Chapter 27: Chapter 27

JAMIE

I had psyched myself up for my physical therapy session with Adam. I was hell-bent on pushing past the emotional turmoil of the last forty-eight hours, convinced that a good workout would help me blow off some steam.

But the truth was, I was feeling drained and overwhelmed. The idea of an hour-long workout was far from appealing.

I had sent Adam a last-minute text to cancel, but he showed up anyway. His tall, muscular figure filled the doorway of the living room, a warm smile on his face.

Adam set his bag down and looked around. “What’s up?” he asked, taking in the cozy lighting and the feminine decor of the apartment.

I paused, trying to figure out what to say. “Nothing much. Just not feeling up to a workout today,” I said.

Adam nodded, a knowing smirk on his face. “And we’re meeting here because?”

“I’m…visiting a friend,” I replied, uncertainly. I wasn’t sure if I should fill him in on the recent events. We were friends, kind of. Maybe it was best not to involve him.

Carmen walked into the room, dressed casually but with fresh makeup. “She wanted to see how the other half lives,” she said.

Adam turned and smiled at her. “Oh, is that so? And what’s the verdict?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.

I laughed. “Well, the coffee from a high-end coffee machine is definitely a game-changer. Beats any other place.”

Carmen joined in the laughter. “So, anyone up for a mediocre cup of coffee from my eleven-dollar kettle?”

We both declined. And that was that.

Despite my reluctance, Adam insisted on giving me a workout. I went along with it, even though I wasn’t thrilled. Carmen popped in and out a few times, pretending to look for something, but it was clear she was just trying to catch a glimpse of Adam.

“You really pushed through that,” Adam said, sitting next to me on the couch.

“I guess it wasn’t as bad as I thought,” I replied. “Working out while angry might actually be a good thing. It helped me push through the end.”

Adam smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “Told you so,” he said. He was the physical therapist, after all. He knew what he was talking about. “So, what’s going on with Mason? You’re staying here with a friend because of him, right?”

I nodded, my gaze fixed on Adam. I leaned back against the chair, my legs stretched out in front of me. “It’s not just Mason,” I admitted. “I don’t trust anyone right now.”

Adam looked surprised. “Why?” he asked with genuine curiosity.

I sighed, frustrated and struggling to find the right words. “Because they’re all lying to me,” I said. “We had a dinner party on Saturday, and everything just…unraveled. I found out they’ve been lying to me about the accident, about how it happened, why it happened.”

I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts. “The man from my nightmares, the one I told you about… He was my ex,” I continued. “I just couldn’t remember him.”

Adam’s expression changed from surprise to concern. “And that’s why you were having the nightmares,” he said sympathetically. “What did he do to you?”

I hesitated, my mind spinning. “I don’t know much,” I admitted. “I guess we dated for a while, but things changed when Mason came back into my life. Jack didn’t like that Mason was around…and he didn’t like that I ended things with him.”

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as I spoke. I battled the urge to let them fall, determined to keep my composure. But the gravity of our conversation was overwhelming, making it hard to keep my emotions in check.

“Mason saw him that night, right after he hit me with his car,” I continued, my voice shaking.

Adam shook his head in disbelief. “That’s intense. I didn’t see that coming. I thought you two had a fight, but this…”

“I know… It’s not what I expected either,” I admitted.

“Why didn’t Mason tell you about it?” Adam asked. “I get it, it’s terrifying, someone tried to hurt you intentionally. But it seems like something you should know.”

I let out a sigh. “He said he was trying to protect me,” I explained. “I woke up from the coma, and he said he didn’t want me to worry about something I couldn’t recall.”

“What about your family, friends?” Adam asked.

“He asked them to lie…and they did,” I said, wiping away the tears that had escaped. “I guess, in some ways, I can understand his intentions,” I continued. “But the lies went on for too long. I had so many questions, and all the answers he gave me were lies. Every single one of them.”

“Are you going back?”

His question caught me off guard.

~Am I going back?~ I didn’t have an answer. I missed Penelope, and despite the lies, I missed Mason too. ~Am I just weak?~

I was deep in thought, trying to find an answer to Adam’s question, when Carmen burst into the room, phone in hand, a wide grin spread across her face.

