Fractured Mind E-Book

Bianca Lee Ward

• Herausgeber: Bianca Lee
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

I’d forgotten my past.
But he hadn’t forgotten me...
There was a life before the accident—a life that vanished when amnesia erased my first twelve years of memories.
With Mom burying her secrets in a bottle, I was left to piece together the fragments of my childhood on my own.
Now, back in the town where I was raised, I’m finally uncovering long-buried truths that shake the very foundations of my reconstructed memories.
I’m no longer the person I once was, and neither is my childhood best friend, Ashton De Santis. Ashton, now a fierce bare-knuckle fighter, protective and intense, slowly reintroduces me to our shared past. It’s hard to ignore the spark of old feelings, but as our chemistry reignites, I can’t shake the fear of getting burned.
Wanting Ashton is a risk I can’t afford. Losing him a second time could haunt me forever.

Previously released as "Missing You," this book now comes with revisions and new content, including extra chapters and an epilogue.

Fans of Tijan, Jay Crownover, and L.A. Cotton, prepare to be swept away by this tale of childhood friends turned lovers. This gripping new adult novel is a standalone story set within the Crown Village universe, home to War Brothers MC series.

Leseprobe

FRACTURED MIND

BIANCA LEE WARD

This book contains adult themes and is not suitable for persons under the age of 18.

For information regarding possible triggers, please see www.biancaleeward.com or contact [email protected].

Fractured Mind

Copyright © Bianca Lee 2022, Bianca Lee Ward 2024

Written by Bianca Lee Ward.

Previously published under Bianca Lee under the title of Missing You.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All rights reserved.

Copyright Notice: No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

CONTENTS

Also by Bianca Lee Ward

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Epilogue

Sneak Peek at Axle - Chapter 1

Sneak Peek at Axle - Chapter 2

Sneak Peek at Axle - Chapter 3

Authors Note

Acknowledgments

Resources

About the Author

ALSO BY BIANCA LEE WARD

Axle

War Brothers MC

She’s a wager, a game…

I’ll pretend she’s mine, such a pretty little lie.

I’m exactly the type of guy Elena should stay away from.

Sweet, innocent women like her don’t look for relationships in motorcycle clubs. Especially one as classy and out of my league as Elena.

I can’t resist swiping right on her dating profile for fun. I never imagined we’d be a match. I know I’d only be a quick thrill for her, but I’m getting tired of the women at the clubhouse anyway.

Then my club brother Viper goes and ups the stakes: he bets me one thousand dollars that I won’t be able to have a relationship with Elena.

With my wicked smile and flirty charm, she won’t be able to resist me. And like my other hookups, I can’t let it get personal.

Until I let my guard down and she becomes my ride or die.

Which means I’ve got to make sure as hell that Elena never finds out about our bet…

Grab a copy of Axle now!

Reaper

War Brothers MC

I let her go once because she wasn’t mine.

This time, I’ll die before I give her up…

I want her.

That smile… those curves.

But Ava doesn’t belong to me.

Then she arrives in my clubhouse, seeking refuge. My gut churns at the sight of the bruises on her face, the fear in her eyes.

Before I was the president of the War Brothers Motorcycle Club, I was a sniper in the military who hunted down evil men like her husband. Now I avoid relationships because the wounds I have are more than skin deep.

But Ava’s different, and when I find her in the wrong bedroom—my bedroom—one night, what happens next changes everything.

I let her go once because she was married, but I won’t make the same mistake twice.

I’ll die before I let her dangerous husband, the jealous women in our club, or the enemy our club didn’t see coming lay a finger on her.

Because this time around, Ava is mine.

Grab a copy of Reaper now!

