Page 15 of Pretty Savages

Chapter six

"Yousoundterrible.What'sgoing on?" Phoebe asks, her voice stern on the other end of the phone.

I sigh. I wanted to reschedule our catch up call, but she insisted.

"Just having a shit few days, Phoebs. I'm fine, I promise."

It wasn't a complete lie. I was starting to come to terms that Chuck had left, and had spent the last few days keeping myself busy. The haunted lake was growing on me, as well as my new job. Between that and hanging out with my roommates, life didn't feel like a total bust. But if I was being honest, I feel exhausted.

Phoebe sighs, her breath shaking and I realize that in my wallowing, I missed the signs that something else was up.

"What's going on, Phoebe?" I ask, pressing the phone closer to my ear.

There's radio silence at the other end, before the distinct sound of muffled sobs reaches my ears. Panic sets off in me as I sit up on the bed, my legs perched under my ass.

"Phoebs!" I snap before internally slapping myself. I take a breath and try again. "Phoebs…" I say again, softer. "What's wrong?"

I hear her sniffle before exhaling. "My Dad is sick, Ry. He was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. But there's nothing they can do. I didn't want to say anything to anyone, but now that we have gotten the news he may only have a few months to live, it's … it's hard."

I cup my mouth in shock, tears filling my eyes. I've met Phoebe's dad, Ronnie, a few times. He's always the life of the party, a real jokester. Phoebe is like me - a real dad's little girl.

This must be killing her.

"Oh, Phoebs…"

More sobs travel down the phone, and my fingers clench the phone tighter as if by doing so, she would be able to feel it.

"Ry... I was going to tell you at my birthday party. But I didn't know if you'd even be coming."

Guilt slowly consumes me. Because truthfully, I had been planning to ditch the trip back. Seriously, I am a terrible fucking friend.

"No… I'll be there!" I say, trying to assure her. "Of course, I'll be there next week."

Phoebe lets out a dry chuckle. "You don't want to though. And I get it… I do. But I really need you right now. And that makes me feel selfish."

Oh, fuck no, Phoebe. You're not the selfish one… I am.

"Don't be silly. You're not selfish at all. I told you I'd be there for you. And I will be."

"It's not going to be much of a party now. I don't feel like celebrating. But we all need to have a meeting," she replies weakly. "Con and I have been talking. Because of Dad's prognosis, we're moving up the wedding so he can be there. We are just trying to work with the wedding planner to sort it all out."

I grab my vape from next to the bed, taking a drag. "Yeah, of course. Is there anything I can help with?"

"Maybe… I don't know. It's all a blur at the moment. That's why it will be good to regroup in person."

Phoebe and I keep talking for a bit longer, the tears flowing from both of us at various points. When the call ends, I lay in bed, staring at the roof for most of the night.

Suddenly my problems seem so insignificant. Yet, a part of me still hurt. But there's no way in hell I'd let my friend down.

I'll just have to be guarded and prepared.

I pour George his usual drink, smiling at his massive grin. It's the first time I've seen him so happy.

"I can't believe I have a date tomorrow night!" he quips, whipping out his phone to pull up a photo.

I laugh, leaning forward so I can view his hot match properly. She's an older lady, around his age, with fading brown hair, big hazel eyes and wrinkles.

"That's amazing, Georgie. I'm so pleased for you," I say, resting my elbow on the bar. "Where are you taking her?"

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