Page 87 of Remember Me

“She looks like a child trying on her mom’s clothes, I’m sure it’ll fit in a few months. Can we go and see my mom soon? She would love to see Bella in her sweater?”

Barking drags me out of my memory. Alyssa’s here. I quickly pick Bella up and grab a flower, sending a selfie to Jake.

Charlotte - I can’t believe it still fits!

Charlotte - Heading to your mom’s to chill with the girls, will probably stay there

He won’t see it for a while as I know he’s at the arena now, but it’ll be a nice surprise when he does.

I pack my Harry Potter teddy in my bag, alongside my toiletries and one of Jake’s shirts to sleep in. I never thought I’d be this girl, but I need to smell him to sleep better and stave off the nightmares that haunt me.

I quickly grab some bits for Bella, and by the time I’m finished, Alyssa has let herself in.

“Hey! I’m just finishing packing up.” Bella goes straight to her, jumping up for a fuss.

“Hey, girl, I’ve missed you! Aunty Lyss may or may not have a pup cup in the car with your name on it.” Bella’s tail is swishing so fast you can’t even see it anymore, it’s just a blur.

“Ok, I’m ready to go.” I’m clutching my bag and keys, and Alyssa takes Bella’s lead.

“Don’t you need your crutches?”

I shake my head at her with a smile. Although I have a small limp, I’m walking unaided these days, and I’m doing pretty well. My PT sessions have nearly come to an end and it’s time to get back to some normality. Don’t even talk to me about therapy. It’s just not working for me.

“That’s amazing, babe. In that case, let's go.”

Before we get in the car, Alyssa gives Bella her pup cup and lets her do her business before the hour’s drive to Hannah’s. Once we’re all situated in the car, she hands me a pink drink from Starbucks. Normally, I’m a coffee girlie, but as it’s early evening, a pink drink will do me just fine. I take a sip, letting the taste of strawberry, acai, and coconut flood my senses—I even let out a little moan of pleasure.

“So, how's things with your mystery man?” I ask as she pulls onto the freeway. I can only see her side profile, but I do spy her lips curling up in a smile.

“It’s going great.” That’s all I get.

“Tell me about him, what’s he like?” I push; she’s so secretive about this guy.

“I would, but I don’t want to ruin things.” Hmm, it’s gotta be someone on the team.

Arriving at Hannah’s always feels like home. As we open the front door, we’re greeted by the guys' dogs, and it’s clear full chaos mode has been activated.

“Charlie!” Hannah comes rushing over and wraps me in her arms. I love her hugs, they feel just like my mom’s used to—warm and comforting, an instant hit of serotonin. The dogs are all sniffing around me as I bend down to give them pets. Hannah looks after Theo’s, Codey’s, and sometimes Louis and Kayla's dogs when they’re away for games.

Alyssa unclips Bella’s lead and all the dogs run off together, ready to continue the mayhem.

Kayla’s in the kitchen, still sporting the black wig and black lipstick. Guess that piercing hasn’t healed yet.

“What’re we drinking?” Alyssa says as she rounds the island.

“Well Mama S said she needed some wine, so I went to the store and picked up a whole bunch of different ones. Who fancies wine tasting?” Kayla shimmies as she holds up a different wine in each hand.

“As soon as I heard you were coming over, honey, I knew there would be alcohol involved, so I went ahead and made these. Don’t worry, Charlie, there's a vegetarian one for you.” Hannah pulls charcuterie boards from the fridge. My mouth is watering at the spread she has put on in such a short space of time. Mine is filled with crackers, cheese, olives, hummus, and little carrot sticks. And the best part? I don’t have to share it with anyone else.

I take a bite of the hummus on a carrot stick and let out a groan. “God, Hannah, this is divine. Did you make that yourself?” I ask, pointing to the dip.

She waves her hand like it’s no big deal. “Oh, it was nothing, just some chickpeas and other bits.”

“Honestly, it’s incredible. I need the recipe,” I say as I take another bite.

Whilst Kayla pours out the first wine for us to try, I decide to tell them about what happened earlier.

“So, I unlocked another memory today,” I start. Everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at me.