PLAYLIST

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Roses & Revolutions

Never Forget You – Zara Larsson, MNEK

Final Masquerade – Linkin Park

Close To Me – Benny Benassi, Gary Go

Chokehold – Sleep Token

Trapped – The Word Alive

One Day – LMFAO

DAYWALKER! – Machine Gun Kelly, CORPSE

Beast (Southpaw Remix - Busta Rhymes, KXNG Crooked & Tech N9ne) – Rob Bailey, The Hustle Standard

My Reflection – Andrew Rayel, Emma Hewitt

Periscope – Papa Roach, Skylar Grey

Breakeven – The Script

Sun In Our Eyes – MØ, Diplo, Don Diablo

I Could Be The One – Avicii, Nicky Romero

Stay With Me – Sam Smith

Monster – LUM!X, Gabry Ponte

Cold Water – Major Lazer, Justin Bieber, MØ

Piano Sonata No.14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op.27, No.2 “Moonlight Sonata” – Ludwig van Beethoven

Psycho – Puddle of Mudd

Falling Down – Lil Peep, XXXTENTACION

Stay – The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber

Sunrise – Kygo, Jason Walker

High – James Blunt

She Got Me Like – Kode

Body – Megan Thee Stallion

Animal I Have Become – Three Days Grace

Somewhere I Belong – Linkin Park

For anyone struggling with their identity and

where they belong, this one’s for you.

CHAPTERONE

MIA

Brown eyes, so dark they look almost black, stare back at me. A boy with shaggy black hair smiles, his smile so infectious I can’t help but smile back. I lean in closer and rest my head on his shoulder as we sit on a blanket and watch the sunrise bathe us in a warm golden glow.

The shrill of an alarm makes my eyes fly open. I rub my chest. The dream is vivid. It’s always the same dream. He never speaks; we just sit in a comfortable silence, but I’m happy. I’ve always wondered whether, or wished that, it was more than just a dream—a memory.

As I look up, bits of peeling paint fall from the bedroom ceiling and flutter to the ground like snowflakes. Brown patterned swirls from water damage and black specks of mold cover the ceiling and walls. Repairs is just another thing we can’t afford. It’s a stark reminder that this is my reality.

The alarm on my phone still screeches, so I reach out, pulling my phone closer, and press stop. It’s time to get ready for school. As I lower my legs over the bed, pieces of paper scattered on the nightstand catch my attention. A lingering sense of dread washes over me at the overdue bills I haven’t paid.

I choose the shirt and shorts with the fewest wrinkles from the clean clothes basket and get changed. As I walk past Mom’s bedroom, I can’t stop myself from peeking inside. The bed remains untouched—just the way I left it after washing and replacing her sheets.

Knock knock knock.

I turn in the direction of the front door, and for a second, I wonder if I imagined it because Mom is never awake this early in the morning.

Knock knock knock.

“I’m coming.” I hurry through the house.

When I open the door, two well-dressed elderly people are standing outside. Their eyes bulge when they see me. Behind them, I notice the limousine they had arrived in. With furrowed brows, I ask, “Can I help you?”

The woman’s hand trembles as she touches her cheek, yet her body remains motionless. The man gives me a warm smile and asks, “Can we take up five minutes of your time?”

I pause. This is strange. “Sure,” I answer, and step back and open the door wider so they can walk inside.

The woman walks in first. I wait for her face to scrunch up in disgust at the state of the house, but it doesn’t. She wipes her eyes instead.

“Carmen, are you all right?” the man asks.

She shakes her head. “Wayne, stop fussing over me and let me talk to my granddaughter.”

Something between a gasp and a choke rips from my throat. I’m paralyzed with shock.

“You have so many of your mother’s features,” Carmen points out while scanning my face. “They are more pronounced now that you’ve gotten older.” Wayne clears his throat, pulling her out of her trance. “I’m sorry,” she whispers with a sad smile. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you . . . I’m your nana.”

I search her face to see if she’s lying. “But I have no other family.”

She sighs, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, you do. You have me. Your mother called and informed me that she got arrested for a DUI. However, since it was her first offense, we managed to get her into a rehabilitation clinic.”

“Mom is in a rehabilitation clinic?” I repeat, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice. There’s a flicker of relief in my chest—it’s the first time she’s gotten help.

“You’ll stay with me until your mother gets better.”

“Wait, what?” I’m still trying to process everything. None of this feels real.

Pain flashes in her eyes as she looks around. “If I knew it was this bad”—she gestures toward our rundown home—“I would have been here sooner. I’m sorry I failed you. According to your mother, the two of you were doing well.”

“Mom can make anyone believe anything.” She said she would get help for her drinking problem but never did.

