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Chapter Twenty

Finley

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Ihold my phone inmy hand, my fingers hovering over the screen for several long moments as I talk myself in and out of texting Abel for the millionth time since Claire gave me his number yesterday.

It’s so stupid really. I mean, clearly I’m into him and his actions would suggest he feels the same about me. So why can’t I do something as simple as text him?

I just survived a very risky brain surgery. I’m battling cancer, for goodness sake. And yet I can’t pick up the phone and text a guy?

Because you’re afraid...a small voice in my head says. And it’s right. I am afraid. I’m just not sure what it is that I’m afraid of.

Taking a deep breath, I begin to type out a message, deleting it several times before leaving it atHey, it’s Finley.Seems innocent enough, right?

Only, I know as soon as I send this message there’s no taking it back.

Before I can talk myself out of it–again–I press the send button, squeezing my eyes tightly shut the instant I hear the swooshing sound that indicates the message was sent.

A small moment of panic washes over me but then it quickly morphs into excitement.

How many times did I wish for this? Pray for this? That I would live and find Abel again? The night leading up to surgery, it’s all I could think about.

And now here I am. I’m alive.

I’m not ready to tell him everything and that’s okay. I just want the opportunity to speak to him, to know how he’s doing, to be a part of his life, even if it’s from a distance.

My heart leaps into my throat when I hear my phone ping a response. I peel one eye open and then the other, smiling the instant I read the message displayed across the screen.

Abel: Just Finley... Or should I say Finley Roberts. Did you know that you’re the only Finley over the age of eighteen registered in the entire Chicago area. Guess I’m lucky your name isn’t Sara.

I cover my mouth to suppress a laugh. One text message and already I’m smiling like a damn idiot.

Me: Guess so. Maybe I should have given you an alias. LOL.

I chew nervously on my bottom lip as I wait for his response.

Abel: Well for the record, I’m glad you didn’t. How are you?

Me: I’m doing okay. How are you?

Abel: Shitty, actually. Wishing you were around so I could see you. Where are you anyway?

Me: Why shitty? What’s going on?

Abel: Family stuff. I’d rather not get into it right now. Where are you?

I try to come up with something to tell him. Claire told him I was away for a few weeks. I want to play into that. I don’t want him knowing that I’m still in Chicago or that I’m sick. At least not yet.

Me: Dealing with some personal stuff. Don’t wanna get into it right now.

I turn his words around on him.

Abel: Fair enough.

Me: So how are you? Other than the family stuff?

Abel: Right now I’m doing amazing. You have no idea how good it is to hear from you. I didn’t think I could miss someone that I just met so much.