Page 77 of Castle's Cards

Addy blinks. A weird expression spreads over her face, as if she is hearing about it for the first time.

“I am ready to raise a baby with you. I love you so, so much Addy.” Addy sucks in a breath, and I keep going before she can interrupt. “You mean everything to me, and there’s nothing I want more than to start a family with you.”

There’s a shuffling from behind me.

“Wow. You just don’t tell me anything at all, do you?” I turn around, surprise running through me. Izzy’s face is red with anger, her eyes filled with betrayal. My gaze immediately shoots to Addy. What didn’t she tell Izzy?

Addy sighs.

“Izzy had my phone in the car, picking out music for the drive home when a text came through from Cassie. Expressing condolences for our father’s cancer. I didn’t mean for her to find out that way.” Addy shakes her head and looks at Izzy. “I didn’t mean for you to find out that way.”

“You didn’t tell Izzy yet?” My brows shoot to my forehead. I’m not trying to judge Addy, but it’s hard to imagine not only dealing with the fact that her father is dying, but also having to tell her little sister about it. “Why didn’t you tell Izzy?”

“He knew?” Izzy’s shrill voice rises from behind me. When I look at her a tear rolls down her cheek. “He knew before I did? About our own…”

Izzy covers her mouth as another tear drifts down her cheek. Then she shakes her head.

“Does everyone know? Everyone in the entire world but me knew that our dad has cancer. Were you ever going to tell me? He only has six months to live! Would he have died before you said something?” Izzy is screaming now. Addy stands up indignantly.

“That’s enough, Izzy. I know I should have told you sooner. But it was hard, okay? You have no idea what it’s like to be in my position.”

“I know I would have told you as soon as I found out.”

“You can’t possibly know what you would have done. So don’t even say that.”

My head swivels between the sisters as they go back and forth with each other. It’s almost like watching a stage show and not knowing where to look: the action is everywhere, all at once.

“You’re always telling me that I’m so smart and I’m the best sister in the entire world,” Izzy says, tears rolling down her face in a steady stream. “But I’m actually a regular sister. I’m not special or great or anything like that. The only reason that you think that is becauseyouare the shittiest sister in the world.”

Addy freezes, a look of shock pasting itself on her face.

“Whoa. Don’t talk to your sister like that.”

“I’ll say whatever I want. I am so sick of being such a good sport about everything, and she can’t even be open and honest with me like we’re supposed to be. Like good sisters are supposed to be. I’m out of here.”

Izzy hoists the small bag she’s carrying over her shoulder before running to the front door and throwing it open. She doesn’t look back as she slams the door behind her. Addy is still frozen when I reach out to touch her.

“Addy–”

She pulls away and runs to the door. I follow her as she throws it open.

“Izzy!” Addy shouts as she steps outside. I walk out just in time to see a car speeding away.

“Did she just get in that car?” I ask. Addy squeaks before turning to me and bursting into tears. “Don’t worry. We’ll find Izzy.”

I stroke her hair as I look up in the direction of the car speeding away.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Addy

Ishouldn’tbemadat Carter. I know I shouldn’t. He didn’t know what he was doing or that he was making things worse. He was only trying to help.

Yet I’m still having trouble pushing down my annoyance. Did he have to reveal that he knew before Izzy? Sure, he was shocked I didn’t tell her. Everyone would probably be shocked that I didn’t tell her. I sigh and pull my phone out of my pocket, finding Nate’s contact immediately and dialing.

If Izzy’s with anyone, it will be him. I hope. Finding Izzy is my number one goal. It’s the only way to keep my annoyance from spreading all over my body and taking over every emotion I have.

The phone rings for longer than I’d like before he picks up, but I take it as a good sign. Izzy might be telling him not to pick up the phone.

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