It takes a lot of effort, but we finally succeed in getting Damien up the stairs and to his bedroom, and he gratefully falls onto his bed. The school nurse said he should be back to normal in about a week, and I sincerely hope that’s true, because there’s no way I’m going to be able to put up with his glorified pity party any longer than that.

After he’s set up among his pillows, James and I exit the room. Casting a glance over my shoulder, I take James by the elbow and usher him away from the open door and out of earshot. He looks at me in confusion.

“Can you and Zoe stay downstairs for a while?” I ask. “I want to talk to Damien, alone.”

He studies me for a second before his look of bemusement is replaced by a smirk. “Ah, I see how it is,” he remarks. “You’re turned on by injured dudes? Maybe I’ll have to twist an ankle.”

“You’re disgusting,” I say, causing him to grin wickedly. “Just go downstairs. Please.”

He holds his hands up in surrender, backing away. “Whatever you say, doll.”

I swallow, gazing at the door to Damien’s bedroom. Every part of me wants to just leave, go downstairs, walk home, and avoid everyone for the next five to seven business days, but I know I can’t.

Taking another deep breath, I reenter the room and Damien looks up from the bed. I must have been in this room a million times before, but to this version of me, it feels brand new.

“Sorry for making you and James carry me around,” he apologizes as I take a seat on the edge of the bed.

“Don’t worry about it,” I advise. “How’s your knee?”

“You don’t have to beat around the bush,” he says with a sigh. “I know why you’re here.”

He’s more perceptive than I thought.

It’s quiet for a long time, and when he speaks again, his voice sounds tortured. “Please don’t do this,” he begs, face clouded with oncoming tears.

“Damien,” I mumble, looking away.

He pushes himself up from the pillows, edging closer to me, his expression desperate. “Your doctor told you going back to your regular routine would help you regain your memory, right?” he asks, his words urgent, and I nod reluctantly. “Well, this isn’t routine. This isn’t how we are.”

“What are you saying?”

His brown eyes light up with something dangerous, intense on mine. “All of this distance . . . it’s not right. Please, just let me show you the way we’re supposed to be.”