“Why don’t you pack some clothes, and I’ll meet you in the car?”

I nibble on my lip. “Is Mom okay?”

“Yes. Hopefully, it will serve as a wake-up call for her.”

I nod, but when I think of all our debt, my breathing becomes erratic. “I can’t just leave. What about all of our bills?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of it.” Her voice is confident and reassuring, but it seems too good to be true.

“Why haven’t I met you before?” I ask. A mix of curiosity and suspicion coats my voice.

She frowns. “You have. We saw you nearly every day before the accident.”

“Oh, right.” I swallow hard. Sometimes I forget I once lived a different life. My memories of the past vanished one day when I was twelve years old. I was told I had been in an accident. I stopped asking Mom what happened because she would get upset whenever I brought it up. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder, what if I hadn’t lost my memory? What would my life be like?

I go to my room to get my things together. I gather my clothes and shove them into a large bag. In a smaller bag, I pack the essentials I need from the bathroom. How sad that most of my possessions fit inside two bags.

When I walk out, Wayne is standing by the door. He smiles at me. “I’ll take your bags. Carmen is sitting in the back seat.”

Feeling awkward, I hesitate. “It’s okay . . . I can do it.”

His hands fold over the handles of the bags. “It’s my job. I insist.”

I let go of them in defeat and waste no time pulling the faded yellow door of the house shut. Anything has to be better than my life here.

When I settle into the leather seat of the limousine, Nana says, “I live in Crown Village. It’s a long drive, but you used to love it there. Your mother always said it was paradise.”

Butterflies explode in my stomach at the thought of revisiting a past I no longer remember.

CHAPTERTWO

MIA

I’ve been staring out the window while we’ve been driving, though the lights and sounds of the busy city dwindled long ago.

Nana’s face lights up. “Wayne, let’s stop by Royal Bakery.”

After the limousine stops, she turns to me. “They have a large box of an assortment of pastries for me. It’s already paid for. Just say it’s for Carmen. They know who I am.”

I nod and go inside. The shop is small, with dark-blue and white stripes decorating the bakery’s walls. I move forward and wait behind a few people in line. Glancing at the display case, I smile when I see the macaroons, but my face drops when someone chuckles ahead of me.

A tall guy with thick hair and a lopsided grin stares at me with amused eyes. “I can tell you like them. What’s your favorite flavor?”

Heat spreads through my cheeks. “Chocolate.”

“Good choice.” While running a hand through his hair, he says, “I’m Theo.”

“I’m Mia,” I reply shyly.

We step forward as another customer takes their order and leaves.

He tilts his head, looking puzzled. “I haven’t seen you around. Are you new here?”

Shuffling, I glance at the floor. Is it that obvious? “Yes, I am.”

Theo looks to be around my age, but he is no boy . . . oh no . . . he is all man. His eyes roam over me before he takes another step forward and reaches the front of the queue. Once he orders and has his food, he smirks over his shoulder. “I’ll see you around.”

“What can I get for you, dear?” the lady at the counter asks with a cheery voice.

My attention is still on Theo as he leaves the shop. “An order for Carmen.”

She pulls a large white box from the far side of the display and hands it to me. “Tell her I said hi.”

“I will.”

“This is yours as well,” she says, placing a small white bag on top. She must see the confusion on my face because she adds, “It’s macaroons. The gentleman that was just here purchased it for you.”

I beam. That was nice of him.

When I walk outside, Wayne is standing by the limousine, waiting for me. He puts his hands out, gesturing for the box of treats. I hand it to him and keep the macaroon bag and slide into the seat beside Nana.

“The lady who served me said hi.”

She smiles. “The ladies are great, and the food is . . . well, wait until you try it.”

We drive farther along until we’re on a mountain surrounded by a forest and overlooking the ocean. Loud pumping music distracts me. An expensive sports car turns out of a driveway. The car window is down, and I can see the male driver. Once on the road, the car speeds up, its exhaust echoing as it leaves.

Nana purses her lips and scowls at the car. “That boy knows better than to speed.” Her face then softens as she glances at me. “Oh, I forgot to ask. Do you need to contact anyone to let them know you’re here?”

“Just work.” I realize how pathetic that sounds. “And my friend Nick.”

