Chapter 7 #2
“He’s at stage two for now,” I explained. “He’s been doing chemotherapy to treat it.”
“Is it working?”
I shrugged. “He has another CT scan and follow-up appointment with his oncologist soon. I guess we’ll know then.”
“I’m sorry, Audrey.”
“No, no, don’t apologize. None of us could’ve expected this. There’s nothing we could’ve done differently. All we can do now is deal with it.”
“And how are you dealing with it?”
“I’m fine.”
“Audrey,” he said, his voice firm. He stepped in front of me and ceased his steps.
I kept my eyes down as I tried to walk around him. “Max,” I whined.
His steps mimicked mine, blocking me at every turn.
Growing irritated, I put my hands on his chest and tried to push him. “Oh my god, Max, move!”
“No.” He grabbed my wrists in one hand and my chin in the other. Tilting my face upwards he said, “Not until you tell me the truth.”
Tears I’ve been holding captive punched at the back of my eyes, begging to be set free. Under the familiarity and security of Max’s gaze, cracks appeared in the bars of their cages. A few took advantage and slithered out, tickling my skin as they rolled down my cheeks.
Max’s brows stitched together at the sight. He released my wrists to catch some of them with his thumb. “Audrey,” he murmured.
“I’m scared,” I admitted. “Dad is…he’s one of the best people I know, and…
I can’t…I can’t lose him. But sometimes, he’s…
sometimes, he’s in so much pain, and he gets so tired and…
Sometimes I worry he’s not…he’s not going to make it.
” The sobs crawled up my throat. Sniffling, I shoved them back down.
“And I don’t…I don’t know what I’m going to do if he doesn’t.
He and Papa, they’re…they’re the best parents anyone could ask for…
And I can’t imagine life without them…both of them. ”
“You won’t,” Max promised. “My cousin’s company has connections with the best oncologists in the country. I can call and get you in contact with one of them.”
I shook my head. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do,” he replied. “Benny and Rashad helped raise me too. It’s only right to help in any way I can.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Here, I’ll text Javier right now and see if he can start making some magic happen.”
I almost smiled. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “Yeah, of course.”
I set a hand on his wrist, silently calling for his attention.
His fingers froze atop the touch screen, and he looked up at me in surprise.
“I’m serious,” I said. “Having a good doctor could be life-changing for us. Thank you.”
He held my gaze, his eyes softening with every passing second. “I am too. Whatever you need, I’m more than willing to give.”
Familiar flutters tickled my stomach under his kind words and stare. I released his wrist and averted my eyes to prevent the feeling from growing stronger. “Come on,” I said as I stepped around him, bumping his shoulder as I passed. “Your mom is going to rip us a new one if we take too long.”
Content with our conversation, Max finally continued his stride beside me. Between steps, he leaned in close and returned the bump I’d given him.
I side-eyed him, and he grinned. The golden glow of the setting sun painted his face, erasing the lines of time from his features. For a moment, I caught a glimpse of the boy I used to know. The boy I used to love.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed him.
His grin grew as he noticed my lingering gaze.
Reluctantly, I tore my eyes away and folded my arms against my chest. I was not trying to puff any more air into his big head.
He threw his arm over my shoulders, hooked his forearm around my neck, and pulled me against him.
The rumble of his chuckle vibrated against my cheek, and the scent of his cologne wafted through my nose. With my ear to his chest, I recognized the familiar thumping of his heart.
As much as I wanted to soak it all in, even for a moment, I knew better than to let the emotions I’d kept locked away out of their cage. Once they were out, it was hard to reel them back in.
I shoved Max off, shooting him another harsh look.
His grin stayed intact, this time accompanied by another quiet chuckle. He shook his head and finally turned his eyes away.
I did the same, hoping we were done with our little game.
Not even a moment later, his hand was brushing against mine. His fingers slithered around my palm and held it in a loose grasp. As if he was expecting me to rip it away.
Every part of my brain screamed that I should. That we were better off like this.
But, nothing felt right about whatever this was. We didn’t feel like friends. We didn’t feel like enemies. Hell, we didn’t even feel like strangers.
We were just two people with history.
And I don’t know if I liked it.
His fingers tightened around my hand, now past the stage of potential rejection.
The soft squeeze, like pushing a button, brought my limp muscles to life. My fingers stretched around his hand and I held it tight.
Our hands remained intertwined for the rest of the walk to the store, throughout our quick browse through the aisles, and the entire journey back home. Even as we stepped through the front door, we still didn’t let go.