Page 47 of We Can Stay
“I know.” I try to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “Retirement fund.”
She leaves me standing there in the overgrown grass, the beautiful world I constructed in my mind just a few minutes ago now crashing into pieces all around me.
CHAPTER 14
Flick
I’m halfway through an email about an upcoming order when a wave of nausea hits. Pausing, I take a seat on an overturned bucket and wait for it to pass.
It does... but then another one arrives.
“Ugh. No.” I put my phone down and try to think back to this morning. Did I take my stomach protectant with my steroid dose?
I was feeding Cat... Then I grabbed my oatmeal... Took the steroid... Then Cat got herself stuck under the couch, so I had to rescue her... And I was going to go back for the stomach protectant... But that’s when my phone rang, and...
Damn it. I didn’t take it after all. Which means the ride back to Pine Island will be hell.
Unexpectedly, tears prick my eyes. This afternoon was going so perfectly. And now, all because I’ve forgotten to take one little pill, it’s turning into a mess. What was supposed to be a romantic drive back with Sebastian will probably end in me trying not to vomit in his car.
And how will I finish the day’s work once I get home? It’ll be hard to do anything other than lie in bed and suck on some ginger candies.
Tears run down my cheeks, hot and aggressive. It’s not just about today, though. It feels like all the frustration I’ve kept bottled up since learning about the pericarditis is finally coming to the surface. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I just?—
My phone beeps with a text. Welcoming the distraction, I pick it back up. It’s a message from Hannah.
Checking in, hope you’re okay.
It’s the nudge that sends me over the edge. A sob racks my body, and I bury my face in my hands. For a minute, I just let myself cry. Let myself feel it all.
And then, sitting up straight, I dry my face and start a long, overdue text. I tell Hannah all about the pericarditis, the steroids, feeling nauseous, and not wanting to tell her about all of this because I don’t want it made into a big deal. I’m still halfway through spilling it all when I hear a soft meow.
An orange-striped cat peeks into the stable and studies me.
“Hey there.” Text unfinished, I put the phone down and hold my hand out to the cat. “Kitty, kitty.”
With zero hesitation, it trots into the stable and jumps right into my lap. Laughing with surprise, I scratch its head.
“What’s your name? Do you have a home?”
The cat purrs and makes biscuits on my thighs. He’s like a guardian angel that’s swooped in exactly when I needed him.
“Do you live here, buddy?”
He leans into my touch, and I chuckle. Apparently, I’m a cat person now because they just seem to be dropping into my life left and right.
“Looks like you made a friend.” Sebastian stands in the doorway, watching me and the cat.
“It wasn’t much of a choice.”
He smiles at us, but there’s undeniable tension in his face.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
Before he can answer, Lil appears behind him. “Oh, that cat. Of course he found you. He’s always hanging around.”
“He’s not yours?” I move the scratches to his side.
“A stray. Keeps coming back.” She pulls out her phone and texts while talking. “Seems to like you, though. You should take him.”
