Page 64 of What Should Have Been Ours

Wes snorts. “Bull. First, the nosebleeds, then the bruises, and now you’re randomly about to pass out mid-game?”

Gabrielle stays kneeled in front of me, with even more concern written all over her face now. “And you had a fever the other night…”

Wes’s head snaps toward me. “Wait—what?”

I sigh, already hating this conversation. “Guys, chill. I’m just tired and haven’t eaten much today. Plus, the stress of work. It’s normal.”

Gabrielle and Wes exchange a look that very clearly says we don’t believe him for one second.

Wes crosses his arms. “Okay, but like…you do remember your history, right? Or do we need to refresh your memory on why you should not ignore random symptoms like these?”

Gabrielle nods. Her expression is pretty serious right now, and I can’t ignore it. “Cam, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. It’s okay to listen to your body.”

I hate the way they’re both looking at me, like I’m some fragile thing that could break at any second.

“You need to go get checked out, dude,” Wes pushes. “Not wait until it’s too late, trying to brush it off.”

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “I have my annual check-up next week. If anything’s wrong, I’ll find out then. Seriously, no need to stress.”

Wes still doesn’t look convinced, but Gabrielle places a hand on my knee, squeezing lightly. “Then at least take it easy today. Sit this one out, okay?”

I exhale reluctantly, knowing I don’t have much of a choice.

“Fine,” I grumble.

Wes pats my shoulder, still looking mildly pissed. “Good. Now, I’m gonna go win this damn game since someone is getting too old and washed up to keep up with the young folk.”

I roll my eyes, and Gabrielle just smiles, threading her fingers through mine as I stay on the sidelines with her and Kinsley.

I spend the rest of the game sitting next to her, watching Wes make some ridiculous plays and yelling at him from the bench like I’m still in the game.

And yeah, I still feel a little off. But it’s nothing.

I’ll go to my appointment next week, and it’ll give everyone peace of mind.

And everything will be fine.

That’s what I keep telling myself. I don’t have the energy to think of any other possibility, not when things are finally going so good.

23

Gabrielle

I gently run my hands over the soft fur of the orange tabby curled up on my exam table, feeling his purr vibrating against my fingertips. He’s here for surgery—a tumor removal. It’s small, and his odds are good, but still, I hate seeing cases like this.

I adjust the stethoscope around my neck, trying to focus. “We’ll take good care of him,” I reassure Milo’s owner, giving him a soft smile. “Dr. Parker is one of the best when it comes to these procedures. We’ll call you as soon as he’s in recovery.”

Milo’s owner nods, and after I give a run down of aftercare, I step out of the exam room, exhaling slowly.

Cancer.

The word alone makes me feel uneasy. I try to shake it off, but my mind refuses to let it go. I don’t know wrong with me lately. Actually, that’s a lie. I know exactly what’s wrong. Cam is what’s wrong.

The way he’s been lately. The exhaustion, the fever, the way he nearly collapsed at the game—every single warning sign is gnawing at me.

I keep telling myself it’s nothing, though.

He’s fine.