“You’ve got a good one.” Ivory reaches over and squeezes her hand.
There’s an awkwardness in the air right now, and I hate it. I need to get her talking, but I don’t want to rush her, so instead I opt for my special brand of sarcasm. “I’m trying not to be salty that you didn’t text us sooner.”
“Don’t think you’re one to be throwing stones at secrets right now,” Gabby snarks back. Good.
I stare at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What’s going on with you and Grant?” she asks.
“Nothing. This isn’t about me. This is about you.”
Shit, Taylor. You didn’t really think this one through. Those in glass houses do not throw stones. Gabby sighs at my refusal to share my secret with them. It’s not lost on me that we’re all keeping secrets lately.
“Sooner or later, you’re going to have to tell us, Tay.”
“I choose later, thank you.” I take a sip of wine and avert my eyes. I planned to tell them about me and Grant this week, but now is definitely not the time. This is about Gabby, whatever is going on in her life that has Chase concerned enough to text us and for her to be looking so miserable.
Thankfully, Ivory redirects things away from me and back to Gabby. “Gabby, can I get you anything?”
“Just water for me tonight and maybe some ibuprofen.” Gabby gently touches her breast and winces.
“Sure thing.” Ivory goes inside to get her water.
“And I love you, but can we maybe go inside? I want to lay down.” Gabby starts to stand, and I jump up to help her.
“Yeah, babe. Let’s go.” I follow her the way Chase did and wait until she gets comfortable on the chaise side of the couch.
Ivory comes into the living room and hands her the pain medicine and water. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
While Gabby gets settled, Ivory and I move all the snacks from the porch to the living room, arranging everything on the coffee table. Gabby is huddled in the corner of the couch with a blanket wrapped around her and I sit on the end of the chaise lounge while Ivory takes the spot in the middle of the couch.
“Okay, where do you want to start?” Ivory asks.
“I guess the beginning,” Gabby mumbles. “Don’t be mad, butI’ve been keeping a secret since before your wedding. I had a lump and needed a mammogram.”
Ivory and I share a look, but we don’t interrupt her. Gabby was quiet and introspective during some of the wedding planning, so this is starting to make sense now. The way Miller jumped in so we wouldn’t notice as much. They’re hushed conversations and her detachment. It hurts to know she’s been dealing with this on her own for over a year.
“It came back to be nothing and I didn’t need a biopsy or anything, so I didn’t want to say anything. You were planning your wedding, Ives, and there was just so much going on. It was supposed to be a happy time. I didn’t want to burden you with this and ruin the celebrations. Anyway, I was nervous for my annual appointment this year because that’s how they found the lump last year. When I went to the doctor, she felt something and ordered another mammogram. I was so upset and a bit numb about it. I had the mammogram a couple weeks ago and they scheduled a biopsy. That was where we were today.” She pauses and takes a steadying breath. “So now we wait on the results of the biopsy.”
“Oh, Gabby, I’m so sorry.” Ivory is desperately trying to keep tears at bay when she gives Gabby a hug.
I crawl over and sandwich her between us, wrapping my arms around her. “We’re here for you. Whatever it is.”
All the pieces fall into place. The excuse that she was working at a coffee shop when I showed up to her house. Her fight with Chase a couple weeks ago, pushing him away because she was scared. I was here. She could have told me. It makes me sad she didn’t, but if anyone knows anything about keeping secrets from your closest friends, it’s me. We’re all on our own journey, and I can’t fault her for handling this in the way it felt best for her.
Gabby sniffles. “Sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“You told us now.” Ivory says, squeezing her gently.
Gripping her hand, I let her know we’re solid. “That’s all that matters.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Ivory asks, keeping her arms around Gabby, but looking at her to make sure she’s okay.
“Not really. I’d like to watch a movie and hang out with my best girls if that’s good with you?”
“It’s perfect.” Ivory smiles and moves to the far end of the couch, slapping the middle cushion for me to sit between them.
