Mason Book 3

LAUREN

Two weeks in the hospital was enough for me. I was itching to get out, to go home. But where was home? I hadn’t figured that out yet.

My mom wanted me to move in with her, but that didn’t feel right. So, I decided to go back to my own place.

Leaving the hospital made me nervous. I didn’t voice it, but I was scared about going home without Mason.

I’d visited him a lot over the past few weeks. He was still in a coma, but he was stable. He was doing okay.

Being in the hospital had worn me out. I was ready to leave, to rediscover the world I’d forgotten.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared to leave the safety of the hospital. It was comforting in a weird way. My body didn’t hurt anymore, but the bruises were still there.

After hours and hours of physical therapy, I could walk pretty well. I felt like a shiny new toy, ready to be played with.

Dr. Benedict came into my room just as Athena finished helping me pack. He smiled at me.

“Ready to go home, Lauren?”

“Yeah, and hopefully I won’t be back anytime soon,” I replied. “I’ve had my fill of hospitals.”

“I get it.” He laughed. “I’ve got a prescription for you. If you get a headache or feel sleepy, take these. Don’t wait until it gets worse. As soon as you feel off, take them.”

“Thanks, Dr. Benedict.”

“I’m sorry, but you’ll need to come back in six weeks for a check-up. I can’t give you the all-clear until I see you then.

“If you get dizzy, see double, or have a really bad headache before then, come straight in.”

“Don’t worry, doctor. We’ll keep an eye on her,” Athena said.

I thanked the doctor, but he brushed it off. He said he was just doing his job, and he was glad I woke up and didn’t have any major issues while I was there.

He wished me well and said he’d see me at my checkup.

All my stuff was packed in the trunk of the car, so all I had to do was say goodbye to a few nurses.

While Aaron went to get the car, Athena and I waited in the doorway. When he pulled up, he helped me into the back seat and Athena got in the front.

“Ready to go home?” he asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror.

I gave him a thumbs-up and leaned back in the seat, watching as he pulled out of the parking lot. We chatted on the drive.

Athena mentioned the security guards at my building so I wouldn’t be scared. They didn’t want me to be alone and unprotected, since I was going to be living by myself.

I sat back and relaxed for the rest of the drive. When we got to the condo building, I saw that Athena wasn’t kidding about the security guards.

There were at least six of them—six big, burly guys in suits. The building was huge and gorgeous. I couldn’t believe I owned a condo there. How much money did I make?

As soon as I got out of the car, someone came running out of the front doors.

“Lauren! Oh my God, you’re home. Athena texted that you were discharged, so I didn’t have to go to the hospital. I got back at four this morning.”

A woman I didn’t recognize rushed up and hugged me.

I opened my mouth to say something, but I was too surprised to speak. The woman started talking again, so I gave up trying to respond.

“I was so worried about you. When I heard about the accident, I thought my world was ending.” She started crying on my shoulder.

“I couldn’t sleep for days. All I could think was that I was going to lose you. Oh, Laurie, I’m so glad you’re okay. Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

With the woman still holding onto me, I looked at Athena, hoping she could help. The woman was crying and holding me tighter, and I didn’t know what to say.

I hated this. I hated feeling like this. I didn’t know who she was, or what she meant to my old self. I felt completely lost.

This was my new reality. People who knew me, who cared about me, would come up to me and I wouldn’t remember them.

Athena saw my struggle and stepped in, pulling the woman away from me. I stepped back as she looked at me with teary eyes.

“Beth, she doesn’t remember you. This is all new to her. You’re basically a stranger. Give her some space.”

Beth. That was her name. She was my childhood friend. My best friend. I looked at her, trying to remember, but nothing came.

Beth’s green eyes looked back at me, like she was about to start crying again. The sincerity in her voice and the sadness in her eyes made my heart ache.

Something told me to hug her. I hugged the person I’d grown up with. The person who probably knew me better than anyone else.

I hugged the woman who loved me, patting her on the back. I comforted her for the best friend she’d lost, for the memories that were gone.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she whispered into my neck.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered back. Sorry for not remembering you. Sorry for making you worry. I felt tears prick at my eyes, but I held them back.

“Lauren.” Beth pulled back to look at me. “I know this is weird and scary, but remember that you have people who love and care about you.” She wiped her tears away.

