My skin sizzles beneath his touch when he places his fingers on my waist and squeezes firmly. It feels like he’s squeezing the air from my lungs. But I soon realize he’s comparing my outfit to that of Little Red. What he fails to understand time and time again is that he’s the wolf, and I’m constantly in danger whenever he’s near.
All I want to do is throw caution to the wind and misbehave because Cayden’s warning doesn’t come without punishment. And right now, basking in his aroma and his heady charisma, I want to be so damn naughty. But I rein it in. “Lucky I packed my pepper spray then.”
He chuckles, and it doesn’t seem fair that even his laugh holds appeal. “Good to know.”
When he releases me, I’m certain my cheeks match the color of my dress. I don’t bother turning to see if he’s as affected as I am because I’ve come to learn that Cayden Coachman has mastered the perfect poker face. I practically run out the door and am thankful I don’t fall flat on my ass.
Even though it’s a warm summer night, the heated air feels divine against my cheeks. Our Uber pulls into the driveway, and I’ve never been happier to flee. Lacey doesn’t seem to notice my sudden meltdown, although she’s most likely accustomed to my weirdness by now. We jump into the back seat of the Honda, the young driver giving us a wave hello.
Lacey rattles off directions while I take a much-needed breath. As we reverse out the driveway, I risk a glance at the front door, not surprised when I see Cayden’s broad frame standing in the doorway with Ellie by his side. Their silhouettes stroke something deep within.
However, Lacey doesn’t allow me to probe further. “Sorry about Cayden. Old habits die hard.”
“That’s okay. There’s no need to apologize.” I’m proud of myself for being able to string together a sentence. “You said he’s always looked out for you, seeing as it was just you and him. What happened to your dad?”
When Lacey shifts in her seat and the mood turns sour, I wonder why. It’s clear there is no love lost, which just makes me more curious. “I honestly don’t know. Growing up, he was never really there. Cayden always made sure I was fed. Dressed. Safe.” Raul turns up Taylor Swift on the radio as he clearly prefers her woes over ours.
When she bites her lip and gazes out the window, I wonder what memory holds her captive. “I don’t really remember much of my childhood. Even my teenage years are a blur. So I can sympathize with you in a way. I know your situation is far worse than mine, but sometimes, it feels like I’ve forgotten for a reason. Crazy, right?”
She’s seeking validation, but it doesn’t sound that crazy. “Not at all. I can relate. Trust me.”
She’s still, and I allow her the time she needs. “Late at night, when it’s dead quiet, I lie in bed with my eyes squeezed tight. That’s the only time I really remember. And even then, I don’t know if it’s real. But the screams, the distinct sounds of someone being hit, the muted sniffles, I know I’ve heard them before…I just don’t know who they belong to.”
A sadness overcomes us both, and I offer the only comfort I can. Gently touching her knee, I sigh. “Sometimes, it’s better to forget.”
“Is that what happened to you?” Her question is innocent, but I can’t help feeling like she’s somehow ended up in my head. “I know you have amnesia because of your accident, but do you think subconsciously, your mind is saving you the pain?”
Toying with the ribbon around my waist, I reply without pause, “Yes.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to share my suspicions that I’ve met Cayden before. But even if I have, her loyalties will always lie with her brother, so I don’t want to put her in an awkward position. “But I intend to get to the bottom of it. I have to.”
She nods, finally turning to meet my eyes. Hers are rimmed with tears. It’s the first time I’ve seen her sparkling personality dim. It appears we’re all guarding secrets, ones we’ve clearly forgotten for a reason.
“Sorry for getting all heavy.” She swipes at her eyes. “Damn Cayden and his chivalry.”
A laugh escapes me. “I wouldn’t go that far.” She joins in, and the mood instantly settles.
Pop songs fill the silence as Lacey and I are content to watch the world pass us by. As I peer out into the darkness, I can’t help but think about what Lacey shared. There’s a reason she’s unable to remember much of her childhood. It doesn’t sound like one I’d like to remember either.
From the anger in Cayden’s words when he mentioned his father, I know he doesn’t have the same luxury as Lacey. He remembers, and I have a hunch she’s forgotten because of him. He’s saved her the torment of remembering and taken it upon himself to remember for them both. But the small snippets she can recall sound hideous. Just what did Cayden do to save her the heartache?
When Raul takes a sharp turn, I suddenly realize how winding the road is.
Taking in my surroundings, a hollowness cloaks me, and that familiar sense of déjà vu swallows me whole. “Is this the road we took to go into town?”
“No,” Lacey replies, snapping from whatever memory she was lost in. She peers through the windshield. “We took the highway. It’s a lot quicker.” Raul turns up the volume on the radio.
Tapping my finger to my lips, I wonder why it feels like I’ve driven on it before. I’m almost certain we didn’t take this route from Myrtle Beach. I’d remember these turns. On cue, I slide along the worn-out vinyl of the back seat, holding the seat belt across my chest for dear life.
“Are you all right? You’re white as a ghost.”
“Yes, I’m fine. I just…this road seems familiar.”
“Did you take it when coming here?”
I shake my head, suddenly short of breath. “No.” Looking into the desolation has me remembering the welcoming greenery when I first arrived. But now, all I feel is a guttural sadness.
Raul must sense my impending breakdown. Turning down the radio, he meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. “This is a shortcut. Only the locals know it.” His revelation has me rubbing a circle on my chest over my heart. It begins to throb and ache.
How could this road be familiar then? I’m not a local.
“Maybe it’s similar to one you’ve driven on before?” Lacey offers kindly.
“Maybe,” I reply half-heartedly. Clutching the seat beneath me, I recall what Stella told me about the accident. “Stella…my mom,” I clarify, “said an oncoming car lost control and ran me off the road. My car rolled down an embankment. The roads were slippery, slick with snow and ice.”
“Do you know who the other driver was?”
A sharp pain bangs at my temple, and I instinctively rub my brow. “No, I don’t know. Stella said he was drunk, so I never really gave much thought to him. I was too busy trying to remember…anything.”
Lacey nods, listening to me unload my madness.
Raul decelerates when we reach a snaking, steep hill. Even though he’s proceeding with caution, I grip the door handle and steady my breathing. Bursts of color flicker brightly, a torturous rainbow of pain as I will myself to breathe.
I need a distraction because I feel like I’m going to burst into tears and switch off from what is turning out to be a disaster of an evening. “How long have you worked at Miam?” Lacey mentioned she worked as head chef at the classy French restaurant in Myrtle Beach.
“About two years. I love it there. You should come visit one day. I’ll stuff you full of sweets.”
When the white noise lingers in the background, I’m thankful the distraction is working. “I actually have walked past it a few times, but my…Stella”—I can’t stomach referring to her as my mom—“refuses to dine anywhere but the country club.” I curl my lip in disgust.