staring out the window. “I wish I could remember my past and the night of the accident.”

For the past few days, I’d tried to feel something for the people who were supposedly my friends and family. It was hard adjusting to everything. I felt like I wasn’t giving them enough.

“I’m sorry, Lauren.”

“For what?”

“For all of this. You didn’t ask for it, and I can’t even say I know how you feel because I don’t know what I would do if I woke up with no memory of my life.

“I know the doctor said your memory could come back at any time, but it still sucks. You probably feel vulnerable and out of place around us.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Maybe spending time with us might help you.”

I nodded, managing a smile. “I’m curious to know you, to know what my life was like with everyone else.”

“I can tell you how we met, if you’d like,” she offered. “I’m sure Dr. Benedict won’t mind me telling you something as light as this. We’re only warned against major memory triggers that could harm your brain.”

“I’ve got a lot of questions, but we can start there.”

Athena nodded with a smile. “We met at Campbell Industry at the same time you met Aaron. You were new to the office, so you were trying to get familiar with everything.”

She chuckled. “You met Aaron first, before me. When I saw you, I knew we would be best friends. Oh, you have a best friend, a childhood friend. Her name is Beth.”

My face lit up. Beth. Even though the name didn’t sound familiar to me, I was glad to know I had a childhood friend who could fill in the gaps of my past.

“Why hasn’t she come to see me? Does she know about the accident?”

“Beth was with you while you were in a coma, but something came up and she had to go back to New York. She’s coming back, so you’ll see her.”

Athena started sharing stories about our friendship, the good and the bad. Some made me smile, others made me laugh.

I tried to make sense of the information that had been given to me. I’d hoped to recall some memories or even see glimpses or shadows, but there was nothing.

It was hard for me to connect with the stories Athena was telling me. They were clearly good memories, and we had a good friendship, but my heart didn’t recognize either of them. She stayed for a few more hours before leaving.

There were a lot of things I needed to figure out. I needed more information about the accident I was in. I was curious about why Mason was with me and who he was.

I was curious about what secrets the people around me were keeping. They cut me off whenever I mentioned Mason or the night of the accident.

I'd always been told to just chill out and let my memories come back naturally. It was like they were treating me like a kid. I mean, they wouldn’t even let me have a phone yet.

I could feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge.