Page 113 of Mine to Take

Cancer?

My brain cartwheels, making it difficult to hold on to a single thought.

Before I can come up with a response, River beats me to the punch. “You come near her again and I’ll finish what I started tonight, understand?”

Then he’s gone, disappearing with his sister through the exit and into the night.

And still…

The only thing I can do is stare at the last place I saw her standing.

Willow had cancer?

33

Willow

I stare sightlessly out the windshield as River stabs the ignition button and the SUV roars to life. A heavy silence blankets us as he squeals out of the parking lot and onto the main road that leads back to campus.

In less than five minutes, my life has been turned upside down.

My head spins as shock reverberates throughout my entire being.

It takes effort to force the words through stiff lips. “Why did you do that?”

River’s angry gaze slices in my direction before glaring back at the ribbon of road stretched out in front of us. “Do what? Protect you from the asshole who was only using you to get back at me?”

His words are like a punch to the gut, robbing the air from my lungs.

Everything that happened between Maverick and me flashes through my brain like a slow-motion picture show.

No.

It wasn’t like that.

At least…I don’t think it was.

He shoots another glare at me as his voice rises. “He fucking admitted it.” There’s a pause before another outburst. “You heard him!”

Tears sting the backs of my eyes as I wrap my arms around my middle and stare sightlessly out the passenger side window.

My brother isn’t wrong.

Maverick did admit that he wanted to steal me from River because of what happened in high school.

Even though that acknowledgment hurts, it’s not nearly as painful as what River did. Whether my brother realizes it or not, there are bigger issues at play.

“You have to stop outing my cancer diagnosis.” Before he can respond, I snap, “I’m not a fucking disease. Not every person I meet needs to know my medical history, and you do it all the time!”

His intake of breath is sharp and audible as his expression twists, turning pained. “I never meant?—”

“Bullshit. You always pull out the cancer card anytime a guy shows interest, and I’m tired of it.” There’s a pause before I tack on, “It needs to stop!”

His wide eyes fasten on mine in the darkness. “I… I’m sorry. All I’ve ever wanted to do is protect you, Willow. You’re my twin. A piece of me.” He swallows as his eyes turn shiny in the darkness. “There were times when I thought we’d lose you.” He shakes his head. “How the fuck could I go on if the most important piece of me was gone?”

Some of my anger melts away at the thick emotion that clogs his deep voice.

Unable to help myself, I wrap my hand around his before giving it a squeeze, wanting to draw him out of those painful memories.

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