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“And fans like an underdog.”
He snorts. “Right. That’s worth the risk of infection or liver failure.”
I still. “What’s the risk of infection or liver failure?”
I’ve been preoccupied by the mental toll donating might take on him. The impact of losing basketball. It’s just now occurring to me—and I feel stupid that it didn’t before—that he’s risking a lot more than his pro career. He’s risking his health. Hislife.
Whatever expression I’m wearing strains the corners of Holden’s eyes. “I was just kidding, Cassia. Forget it.”
“What are the chances of that happening, Holden?”
“It was a stupid joke.”
I hold his gaze, not wavering.
He exhales. “It’s a major surgery. Yeah, there are risks, and the doctor ran through them with me. But I don’t even know ifI’m doing it. And if I did, everything would be fine. It’s probably more likely I get hit by a car tomorrow.”
“That’s not fucking funny,” I snap.
His humor fades. “What do you want me to do, Cassia? Let her die?”
Yes,I want to say. If it’s a choice between him and her, that’s an easy one. But that’s too terrible to say. And it’s not my impossible choice to make—it’s his.
“Like you said, you might not even do the surgery. We’ll worry about it then.”
And I will. Worry about it.
Holden exhales. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you about it. Not until I had the test results, at least.”
“Well, I know.”
He steps back from the rail, motioning me closer. I step in front of him, so I’m caged between warm muscle and hard metal. His chin rests on the top of my head.
“It’ll all be okay, flower.”
“I know,” I say.Lie.
Lately, it feels like I’m sure of a lot less than I used to be.
And nothing I’m worried about feels that far away anymore.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
HOLDEN
All of my teammates at the table order another round. I shake my head when the waitress looks my way, pulling my phone out to check the time and then drumming my fingers on the surface of the table.
“Your girlfriend is really hot.” Sebastian’s tone is admiring. I can tell how drunk he is based on a) the slur in his voice and b) what he’s saying.
“I know.” Mine is cutting.
If I punched him once, he’d probably be unconscious on the floor.
And he’s not wrong about Cassia. Just currently oblivious to the fact that I’m wildly possessive when it concerns her, and my tolerance is getting tested to its max.
In the past two hours we’ve been at this bar, I’ve witnessed a lot more guys than that check out Cassia.
Right now she’s in the center of the throng, dancing and singing with her roommate Nova and a few other girls on the soccer team. After driving back from the ferry and getting dinner, we came to Dirty Mike’s, one of the most popular bars off-campus. It’s packed despite being a Tuesday night.
