Matt nodded once. “I know you don’t, I just need to tell her who you are—”
“And I definitely don’t need an introduction to my sister.” Hovering just over an inch above Matt, Marcus put an evenly light hand over Matt’s chest. “I appreciate and understand your protectiveness over Liz,” He dropped his hand and gave a single nod. “But I got this.”
Matt gritted his teeth and nodded again. He held up his hand and pointed to Liz’s door.
With a double knock and three Mississippi’s later, Marcus opened the door and walked in. Closing it behind him.
Chapter 10
LIZ
“So then after like seven tries, you finally got me to get back on that bike,” Marcus explained. Liz was still trying to catch her breath from all the laughing.
“That’s amazing. I’m not even sure I’d remember how to ride one.” She breathed out.
“Nah…it’s like…well, like riding a bike.”
“Did I teach you how to drive too? Or was that our dad?” Liz was starting to wonder why her parents hadn’t visited and hadn’t felt comfortable asking anyone, until now.
Marcus stiffened and cleared his throat. “Yeah, um, Dad uhh…Dad actually taught us both,” he laughed nervously. “I don’t know if Matt told you, we grew up in a small town in Connecticut, and you needed a car if you wanted to get anywhere. Buses weren’t taken often, and it was definitely not cool...”
Liz was only half listening to her brother going on about their town. She was hoping and waiting for a reason why her parents haven’t come to see her. Did they not know? Were they on bad terms? She wasn’t sure how long she could hold out asking.
“They’re not coming, Liz,” Marcus said, reading her mind. His fingers were intertwined and palms rubbing nervously as he glared absently at the checkered patterned carpet.
Liz waited, showing no emotion. Mainly because she wasn’t sure what to feel yet. Not until she knew why.
“About a year and a half ago, Mom and Dad were coming home from a holiday party Dad’s boss was throwing at his estate. It was pretty far from their house and they left pretty late. Neither one had anything to drink so they figured it was okay to drive home instead of staying over, as many guests had since it started to snow that night. Then the snow turned to rain, the roads got pretty icy…” he trailed off and stood to cross to the window. Liz watched him and waited while he regained his composure. “Someone found the totaled vehicle and called it in. They were only a few minutes from home.”
A cold shiver went through Liz’s upper body. She didn’t understand it, but the tears were rolling down her face as fast and uncontrollably as water flowing from a dam. The tension and throbbing in her head started growing painfully. But she wouldn’t let it show. This was probably why no one told her anything. He shut her eyes and squeezed her hands to keep herself from touching the wrap around her head. The next thing she knew, Marcus was by her side with his arm around her shoulder in a very brotherly way. He didn’t say anything, but looked regretful.
“I’m sorry, I don’t even know why I’m upset. I didn’t even know them.” She leaned into his shoulder. The natural connection to him was undeniable. The young man sitting next to her was real and genuine. That was something she wished she could say for her husband. She didn’t doubt Matt’s love for her or that she had loved him before she lost her memory. But there was a distance and distrust that was palpable between them.
“Because no matter how much you deny it, Liz, you still feel for your family even though you don’t remember us. But that’s only—”
Someone entered the room. Liz and Marcus both looked up to see Matt standing at the door. He seemed to have immediately caught Liz’s watery eyes and panicked.
“What’s happening?” he demanded, shooting a look at her brother.
Marcus stood slowly, kissed her forehead and wiped away a tear from her cheek.
“Thank you for coming, Marcus.” She smiled at him.
“It’s just Marc,” he winked. “Call me if you need anything.”
Marcus and her husband exchanged looks, and Marc headed out. She was starting to get annoyed that people couldn’t just say things in front of her, like she would shatter like a piece of glass.
When the door closed, Matt approached her cautiously.
“He told you about your parents,” he guessed.
She glowered at him.
“Liz, I didn’t think it was the right—”
“It’s fine,” she said abruptly. “As long as other people keep visiting me, I’ll eventually know everything I need to about my life.”
“Liz, that’s not fair—”