It’s not like I have close friends at school; they’re more like acquaintances. When I started working, Nick and I clicked straight away. He’s hilarious, and even on the worst days, he still makes me laugh.

“I have you starting school here on Monday. It being your last year, I wouldn’t want you to miss anything.”

My body stills, the nervousness kicking in and making it hard to keep breathing at a normal rate. I’ll find it challenging to meet new people. I never fit in at my last school. The school exclusively enrolled privileged teens, leaving me feeling like an outsider. We struggled with money, so I always wondered how my mom could afford it, but now I have an idea. “Did you pay my school fees?”

“Yes. From when you were young, I told your mother I wanted to pay for your education.”

The car stops outside a large gate flanked by two stone pillars. When it opens, we drive through, and lush trees surrounding the property come into view.

We travel down the long driveway and then pull up outside the biggest house I’ve ever seen—or is it a mansion? The three-story house has large arched windows and is clad in stone all around.

When we stop, Wayne opens my door, holding his hand out to help me. A breeze carries the scent of trees, flowers, and salty air. Wayne blocks me as I go to the back of the car to get my bags. “I’ll bring them to your room,” he offers. It feels strange having people help me when I’m used to doing everything myself.

As I walk inside the entrance, my eyes grow wide. The mansion has a cathedral ceiling with exposed wooden beams. I step toward a window, which looks to be at least six meters high, and look out over a spread of trees, other mansions, and roads that lead to the ocean. I suck in a sharp breath. “I’ve never seen a view as beautiful as this,” I whisper.

Nana stands beside me. “You have this view from your bedroom too.”

My heart pounds in my ears from a mix of shock and excitement.

“Wayne, can you show Mia to her room?” Nana’s eyes return to me. “Lunch will be ready shortly.”

Wayne, who’s holding my bags, nods. I follow him up the spiral staircase, our footsteps echoing. On the third level, we walk down a hallway. I peek into each room as we pass each doorway. The rooms appear to be bedrooms.

Wayne walks into one room, and I trail behind, taking everything in. He sets down my bags beside the bed. “This room is yours.”

I’m in awe. The room has a cream-colored carpet, antique furniture, and a wooden bed with a gold bedspread. But the best thing is the view. The moment I see the windows, I’m drawn to them. Nana was right—the view matches the one from the entryway. The room also has a balcony with chairs.

“Carmen had a personal shopper pick out clothes for you. They’ve been washed and put away.”

I’ve never had someone care for me like this. I clear my throat as I work to contain the sudden surge of emotion.

He points to a door on the far side of the room. “That is your en suite . . . I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, and when he leaves, I collapse on the bed, my back meeting the soft material.

My phone pings with a message, and I groan at seeing my boss’s name—Karen—lighting up the screen.

Can you cover the late shift again?

Because she’s rude, I’m relieved that I’m no longer working for her.

I won’t be back to work for a while. Family problems.

I can’t hold your job for you.

I understand.

Ten minutes later, my phone rings, and it’s Nick. News travels fast.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Is it true you left me here with Karen?” Her name is Carrie, but because of her attitude, we nicknamed her Karen.

Instead of letting him hear it from her, I should have called him right away. “Yes, it’s true. I’m sorry. I would have contacted you earlier, but I just arrived.”

“What?” He sounds confused. “Arrived where?”

“My mom got arrested for a DUI. She’s in rehab.”

He scoffs. “I’m not surprised. Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m at my nana’s house,” I reply as I look around the room. It still doesn’t feel real.

“Huh? You told me you didn’t have any family.”

“I didn’t think I did either. She was waiting for me at my house. Since Mom’s in rehab, I’m staying with her.”

“I’m so jealous . . . but you left me alone with Karen.”

I know if the roles were reversed, I would have trouble getting through my shifts without Nick to keep me entertained. “You’ll survive,” I tease.

“Barely,” he mutters, and I try my best not to laugh. “Where are you, anyway?”

“I’m about three hours away in a place called Crown Village.”

He lets out a mock sigh. “I hope you hate it so that you end up coming back.”

“I doubt it. She lives on a mountain, and I’m surrounded by views of the ocean.”

His groan is loud and dramatic. “I better get an invitation soon.”