“Who wants to go to a party?” she announced, her voice bubbling with excitement.

I knew those words were a recipe for trouble.

***

A few hours later, I found myself in a crowded bar, reluctantly partaking in Carmen’s coworker’s impromptu birthday celebration. I’d always despised bars and nightclubs. They were noisy, chaotic, and filled with strangers. My walking stick, a constant reminder of the accident, made me feel even more alien.

The bar was a sea of bodies, the air heavy with the scent of alcohol and sweat. The music was deafening, a relentless beat that made my head pound. I couldn’t find a single thing about the scene that was appealing.

“Adam should be here soon,” Carmen said, her eyes twinkling.

I rolled my eyes, a twinge of discomfort settling in. “I wish you hadn’t invited him. It’s a bit awkward,” I replied.

I was feeling a bit awkward about it. I’ve never been around Adam socially. Our interactions have always been during physio.

I didn’t know if he felt the same awkwardness. Carmen invited him…not me. But he did glance at me for approval before saying he might drop by. ~Maybe Adam won’t come after all.~

“Weird because you like him,” Carmen teased.

My heart pounded in my chest, and my mouth suddenly went dry. “I don’t like him. He’s just my physiotherapist and we’re sort of friends. I feel like I can talk to him. A man and a woman can be friends, you know.”

Carmen shrugged off my response.

“Okay, so maybe you don’t like him. But he definitely has a thing for you. I was there earlier. I saw the way he looked at you when you stretched.”

“You are completely wrong about that,” I insisted.

Carmen chuckled.

“But you know I have a knack for these things,” she replied confidently. “Doesn’t this remind you of old times though?”

As she spoke, someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to stumble into me. Carmen turned around, flipping the dark-haired man the bird before muttering something under her breath.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.

“Pretty much,” I replied.

An hour had passed, and I was starting to think Adam might not show up after all. Then, I spotted him weaving his way through the crowd, his face coming into view.

~He’s clearly not that uncomfortable about us being social outside of therapy, if he showed up.~

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, reaching us and flashing a smile.

“No worries… I wasn’t certain you’d show,” I said, aiming for nonchalance. “Can I get you something to drink?” I offered.

“Sure, I’ll grab them,” he responded, standing patiently beside me as we waited for the bartender’s attention.

Watching Adam, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Mason. Adam stood at the bar, waiting his turn without a hint of impatience.

Mason, on the other hand, with his magnetic charm, always seemed to command attention. The moment he entered a room, everyone was at his disposal.

He had a knack for making things happen instantly. I wasn’t sure which I preferred.

“Cecile’s waving me over,” Carmen announced, glancing over my shoulder with a mischievous smile. “This might take a while, she loves to chat. I’ll catch up with you two later.”

I shot her a glare, my eyes narrowing. Her intentions were clear. She believed Adam was interested in me, and she was deliberately creating a situation where something might happen.

Adam set a wine glass on the bar in front of me.

“Thanks,” I called out, trying to be heard over the blaring music.

Adam nodded, his gaze sweeping the room.

“It was pretty quiet outside when I came in,” he said. “Want to step out for some air? It’s pretty loud in here.”

“Um, sure,” I agreed.

We stepped outside, the cool night air wrapping around us. I took a deep breath, grateful for the fresh air after the stuffy bar.

We found a spot in the small outdoor area, sheltered by an overhead canopy.

Adam pulled out my chair, a gesture that caught me off guard. It was a small act of kindness, but one that seemed rare these days. I didn’t expect it, but I appreciated it.

I was perfectly capable of pulling out my own chair, but it was a nice touch.

“I’m really glad you suggested coming out here,” I said, setting my wine glass back on the table after a sip. “It’s so loud in there. I’m not really into the bar scene.”

“I’m with you there. My ears can only handle so much,” he said with a laugh.

“So, if you dislike it so much, why’d you come?” I asked, curious about his decision.

Adam took a sip from his beer, his eyes meeting mine.

