Lox's POV...

I'll take 90 degree weather over 115 degrees any day.

This is why we've all chosen this afternoon to explore the town and shop. This is a different kind of heat than we're all accustomed to. It's not muggy, the air's clear, no smog like in L.A. It's dry here, very hot and dry and we've gone through multiple bottles of sunscreen and agree we can't live in the pool all week.

The scenery is nice though. Red colored mountains in the background, cactus everywhere. The town is picturesque. We're walking down a sidewalk that resembles Hollywood boulevard with stars of famous people.

The three girls are walking ahead of us, window shopping while us guys hang back watching them. Ari is talking about anything and everything which is quite comical because she knows Jess doesn't yet fit into their circle. Good for Cohen if Jess makes him happy. Greya on the other hand isn't happy being around her for some reason. She's being nice to her and smiling to put on a friendly show. I've never seen Greya act like this towards anyone before.

"Greya doesn't seem to like Jess," Cohen reads my mind. " Did she say anything to you?"

"No. M...maybe she's being shy t...trying to get t...to know her first," I shrug.

"You and I both know Greya's not shy."

" T...true."

There are some bazar stores here in Palm Springs. Fynn and Tim have already left us to check them all out. The girls have found a store called " Only in Palm Springs" and apparently we're all going in.

Jess hangs back so she can walk around with Cohen. There are two small steps as we enter and Greya looks back to see if I need help.

"We got it," Cohen says as he grabs my upper left arm and helps me while I get my leg up the steps.

Jess is staring at us, or rather at me. Who's to blame her. Her boyfriend assisting his crippled friend isn't something she's commonly seen I can imagine. I look awkward whenever I walk up any set of stairs.

Greya's murderous expression while she glares at Jess makes me smile. She wants to protect me from feeling self conscious about my disabilities. I'm going to assume that's why she doesn't like Jess.

Declan finds Ari and they go off exploring the store together. He hasn't said a word the entire walk. Cohen's been doing all the talking. I can't remember if Declan's always been the quiet one in our group of friends or if there's another reason I don't know about. I wonder if he's just uncomfortable around me. Maybe my stutter and the fact Cohen had to help me up the steps bothers him. I'd like to talk to him about it.

Greya walks up beside me while Jess grabs Cohen's hand and leads him away.

I attempt to stretch my left hand towards her and she automatically knows I'm trying to hold her hand. She smiles at me and links our hands together.

"I love you," I whisper with clarity. I've been working on saying those three important words without stuttering, it's important to me that I tell her how much I love her without a hitch in my voice.

"I know why y...you're not fond of h...her and I appreciate why. B...but try and g...give her a chance. She's probably n...never been around someone like m...me or Chase before."

"I know. You're right and I should give her the benefit of the doubt for Cohen's sake."

"That's m...my girl."

"Look at this stuff in here. So weird and cool at the same time. This is right up Fynn's alley, him and Tim probably wont make it back for dinner," she laughs while touching all the trinkets we pass by.

Liam should've come. He'd get a kick out of these things. He's being a good sport, hanging out with Chase. I'll have to do something with him tomorrow while all the girls go out for their spa day.

"You're awfully quiet. Are you feeling okay?"

I feel off but not enough to be concerned. I have a lot on my mind so it's hard to relax.

"Yeah, I'm g...good. I'm enjoying s...spending time with y...you." I don't need to tell her more, she already knows. She always knows and that's something I remember about her before I was shot. I could never hide from her and somehow she always found a way to make things seem better. My guardian angel. Like she's doing now, trying to protect me from Jessica's thoughts and holding my hand, knowing her closeness helps ease my chaotic brain.

"One thing at a time. I know you have a lot racing round that brilliant mind of yours so focus on solving one thing at a time."

I'm not bringing up my father, talking about him now won't make matters better and I promised myself to try and enjoy my time here without him ruining it. There's so much going on and her advise usually helps. What's bothering me in this moment, might be a good place to start.

"Has Declan always b...been quiet?"

She quietly chuckles and squeezes my hand. "You've noticed that too, huh? No, Declan has never been the quiet one. He's changed a lot since you've come back to life. I mean, he took your death hard like everyone else, but I've noticed too, he's been very quiet around you."