“That would be great.” It would be nice to go somewhere with someone I know.

“Talk soon, traitor.”

I chuckle. “I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.”

My stomach grumbles as I hang up the phone, so I wander downstairs and walk toward the sound of music. The piece of music is both sad and soothing. I’m surprised by how much I like it.

There’s a sudden gasp from behind me, and Nana is staring at me when I turn. Her body is stiff. “Do you know this song?” she whispers so softly that I can only just hear.

“I must have heard it before,” I admit, even though I don’t think that’s the truth.

She closes her eyes, her hand moving with the tune. “It’s Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. It’s one of my favorite pieces by him.” She shakes her head, but her gaze remains on the piano. “Your mother taught you how to play the piano from the age of five.”

I swallow the small lump in my throat. “I played?”

“You were amazing. This song was one you used to play.”

I blink a few times, not sure I heard correctly. “I played Beethoven on that piano?”

“Watching your mother teach you when you were young are memories I’ll always cherish.”

Her words slice through me because it’s memories I don’t think I’ll remember.“Thank you for the clothes. You didn’t have to get me anything.”

Her nose crinkles. “You’ll get more than clothes while you’re here. You will have access to your trust fund as well.”

I freeze. It’s the first time I’m hearing about it.

“We have put aside assets and money for you. Your mother also has money, which is why I was surprised by your living conditions.”

Disbelief weighs heavy on my shoulders. “I had to pull extra shifts to pay for everything when Mom wasn’t there. It makes no sense.” I could have gotten better grades if I wasn’t working all the time.

She frowns. “I don’t know either. You can ask her when she gets out of rehab.” There’s a brief silence before she looks away and calls out, “Is lunch ready yet?”

“Yes, Carmen,” a deep voice replies. A tall man with black hair and stubble appears. He’s handsome and wearing fitted black clothes and an apron. He nods, greeting me with a smile before turning to Nana. “Where would you like to have lunch today?”

“Out on the terrace, please,” Nana answers.

His eyes flicker back to me. “Can I get you some coffee or tea, or do you have something special in mind?”

“Coffee, thanks.”

Nana gestures for me to follow her. The fresh air hits my face when we walk outside. We sit on two of the chairs and take in the spectacular view.

“Mom never told me about the piano.”

“I wanted her to take the piano when she left with you, but she refused. Your grandpa taught her how to play, so when he passed away, I think it was too much of a painful reminder for her.” Sadness coats every word.

My heart’s in my throat. “Is his passing the reason Mom drinks?”

The chef walks out before she can answer and places a platter of sandwiches, fruits, cheese, and crackers on the table.

Nana waits until he leaves. “It could be . . . It broke her heart. Then she almost lost you. In a way, she kind of did. We can only hope being at the rehab facility provides her with what she needs to get better.” She glances down at the food. “Now eat.”

I look down and cringe. I’m aware of how skinny I’ve become. Finally, I can focus on myself instead of constantly worrying about whether I can afford more than just noodles and canned food for the week.

My stomach flutters with nervous energy. I don’t know what she expects from me and if any rules apply to my stay. “I spoke to my friend earlier. Would you mind if he came and visited me?”

She smiles, and it lights up her face. “Think of this as your home. You’re more than welcome to ask your friends to come to see you, and you can go explore the town before you start school.”

I pick up my phone and type a message to Nick.

This is your invitation to come and visit me at my nanas. Are you free tomorrow?

Fabulous! That works out well. It’s my only day off this week. I’m looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about. Send me the address, and I’ll drive up tomorrow afternoon.

CHAPTERTHREE

MIA

“Your friend has arrived.”

“Thanks, Wayne,” I reply while staring at myself in the mirror. Nana didn’t just buy me clothes—there are shoes, jewelry, bags, makeup, and everything a girl my age would like, and it’s all luxury brands.

My tan ankle boots tap against the floor as I rush downstairs. By the time I reach the front entrance, Wayne has escorted Nick inside.

Nick’s eyes bulge as he catches sight of me, and then an ear-to-ear smile graces his lips. He gives a wolf whistle. “Oh girl,” he says with sass. “You look good enough to eat. If I batted for the other team, I would be all over you right now.”

