Just Listen by Clare James Page A

which would surely start setting off these monitors I was chained to.
    I needed to calm the hell down, but part of me was livid that Casey hadn’t stayed. That she ran at the first sign of trouble.
    Then again, who in their right mind would sign up for this shit?
    I punched the mattress, but it hardly moved. My hands were no longer the lethal weapons they once were. My mind was fried, unable to focus or think clearly. It’d been months since I felt this worthless.
    Rendered incapable of doing anything, I let the exhaustion pull me back under. And I went back to dreaming of her.

Chapter 1

    Two Months Later
    On the set of Good Morning U.S.A.

    Casey
    Anchor/Kiki Stuart: And that brings us to the woman of the hour, Casey Scott. We know her as the reporter who broke the story, and as Finn’s weak link, but I think I speak for everyone when I say, we are dying to hear from you, Casey.
    Casey Scott: Thanks for having me, Kiki. But I wouldn’t say I was the person who broke the story. I had it all wrong —
    Finn Daley: You’ve got that right.
    Casey Scott: I know; that’s what I just said.
    Finn Daley: Just want to make sure you’re not still delusional.
    Casey Scott: Hey, you’ve had your say. I think it’s time I’ve had mine.
    Anchor/Kiki Stuart: Oh boy. Guys, I don’t want to be forced to call security. Are you sure you’re going to be okay sitting next to each other?
    Casey Scott: We’ll be fine.
    Finn Daley: Speak for yourself.

    I hadn’t seen Finn for a few weeks, since everything was set in motion. It was the most brutal torture to sit this close without any physical contact. I missed his intoxicating smell; his electric touch; his deep laugh; and the way his face warmed whenever he looked at me.
    Though it seemed like forever since he looked at me that way.
    These days the looks were full of scorn and disgust. I tried to blame him for the situation. I told myself it was his fault. If he had just been honest. If he had trusted me enough to tell the truth.
    But all that was bullshit. I betrayed him, and I lost him. There was nobody to blame but myself.
    I didn’t want to do this interview, because I didn’t care what happened to me at this point. Our agents, however, insisted. They both agreed it was the best way to put this whole thing to bed. I was outnumbered. Not that there was much skin off my back, it was Finn who I worried about. He was the one with everything on the line.
    Personally, I didn’t want to rehash it all in front of the American public. I didn’t want to remember that night. I can’t imagine he did either. When he went dark on me, it was the worst night of my life.
    The weeks that followed weren’t much better.

Chapter 2

    ENFORCER (n.):
    A player who defends his teammates against members of the other team.

    Finn

    Nate said he got the call around midnight. I had to trust him on that. With these particular details, he learned to pay attention because he knew I’d want to know about everything that happened during the blackout. I had badgered him enough over the years that he finally understood the drill.
    All I remembered about the night was that one minute I’m having the most incredible moment with a woman I was crazy about. And the next? I’m out of my mind. Literally.
    “She called me right as it was happening,” Nate told me once I was able to have a conversation. “Said she wasn’t sure what was wrong with you, but she rattled off all of your medical stats like a pro.”
    Though I was miserable being back at this place, it could’ve been worse. Regions Hospital was the best place to be after an episode. It was well-known, not only for its specialists in the field, but for its experience in dealing with public figures as well. I was able to hide out in a special corridor that gave me the privacy I needed for recovery.
    My limbs were heavy and I was famished, but I felt alert. That meant the medication was working. I was leveling out again.
    “Casey thought you were