out of the mirror. He fought desperately to hold on to the pulsing pleasure, but consciousness encroached and he groaned, frustrated by the interruption.
“Colin, hey, whoa, that’s some dream you must be having, but let’s wake up now, okay?”
That definitely was not Miranda’s voice. Colin tried to focus back on Miranda, but she was fading away, slipping from him as reality and the throbbing pain in his head set in. Opening his eyes, he started when he met Travis’s eyes, up close and personal. Travis bent close, opening one eyelid then the other, shining a light that just increased the stabbing pain he was already feeling, then proceeded to check his other vitals without saying a word.
“Some parts of you are quite alert this morning apparently…would it be inappropriate for me to inquire how you’re feeling?”
Colin realized his dream-induced erection hadn’t quite faded with the dream. He could only be grateful now he hadn’t reached climax or he would have really been embarrassed. Looking up at Travis and twisting his face away from the probing light, he growled.
“I feel like shit.”
“That sounds about right. The meds are wearing off. You’ll be logy for a while, but then things will clear up. We’ll give you some painkillers for the aches, but nothing too strong—you need to get back on your feet today.”
“I can’t feel my feet. Wait, yes, I can, and they hurt. Everything hurts.”
Travis grinned down at him, sticking his hands into his pockets. “Aw, quit your whining. You were lucky—could have been much worse.”
“How the hell did I end up here with you poking and prodding at me?”
Travis shrugged and wrote something on his chart before answering.
“So you don’t remember our talk from last night? Do you remember anything else? Your mom and dad coming in, Miranda?”
Colin’s attention perked. “Miranda was here?”
Travis nodded and made another note. “Don’t worry too much about it. Memory lapses are common with this kind of thing. What’s important is that you made it out all in one piece.” Travis’s eyes turned serious when he stopped writing. “Seriously, Col, you were lucky. It may not feel like it at the moment, but if you’d been in the water any longer, things would have been a lot worse.”
Colin raised his eyebrows and winced. “I fell in the water? Lord. I can’t remember anything. When will my memory come back?”
“Hard to say. Amnesia can be temporary, but sometimes people will permanently lose their memories of the time surrounding a traumatic incident. You might also have a little trouble with your immediate memory in the next few days, forgetting where you put your coffee or your keys. It’s normal.”
Colin furrowed his brow, concentrating, but all he could recall of the preceding day was correcting papers and getting an e-mail from Miranda. Travis reached over and patted his shoulder companionably.
“Don’t force it. If it comes, it comes. You probably stopped for a beer, went for a walk and didn’t see those bikes coming.”
“Bikes?”
“You were knocked over the rail by a bicyclist. We talked about that a little last night, but you were pretty out of it.”
“Did anyone else get hurt?”
“Just minor injuries. You were kind enough to block one guy’s fall and prevent him from pitching over the side. Other than that, they didn’t have much to add, just that you were standing there and then suddenly you turned into their path.” Travis adjusted something on Colin’s IV, then continued.
“They tried to avoid you, but it was too late. The one who was left standing called the rescue unit and sent up a flare, flagging in a nearby boat with his emergency flashlight.” Travis grinned. “I’ll never make fun of yuppies who get all geared up for a ride through the city again. He saved your life.”
Colin blinked, the enormity of the situation settling in. He had fallen, could’ve died—and he didn’t remember any of it. It was extraordinarily frustrating. And surreal. Waking up the hospital and having no idea why was one of the most disturbing experiences he’d ever had. As a psychologist he had always wondered what amnesia would feel like. Basically, it sucked.
In spite of Travis’s casual response, it was unnerving to know something had happened and not be able to remember what it was. Exhaustion was starting to replace frustration, but he forced himself to stay awake.
“When am I out of here?”
“Later today. Your vitals are fine. We’ll get you up and walking, see how you do, then your mom said she and your dad would come get you. You’re staying with them for the night.”
Colin eyed Travis’s amused expression warily.
“Is that really necessary?”
“Probably not, but I told her it was a great idea, because it was fun to think of you being fed green Jell-O and tucked away in front of the TV in your jammies.”
“That’s just great. Thanks a bunch.”
“No problem. But seriously, Col, it wouldn’t hurt for you to have someone around for your first night home, and it will make them feel better, too. Randi and I talked them out of canceling their trip, so you are only hostage for one night. Enjoy it.”
Colin smirked and let his head fall back on the pillow before his tone turned serious again.
“They were okay?”
“They were scared, but they know you’re okay, and I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
“I have to call the university. When can I get back to work?”
“We called them to report your accident, but you can go back as soon as you feel up to it. Give it until tomorrow, at least, but then it’s up to you. I’ve gotta go finish my rounds.” He pushed the phone closer to the bed. “Oh, and not that I care to see you naked again, but you’ll need to schedule a follow-up in three to five days. Routine. And call immediately if anything gets worse or seems wrong.”
Colin nodded, and Travis headed toward the door. “See you later, bud. A nurse will be in shortly to help you out. Don’t try getting out of bed on your own, or you’ll embarrass yourself. Maybe I’ll stop by tonight for some Jell-O.”
MIRANDA LOOKED AT THE young couple sitting across from her, their three-month-old Lab puppy squirming in the wife’s lap. She loved all dogs, and Lab puppies were especially irresistible. Their big brown eyes got her every time, but she knew they could also be completely unmanageable if they weren’t properly trained, and that was the case now.
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