Greya's POV...

Today's been surprising to say the least. Little did I know I'd be sharing another class with Loxley, aka Becker.

I cried myself to sleep last night after hearing about everything he went through and the reason why him and his brother have risen from the dead. I thought I'd have at least a few days to process all the information before seeing him again.

Cohen and I plan on breaking the news to Chase and Fynn tonight because I'm afraid of Chase recognizing them at one of my games this week.

Already flustered and late this morning, I hurry into my chemistry class and just my luck when the only open seat available is next to my... what? Boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, love of my life who died and has resurrected. My friend...we need to start over as friends since he has no clue who I am. I haven't come to terms with this yet and the constant urge I have to wrap my arms around him every time I see him, is killing me.

I've never stopped loving him. I also don't know anyone who's lost the person they loved and had them miraculously reappear years later, so I have no idea what I'm going to do. I've mourned him everyday for three years. Believing he had died, tore my heart in half and I've been slowly trying to stitch it back together.

My legs slowly move to the seat next to him. He's avoiding eye contact with me, yet I feel him glancing my way. It's so hot in here, does anyone else think it's hot? Did I forget to put on deodorant? I quickly check.

There's that urge again. This is so hard. My hearts trying to mend itself from our close proximity. I wish he remembered me.

He's so different now, yet still so handsome and those blue eyes still sparkle an enchanting glow. One eye shining brighter than the other.

Just as I'm diving deeper into my memories of him, he slides a paper over to me. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, I'm Loxley," it reads. He's communicating with me! Oh God! There's fluttering in my stomach! Get a grip Grey!

I slide the paper back over to him while looking him over. His left arm and hand appear uncomfortably rigid against his chest. He brought a cane which he placed under the table. I want to cry again not knowing the full extent of his injury.

Deep breaths, relax and focus. He doesn't need me making him feel awkward, although this is quite the awkward situation.

Our professor explains that we're working on a lab with our partner today and I'm sure Becker, I mean Loxley and I share the same apprehension but for totally different reasons.

He looks like he wants to help gather the supplies, but seeing the way his arm is and that he needed a cane today, he's probably struggling.

So, I offer to get the supplies and ask if he wants to stir the mixtures. That gets him to smile slightly. I'm trying my best to diffuse any awkwardness and including him in the work is the right thing to do. He seems like he appreciates the gesture.

He smiles at me again, dimples emerging, and that's all it takes.

"You have a nice smile," I tell him. Wow Grey! Great job...insert foot in mouth.

Things are going well until my eyes drift again to his perfect face, remembering all the times I held that face in my hands and kissed those wonderful lips. He has a scar now that extends from his right eye to somewhere behind his silky dark hair. Clenching my fists is the only way to keep my fingers from combing through those wavy locks. This is a totally new form of torture.

"Why are you looking and smiling at me like that?" He writes. Shit!

My mouth moves before my brain, "You're very attractive, it's hard not to look." What the hell am I doing? I'm embarrassing myself.

He smiles again and I'm literally dying inside knowing I can't touch him. I wonder if he's still afraid of people touching him? If he can't remember what Jack did to him, does he still have that fear or not? I wonder if it's always a part of him whether he remembers why? I'll be cautious when the time comes...if the time comes. Remember, friends first, if he even wants to be friends.

Our lab isn't too difficult especially for Loxley who's figured out the formula quicker than anyone in the room. Makes me happy knowing he's still as smart as he was before. I find myself silently thanking God for letting him keep that part of him. "Always attractive and smart."

Damnit! I think I said that out loud.

We've managed to communicate with each other so far and he's smiled a few times. I heard sound come from him too when he chuckled at me. Maybe he does have a voice, there must be something wrong with it though. Either way, it was nice to hear.

He admits he's physically having a bad day, which makes me sad again thinking about his daily struggles. I hope I've helped him as much as I could this class or made him more comfortable.

As class ends and everyone exits, I decide to wait. I think he may need some help and I don't want to leave him alone here. I never want to leave him alone again. I also don't want to over step, what if he doesn't want my help.

He carefully gathers his things using only one hand while his left arm is out of commission. His legs, especially his left one are giving him a difficult time and when he leans over to grab his cane, it takes everything in me to hold myself back from touching him.

I let him know I'm here for him as a friend and if he needs any help. His facial expression tells me he's nervous and thankful at the same time.

We walk out of the classroom and to the quad together. He can barely walk at all by the time we near the parking lot, so I offer him a ride home, knowing he shouldn't suffer through the day like this. My tears having a hard time staying put. I want to kill Jack all over again for putting Becker though this. He never deserved the abuse he got from that man and definitely didn't deserve any of this.

I'm surprised when he accepts my offer. He types his address into his phone for me and we ride the way to his apartment in silence. I hope this wasn't a bad idea. If it is, I'll deal with it later because I'm not leaving him like this.

There's three steps up to his front door and I'm anxious for him all over again as he stumbles up the first step and almost falls.

The normal instinctive thing to do would be to grab his arm and help him up. Luckily I know him and how he might react to that, so I stay close to him, showing him I'll help if he allows me.

He's unable to get himself back up and I warn him first before gently placing my hand around his bicep to help him stand again. After he shows his approval, I continue supporting him into his house and help him sit onto his couch in the living room.

It would've been easier had I swung his arm around the back of my shoulders to help hold him upright, but I didn't trust myself not to grab all of him into both my arms. If I could hug him, maybe my body could relax a little.

His text to speech app on his phone comes in handy. We're able to converse with each other instead of sitting in silence.

He seems in pain and his tight muscles are causing him to shake. I can't help noticing how his arm and hand look so uncomfortably situated against his body. I wish I knew how to help him. I'm going to have to do some research about TBI and strokes.

"I...I...I ha...had a..a..a stroke," he speaks out loud using his real voice. I almost flinch in surprise. Besides his stutter, he still has that alluring velvet tone. Makes me want to burst into tears and hug him again. I feel like a complete mess inside.

I'm not sure exactly what to do or how to help further. He looks so tired, I should let him nap.

As soon as I offer to leave so he can get some rest, he sits straight up in a panic.

"N...n...no!" He blurts out with his voice.

He then uses his phone app to let me know his brother will be home soon and asks me to stay.

I agree to stay because I'd never leave him if he wants me around and second, I really want to see Alec again, or Liam I should say.

Loxley agrees to lay down on the couch while I work on some homework. I watch him struggle to remove his shoes and his leg brace and try to get comfortable. My body craves to lie down with him so my arms can cradle around his body and take some of his pain away.

This is too much for me to handle in one day.

Loxley peacefully succumbs to sleep so now's a good time to leave. I need to pick up Chase and make dinner before practice tonight.

I quietly pack my things and grab the blanket from in back of the chair. He's sleeping on his side, his arm still pinned against his chest, fist clenched. Looks uncomfortable, yet not enough to keep him from sleeping. Makes me feel a little better about leaving him here.

I gently cover him with the blanket before heading out. He should probably have my cell number just in case. Who knows if he'll ever call or text me after today. The poor guy seemed like he was ashamed of himself for needing my help. I won't let him feel that way. He needs me and I need him. I can figure this out, right after I inform Chase and Fynn what's going on and then cry myself to sleep again tonight.

I quickly jot down my number on a note pad and leave it on the kitchen counter. As I'm about to leave, the front door opens and a younger looking version of Loxley walks into the house.

"Alec!"