Chapter 2

Paige

I hurry inside the hospital, eyes set on the reception desk as I storm forward like an unstoppable force. The lady working behind the desk is speaking on the phone, but I don’t care if she is busy. I will gain her attention soon enough!

I slam my hands on her desk, making her jump in her seat before she looks up at me. “Where is he? Where is Dallas Brooks?!”

The lady stares at me with fearful eyes. I know she isn’t going to answer me, but luckily, a large hand lands on my shoulder. When I turn around, I’m face-to-face with Julian. He is Dallas’ agent, and he looks just as haunted as I feel. I might not be Dallas’ girlfriend anymore, but as soon as I heard the news that Dallas had been in a car accident, I texted Julian.

Knowing the history of Dallas and me, Julian gave me the address to the hospital, and I’m thankful for that. Since Dallas is a famous football player, hundred of fans must be trying to find the hospital where they are operating on my former boyfriend.

Julian’s eyes soften as he looks at me. “He is in surgery, Paige. It wasn’t a little car accident, but the doctors are doing everything they can to save him.”

Guilt threatens to eat me alive the second I hear the word surgery. The car accident happened right after Dallas visited me at my apartment and asked me for a second chance, and even though I don’t want to be with Dallas, I still care for him. He means a lot to me, and since he has no real family, it felt important I made it to the hospital.

“He will pull through, right?” I ask.

Julian’s shoulders slump forward. It’s the first time I’ve seen him this broken. The tuxedo-wearing agent is usually confident and filled with arrogance, but not tonight. His eyes are dull, and it looks like he hasn’t slept for days, even though it hasn’t been that long since Dallas was in the accident.

“I don’t know,” he says and gives me a sad smile. “How about we find our way to the waiting room?”

Once we make it to the waiting room, Julian orders us two energy drinks from the vending machine, and I hand him a smile. I expect a few hours of waiting, but it takes way longer than that, and Julian and I both fall asleep in our respective chairs.

Hours later, someone clearing their throat wakes me from my slumber. I rub the sleep off my eyes and turn to face a doctor. He is standing before us with a grave expression on his face.

“Is he alright?” I whisper, my tongue dry and heavy. I’m so scared to hear the answer.

Luckily, the doctor gives a slow nod. “Dallas is recovering from his operations. He is a strong man, but there are some...complications.”

“Complications?” Julian asks anxiously.

The doctor looks between us solemnly. “One of his legs is broken. He also sustained minor fractures that will heal. However, the more troubling circumstance is his memory loss. He knows who he is but is unable to remember people or any of the events leading up to the incident. It could be temporary, still,” he pauses hesitantly before continuing, “I felt you should be aware before going to see him.”

I feel my heart drop as the doctor speaks, the weight of his words settling heavily on my chest. I had been so worried about Dallas’ physical injuries that I hadn’t even considered the possibility of memory loss. When I think of Dallas, I picture him as the man who always knew exactly what he wanted, who was never afraid to go after it...even if it meant neglecting our relationship.

Dallas always put his career first. Football was such a huge part of his life that I can’t imagine his personality without it. Does he feel empty on the inside now? What will happen to his career?

“Can we see him?” Julian asks, his voice sounding tight.

The doctor nods, gesturing for us to follow him. “Of course. He is still in recovery, but I think it would do him good to hear some familiar voices.”

As we walk down the sterile, white hallway, I feel my nerves start to get the better of me. Will Dallas even remember me? The thought makes my stomach clench, and I have to remind myself to take deep breaths.

Finally, we arrive at Dallas’ room. I see him lying in the hospital bed while staring up at the ceiling. His face is bruised and pale, and there is an empty look in his eyes. The sight of him looking so weak and broken is almost too much for me to bear.

“Hey, man,” Julian says, walking up to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

Dallas blinks a few times, then looks at his agent. “Do I know you?” he asks, his voice hoarse.

Julian’s expression falls, but he quickly recomposes himself. “I’m Julian, your agent.”

Dallas nods slowly, still looking confused. “Why am I here?” he asks and grimaces. “I’m sorry. I think I asked that already, but my head is spinning...”

“Understandable,” the doctor says and steps forward, explaining the situation to Dallas again.

I watch as my former boyfriend takes it all in, his eyes widening at the news of his injuries. I can see the frustration on his face as he struggles to remember anything about the accident, but in the end, he can’t.

Eventually, the doctor leaves, and Julian turns to me. “Paige, why don’t you stay and talk to him? Maybe it will help him remember something.”

