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My gaze slowly slides to Koen, his ridged body, clenched jaw, and the world of hurt in his eyes.
“He has cancer,” I say in defeat. And I feel as though it’s spreading and getting worse just from me saying those words aloud—spreading them to another person who can give them power.
I bat away a few tears, but I don’t know why I’m trying to hide it. I love these two men. They own every single emotion I have left inside of me.
Koen glances over his shoulder. I can’t see his expression, but Price bleeds remorse.
“I’m your Plan B,” Koen says, turning back toward me. Then he laughs, shaking his head. “I’m your fucking Plan B.”
This time, I move aside when he steps past me. How can I respond when I don’t know what I’m feeling other than heartbroken in every way possible?
He slams the front door behind him, and I wince.
“No,” Price says, still rubbing his jaw while brushing past me to the kitchen.
“No, what?” I follow him.
“I will not come between you and your happiness. I didn’t come here for that reason.” He wraps ice in a towel and presses it to his jaw.
“You came here for me.”
He turns with a sigh, looking utterly drained. Did I do this?
“Yes, I came here for you. To be near you. To feel your light. But I didn’t come here to be with you. And I’m sorry if I’ve confused you. I never meant to complicate your life.”
“Well,” I slowly shrug and shake my head. “I don’t want …”
What? What don’t I want? WhatdoI want?
“I don’t want to be with you, either. And I don’t want you to die. But I need …” I can’t do it, so I swallow the words, knowing they will eventually suffocate me and ruin my future.
“What do you need?”
Staring at the floor, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I just need you to live,” I whisper.
“I’m alive. And you’re only responsible for the good things that happen to me.”
He’s unknowingly slaying me, a noose around my neck that gets a little tighter every day.
“The thought of you dying?—”
“Scottie, don’t. Go make things right, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
There’s more to say. There willalwaysbe more to say. Does he need to know my truth if he leaves this world before me?
I findKoen’s location on my phone. He’s not too far south of here, so I follow him to a commercial building under construction, congested with workers everywhere.
“Excuse me.” I stop an older gentleman in a hard hat. “Do you know Koen Sikes?”
He shakes his head.
“Uh, he’s a welder.”
The guy glances around and points to his right. “Probably there.”
“Thanks.” I turn.
“You can’t be in here without proper protection. Sorry.”
