Page 98 of Remy

“I’ve got a feeling something else is going on.” Ivy splays her left hand, using the corner of her ID to casually clean under one of her perfectly manicured nails. “My spidey senses are tingling.”

Her spidey senses need to dial it down a notch.

“Don’t you agree, Liv?” She cleans under another nail. “I’m thinking it has something to do with Hugo and the retort because?—”

“Dad has cancer,” I blurt.

Their eyes turn to me as I struggle to strategize.

It’s not like I could let her obsess over the retort. Ivy’s a smart woman. An intuitive one. Too many carefully pondered questions could get her killed.

“Cancer?” Allison whispers.

Their shocked gazes track me as I shuffle toward the club entrance, our place now third in the queue. “Yeah. The big C.”

“I don’t believe it.” Ivy shakes her head. “When did you find out?”

“I found out last weekend.” I hate how I’ve broken my father’s trust but can’t help feeling grateful for the diversion it’s provided. “He received the news more than six months ago.”

Allison balks. “He kept it from you?”

“Yep.” I pop the P, hoping to keep the morbid topic as lighthearted as possible.

“So the dizzy spell after exercising…” Ivy’s question trails.

“Had nothing to do with exercise and everything to do with the chemo treatment he had on Friday.” I pull my ID from my phone case. “He was actually under medical supervision when he took the fall.”

“I knew it.” Ivy turns to Allison. “I told you he was hiding something.”

“But why wouldn’t he tell you?” Allison asks me.

“Because of what we went through with Mom. He doesn’t want me knowing the ins and outs of his diagnosis.”

“Doesn’t want you to?” she repeats. “As in, current tense? Like he still doesn’t want you to know?”

“Exactly. He’s made it pretty clear I’m going to be kept at arm’s length where his health issues are concerned. I only found out when the hospital called me about his admission. And if he figures out I told you both?—”

“He won’t,” Ivy talks over me. “Will he, Al?”

“Of course not. My lips are sealed. I just…” Allison’s brow furrows. “God, I feel so sick for you.” She steps closer, spreading her arms for another hug.

“Please don’t.” I retreat into the velvet rope. “I’m a top-notch shit show on steroids underneath all this makeup. If I get emotional in public right now, I’ll make the seagull stylists look like seasoned professionals.”

Her arms fall to her sides. “I’m so sorry, Liv. If you ever need anything?—”

“Anything at all,” Ivy finishes for her. “Don’t even ask. Just blink in our direction, and we’ll take care of it. Okay?”

“Yeah,” Allison agrees. “Speech is overrated. Just signal and we’re on it. No questions asked.”

I give an awkward chuckle as I blink back the unwanted burn from my eyes. “Thank you.”

Allison clenches her hands and scrunches up her face. “What I wouldn’t give to squish you right now.”

“Don’t you dare. I love you too much to blubber all over your pretty coat.” I keep chuckling. Keep blinking back the threat of tears. “I bet you’re both glad you invited me out though. My ability to set the mood is top tier.”

“Pfft.” Ivy waves me away. “We’d rather be with you on a bad day than anyone else on their best. You’re our girl.”

Their girl who lies. Schemes. Manipulates.

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