Angel Falls
Page 71
“How could they let such a coward play Lizard Man?”
“I was the Green Menace,” he answered automatically, “and a stand-in did all the dangerous stuff. ” Julian’s voice fell to a whisper that only Liam could hear. “I’m … afraid of hurting her. ”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard today. ”
Julian waited, but Liam didn’t say anything else. “Well,” he said at last, “I’ll go see her. ”
He ducked out of the room and walked slowly down the hallway. Really slowly.
At her door he paused. Forcing a bright smile, he opened the door.
She was asleep.
He shut the door quietly and went to her bedside. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful …
Slowly she blinked awake. “Jules? Is that you?”
He leaned over her. It took an act of pure will to force a smile. “Heya, Kay. ”
She worked herself up to a sit, and by the time she was finished, she was breathing heavily. There was a fine sheen of perspiration on her forehead. “Where’s Juliana? I want to see my baby—”
“She’ll be here soon, I promise. ”
“I missed you. ” She smiled, reaching for him in a jerky, uncontrolled movement. “I knew you’d come back for us. ”
He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. “I missed you, too. ” It surprised him, the truth of that simple statement. He had missed Kayla; he’d missed the man he’d once been—the man he could have been with her at his side.
Her gaze focused on his face, caressing it with equal measures of wonder and confusion. “You’re older, too. ”
“Nice of you to notice. Hey, do you remember—”
“Why are we old?”
He smiled uneasily. “You’re not even forty yet. Young. ”
“Julian, no one will tell me the truth. But I know you wouldn’t lie to me. Please … I need to understand. ”
He wanted to lie to her, wanted it with a fierce desperation, but there was no way out.
“You have a few gaps in your memory, that’s all. The docs say it’s nothing to worry about. ”
“Fifteen years is hardly nothing. ”
“It’ll all come back. Don’t rush it. ” He leaned down and kissed her. She tasted just like he remembered, all sweet compliance and homecoming. When he kissed her, he felt … complete.
“How could I forget fifteen years of loving you and Juliana? Tell me about us, Jules. Help me remember. ”
“Ah, baby …” He would have done anything to erase the sorrow in her eyes. “She’s beautiful, Kay. The spitting image of you. ”
She gazed up at him, her pale face as serious as he’d ever seen it. “I remember when I left. Do you remember that, Jules?”
“I remember. ”
“I remember packing my bags, buying a car—that green station wagon with the wood-grain side panels—and loading it up. I hardly took anything from our life together, not even your money. I was so sure you’d come for us quickly … I can remember waiting and waiting, but I can’t remember ever seeing you again. ”
He actually thought he might cry; that’s how fucking awful he felt. “I’m sorry,
baby. Jesus, I’m sorry. ”