"I can't r...remember him. That b...bothers me and I'm sure b...bothers him too. He doesn't t...talk to me or h...hang out with m...me like Cohen d...does. Do y...you think the w...way I am now makes me uncomfortable to be around?"

"I honestly don't know. Ari hasn't said anything to me about it either. Maybe try asking him?" She shrugs and squeezes my hand again.

Greya is one of the few exceptional human beings who sees past all my disabilities. She loves me the same she always has and by the way she's acting with Jess, I know Greya wants everyone to see past my exterior. The truth is, some people can't and it's not because they don't empathize, they just have a harder time. Especially when they knew me when I was normal and able bodied. I don't blame them at all. If Declan is one of those people having a hard time, I want to know.

"I'll try t...talking to h...him after dinner if y...you can help me by k...keeping Ari occupied."

"Yeah, of course."

"Hey Lox, come over here a minute!" Cohen yells to us.

Ari walks over to Greya with a suspicious smirk on her face and drags her over to another area of the store.

When I get to Cohen he has a pendant in his hands. A gold half heart half soccer ball intertwined. "Greya would love this, hint hint."

"Yeah, she w...would. Thanks f...for finding this."

"Go buy it for her while she's occupied."

Jess stares at me again while I place the pendant into my left hand and slowly make a fist around it. I lean my cane against me so I can use my right hand to squeeze my left fingers shut. "I wouldn't w...want to drop it b...before I can give it t..to her," I smile at Jess, attempting to joke with her but her eyes widen at me instead.

Guess it will take more time for her to get acquainted with me.

The cashier helps me pick out the perfect gold chain to hang the pendant and I pay for it as she wraps it up for me. I slip it into my pocket before Greya comes looking for me.

Dinner will be ready soon so we begin our walk back. The heat hits me with such an intensity, dizziness washes over me and I stumble over my left foot a little. Greya's holding my hand and I'm able to catch myself.

"He almost fell. Do you need to help him," I hear Jess ask Cohen from behind us.

Greya and I keep walking. She reaches into her purse bag and hands me her water bottle. We need to stop because I haven't done any exercise on my left arm and hand today so me grasping the Yeti bottle with my hand is tough. Greya holds my cane so I can use my other hand.

We let everyone else pass us and Cohen assures his girlfriend nothings wrong. "He's good, no worries," he says to her.

It's the heat, I try and convince myself.

Greya's not fully convinced so she puts her arm around my waist while we walk the rest of the way.

The driveway is up ahead and I'm getting that weird sensation again. Damnit! Don't happen to me now.

Halfway up the driveway and I know it's coming. Fuck!

"Grey!" I drop my cane and prepare to brace myself.

"Cohen? ...Sit down with me B, we've got you."

Cohen's at my other side and within seconds Greya's sitting on the ground with my head cradled in her arms. Cohen's got his hand on my shoulder as my entire body tenses like one giant muscle spasm. With this one, my body's stuck in a ridged position, unable to move but I can see and hear everything around me. Time is irrelevant to me when these happen, could be seconds to minutes.

"It's almost over," Greya's sweet voice guides me through this seizure. I focus on her beautiful face wishing this nightmare would end.

"Someone should call 911! What's happening to him?" That's Jessica's frantic voice.

Declan finally speaks as he tries to calm her down. "He doesn't need an ambulance. He's having a seizure. They're common and don't last very long. He'll be fine."

I'm not in the right state of mind to decipher if he's annoyed or worried about me. Hearing him admit this is a common occurrence is bothersome. Shit! Why is this happening on vacation.

I can tell I'm coming out of it because both my legs are shaking now and I can move my head around.

"B?"

"It's o...over n...now Love."

She kisses my forehead multiple times and sits me up a little so my head is resting against her chest. Her heart is beating out of control and I hate that I've scared her.

"I'm o...okay."

"Declan? Help me get him up and into the house," Cohen instructs.

"We'll get you to the couch, alright?"

"Yeah, th...thanks."

Declan thankfully goes to my right side so I can get my arm around him myself. Cohen on my left side taking my arm and securing it around him. They help me stand and both grab my legs and carry me into the house. Ari's already gone in and warned Mr. & Mrs. Collins who are waiting in the living room for me.

