Chapter 1
When Reggie blinked his eyes awake, the first thing he noticed was the stark white walls and ceiling he was looking at, immediately followed by a very painful ache in the back of his head. He forced himself to sit up, realizing there was someone beside him. He took them in, their blonde hair, cute face, strong arms. The guy seemed to be asleep, but he was holding Reggie’s hand. Reggie didn’t know who he was. Like he could feel Reggie’s eyes on him, the guy slowly opened his own, and Reggie was struck by how beautiful they were. “Reggie! Oh thank god.” The blonde man leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Reggie’s forehead and it made Reggie freeze.
“Do I know you?” Reggie really tried to keep the question in. Clearly he must know this guy somehow, especially by the hurt look that passed over his face before he gave a pained smile.
“I’m gonna get your doctor, okay?” The blonde squeezed his hand before shuffling out the door. Reggie could vaguely hear the voices in the hallway, looking down at the dark black lines the covered his arms. He had tattoos now? He couldn’t give it much thought before Julie popped her head in.
“Hey, Reggie.” She called softly.
“Jules!” He couldn’t contain his smile at seeing his little sister, even if she did look different. “What happened?”
“You were out walking, crossing the street. A driver didn’t see their red light, I guess. Doctor says you’ll be okay.” Reggie knew Julie, and he could tell she wasn’t saying something she wanted to. He gave her a look, she gestured out the door, “You really don’t remember him?”
“I can tell that I should know him when I see the way he looked hurt that I didn’t, but I don’t remember ever meeting him.” Reggie answered quietly.
“What’s the last thing you remember?”
“Uhhh, I think the morning after Alex and Willie’s wedding.” Julie’s eyes widened before she could stop them. “What?”
“What date was the wedding?” She asked.
“Halloween 2018.” He answered confused.
“Reg, today is November fifteenth, 2020.” Her voice was soft.
“What? No way. How long was I asleep?”
“Just for a day.” Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“So I just don’t remember the last two years? What does that mean?”
“Retrograde amnesia.” Another voice answered, and Reggie turned at the dark haired woman that came in. She was wearing a white coat, so Reggie figured she was his doctor. “We did a head scan last night while you were still asleep. Luckily, you didn’t break any bones, so you should be back in shape in a day or two. Your memory could come back in a couple days, but it might take longer. Or it might not come back.”
Reggie blinked. “I might never remember the last two years?”
“It’s a small chance, but it is a possibility.” The doctor answered. “I will leave you to your guests for now, and I’ll check on you in a little bit.” She glided out of the room, and Julie stepped aside as more people filed in. Reggie saw Luke and Alex and Willie and Flynn, and there was the blonde boy from before with a light colored brunette haired girl.
“Regs, man, it is so good to see you awake.” Luke was crying, but he was grinning, gripping the girl’s hand.
“Who’s this?” Reggie gestured at her, still wishing he could keep himself from asking.
The girl gave him a sad smile, “I’m Carrie. Your sister in law.”
“My what?” Reggie looked again, at the way Luke held her hand like a lifeline. He vaguely remembered at Alex’s wedding, Luke spent a lot of time dancing with the girl he brought. Alex and Willie had everyone wear costumes so he never really saw her face, and Reggie hadn’t met her before then. “You’re the girl Luke took to Alex’s wedding.” He didn’t say it like a question, but the girl’s face brightened as she nodded.
“You were Luke’s best man when we got married a few months ago. I can show you the pictures, if you want to see them?” Reggie nodded, and Carrie delicately took her hand from Luke’s grasp, pulling out her phone. She came closer to the side of Reggie’s bed, leaning lightly into his side, she flipped through pictures of the ceremony slowly. Reggie had never seen Luke happier in his life, and he’d known Luke since he was six. As she started flipping through pictures of the reception, Reggie grabbed her wrist, freezing on four picture collage she had made. He knew his own face, but he was pressed against the blonde man in the room. “Oh.” Carrie breathed out as she watched him. In the pictures, they were smiling lovingly, clearly unaware of the camera. But the last one was what made Reggie freeze. They were kissing. Reggie’s eyes found the blonde’s, and he was clearly concerned about what picture he was looking at. Carrie turned her phone so the others could see.
“What’s your name?” Reggie asked, his voice hoarse and full of emotion.
“I’m Nick.” The guy answered, his voice just as hoarse as Reggie’s. “We’ve, uh, we’ve been dating for about a year and a half.” Reggie wasn’t sure what to say. He could see the emotions on Nick’s face, and he wondered when he learned to read him so well. “It’s okay that you don’t remember, Reggie. We can start over. I won’t go anywhere.”