Page 45 of Fractured Constellations
His cum seeps from me, and I fucking love it because of what it represents. That I’m wanted. That I’m desired even though I look like death warmed up, which is something I’ve not felt before and something else to be grateful to my stepbrothers for.
We’ve just finished another delicious breakfast that Chase had our chef, Bernard, make and send when Patty returns.
“Results all good and we’re ready for your pre-treatment fluids if you are?”
“Absolutely,” I tell her, wiping my mouth on the cloth napkin—yep, Chase went to that extreme—Thorn’s hand is already there to help me get up and back into bed.
I can’t help the smile on my lips. It’s so different this time than my previous treatments where I felt so alone. Often Mom had to work, having to pay for the chemo, and even when she was with me, she was usually so tired she’d sleep most of the time.
At least one of them is always awake when I am, talking to me, watching the TV with me, or just sitting in silence with me. Thorn keeps me entertained with jokes, stories, and funny cat videos. Chase talks to me about the treatment plan and makes sure I understand everything and that he’s taking care of it all so I don’t have to worry. Blade explains what the medication does, the side effects, and how we can counter them. He tells me the science, and though some of it goes over my head, I appreciate the time he takes to explain it so that, between them, I feel like I’m more informed than ever before.
Once the drip is set up, Patty leaves, and Thorn grabs what looks like a book before settling back on the bed.
“What’s that?” I ask, looking at the cover. It’s got a beautiful couple on it, and is in shades of black and brown. “Lords of Pain?”
“I thought you might like it,” Thorn says, opening the book but being careful not to crack the spine. “It’s a dark, bully, whychoose romance. These guys are real assholes to her, and one is her stepbrother.”
He waggles his brows at me and I giggle. “Are they as bad as you guys were?” I tease, sucking my lips in to stop smiling at his frown.
“They’re much worse, Moonbeam,” he tells me, one brow arched. “Maybe it’ll make you grateful that we weren’t?”
My mouth drops open. “You didnotjust say that to me, Thorn Banks!”
He cringes, his cheeks flushing. “Yeah, not my finest moment.”
I crook my finger at him, and he leans down. Pressing my lips against his in a quick kiss, we both sigh at the contact. “I am beyond grateful for you, Thorn. All of you. Even if you were assholes.” I kiss his lips again, then give him a push. “Now read me the damn book.”
He chuckles. “Yes, ma’am.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“UNCONDITIONAL - LIVE AT ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH” BY FREYA RIDINGS
LUNA
Before I know it, it’s time for my second-to-last infusion, and as Patty preps it, Blade is by my side, holding my hand in his and rubbing soothing circles on the back of it. I think about the past three days and the toll it’s taken on me.
My emotions are all over the place to be honest. It’s part relief that this round is finally coming to an end and I won’t have to face another grueling day of chemo after today. It sucks more than I remembered though, drawing every ounce of energy from me and then some, which leads me to dread the next round that sits like a lead weight in the pit of my stomach.
I know I won’t be alone, the guys have assured me of that repeatedly, but it still doesn’t make actually going through it any easier. Especially as I know I’ll be weakened from this round and the side effects, which I’ll have to face over the coming weeks before my next treatment.
One step at a time, Luna.
I’m drawn from my musings by Chase moving to sit at the end of the bed, Thorn mirroring him on the other until they’re all around me. It helps to settle my nerves and worries, having them around me like this.
“Right, you’re all hooked up for this round, Luna. So just sit back and relax and I’ll be in and out, checking,” Patty says, packing up and leaving the room after I’ve thanked her.
My phone buzzes on my bedside table as the door shuts, and I look over to see it’s my mom. My heartbeat thrashes inside my chest, my breath a little short. I’ve not missed the fact that this is the first time she’s called since my treatment began.
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I reach out and take the phone, swiping to answer it as I bring it to my ear. “Hi, Mom.”
“Luna love! How’s the treatment going? I know the boys are there taking care of you, which must be nice,” she says in a rush, the sounds of conversation in the background making me think she’s not at home.
“It’s okay, last day today, and yeah, the guys have been great,” I tell her, Blade giving my hand a squeeze.
“Oh, of course it’s the last day. I must have gotten mixed up in my head,” she answers, though she sounds a little distracted. Suddenly, there’s a sound like her hand is muffling the speaker before she returns. “I’ve got to go, Richard needs me, but I’ll see you tomorrow when you get home. Love you.”
And with that, she’s gone, and I’m left staring at my own harried reflection on the black screen.