"What can I get you sweetheart? A glass of water maybe?"

I nod a yes and she hurries into the kitchen.

They get me onto the couch and Declan quickly backs away and walks over to Ari. Cohen stays until Greya's back at my side.

I watch Cohen go over to his worried girlfriend and hug her. "Is he okay? Will he have another one? What do we do with him now?"

Cohen laughs while Greya growls. "We don't do anything with him," Cohen chuckles. "He'll be fine with Greya while we get ready for dinner," he tells her.

That's everyone's cue to leave the room. Except for Liam. He wants to check on me first. "What happened? Did you take your meds today?"

"I d...don't know, and y...yes I took them. Maybe it w...was the heat."

"You good now? I'm going to help in the kitchen."

"Yeah, th...thanks Liam."

"Lay back, I'll remove your brace so you can be comfortable. You probably need to sleep right?" Greya's taking charge now.

"Maybe, y...yeah, I still feel f...fuzzy."

She removes my AFO and both my shoes, brings over a blanket and sits at the end of the couch so my head can rest in her lap. She begins combing her fingers through my hair and I know I'll be out like a light in minutes.

"S...sorry I scared y...you."

"It's when I'm not near you when they happen that scares me. I was with you this time."

"Your h...heart was b...beating out of your chest."

"Because I hate when they happen to you. You can't catch a break, and I wish I was the one having the seizures instead of you."

"D...don't wish th...that. I'd n...never want that f...for you." Moments like these make me feel like I don't deserve her, that there's someone else out there for her who'd make her happy without worrying her all the time. Yet, she's chosen me to love which makes me the luckiest person on earth.

I sit back up and look into her beautiful eyes.

"I'm n...never going to g...give up trying to g...get better, get r...rid of these seizures, walk better s...so someday I c...could run again, do m...more with you and Chase. Every day is s...so hard for m...me. Getting out of b...bed in the m...morning is hard, not knowing if m...my l...leg will work, or if I'll h...have a seizure. Not r...remembering who I am really s...sucks. But, whatever m...my day is like, knowing y...you're with me m...makes everything b...better, you always h...have and I'll always k...keep working to make things b...better for you too."

She has tears in her eyes. I hope she believes every word I said.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the wrapped necklace and hand it to her.

"What's this?"

"Open i...it."

Her face lights up and I'm smiling.

"It's perfect! Thank you!" She leans in and kisses me.

"That's what you were buying when Ari tried to distract me." I nod.

I can't help her clasp it around her neck with my one hand but I can try. For her , I'm going to try anything even if I mess up because she deserves everything from me.

She lifts the necklace to put it on but I stop her. "Let m..me do it."

I love that she doesn't question my ability even though she knows I may not be able to get my fingers to work the way I need them too. She hands me the necklace and turns her head, lifting up her hair to reveal her neck.

The thin end of the necklace that the clasp attaches too would be easier to hold with my left hand. Since I can't raise my arm that high, Greya lowers herself off the couch and sits on the floor in front of me without me having to suggest she do that. She's giving me more confidence in completing such a task that would be so simple for anyone other than myself. Like I said, she always knows.

After I'm sure my fingers are tightly grasping the end of the chain, I'm able to swing the other end around her neck and easily attach the clasp.

She allows her long hair to drop back down her back and she holds the pendant in her fingers, admiring it for a moment.

"I love it," she smiles and sits back onto the couch with me.

"Want to close your eyes for a bit while we wait for dinner?"

"Yeah, I th...think I n...need to." I did what she suggested and tried focusing on one problem at a time. I was going to talk with Declan tonight until my seizure wiped me out. I'll find time tomorrow when the girls are off getting pampered.

If I don't let my brain rest and recharge, I'll have another seizure.

Greya places a pillow over her lap and motions for me to lay down.

"Do you have a headache?"

I nod.

She begins softly massaging my forehead and running her fingers through my hair like she always does. It works every time as if she's rubbing away my pain and easing me to sleep. My memories of her doing this are my strongest ones of her and I. Must be how she cared for me when Jack was hurting me. And still how she cares for me now. I don't think I would've survived this long if she was never in my life because deep down she's saved me, more than once.