Page 100 of Getting Over You

Eddy thought he was a dead man. Probably still does.

“Is it… What kind?” I ask, fighting tightness in my throat. “Do you know how long…?”

“I don’t,” Mom says. “He goes back to the clinic in a few days. We’ll know more then. But he keeps telling everyone it’s in his testicles, and you can imagine how awkward that must be. Your poor aunt hears it more than I do.”

I laugh, but it’s wet-sounding.

“Cade? You still there?”

“Still here,” I whisper as tears that I didn’t consent to start to fall. “Yeah.”

“Because of all this, I thought you may appreciate some more familiar faces. Eddy and I are flying in for your birthday!”

My thoughts immediately find Gigi, thinking she’s behind this. I don’t know how she would have managed such a plan, but I’m sure that girl would find a way. My jaw ticks.

“I don’t need that,” I say, my sadness replaced with concern. “Can Eddy fly?”

“I’m wearing thin dealing with Eddy, and he’s got the go-ahead to fly. I want to see my sons.”

That’s reasonable, damn it. I try another angle. “There’s not enough room in the apartment. I mean, where would you stay?”

“A hotel?” Mom says. “Which I’ve already booked. Your brother knows all about this. What’s done is done. I want to see my favorite boys while my least favorite boy tells everyone in the town he’s got months to live because of cancer in his nuts.”

“There’s no stopping this?” I ask Mom.

“There’s no stopping it, Caderade. Life keeps moving.”

I was talking about the birthday visit, but I think she thinks I mean the cancer. I know there’s no stopping death.

“Are you going to be okay, sweetheart?”

I hesitate, fighting the lump in my throat. “Yeah,” I choke. “Just fine.”

I hang up from the call with Mom, then go find Gigi in the bedroom. She’s sitting on my bed, her knees pulled up to her chest. She’s giving me her doe-eyed look.

“Is everything okay?” she asks.

“Did you plan a visit with my mom and my uncle?” I ask, a sourness to my tone. “For my birthday.”

Gigi shakes her head. “No. Nothing like that. How would I have contacted your mom?”

I don’t answer her. I can’t wrap my brain around the logistics, but I’m certain she’s responsible.

“What are you talking about?” Her brow furrows as she scrapes her teeth over her bottom lip. “Is something wrong?”

“Can you go?” I ask. “I want to be by myself right now.”Nothing good ever stays. Not for me.

“Cade.” Gigi stands, looking at me with narrowed eyes, her lips in their typical pout. “Tell me what’s wrong. Please?”

“There’s nothing wrong,” I say. “I want you to go. Can you go?”I need you to go before I destroy you, like I promised not to do.

“I’m sort of staying here at the moment,” she points out. “And don’t have a car.”

My jaw pulses. I clench and unclench my fists. Over and over and over.

“Cade,” Gigi tries again. “Can you just tell me what’s wrong? I want to help.”

“I don’t want your help,” I snap at her. “I want you to leave.”I can’t watch you cry, knowing I’ve broken your fragile little heart.

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