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. I’m not sure if I’m ready for this, but I have to try. I walk over to Dallas’ bed and sit down in the chair beside it. Dallas’s curious eyes roam over me, and I can’t stop the tears from gathering in my eyes.

“Do you remember me?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dallas blinks before searching my face. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles. There is a slightly embarrassed smile on his lips, as if he is ashamed for not remembering me. “I don’t.”

I feel a pang of sadness in my chest, but I try not to let it show. “It’s okay,” I say and take a deep breath. I don’t want to tell him we were a couple. It would raise too many questions, so I tell him something else. “We used to be the best of friends, you and I.”

Technically, I’m not lying. Dallas was my best friend back when we dated each other.

But as expected, Dallas doesn’t look convinced. “My best friend was a girl who likes Pikachu?” he glances down at the figure on my t-shirt and then blows air through his teeth, making this “tssk” sound before breaking out into a large, teasing smile. “Doubtful.”

I feel a small smile tug at the corners of my lips as I look at Dallas. He is still the same old carefree Dallas, even if he doesn’t remember me.

“I will have you know that Pikachu is awesome,” I say, trying to keep my tone light.

Dallas chuckles, and the sound of it warms my heart. “Yeah? Maybe you can show me some of your favorite Pokemon sometimes.”

“Sure,” I say, feeling a sense of relief that he seems willing to get to know me again. “Maybe when you’re feeling better.”

He smiles, and to my surprise, he holds out his hand. “I know this isn’t our first time meeting each other, but... I’m Dallas. Nice to meet you.”

For some reason, my heart flutters even before I take his hand in mine. When I do, he gives me a gentle but firm squeeze, and my cheeks turn red.

“Paige.”

He grins. “Beautiful name.”

Ever the charmer. “Thank you.”

Dallas and I keep chatting for a while about the horrible hospital food he has had to endure before his eyes close, and the big guy drifts off to sleep. I sit in his room for a while longer, watching him breathe peacefully. Even though he doesn’t remember me, I feel a sense of closeness to him. Maybe this is a chance for us to start over, to build something new.

After watching Dallas sleep for a couple of minutes, I leave the hospital—only for Julian to call me two hours later.

“Hello,” I say. “I didn’t expect you to call me back so soon. Is everything alright with Dallas?”

Julian doesn’t bother to say hello and jumps straight into answering my question. “Both yes and no.”

His words confuse me, and I sit down in my kitchen. “What’s up? Did something happen?”

“You could say that. The doctors are going to keep Dallas monitored for a few days, and the plan was for me to take Dallas back to his mansion on Friday, but he refuses. He says he doesn’t know me and doesn’t trust me enough to let me take care of him. The only person he can think of staying with is you.”

Even though I heard him loud and clear, my brain can’t process what he is saying. I almost choke on my tongue before I miraculously manage to respond. “W-what do you mean?”

Julian sighs. “Dallas wants to stay with you, Paige. You said you used to be his best friend, and even though you and I both know that you and Dallas aren’t close friends anymore, he doesn’t know that. Dallas thinks you’re his friend. You must have left quite an impression on him.”

I stare at the wall in disbelief. Dallas, my ex-boyfriend who doesn’t remember me, wants to stay with me? A surge of conflicting emotions washes over me: excitement, fear, sadness, and confusion.

“Paige?” Julian asks, breaking the silence.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Julian,” I say, thinking out loud. “I mean, I barely know him anymore, and he doesn’t even remember me.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask,” Julian says, his voice full of concern. “But Dallas is adamant about this. He trusts you, Paige. He thinks you’re his friend, and he feels safe with you. You’re the only one who has managed to make him smile ever since he woke up.”

I chew on my bottom lip, trying to come to a decision. On one hand, I feel sorry for Dallas, and I want to help him since I’m not totally heartless. But on the other hand, I’m not sure I’m ready to take care of someone who used to mean the world to me. I was so in love with Dallas before he ripped out my heart and stomped on it by choosing his career over me.

What if being his caretaker will dig up old emotions?

“Can I think about this arrangement?” I ask, hoping for a little more time.

“Of course, Paige. Take all the time you need,” Julian says, his tone softening. “But please, consider it. Dallas needs someone he trusts right now, and you might be the only one who can give him that.”

After hanging up the phone, I sit at my kitchen table in silence, lost in thought. Memories of Dallas and me smiling and laughing together flood my mind, and I can’t help but wonder if this is fate’s way of giving us a second chance. Probably not as lovers, but perhaps as two good friends?

In the end, my heart wins over my head, and I decide to take Dallas in. Maybe this is the universe telling me to let go of my bitterness, even if that might be easier said than done.