Page 149 of Surprisingly Us

“Sometimes adults break their promises.”

There’s no point in arguing with her. “Yeah, they do.”

“My mom promised me I was going to get better soon, but now I have to do another round of chemo.”

At Madelyn’s news, my stomach plummets. What I want to say has a few expletives but I can’t swear in front of her.

“Damn. That sucks. I’m sorry.” I can’t even wrap my head around what Madelyn and the other children have to go through with their illnesses. And at eight years old? “You’re incredibly brave. I wish I could be like that.”

“I thought adults were brave.”

“No, you can be an adult and still be scared to do things. Trust me. I would know.”

“Yeah? What are you scared of?” she asks.

I consider her question.What am I scared of?

So many things.

Snakes. Using too much wasabi and getting that nose burning sensation. Accidentally walking in on Ramsey shaving his balls. It happened once and I was traumatized.

But that’s not what Madelyn means.

The reason I didn’t go to Lake George with Lettie is because I’m scared of what I might feel when I’m there. The memories that will likely surface by being in that magical, yet heartbreaking place.

And the fact that I’m starting to have real feelings for Lettie, and I have no idea what I’m going to do when our fake engagement has run its course, only made the idea of going to Lake George with her more worrying.

“It’s okay if you’re not ready to share.”

I give her a small smile. “Thanks for understanding.”

We exchange bracelets. Madelyn instructs me not to look at mine until after I leave.

Before I go, we talk about Taylor’s upcoming album and all our hopes and dreams for it. Ramsey is going to be so mad he missed this conversation. Then, I check out with Brittney at the nurses’ station.

Leaving the children’s hospital, a few photographers swarm toward me as Ramsey meets me at the entrance.

“Where’s Colette?” one photographer asks. “Have you set a wedding date yet?”

“Rhys, why are you here?” another one asks. “Do you have a secret love child?”

What the actual fuck? I’m angry at their prying questions and even more at their audacity to show up here.

Since news of me and Lettie’s engagement, I’ve noticed an increase in media coverage. I’ve tried to embrace it, because it’s good press, but just like the increasing posts about Lettie, it’s starting to make me uncomfortable.

Even with the annoying photographers, I’m in a far better mood than I was earlier.

Ramsey greets me in the car with a huge grin. “I guess the hospital was the best place to get that stick up your ass removed.”

“Funny.” I smirk, but he’s right.

When I pull back the sleeve of my shirt, I find the bracelet that Madelyn gave me.

There, between purple and white beads is a single word: Fearless.

I know what I need to do.

CHAPTER 45

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