Help Me Remember (Rose Canyon, #1)(8)

“So, you’re not off conquering some unknown horror story?”

He grins. “If I were, I would be much better than I am now.”

“I know you can’t tell me anything about my life, but can you tell me about yours?”

He smiles softly. “There’s not much to say.”

“I doubt that.”

Spencer was always seeing amazing things and meeting people who had incredible lives. He interviewed spies and diplomats. I think he was working on uncovering a terrorist ring at one point too.

I used to love listening to him recount his trips. Well, about everything but the girls he met. That part I always wanted to skip.

Spencer sighs. “It’s true, it’s been a while since I worked on anything.”

“Why?”

He shrugs. “Writer’s block, and I wanted to stick around here.”

At that, my brows rise. “You wanted to stay in Rose Canyon?”

“Who doesn’t love this idyllic town and all its quirks.”

I bark out a laugh. “You and I both know that’s a lie.”

“I stuck around once Emmett got back from his tour. Addy and Isaac were married, which you remember.”

“I do. You were so drunk at the wedding.”

“I had to give that fucking speech.”

I roll my eyes. “You are a writer! You like words.”

“On paper,” he says with a smirk. “I hate speaking. I was nervous.”

“You did great.”

He looks down at his shoes before meeting my eyes. “He was my best friend.”

Spencer and Isaac were the closest of the group. Spencer grew up with the worst parents in the world and was always at our house. The two of them did everything together, and more often than not if you could find one, you found the other.

“I know.” My voice is low.

“I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do without him. Addison and El—I just . . .”

I catch the slip and look him dead in the eyes. “Who is Elodie?”

Spencer shifts and then rests his elbows on his knees. “What has you asking that?”

Other than the fact that he so clearly doesn’t want me to ask?

“I heard Addison mention the name, but I don’t know who she is.”

“Who do you think it is?”

“I don’t know. I have a million possibilities. A new friend. A coworker. The girl who cuts my hair. But it was how she said it. The way she was concerned and Jenna was with her . . . I don’t know.”

“I’m not sure how much to tell you,” Spencer says honestly.

“Is she any of those things I just named?” I ask.

“No.”

Okay. “Is she my brother’s mistress?”

Spencer snorts. “As if Isaac could ever look at another woman. No, but she is a part of his life. Or was . . .”

“Considering the time gap I have, I can’t help but wonder if maybe she’s my daughter? Am I married and have a kid?”

Spencer shakes his head. “She’s not your daughter.”

I release a heavy sigh. “Oh, thank God. Then . . . is she Isaac and Addy’s?”

I can see the confliction in his eyes. “She is.”

“Thank you,” I say quickly. “Thank you for not lying to me.”

“I will never lie to you, Brielle. Never.”

I wish then he would tell me everything. “But you won’t tell me anything else, will you?”

“If I could—”

“Yeah,” I finish.

My only hope is that something will trigger my memory to return. I’ll see someone or hear a voice that will cause the floodgates to open. Who knows, maybe it will happen when I see Isaac.

Of course, no details from anyone.

“Spencer?”

“Yeah?”

“If you couldn’t remember the last three years of your life, what would you do?”

He looks at me with sympathy. “I would go back to the beginning and work to find the end.”

I rest my head on my pillow, gazing out of the window. “I wish I could have a different ending than losing Isaac.”

“But what if that single moment changed your entire story?”

“Maybe it should because my brain doesn’t want to remember the plot anyway . . .”





Chapter Three





BRIELLE





My mother enters the room, but her smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes. “Hi, Brie.”

“Hi.”

“Oh, those flowers are beautiful.” She walks over to the counter where a massive bouquet of pink roses is sitting.

“They are.”

“Who are they from?”

I smile. “You can look at the card,” I grant her permission.

She reads it with her back to me and then places it back. “That was sweet, I guess.”

I resist the urge to groan. “Yes, it was. It’s the only thing I’ve heard from him since I woke up.”

Mom smiles. “Yes, well, I spoke with Holden just a few minutes ago. He said you’re doing well and that you’ll get to go home tomorrow?”