“I’m your best friend. I’m here for you, no matter what. If you have questions, ask me. I have pictures—memories I’d love to share with you.” She squeezed my hand.

I smiled at her. “Thank you.”

I looked at the building where I lived—where everyone said I lived—and waited for something, anything, to feel familiar.

“See anything familiar?” Aaron asked.

I shook my head, a pang of disappointment hitting me.

“Honestly, we didn’t expect you to recognize the house,” he said.

Before I could respond, Athena jumped in. “What Aaron’s trying to say is welcome home.” She shot him a glare.

“Yeah, welcome home.” Beth looped her arm through mine, pressing her side against me with a wide grin.

“I’ve spruced up the place to suit your tastes—or at least, what we think your tastes are. We’ll help you remember in time. No rush, though.”

“What if I never remember? What if I don’t remember any of you?” Panic surged through me as I looked from one face to another.

Beth’s fingers tightened around my arm. “I didn’t fly three thousand miles to give up on you. Even if you don’t remember us, we can make new memories, Lauren. I’m not losing you again.”

The fierce love in her voice made me bite my lip to hold back tears. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t comfort me.

I nodded, forcing a smile as I looked at the house. “Let’s go inside and see what I like. I’m starving and I need a shower.”

Beth grinned. “I like that idea.”

***

Standing in my living room—in the condo that was supposedly mine—was overwhelming. This was my home. The interior design was based on my preferences. It was my private space. It felt both cozy and modern.

I walked through the house, my fingers brushing against objects and walls, waiting for a spark of recognition.

“Everything okay?” Beth asked, watching me. She, Aaron, and Athena had been following me quietly, their eyes tracking my every move, hoping for a sign of recognition.

I remembered nothing. I didn’t tell them that.

We made our way to my room. It was sleek and clean, all white and brown with a queen-sized bed and a plush rug.

As I sat on the bed, my fingers digging into the sheets, Aaron pushed my suitcase aside. I closed my eyes for a moment, hoping for a memory. Nothing came.

I moved to the closet, running my fingers through the clothes. There were so many, in all different colors. Touching them didn’t trigger any memories.

“Don’t force it,” Aaron advised, noticing my frustration. He sat down beside me on the bed. “How are you feeling?”

I sighed, intertwining my fingers. “Frustrated,” I admitted, glancing at Beth leaning against the wall and Athena sitting on a stool. “And a bit foggy.”

I paused, forcing a smile. “But I’ll be okay. I think I need to stop expecting my memories to come back. It’ll help me not to feel so disappointed.”

“That’s a good attitude, Lauren,” Beth said.

I smiled at her, feeling a bit better. “Now, where’s my phone?”

“It was destroyed in the accident,” Athena said. “Gale’s sending you a new one. He should have been here by now. I don’t know what’s keeping him.”

She sighed. “If you don’t want to be disappointed, don’t rely on Gale.”

Aaron snorted. “He’s got a lot on his plate right now. I appreciate his help. He’s the only one who can handle a crisis, remember? Unlike some people who nearly hyperventilate over a minor issue.” He chuckled.

Athena glared at him. “It wasn’t minor, Aaron! And you know I don’t handle stress well. When things started piling up and everyone was on my case, I panicked.”

Suddenly, Beth clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We should have a sleepover tonight. I don’t want Lauren to be alone in a strange place. We could have a little welcome back party.”

“Eva, Gale, and Rebecca are coming for dinner later, so that can be the welcome party,” Athena said, looking at me. “Is there anything you want to eat? We can’t cook, so we’ll order takeout, unless your mom is bringing something.”

“They’re guests,” Aaron pointed out. “Why are we making them bring their own food?”

Beth laughed. “Because we can’t cook. Eva makes a great casserole. Trust her to cook Lauren’s favorites.” She turned to me. “She’s going to make you eat like a pig. Save yourself.”

“No, I’m actually looking forward to it. I’m starving.” I touched my stomach, which felt empty even though it wasn’t growling.

“Hospital food isn’t great, you know? I was barely hanging on. Every time the nurse came in, she smelled like steak and burgers. I wanted to cry and beg for better food.”

They all laughed.

“Must have been tough holding it in,” Aaron teased. “Knowing how much you loved food before.”

“Could I cook?” I asked.

