Page 113 of A Chance for Us
“I’m fine. Things have been stressful, and I won’t see Maren for another week.”
“You love her.”
“I could.”
“No, I think youdo,” my annoying sister says with a grin.
“Whatever. That’s what’s bugging me.”
Oh, and I have cancer. Yeah, that too.
I saw Dr. Pang yesterday, and she informed me that she was able to call in a favor with one of the best oncologists in Charlotte and I’ll see him in two days. In the meantime, I get to sit around with this impending cloud of doom over my head.
Until I have answers, I’m not going to bother my siblings with this. Josh and Delia have a baby, Grayson and Jessica have their kids, Stella and Jack have their own stuff to deal with, and Alex is in Egypt. So, I’m alone in my head. If I’m being a dick, well, everyone is going to have to deal with it.
“Have you talked to her?”
“Almost every day.”
“I know it’s hard, believe me, I understand what it’s like to stay away from the person you love, but it’ll work out. You and Maren will figure it out.”
She has no idea what she’s talking about.
Once I find out more and start treatments, everything will change. Maren has her career in Virginia, and I’m here. I can’t go to her. I can’t ask her to take care of me. She just buried her father who died of cancer.
No, Maren isn’t going to have to suffer through that pain again. I won’t do it.
I’ll find a way to get through this on my own.
“Thanks, Stell.”
“Something else is wrong, Oliver. I feel it in my bones.”
“Your bones? Wow, that’s deep. Do you think it’s contagious?”
She glares at me. “I think you’re an idiot and lying to me.”
“Is this your twin osmosis shit again?”
“Sure. Let’s call it that, but I know you, which means I know when you’re trying to hide something.”
Of all the days for her to be a pain in the ass, she had to pick this one. I smile as authentically as I can and lean against the counter. I’m close enough to her that it’s as though I’m going to impart some amazing wisdom.
“You know I love you, right?”
“I do.”
“You know I am always saying that you’re too smart?”
Stella grins. “It’s true.”
“You got me this time.”
“I knew I would.”
I want to laugh at her for thinking I’m going to tell her shit. “Well, I feel like I should tell someone, and since you know me so well, you should be that person.”
She moves closer, waiting for the secret. “I can keep a secret.”
