Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I look up at him as I nod. Noticing he’s staring at the grass, I don’t look away immediately, and I see the worry and heartache etched into his features.
“What can I do to make things better?” The words leave me automatically.
He turns his head toward me, and when we lock eyes, my heartbeat speeds up.
“You’re already doing plenty, Nova. Just be there for Rachel and Lainey.”
My voice is a soft whisper as I dare to ask, “And you?”
The corner of his mouth lifts slightly. “Don’t worry about me.”
I’ll always worry about you.
He gestures with a nod of his head toward the veranda. “Let’s head back.”
Not wanting Rachel to notice that I cried, I ask, “How does my face look? Can you tell I’ve been crying?”
Easton stares at me for a moment too long before he replies, “A little red here and there. Hang back for a few minutes.”
I nod while I watch him walk away and disappear around the corner.
As much as I needed that cry, I really have to do better.
Chapter 8
Easton
It’s almost eleven at night when I shut the laptop with a heavy heart after speaking with Professor Anthony Fox, who was able to give us fifteen minutes of his time.
Rachel slumps back in her chair where we’re sitting at the dining room table, and for a moment, I’m unable to think straight.
Sylvia reaches across the space between us and gives my shoulder a squeeze.
Fuck, this is really happening.
Nova gets up from her seat and walks to Rachel, then crouches beside her chair. She places her hand on Rachel’s arm but doesn’t say anything.
There’s nothing she can say.
After Professor Fox looked at everything we sent and spoke with Rachel’s oncologist, he agreed with the prognosis. The tumor is too big and impossible to remove surgically. He suggests we use the time Rachel has left by enjoying it as a family instead of spending it in hospitals and going for treatments that will make little difference to the outcome, if any.
The four of us sit in silence for a few minutes before Sylvia asks, “Is there anything I can do?”
I begin to shake my head but then say, “Cancel the filming. Cancel everything.”
Even though I’m asking for the impossible, she nods. “Don’t worry about work. I’ll see which commitments I can postpone.”
Rachel sucks in a sharp breath, and it has my gaze snapping to her. Staring at the table, her eyebrows draw together. “Oh God. I’m dying.”
Christ.
I shoot up from my chair, and grabbing hold of my sister’s shoulders, I practically yank her to her feet before engulfing her in my arms.
A second later, the realization slams the air from my lungs.
Rachel is dying, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it from happening.
I grip her tighter and bury my face in her hair as a hard tremble shudders through my body.
After everything I’ve done to protect Rachel, I’m going to lose her anyway.
She doesn’t start to cry but just stands numbly in my arms. When I pull back to meet her gaze, it looks like she’s in a daze.
“Rach?” I ask.
Her eyes focus on my face, then she asks, “How am I going to tell Lainey?”
Suddenly, emotion after emotion, everything from horror to panic to devastation, flashes over her features.
This moment right here is easily the most difficult I’ve ever had to endure. But I’ve always been the strong older brother who handled shit, and now is no different.
Lifting my hands, I frame her face and force her to focus on me. “We’ll tell Lainey together. I’ll explain it to her. We’ll get through this as a family.” I lean a little closer, and my tone is filled with determination and urgency. “You are not alone in this, Rach.” She nods while puffs of air burst over her lips. “I’ll carry you through it.” She nods again, her features morphing into a pleading look. “I’m here.”
Her voice is barely a whisper as she admits, “I’m so scared.”
“I know.” No, I don’t. I have no fucking idea, because I’m not the one dying. “I’m here with you, Rach. Every step of the way.” Nova moves, catching my attention, and I quickly add, “And Nova’s here as well.” I brush my palms over the sides of her face and hair. “We are going to love you so fucking much to make up for . . .”
Sylvia lets out a sob. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs before rushing out of the dining room.
Rachel crumbles under the weight of her death sentence, and as her body goes limp, I move fast to catch her. I’ve seen my sister cry many times before, but as she breaks in my arms, it obliterates my heart.
I carry her out of the dining room and head for the nearest couch in the living room. Sitting down, I cradle my sister like a baby and try to will every ounce of strength I have to her.