Jed and Sage’s story continues in Broken. Things are not going well with these two…so much pain, so much anger.

Here is Chapter 10. Please be sure to read Chap 1-9 first. Links are below: 

Chapter 1 & 2: Link   

Chapter 3: Link

Chapter 4: Link

Chapter 5: Link

Chapter 6 & 7: Link

Chapter 8 & 9: Link

Chapter Ten

That weekend, both headed to Dallas to meet with Dr. Tim Johnson. They were having lunch with him at the hotel restaurant. Jed was looking forward to meeting him, hoping the doctor could provide some insight. He had already made significant gains and was even able to take some steps in the underwater treadmill with assistance.

When they reached the hotel, Sage led them to a corner table.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Dr. Johnson pulled Sage into his arms and kissed her cheek.

Jed took an instant dislike to the man. He was a young doctor, probably in his thirties. With nicely groomed dark hair and blue eyes, the guy looked more like a model than a physician.

“Hey, Tim. This is Jed. I’ve told you about him,” Sage said, slipping out of his arms.

“Hello, Jed. Nice to meet you.” He shook Jed’s hand and sat back down once Sage took her seat.

“Likewise,” Jed mumbled, already in a bad mood.

While eating lunch, Sage filled the doctor in on Jed’s diagnosis and his progress. She also told him how quickly he’s making gains.

“The fact that you have an incomplete spinal cord injury and your body continues to show improvement are all good signs. If you keep improving at this rate, who knows? The key is repetitive movement. Studies show that repetition of the same movement patterns—let’s say walking—helps to retrain your muscles.”

Jed nodded politely, but all he really wanted to do was to get out of there.

“And as far as your bowel and bladder program, I’m happy to hear it’s going well for you. With your sensations returning as fast as they are, you may be able to reach your prior level of function.”

“That’s great to hear,” Sage exclaimed, smiling at Jed.

Jed threw her a tight grin and quickly finished his meal.

“I’m going to go use the ladies’ room,” Sage announced after she completed her plate.

Once she was gone, Tim Johnson abruptly pushed his chair back and announced, “I’ve got to use the bathroom as well. Be right back.”

Jed did not like the feeling of unease that had lingered with him during the entire meal. Unable to resist, he decided to head toward the bathrooms as well. When he reached the hallway, he could hear Sage and Tim’s voices. He couldn’t see them because he hadn’t turned the corner yet, but he could clearly make out their conversation.

“Baby, I’ve missed you so much,” Tim said.

“Tim, please, don’t.” Sage sounded distraught.

“I just don’t understand anything. Are you coming back to Boston? It’s been too long.”

“No, I told you, I have to stay here. I’m going to help Jed as long as it takes.”

“He seems to be doing fine. I’m sure he has plenty of money; he can hire help. What does he need you for?”

“Tim, please stop asking me the same questions.”

“Who is he anyway? Why do you feel obligated to help him?”

“He is a good friend. We grew up together. I already told you all this. Of course, I’m going to help him.”

“Sage, I know you always like to help people, but you know he’s not one of your patients, right? You can’t blame me for wanting my fiancé back. I miss you and want you back home—where you belong.”

Jed’s heart stopped beating. Had he heard that right? As if needing to torture himself some more, Jed scooted forward to get a visual of what was happening. While Sage was leaning with her back against the wall, Tim was very close to her. Jed saw him reach and caress her face. When Tim leaned forward for a kiss, pain like no other pierced his heart, and he couldn’t watch any longer.

Swiftly turning his wheelchair, he hustled back to the table. He didn’t want to wait here anymore, but he was stuck. With his pride at stake, Jed decided he quickly needed to take control and calm himself down. He didn’t want them to know he had witnessed their interaction, and he certainly didn’t want Sage to see his pain.

Taking deep breaths, he willed his heart to slow down. He chugged his whisky, desperately needing something to help him get through this. What a fool he had been. He broke his number one rule by letting his guard down and trusting her. Why would he possibly think she would want somebody like him anyway? She didn’t even want him when he was whole…when he could satisfy her every need…when he wasn’t a burden to her. And now? He had nothing to offer her. Could he even blame her?

He watched the two of them walking back to the table together. He wasn’t surprised to see Sage’s blushed face, and how she was avoiding eye contact with him.

“You ready to leave, Jed?” she asked, grabbing her purse.

Without answering, he wheeled himself out of the restaurant and into the parking lot. Both were silent in the car until Sage asked, “Is everything okay?”

“How do you know Tim?” Jed asked, his voice dangerously soft.

“Oh, he’s just a friend,” she replied, almost too quickly.

He always knew what a terrible liar she was. “Okay.”

“Why?” she asked, glancing toward him while driving.

“Just wondering.” Jed turned away to stare out of the window. Lost in his thoughts, he remained quiet for the rest of the trip.

Once they reached the cabin, he went straight to the bathroom. He splashed cold water to his face, hoping it would help the agonizing ache in his heart.

When he returned to his bedroom, Sage was waiting for him. “I know something is bothering you. What’s up?”

Jed clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. “I’ve decided to leave for LA as soon as possible. I’ll be contacting my agent, Nick, to get it all set for me.”

“Why are you leaving? I thought you liked your therapists here.”

“I can get therapy there as well. I have a home there, and I need to get my life in order.” Jed kept his voice indifferent, not wanting her to see how much he was hurting.

“I don’t understand,” Sage whispered, confused.

“There’s nothing to understand, really. You have your life to live, and I have mine. I need to go back to it. Can’t hang around here forever.”

“What’s this about? I know you, Jed. I know you’re upset about something.”

Jed tried to wheel away from her, unable to look at her. But, Sage dashed in front of him and halted his progress.

“Get out of my way, Sage.”

“No! Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

Losing his temper, Jed yelled, “Fine! You wanna know? You’re nothing but a liar. All this time, you’ve been lying to me. You think I’m that stupid? And I specifically asked you about Tim. I gave you the opportunity to come clean, but you continued to lie.”

Sage blinked a few times, shocked at hearing his words. “I…what?”

“Yeah, you got nothing to say now? I saw you guys, Sage. I know he’s your fiancé.”

“No! He’s not, I swear. I broke up with him. We were engaged, yes, I admit. But as soon as I saw you with Trina that first day, I flew back to Boston the very next day and broke it off with him.”

“Yet, you lied to me. You’ve been lying. And when I just asked, you said he was only your friend. Why?”

“Fine, I should have told you right from the start. I just didn’t know what to say. I took the easy way out by not saying anything. I didn’t want that to stop you from seeing him to get a second opinion. I’m sorry, Jed, but I swear, I’m not with him.”

“Why aren’t you with him?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Tears tumbled down her cheeks, but Jed had hardened his heart by then. “I’m in love with you, Jed. I’ve never stopped loving you. I realized that as soon as I saw you again. You have to believe me.”

“You’re in love with me? Really? Yet, when Tim asked you who I was to you, you told him I was just a friend. Why wouldn’t you tell him straight up that you’re in love with me?” I paused, trying to catch my breath. “You know, I’d rather be with somebody like Bonnie. At least I know exactly what I’m getting with her.”

A look of pain flashed before Sage’s eyes. “I…Jed, please.” Her voice trembled as she hid her face in her hands.

“Leave my room now. I don’t want you near me.”

Ahh, Jed and Sage…sigh. Chapter 11 (the conclusion) coming soon. Thank you, amazing readers, for your support. All of my books and stories can be found on Amazon (and they’re all free on Kindle Unlimited). LINK