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)
“No,” I mutter before darting to my left to get away from her. The last thing I need is a crowd storming me because they think I know Easton.
“There’s Eddie,” Ryan exclaims, and he grabs my arm in a tight hold as we run in the other guard’s direction.
I’m incredibly uncomfortable with Ryan touching me, but it takes me a few seconds before I pull my arm free from his hold.
Lainey comes into view, and when I reach her, I grab hold of her hand and say, “We have to go, my sweet girl. There’s an emergency.”
Her eyes grow wide as saucers, and she glances behind me as if she’s searching for someone. “Mommy?”
I nod and pull her in the direction of the parking area. I hear Ryan informing Eddie that we’re going to Cedars-Sinai as we rush across the field.
When we climb into the back seat of the SUV, Lainey asks, “What happened to Mom?”
God, it’s not my place to tell her.
Worried out of my mind, I struggle to think straight and end up lying, “I’m not sure. We’ll find out at the hospital.”
The drive is excruciatingly long, and when we finally reach Cedars-Sinai, I ask Lainey, “Do you have Easton’s phone number so we can find out where in the hospital they are?”
“Tyler told us where to go,” Ryan informs me, shoving his door open to get out of the vehicle.
Not caring about waiting, I quickly climb out, and once Lainey is standing beside me, I take hold of her hand again. We follow Ryan into the building, but when we have to wait for an elevator, I feel like bursting into tears.
Please let Rachel be okay.
I watch the numbers count down, and the instant the doors open, I dart inside. I move my hands to Lainey’s shoulders and keep her pinned against my side.
Feeling how she’s trembling, I hug her tightly. “It’s going to be okay.”
She nods, but her face is torn with fear.
The elevator stops, and we hurry after Ryan as he leads us to a room. When we step inside, there’s an empty bed and a small sitting area. It’s unlike any hospital room I’ve ever seen.
Easton’s pacing up and down, gripping a fistful of his hair.
“Is she okay?” I ask stupidly because it’s clear she’s not.
Nothing will ever be okay again.
“Uncle Easton,” Lainey cries, and pulling her hand free from mine, she runs to him.
He opens his arms, catching her in a tight hug while his eyes lock with mine. “They’re doing an MRI on her.”
I nod and fidget with my hands, feeling restless because there’s nothing I can do.
Easton walks to me, opening one of his arms, and I dart forward. I wrap my arms around him and Lainey and bury my face against his chest.
Please, God.
I don’t know what I’m praying for because swapping places with Rachel isn’t a possibility.
What do you beg for when the most important person in your life is dying?
My breaths become choppy, and tears mist my eyes.
Please make me stronger so I can be what Rachel, Lainey, and Easton need.
I fight for control over the devastating emotions, and when I feel a little calmer, I pull back and brush my palm over Lainey’s hair while I look at Easton. “Can I get you anything?”
“A glass of water.”
I nod, and turning away from them, I walk to the small round table, which has two glasses and a pitcher with water and ice on it. I quickly pour some water into a glass before carrying it to Easton.
While he quenches his thirst, I lean down and tuck strands of Lainey’s hair behind her ears.
Her gaze darts between me and Easton. “Is Mommy going to be okay?”
I glance at Easton because I don’t know what to say.
When he holds the glass out to me, I straighten up and take it from him. He picks Lainey up and walks to a chair, where he takes a seat. I grip the glass tightly as he positions her on his lap.
“What I’m about to tell you isn’t easy,” he says to her, his features strained with heartache. “Your mom is very sick, Lainey. She has cancer.”
Lainey’s chin quivers, and her voice is small and vulnerable as she asks, “Is Mommy going to die?”
Easton sucks in a shuddering breath, and my heart breaks for the millionth time when he says, “Yes, sweetheart.” He takes another breath, and his voice cracks. “I’m so sorry.”
“No.” Lainey’s face crumbles, and as the first tear rolls over her cheek, my own tears begin to flow again.
Easton holds Lainey tightly. “Christ, I wish there was something we could do, but you have me and Nova. We love you very much.”
“I don’t want Mommy to die,” she cries while throwing her arms around her uncle’s neck. “It’s not fair.”
“No, it isn’t,” he whispers.