My cheeks flush. I’m not used to being the center of attention.

“Hello.” Nana greets Nick with a pleasant smile.

Nick flashes a charming grin back at her. “It’s lovely to meet you. If you, by any chance, decide to take on another teen, I volunteer as a tribute.”

She cackles while raising her brow. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Bye, Nana,” I say while walking toward the door.

When I get into the car, the seat hisses when I slide into it. “I’m surprised your car made it this far.”

Nick playfully glares at me. “Don’t jinx me. I still have to make it home.”

I suppress a laugh and place my Coco Chanel bag on my lap.

He winks. “Love the bag. Where would you like to go?”

“I don’t mind. I’m happy to drive around and explore.”

Glancing out the window as we travel around the lake, I remark, “It’s clear why Mom loves this town.”

He lets out an overexaggerated groan. “You have no idea how lucky you are. It’s like you’ve won some free holiday.”

Warmth floods my chest. I’ve never thought of myself as lucky before, but for once I feel like I am. There are people in boats, others parasailing, and men fishing on the pier. I’m barely able to contain my excitement because I can’t wait to test the trails when I go for a run.

“There’s the beach. Do you want to check it out?” I ask.

“With my pasty skin?” he huffs. “I’ll end up looking like a lobster. Even though seeing men with their shirts off is tempting, I need food. You know what I’m like when I’m hungry.”

I press my lips into a firm line, trying to hold my laughter in. “Yes, I do. You get hangry!”

We park near several restaurants and cafés and get out of the car. My gaze lingers on a restaurant with a mural painted on it. It’s an image of the town, with mountains, beaches, and lakes. When I catch up to Nick, he’s stopped at a café.

We peer through the glass windows. It has bright red booths with a checkered black-and-white floor. Posters of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley cover the walls, and in the far corner is a jukebox. A couple leaves and an outdoor table that’s partially in the sun becomes available, so we take a seat. The sunlight warms my shoulders and back.

Nick hands me a spare menu, and I skim over it. “I think I’ll just get some fries.” When I open my purse to get money out, the price tag becomes visible. My breath seizes. Eight thousand dollars!

“Helloooo, Mia.”

I look up at him. “Yes, sorry, what did you say?”

His brow is raised. “What drink did you want?”

“Cola, please.”

He stands and heads to the doors that lead inside. “Hey, Nick,” I call out while waving money in the air to pay for my meal.

“I’ll pay for lunch.” Then he gives my bag a pointed look. “But sharing is caring.”

Someone shouts, “Mia!” An attractive girl with long black hair, wide eyes, and a dropped jaw is making her way to my table. When she arrives, she stands staring at me.

“Mia, is that you?”

I squirm in my seat. There’s an awkward silence until I speak. “Ah . . . yes. Can I help you?” But then I realize I used to live in Crown Village, and people might recognize me . . . even if I don’t know them.

She breathes out a gush of air. “I can’t believe it. Are you back in town now?”

“Yes,” I reply slowly, with a tight smile.

She sits in Nick’s seat. Her eyes wander my face. “Don’t mind me . . . I’m just in shock.” She looks to her right. “Jackson,” she calls out, beckoning a very intimidating guy with her finger.

My breath seizes at the sight of him. Tattoos peek out from under his shirt. His eyes remain fixed on me as walks over.

She tilts her head to the side while she watches him approach. “Did you know Mia was coming back?”

His eyes narrow slightly and he subtly shakes his head.

Nick returns to our table, his eyes glued to the tattooed guy.

“This is Nick,” I announce to them before clearing my throat to get Nick’s attention. “The two of them recognize me from when I lived here.”

A deep frown curves her face. “Oh, sorry, I forgot you don’t remember us.” She gives me a look of sympathy. “I’m Ruby, and this is my brother, Jackson.” She glances at him. “We were all friends at school.”

I force a smile. It’s odd, people saying we were friends when I can’t remember them.

Ruby looks up at Nick. “Sorry for taking your seat.” She gets up and takes a step closer to me. “How long are you here for?”

I chew on my bottom lip. “I’m not sure . . . a few months maybe.”

Her smile lights up her entire face. “Here.” She passes me her phone. “Put your number in.”