Page 64 of Laugh

“All good, Cap,” I reassure him.

With a quick nod, he continues his careful descent down a few stairs to the back of the truck, where I guess we’re going to start loading the big stuff.

Facing my brothers again, I sigh and let my body relax. “Look, let’s just put it behind us. I accept your apology, but I’m still going to be angry because Iamangry. Right now, though, I need to focus on this,” I say, holding my hand out toward the apartment. “I truly am so appreciative that you three came over to help. It really means a lot to me.”

The men who avoid feelings like they’re the devil quickly nod and move past me to get started. Alex stops next to me and leans down to give me a fast, one-armed hug. “Thanks, Haddie. We’ll be better.”

“Thank you,” I mumble.

Shaking off the moment, I gather myself and follow them back inside. Taking a look around, I’m thrilled about the amount of progress we’ve made already. I honestly think we can finish this with two trips. Marcus never really had a lot, and with the cleaning that Beau and I did earlier, it truly is practically move out ready.

It’s bittersweet to see all his stuff disappearing like this, but I know that being home with his parents is the best place for him. I wish he would come to stay with me, I truly do, but I know that it’ll take more than just me to get us all through this. I’m determined to be there every fucking step of the way, though. He’ll probably need chemo or radiation, and pills and treatments. EvenifI sympathy puke, I’ll suck it up and do it with a goddamn smile on my face.

It’s funny to watch as the red headed, fully bearded mountain man Max runs up behind Mina, who’s standing on the kitchen counter, and worries over her risk of falling to the ground. She shoos him away, ignoring his hands on her waist as she reaches up to the top cupboard to grab whatever Marcus has stored up there.

“I’ll catch her, Max,” I tease, stepping up next to him. “If you need to get back to what you were doing.”

Frowning down at me, he shakes his head. “No way, you’re just as small as her. You’ll both break.”

I can’t stop the giggle over how worried he seems, and he gives me an embarrassed half smile. “What were you doing? I’ll get that done while you catch your damsel in distress.”

“Don’t egg him on!” Mina calls, giggling with me.

“Boxes over there need to go out,” he rumbles, never taking his eyes off his girlfriend’s ass. He tilts his head to the left of us.

With a pat to his shoulder, I find the boxes and pick up the top one, hauling it outside. Every box and table that gets stacked into the beds of all these trucks eases my worry that we may not get this done in time for the O’Brien’s. I’m so fucking happy that we are able to make this happen for them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Five hours. That’s how long it took us to move Marcus’s entire life out of an 800 square-foot apartment.

Standing in front of the filled garage of his childhood, I swallow back how upset I’m feeling over this change. I fucking hate it. Ihatethis.

I hate change.

I hate cancer.

I hate that my best friend has been suffering, and I had no fucking idea.

Why didn’t he say anything?

I know he was scared, but it’s so hard to accept that he hid this from everyone for so long. A simple phone call to his doctor could have resolved this well before it got to where he was missinghalfof his blood. Yeah, found that little tidbit out, and I think that scared me just as much as the ‘C’ word.Why was he missing blood?I don’t understand, but I also don’t want to bug his parents with questions while they’re just trying to make it through each day.

Beau and I thanked everyone profusely for all their help today. My brothers really stepped up and dove right in until the moment everything was done. I gave them all extra-long hugs, along with promises to call them later with updates. Matthew mentioned that he’d let dad know what was going on, which I appreciate because although I’m not ready to talk to him, he should know. Our families were close with each other for a long time.

The friends who Beau asked to come help were absolutely wonderful. I was able to chat with Vince and Max a bit. Ethan mainly grunted and made other noises with a random word here and there, but Mina is delightful. We exchanged numbers before they left, and I think Addie got her number as well.Yay for new friends!

Warm arms circle around my waist from behind, and I feel Beau’s lips press against the side of my neck before he settles his chin on my shoulder.

“Ready to go in there, baby? I think they’ve got him up to his room now.” His voice is low and the vibrations against my back soothe my soul. It eases something in me, like I don’t have to face this alone and he’s right here with me.

Seeing Marcus outside of the hospital, where everyone always looks sick, was a shock to my system. I suck in a quick breath and turn in his arms, pushing my face into his chest. “He looks so bad, Beau.Sobad. I…” I gulp against the knot in my throat and push through it. “I think it’s a lot worse than what they’re hoping for.”

I wish Beau would tell me I was wrong, but he doesn’t. His sympathetic sigh tells me he sees it, too.

“Look at me, happy girl.”

I shake my head, refusing to pull away. I don’t want to look at him because I don’t want to see the truth of my fears written all over his face.

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