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He stops short as I complete the puzzle quickly and move on to the next one. The next puzzle is some kind of math riddle with three upside down triangles and numbers at each point. The challenge is to guess the missing number, but it’s too obvious so I answer and move on to the next. This one is little tubes with different colors in them that you have to pour to get each color in a specific tube. I keep going, glad to have something to occupy my time, but eventually I look up to find Bennet staring at me.
“Oh, I’m sorry, you probably want your phone back. I didn’t mean to take it for so long. Thanks for letting me play your game a bit.” I smile at him, and then open my lips to grin with my teeth, cutting my eyes around the room because he’s just staring at me.
He takes the phone and looks down, “You did twelve levels?”
“I’m sorry? I didn’t mean to mess you up. Can it go back?” I feel bad that I messed up his game, but I wish he would have said something, I would have stopped.
“No, it's fine, that’s not what I meant,” he tries to explain. “These puzzles are quite difficult, and you tore through some of the higher levels like it was nothing.”
“Oh. That’s nice.”
“That’s ‘nice’?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s kind of reassuring. I just had brain surgery and can’t remember my own name, but I can walk and I can do puzzles. Feels like a win.” I shrug, not sure what else I can say about it.
He’s still eying me weirdly.
I giggle a little. “Did you expect me to be an idiot?”
He shakes his head, “No, that’s not it either. I’m not trying to sound conceited or anything, but I’m quite good at these math puzzles. Even so, these levels sometimes take me multiple tries to complete.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I don’t want to make him feel bad, but those puzzles were insanely easy. Fun, but easy.
“Maybe my brain surgery gave me superpowers.” I make my eyes wide and smile maniacally.
He laughs and rolls his eyes. He types some stuff into his phone and looks up at me with a grin. “Do you know how to play Chess?”
“I don’t think so?” It comes out a question because really, how would I know? But it doesn’t sound familiar.
He types something into his phone, looking back up at me.
“Alright genius, what else would you like to do?”
I shrug, because I honestly have no idea. “I don’t even know my name, Bennet. I have zero idea what I like and don’t like. But I’ll keep you updated as I learn.”
“You do that.” The way he says it kind of gives it a whole other meaning. Am I completely insane or is he actually flirting with me?
There’s a little knock at the door and Luis walks back in. Saved by the hottie!
“Didn’t take you long.” Bennet says.
He might be unimpressed, but I’m so happy to see Luis, I nearly launch myself out of the bed. Not that I haven’t been enjoying Bennet’s company, but with all of them gone I feel like pieces of me are missing. Pathetic, I know.
“I don’t need much,” he replies, coming over to me and kissing me on the cheek. I lean into the press of his lips with a smile, looking up to find Bennet watching me.
“I want to know what you’re thinking again.” I tell him quietly.
Luis looks between us, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“I don’t think you do,” he says cryptically, putting his phone to his ear as he walks out into the hallway.
Luis
I leave the hospital with the other guys, but I don’t plan on staying gone. I don’t want to leave her alone that long for one, and two, I don’t want to be away from her. Technically she’s not alone, but I feel anxious leaving her there with Bennet, although I’m starting to come around that he might not be a complete asshole.
Not spending much time chatting around with the guys, I barely even wave when the driver pulls up to the park. I head straight for my car, pulling out of the square and driving back towards downtown. The tattoo shop is closer to the hospital than the park, but I needed to pick up my car.
Heading directly into the back office, I lock the deadbolt and strip down to take a quick shower. Then I throw a towel around my waist and, after picking out some clean clothes to wear, I quickly throw the rest of my belongings into the duffel bag that I basically live out of. I don’t need much, and I don’t have much, so I travel pretty light. I pack all of my notes and clear the search history on Benny’s computer, which I’ve been using to research Jackson Adley.
