Page 120 of A Chance for Us
“I won’t listen to another woman feed me the bullshit lies. I’ve heard it twice before, and I’m not in the mood to hear it again.”
I walk out of her room and throw the door open. “Oliver, wait!”
I don’t. I just get into my car and leave.
It’s time to go back to my home.
Back to my life.
Back to my family.
Back to being alone, which is exactly how it should’ve been.
Fuck love. Fuck cancer. Fuck it all.
* * *
I drive through the night and pull into the resort a mess. I’m exhausted and hollow.
Jack and Stella are walking toward the main entrance, smiling as she holds his hand. The people in this town are going to make me sick. I’m happy for my siblings, but I really don’t want to be reminded of all I just lost.
I exit the car and head inside. At least my job makes sense. Today is an owners’ meeting I had planned to skip, but . . . here I am.
When I enter, Grayson and Josh study me, look to each other, and then back to me. “What?” I snap.
Josh clears his throat. “Nothing, just surprised to see you.”
“You all right, man?” Grayson asks.
“Do I look all right?”
“You kind of look insane,” Josh answers.
Stella’s voice comes from behind. “Who looks insane?” Our eyes meet, and she nods. “Oh, he does. Why are you here? I thought you were having a romantic weekend with your wife?”
No time like the present and no patience left to give a shit.
“Maren and I are getting our marriage annulled, and I have Stage I Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I start treatment on Friday, and they’re hoping for a full recovery.”
Stella’s mouth falls open before she covers it with her hands. “What?”
“I have cancer.”
Jack’s arm goes around her shoulders. “You saw a doctor?” he asks.
Grayson and Josh are on their feet. Questions come in rapid fire from all four of them.
“When did you find out?”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Did you get a second opinion?”
Stella moves toward me. “Who is taking care of you?”
“Where is treatment?”
“How long?”