“You’re kind of the only person I feel like I can be myself around,” he confessed, his voice low. “I have friends, but I can’t relax around them.”

His words surprised me. I’m the only one he can be himself around? I would’ve thought his circle of friends would be vast.

But I understood what he meant, to a degree. Adam was the only one who didn’t know me before the accident. He knew this version of Jamie, the one who woke from a coma with no memories of her past. And he wasn’t comparing me to the person I used to be.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

“I totally get that,” I admitted. “It’s hard sometimes, being around people and not remembering the time I spent with them before the coma. You’re the only one who doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.”

Adam smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“You’re far from fragile, Jamie,” he said. “Besides, how can I expect my clients to be strong if I’m treating them like they’re weak?”

“You make a good point,” I agreed, smiling. “I’m really glad you came tonight. I don’t think I could’ve handled Carmen alone. She gets a bit…spirited when she’s had a few drinks.”

Adam chuckled, a warm smile on his face.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “And I wanted to come. I just wasn’t sure if you were okay with it.”

“Of course I’m okay with it,” I replied, tucking a strand of my blonde hair behind my ear, feeling a bit nervous. “It’s just that we’re not in a physiotherapy session right now, so it feels like we’re crossing some boundaries.”

“I thought we already had,” Adam teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Was he flirting with me? I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t want to make a fool of myself by assuming he was. Maybe Carmen was wrong, and he didn’t see me in that way.

An hour passed, filled with laughter and pleasant conversation between Adam and me. Carmen was busy with her work colleagues, so I probably wouldn’t see her until tomorrow afternoon.

Adam and I were making our way from the bar when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out and glanced at the screen. Mason’s name glared back at me.

Adam looked at me, his gaze knowing.

“How many times has he rung you today?” he asked.

I gave a noncommittal shrug.

“I’ve lost count. Mason isn’t exactly the poster boy for patience. When he wants something, he doesn’t stop until he gets it.” I hit the silent button and tucked my phone back into my pocket.

Adam spoke with a hint of sarcasm. “You mean you?”

He paused, then added, “Don’t go back to him. It’s obvious you’re not happy. Don’t put yourself through that.”

I halted, letting out a sigh.

“It’s not as straightforward as you think,” I said.

Adam moved closer, his eyes brimming with worry.

“It can be, if you let it,” he said gently. “I know it’s not my place, but I don’t want to see you hurt. I like you, Jamie. I really do.”

Despite Carman’s warning earlier, Adam’s words took me by surprise, making my heart thump wildly. I looked up at him, my eyes a cocktail of shock and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

My pulse quickened as Adam leaned in, his gaze locked with mine. A shiver coursed down my spine as the air between us grew thick with tension.

I closed my eyes, lost in the moment, but just as our lips were about to meet, I pulled back, my heart hammering.

I opened my eyes to find Adam’s face a blend of confusion and disappointment.

“I can’t,” I whispered. The words felt like lead in my mouth. “I’m sorry, I should go.”

Guilt washed over me as I turned to leave. All the way home, I replayed the almost-kiss.

Had I given him the wrong impression? Or had he been waiting for this moment?

I noticed a familiar car tailing me. It was black, sleek, and unmarked, but I recognized it instantly.

It was Mason’s security detail. I stopped, and so did the car. I approached it.

As I neared, I recognized the driver. It was Ezra, sitting behind the wheel, his gaze fixed on me.

“Ezra…,” I began. “Why are you…why are you following me?”

“I was told to keep an eye on you, miss,” he responded. “Mr. Knight was worried. He didn’t like the idea of you being out alone at night.”

I let out a sigh of exasperation. “Of course he didn’t,” I muttered.

I had a feeling Mason wouldn’t be thrilled about me being out without him or Ezra for protection.

I opened the car door and slid into the back seat, placing my cane next to me.

“Take me to him,” I instructed. Ezra started the car. I leaned back against the headrest, sighing.

Ezra, Mason’s personal bodyguard, was good at his job. He’d probably been tailing me all night, maybe even waiting outside the bar, watching my almost-kiss with Adam.

If he knew, he’d be livid when I got to the house.