He chuckled. “And bake. There wasn’t much you couldn’t do. Now we just hope your memory loss didn’t affect your skills. Sometimes people remember certain skills they had before. It’s like muscle memory. They don’t remember learning it, but they’re still good at it.”

I raised an eyebrow, catching the hint in his eyes. I snorted. “Are you trying to get me to cook something for you?”

He put a hand to his chest. “Damn, you can still tell that?”

I swatted his arm.

He chuckled, rubbing the spot where I’d hit him. “I gotta tell you, Lauren, no one—absolutely no one—can marinate a chicken like you can.”

He swallowed, as if he could taste the chicken just by thinking about it. “It’s a shame you can’t remember how to do it. I’d steal your recipe in a heartbeat.”

“I wish I could remember,” I said, grinning despite myself.

“No worries. We’ll just make Athena cook.”

And that’s how a twenty-minute argument got started.

It wasn’t until Beth shooed them out of my room, pretending it was time to get ready for dinner, that the argument ended. But I knew she’d seen my discomfort. She’d noticed my exhaustion.

I loved her for that.

Not five minutes later, she knocked on the door. Poking her head in, she held up a box with a grin. “I’ve got something for you,” she said, offering me the box.

“Thought you might want to take a look at your life. Come out when you’re ready, or take a nap. We’ll call you when dinner’s ready.” She gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I carried the box over to my bed and sat down, placing it in my lap. I opened it, hopeful but cautious. Inside were photographs of me, my friends, and my family. Pictures from my childhood.

Most of them were with people I hadn’t met yet, but I was curious about them because the smiles on my face told me I cared about them. There were so many memories, so many things I’d forgotten.

Then I found a photo of me with someone whose face had been scratched out. We were standing outside a cabin in the middle of winter, one arm raised in the air and the other wrapped around the man’s neck.

I was smiling widely. I flipped the photo over and saw that it was from two-and-a-half years ago. Digging deeper into the box, I found something soft at the bottom.

Pulling it out, I found a gray scarf. I lifted it to my nose, inhaling the faint scent that still clung to it. It was barely there, so I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

The scent of mint and sandalwood overwhelmed my senses. It lingered on my skin. I could feel the warmth of lips pressing against my neck.

The memory grew stronger, and I sank into it, feeling fingers tangled in my hair, lips brushing against my cheek and forehead, a nose buried in my neck, and the scarf tickling my skin.

I felt like I was floating, drawn to the scent. The memory. A part of me clung to it, begging the old me in the memory to open her eyes and let me see.

I wanted to see the man who was holding me. Who was kissing me? I was desperate to know who he was. I could smell him, feel him, but I couldn’t see him.

I felt a faint kiss on my lips, a kiss that made me feel like I couldn’t breathe without his lips on mine.

Suddenly, the sound of laughter echoed through my room, jolting me out of my memory.

My heart pounded in my chest, threatening to burst. Terrified, I shoved the scarf back into the box and hid it under the bed.

A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead, and I wiped it away with shaky hands.

“Lauren?”

I turned to face the doorway, my chest rising and falling rapidly. “Yeah?” My voice was hoarse.

Beth looked worried. “Are you okay?”

I cleared my throat and rubbed my chest. “Yeah, I’m fine. What’s up?”

She held up a phone. “Got your new phone. All your contacts are in there. I didn’t add the ones you haven’t met yet, though. That would be weird.”

She shook her head, smiling slightly. “Anyway, we’re thinking about ordering pizza because Aaron’s starving and Athena’s hungry. Dinner’s still a few hours away. Want me to bring you a slice?”

I nodded. “Sounds good.”

“Great.”

I wanted to ask Beth about the scarf, but I couldn’t find the words. So I just nodded and watched her leave.

For the next two hours, I napped in my room. I’d been asleep for two weeks, so I thought I wouldn’t be tired for a while, but the moment my head hit the pillow, I was out cold.

Lauren.

A whisper.

Lauren.

A chuckle. A brush of lips.

I love you.

I woke up with a start. The room was pitch black, the only light coming from the drawn curtains. I was soaked in sweat.

Despite the air conditioner running full blast, I was hot and sticky. My heart was still racing, and I was breathing hard.

Something was lodged in my chest—a prick, an ache. I didn’t know if there was something wrong with my heart, but I felt unsettled. It hurt. I felt empty.

