“How are you feeling? How’s your head?” she asks softly.
“Still a little sore. The doctor says I need to be woken every hour, so I think I’m in for a long night. Zara too.” Her eyes drop from mine when I mention Zara, but not before I see the hurt that flashes through them. I frown at her reaction and take a step toward her. “Aria—”
“There you are,” Zara exclaims from behind me. “Where’s Jacob?” I close my eyes and sigh inwardly as Zara interrupts us. “What are you doing in here?” I turn to see her scowling at Aria.
“Jack just got a little lost, that’s all,” Aria says, her voice tight. “I was just telling him where Jacob’s room is. I should get dressed.” I turn back around, but she’s already disappeared into the bathroom, and I find myself wishing I could talk to her for longer. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since I saw her with Jacob at the hospital. I feel drawn to her, but I’ve no idea why. It’s clear to see there is tension between Zara and Aria, as well as between Zara and my mum. I just wish I could remember, as it seems everyone has taken a vow of secrecy when it comes to the past three years.
Aria
The next week is pure hell. I can’t seem to get a minute alone with Jack. Zara is always with him and makes a big deal of hanging all over him whenever I’m around. Jack’s tried to strike up a conversation on more than one occasion, but Zara always interrupts us. She must have also discreetly moved her things from the cabin and into Jack’s room, as the cabin now sits empty. I lie in bed at night trying not to think about what they are doing with only a thin wall to separate us. I’m beginning to think I was mistaken about what I saw in his eyes at the hospital that day, and again in my room after he was discharged. Maybe it was wishful thinking and nothing more. I don’t want to go against what the doctor told us, but seeing them together is killing me.
It’s late afternoon and I’m in the stables, lost in thought as I brush one of the ranch horses. I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to be wrapped in Jack’s arms, and I wonder if that’s something of a blessing. My brain’s way of blocking out something that’s becoming too painful to remember.
“Aria,” a voice shouts, pulling me from my thoughts. Looking up, I smile as I see Savannah and Quinn walking toward me. “Girls’ night tonight. You haven’t forgotten, have you?” Sav says. The smile slips from my lips and I groan inwardly. I haven’t forgotten, but I’m not in the mood for a night out.
“Rain check? I’m really not good company at the moment.”
“No way!” Quinn says, taking the brush from my hand. “What are you going to do if you don’t come?”
I try to get the brush, but she holds it out of my reach. “I don’t know, watch a movie maybe.”
“Haven’t you done that every night for a week? Mom says she hardly ever sees you around the house anymore, that you’re always in your room,” Savannah says, her eyebrows raised in question.
I shrug one shoulder, my eyes dropping to the floor of the stables. “It’s just easier to stay in my room. I don’t have to see them then,” I whisper.
“This is bullshit!” Savannah exclaims, and my head flies up to look at her. “Jack needs to know about you!”
“I agree,” Quinn says. “If I’d lost my memory, I’d want to know everything, especially who I was in love with.”
“That bitch Zaraknowsyou and Jack belong together. She’s taking advantage of him not remembering,” Savannah says exasperatedly.
“I know!” I shout. “You think I don’t know that?” Tears streak down my cheeks, which I angrily wipe away. “What am I supposed to do? I’m no one to him, barely a friend. Even if I tell him, he doesn’t love me back. He doesn’t remember. Telling him won’t change how hefeels.”
“God, this is messed up,” Quinn says as she pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so sorry, Aria.” She holds me as I sob against her shoulder. I want nothing more than to tell Jack everything, but it won’t change anything. He’s in love with Zara, not me.
“Please come out tonight. You can get drunk and dance and forget about everything for a while?” I can hear the pleading tone in Savannah’s voice, and as much as I want to crawl into my bed, pull the comforter over me and hide away, I know she isn’t going to give up.
Pulling out of Quinn’s arms, I wipe my tears and take a few minutes to calm down. “Okay,” I say eventually. “I’ll come.”
“Let’s go back to the house and you can grab some clothes. We can get ready at my place. A real girls’ night, like before we had to be responsible. We can be drunk on cheap wine before we even leave.” Savannah glances at Quinn. “No wine for you though, Quinn. You’ll still have to be the sensible one tonight.”
“I guess one of us has to.” She chuckles.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I love you guys.”
“We love you too, Aria,” Quinn says. “Come on, let’s grab your stuff.”
An hour later and we’re at Savannah’s. Josh has taken Hope up to the ranch house to play with Jacob, and we’re currently making cocktails in the kitchen. Quinn insisted on styling my hair, and it falls in loose waves over my shoulders. My black bodycon dress hugs my curves in all the right places, and I feel much better after making an effort.
“I think this definitely calls for a margarita!” Savannah exclaims as she dances around the kitchen, Lady A blasting from her iPod. I can’t help but smile as I watch her prepare two cocktails. I should have known she would never let me wallow in my own self-pity, Quinn too.
“I thought we were having cheap wine?” I say with a chuckle, referring to her earlier comment in the stables.
She waves her hand. “I think we can stretch to something a bit more sophisticated now that we’re legally allowed to drink!”
“Fair enough! Make mine a large one.”
“What other one is there?” She winks at me, and I burst out laughing. Despite wanting to hide away from the world and everyone in it, I’m beginning to think a night out with the girls is exactly what I need.