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)
“Nova and I were talking last night, and we feel you should leave your medication in the kitchen where we can all get to it,” Easton mentions.
“Okay. I’ll bring the medication down after breakfast.” Rachel glances around the kitchen, then says, “We can keep them in the same cupboard as the vitamins but on the top shelf.”
Still feeling mortified, I avoid looking at Easton while I get up to make some toast.
When I take hold of the bread, Rachel’s hand covers mine, and she shakes her head. “Let me do it. I want to carry on as normal for as long as possible. I don’t want to think about dying every second of the day. I want to enjoy every moment I have left to the fullest.”
My heart clenches painfully in my chest. Nodding, I step to the side and watch as she pops four slices into the toaster. There’s a determined sparkle in her eyes that wasn’t there before. Certainly not last night after we got the awful news.
An affectionate smile curves around her lips as she says with a teasing tone, “Make yourself another cup of coffee. I know you need at least three before you’re able to function.”
“You know me best.” I try to chuckle but fail miserably.
As I walk back to the island to grab my mug, Easton gets up from his chair, and my body instantly tenses.
Stop! Easton won’t hurt you.
“While you’re at it, Rach, will you make bacon, eggs, and pancakes as well?” Easton asks, his tone mischievous.
She gives him a playful scowl. “Now you’re pushing your luck.” A chuckle bubbles over her lips. “Get the bacon defrosted while I make the pancake batter.”
It feels like everyone is putting up a lighthearted act, but the sorrow hanging over our heads is devastating and dark.
I clear my throat before asking, “What can I do?”
Easton points at the stool by the island. “Sit.”
Rachel adds, “Make yourself coffee and relax while the Rowes prepare breakfast for you.”
Easton lifts an eyebrow at his sister. “The Rowes?”
“Yep.” When he sets a carton of eggs down on the counter near Rachel, she pats his shoulder. “You’re helping, brother.”
I place a pod in the machine, and while the coffee pours into the mug, I watch Rachel and Easton. The moment is bittersweet, feeling like the old days when I used to sleep over at their place.
If this is what Rachel wants, I’ll do my best to keep the atmosphere light.
Easton
Rachel playfully nudges her shoulder against my arm while I’m frying bacon, then says, “Don’t burn the food.”
I look at the bubbles forming in the batter in her pan. “You just pay attention to the pancakes.”
I glance at Nova, who’s enjoying her third cup of coffee, and I’m relieved to see she looks calmer.
I’m not sure what made her react so strongly earlier, but it has my alarm bells going off. Sure, it’s normal for her to be awkward, but I’ve never seen her have a panic attack.
She looked scared of me, and it doesn’t sit well with me at all.
A sound comes from upstairs, and Nova jumps up from the stool. “Shoot! I thought my phone was on silent.”
When she rushes out of the kitchen, I stare at her until she’s out of my sight. Turning my attention to Rachel, I ask, “Did something happen to Nova?”
My sister glances at me. “Why?”
“She had a panic attack just because I asked her about her job.”
Rachel glances over her shoulder in the direction of the stairs before saying, “Yes, something happened. A lot of somethings.”
“What?” My tone is unexpectedly gruff, and the bacon is forgotten in the pan.
She shakes her head. “It’s not my place to say.”
“Was it bad?” I ask, trying to get more out of her as worry for Nova trickles into my chest.
Rachel hesitates, then nods.
Christ.
A hundred scenarios rush through my mind, and it makes my body tense and my jaw clench.
When we first moved to LA, I felt bad for leaving Nova behind, but she was a minor and in her grandfather’s care. Afterward, life got busy, and it’s been one rollercoaster event after another.
Rachel glances over her shoulder again before locking eyes with me. “Once I’m gone, will you look out for Nova? Please.” Her features draw tight with sadness. “I don’t want her to be alone.”
Nova’s been a part of our lives since she and Rachel met on their first day of elementary school. I know how much my sister loves her best friend, and honestly, some part of me has always cared about Nova too.
I nod, and just as I’m about to pull Rachel in for a quick hug to comfort her, the smell of something burning hits us.
“The bacon!” Rachel bursts out laughing while I move the pan off the stove.
When I walk to the sink, I hear her mutter, “Shoot, the pancake burned as well.”