When I woke up, I didn’t mention it to anyone. I showered and changed before joining them downstairs. Rebecca was already there, helping with dinner.

My mom and Gale were due to arrive in an hour, so I sat and watched my friends joke around in my condo, laughing and teasing each other.

Seeing them made me smile, because I realized I wasn’t alone. I had people who cared about me.

So why did I still feel empty?

Why did my chest feel hollow, like something was missing? Like there was something I needed to figure out. Like I needed to be somewhere else.

Why did I feel half-peace, half-joy?

The rest of the hour was spent in the kitchen, reminiscing about the best times, catching me up on their lives. I felt like I knew them as well as I had before, but I felt especially close to Beth.

There was something calming about her. I was drawn to it. She made me feel at ease, like I could tell her anything.

I almost told her what I was feeling, but I didn’t want to worry her. I didn’t want them to fuss over me after doing so for weeks.

We watched my favorite movies and read my favorite books from the library. I was constantly browsing the internet on my phone. Nothing came up when I searched for my name.

Not even an article or a social media presence. I was a little disappointed because I’d hoped to see my life through the eyes of the old me.

Everything felt off, but I wasn't ready to dig into it just yet. For now, I was going to savor dinner with my loved ones.

I was surrounded by people who knew me better than I knew myself. I tried to unwind, holding onto each memory we shared.

***

I was heading to my room to grab my charger when I overheard voices from the guest room. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but the door was ajar. An argument was brewing.

Three other voices echoed from the living room, leaving only Mum, Gale, and Athena unaccounted for. I’d been picking up on tension between Mum and Gale since they arrived.

I had to find out what was going on.

“—it’s not feasible, Eva,” Athena was arguing as I hovered behind the door. “It’s already bad enough that we’ve been deceiving him for weeks, but he can’t stop crying. Liv told me he wants to come home.”

Who wanted to come home?

“He can’t, you know that,” Mum countered. “What am I supposed to tell him? He’s just a kid.

“How do you explain to a child that his dad hasn’t woken up in the hospital, and his mom doesn’t remember him? How do I break this heart-wrenching news to Arden, that sweet little boy?”

My heart pounded. I clutched the doorknob.

“Eva,” Gale chimed in. “What if we give it a shot? I’m sure Lauren can handle the fact that she has a son. We don’t know what might happen if we don’t try to give her something. She might take the news better than we think.”

I couldn’t breathe. My hands trembled.

Athena’s voice was strained. “Don’t think I don’t see what you’re trying to do, Gale. I know you care about Lauren, and you want to tell her the truth, but it’s too risky.

“What if she asks who the father is? Are you prepared to tell her that her son’s father is lying in a hospital bed, that the man who worked for her wicked uncle rammed his truck into their car and caused their accident?

“How do you even start to answer those questions?”

I clutched my chest. Something pierced my heart. My lungs felt like they were on fire. I tried to draw in a breath, but I couldn’t. I gasped, but no air filled my lungs, no air escaped.

It was stuck. My lungs felt like they were clogged with sand, suffocating me.

“How do I tell her,” Athena went on, “that Mason is her husband without knowing what the fallout will be?”

Something jabbed my chest. Blood roared in my ears. A high-pitched ringing filled my head. A small, pained noise slipped from my lips, and I crumpled to my knees, clutching my chest.

“We could start by telling her you’re not her mother, Eva,” Gale suggested. “I don’t get why you couldn’t just tell Lauren her parents are dead. You’re lying to her, making things more convoluted than they need to be.”

“Do you think Mason would want you to gamble with Lauren’s life?” Athena shot back.

My ears started to ring. My vision blurred. As my head felt like it was about to burst, I clutched it. It felt heavy, as if it were swelling and expanding.

I couldn’t hold it in any longer. My vision was a blur. Images flashed through my mind, quick and painful.

I screamed. It was too much. Everything hurt. My ears. My eyes. My head. My chest. Everything.

Footsteps thundered and alarmed voices reached me from afar.

I clutched my head and curled into a ball. The pounding didn’t stop. The ringing didn’t stop. The stabbing pain in my chest didn’t stop.

It shattered me.

I was in torment. The pain and memories were overwhelming.

Everything went black when I passed out.