He looks away from me. “I don’t want her here.”
Tom stands his ground. “Well, it’s not your decision. Now Melanie, stand over here at the end and you can coach Roman.”
Roman refuses. “There is no way I’m doing this with her here.” He gazes deep into my eyes. “I don’t want you here. Please leave. Now.”
I shake my head. “Nope, I’m staying. Now, stop being a baby and listen to Tom.”
His voice growls, “I am not being a baby! All you’re doing is making me angry. Please leave.”
I take a peek at Tom. “Tom, could you please give us a minute alone?”
He sighs and takes a few steps back. “Sure, I’ll give you a few minutes.”
He exits the room, leaving Roman and I alone to hash things out. I start first.
“Look, I don’t understand what your problem is, but people are here to help you. Stop being a dick and just accept it. You need help. You cannot do this on your own.”
He growls back, “I know I need help, but I don’t want your help. All you are is a distraction. Besides, don’t you have better things to do than to be here?”
I scoff. “A distraction? And do what things? Today’s my day off and I’m here. So what is it then?”
He grunts, “You won’t understand.”
Closing my eyes, I let out a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the pep talk. “Yes, you’re right. I don’t completely understand what you’re going through, but you are sabotaging yourself. You have people here that care for you and genuinely want to see you improve. I know that losing your career fucked up your life big time, but sooner or later, you’re going to have to move on. You’re still so young. I’m sure there are other passions you have that you could pursue. Please stop playing the victim. You are a hero! For once, act like one. Be strong, courageous, and confident. Stop wallowing in your own defeat, because all it’s doing is stalling your recovery. Nothing will change unless you make it happen. Nothing will get better unless you strive for it to change. Don’t you see? You’re the key to making your life worth living again. You could have died! And now, you’re just throwing away your second chance. Don’t do that. Don’t mess it up. If you do, you’ll regret it.”
He stares with a look of dismay as I talk. My eyes look up and descend upon the scar on his face. It’s no longer red but it’s visibly noticeable, covering the distance between the corner of his eye and his lower cheek. Reaching up to touch it softly, he flinches as I lay my hand on it.
Looking deep into his big brown eyes, my heart begins to beat harder in my chest. My fingers brush the side of his face, feeling the crevices of his tight skin. Goosebumps travel all over my arms, causing the hairs to stand up.
He glances away from me, looking toward the ground. His mouth opens slowly as he whispers low, “Melanie I…I’m scared.”
Lifting his chin with my free hand, I force him to look at me. As we stare at each other, I give him a warm smile and whisper softly, “Roman, you have to start believing in yourself. You need to dig deep inside and see yourself as everyone else sees you.”
With my hand still on his face, caressing his cheek, he steps closer and wraps his hand around mine. “And how do you see me?”
With a little tenderness, I whisper, “You are remarkable.”
A huge smile beams across his face as I see a sparkle flash in his eyes. “You said my name.”
I slide my hand off his face, but he continues to keep hold it of it. “What do you mean I said your name?”
He chuckles. “That was the first time you’ve said my name out loud.”
Astonished by his remark, I protest, “No it’s not. I’m sure I’ve said it before, especially when you were admitted in the ICU.”
He shakes his head no. “No, never. In all the time you came to my room, you never said it.”
I’m stunned by his statement. “I…I never realized. I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless.”
His hand presses against mine as his look intensifies. “Now that I’ve heard your beautiful voice say it, I don’t ever want you to stop saying my name.”
At that exact moment, Tom walks through the door, startling us from our trance as I unlock my hand from Roman’s. Tom walks toward us with a gleam of hope. “So, all ready to start up again or you two still battling it out?”
Before I can answer, Roman chimes in, “No, I’m ready.”
Tom claps and walks up to Roman, steadying him at the bar. “Now, you still want her to leave?”
As I step away, giving them room, Roman smirks at me. “She stays.”