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He jogs.
So I run.
He runs.
My vision blurs behind the tears. No matter how hard I run, I know I can’t outrun this, but it doesn’t stop me from trying. When I reach my trailer, I stop at the door, feeling him a few feet behind me, hearing his labored breaths chasing mine.
“You’re sick,” I whisper with my back to him.
There’s a long pause.
“Yes.”
I’ve known it since the day he came into the store. But Price is the one person who makes me question my feelings, my instincts, my intuition. Nobody likes to be wrong, but I’ve wanted to be so wrong about this.
“Cancer?” I barely get the word out before my heart lurches into my throat.
“Yes.”
My eyes pinch shut, and my body shakes in silent sobs. This isn’t happening. No. It’s not right. It’s not fair.
Slowly, I turn around, hand cupped over my mouth. Tears spring from my aching eyes. “Oh god, Price … w-what am I s-supposed to d-do?”
His arms slide around my waist, holding me to him, lips pressing to the top of my head. “Burn the skinny jeans.”
Why is he making me laugh through my sobs?
“Be your beautiful, inspiring, kind, exquisite self. Radiate that unmatched light of yours. I need your light, Scottie. I trulyneedit.”
I hug him harder than I’ve ever hugged anyone.
Fuck cancer.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
IT’S NOT MINE TO SHARE, EVEN IF IT’S MINE TO BEAR.
I shutoff the shop lights for the night and lock the door. Koen’s pickup is parked beside mine, and the kitchen light is on in my trailer. Each step feels unbearably heavy.
When I open the door, he drops the puzzle piece in his hand and sits back. “Hi,” he says cautiously.
“Hi.” I close the door and toss the store keys onto my counter as Scrot greets me. I reach down and give him a quick scratch under his chin.
“Are we good?” Koen stands.
He’s talking about our minor argument on the phone, but I can’t think about that right now.
I shake my head. Seeing him brings everything to the surface again. The tears win. And I break down. “I h-had a b-bad day.” My body shudders with sobs.
As I melt into his arms, he holds me together. “Scottie? What happened?”
I can’t talk, not yet, so I cry until I can catch my breath.
Koen kisses my head. He cradles my jaw and deposits endless kisses all over my face. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
His words pull a few more tears from my swollen eyes.
“You … you’re right.” I close my eyes, letting him continue to kiss my face. Then I blow out a slow breath. “You can’t fix a bad day. Not with a hundred positive affirmations. Not with anything.” Before opening my eyes, I replay my conversation with Price.
