Phoebe literally snaps her fingers, and Evander shuffles into the kitchen, but not before he gives me a threatening glance, as if to tell me that, yes, he’s pussy-whipped but not pussy-whipped enough that he wouldn’t kick my ass if I called him on it.
I don’t have the time or energy to call him on anything.I’m joked out.I couldn’t find a snarky retort with radar and a military-grade searchlight.
I’m dimly aware that I’m sitting on the couch.Phoebe sits on the ottoman facing me, and grabs my hands in hers, tightly.
“I appreciate that you were there after the accident, Phoebe,” I say.
“Me too.I’m just glad we landed right before it happened.I had Evander take me directly to the hospital and I clocked in.”
Evander returns with the Coke and a glass of ice, then sits next to me on the sofa.“Is this about Summer?I thought she was fine, that they discharged her.”
I nod.Phoebe’s still gripping my hands in hers.I don’t have the strength to tell him, so I change the subject.“So did you two elope, or what?”
Phoebe smiles and looks at Evander.“Nothing official, but Evander set up all these over-the-top romantic adventures for us.You know how he is.”
“Nope.”I shake my head and stare at my older brother.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Evander snarls at me.
“He arranged for us to have beautiful commitment ceremonies on every continent.”
“Except Antarctica,” Evander says.
“Right.”She pats one of my hands.“I felt awful when I heard that Jamie and Cal made you chase after us.We should have made it clear what we were doing.”
“It was nobody’s business,” Evander snaps.“Now tell me what the fuck is happening.You’re starting to freak me out, Declan.”
I raise my eyes to Phoebe and nod.“Tell him,” I whisper.“Everyone’s going to find out anyway.”
Phoebe takes a deep breath and straightens before she looks at Evander.“Summer has another condition that may be life-threatening.There’s been no formal diagnosis, but everyone is quite concerned.I think maybe Declan stopped by because he needs to talk about the prognosis.”
“What?”Evander looks to me and I look away.“What condition?What prognosis?”
I don’t have the strength to speak.I don’t want to talk about her condition.I don’t want any of this to be real.I want to rewind to right before Summer’s accident.I’m a tech guy.Why can’t I invent something to turn back time to happier times?
All I know is that I can’t do this.I can’t live through this.It’s too much, and I can’t face it.
“Declan, the most important thing is that there’s no definitive diagnosis yet.Just the scan.But the big doctors who are supposed to know about these things think it’s, in fact, that one certain thing.So let’s assume they’re right, just for the moment.”
“What’s that one certain thing?”Evander smacks his palms on his trousers.
“Cancer,” Phoebe says.“It looks like Summer has ovarian cancer.”
I hear Evander suck in air.He goes rigid next to me.
“Here.Drink.”Phoebe hands me the Coke, and I surprise myself when I down it in one gulp.I didn’t even know I was thirsty.
I think I forgot where I was.
“I did some research of my own,” Phoebe continues, “and if the doctors are right, then yes, the average survival is about eighteen months.”
I feel Evander’s hands grip my shoulders and my head suddenly snaps up.“Whoa, little brother.You were going over.”
He’s right.I was going over.The glass fell from my hand onto the floor, and I nearly fainted.My body can’t handle the news any more than my mind can.
Shrugging out of Evander’s hold, I stand.
“Thanks,” I say.I head for the door.
