He sucks in a harsh breath before spinning around and stalking back to her. Lifting his hands, he frames her face and says, “We’ll get a third and fourth opinion. There has to be some kind of treatment that can help. I’ll find the best fucking doctor in the world.” He pulls her into a tight hug against his chest and presses a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll find someone.”
Maybe there’s something Easton can do? He’s rich, and he must have connections.
Hope trickles into my heart, and in desperate need of doing something besides just standing around, I walk to the cupboard and take out three mugs so I can make fresh coffee for everyone.
Lord knows I need more caffeine right now.
Rachel cries in Easton’s arms while I prepare the beverages, and only when I set the three mugs down on the island do they let go of each other.
I quickly take the two cold coffees to the sink and pour the liquid out before rinsing the cups.
I join Rachel and Easton at the island, and as we all sip on the coffee, a crushing silence hangs around us.
My gaze darts over Easton’s face, his features tense with worry and sorrow. The urge to hug him almost overwhelms me, but instead, I place my hand on Rachel’s shoulder.
She wipes a stray tear from her cheek as she says, “I don’t know how to tell Lainey.”
Easton shakes his head, and his eyes settle on his sister. “Hold off on telling her until after you’ve seen the other doctors. I want to be certain before we break the news to her.”
Letting out a heavy sigh, Rachel nods, then she glances between Easton and me. “Nova said she’ll stay as long as we need her.”
His attention turns to me. “Will you be okay staying indefinitely? What about your job and life back in Verona?”
I shake my head. “Nothing is more important than Rachel.” I clear my throat and add, “And you and Lainey. I’ll stay as long as I’m needed.”
He stares at me for a moment, his gray irises darker than usual from the horrible shock he’s been dealt. “Thanks, Nova.”
I nod before taking another sip of my coffee. “If either of you need anything, just let me know.”
They both give me weak smiles.
My teeth tug at my bottom lip. “I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, so if I get in the way, just tell me.”
Rachel reaches for me and gives my forearm a light squeeze. “You can never get in the way. You’re family.”
Family.
Her words act as a soothing balm to my broken heart. Even though we may have to face the impossible, I’m still thankful to be here with them.
Chapter 5
Easton
A weird sense of panic and powerlessness settles heavily in my chest while I sit at the island with Rachel and Nova.
Everything I’ve ever done has been for my baby sister. Fuck, I hardly dated because I didn’t want anything to disrupt our home life. Rachel and Lainey are my entire world. Without my sister, I won’t be able to cope with all the pressure. She’s kept me grounded over the years.
I look at Rachel, who’s only twenty-eight. When our eyes lock and I notice the fear trembling in her irises, my heart breaks a little more.
Getting up from the stool, I move closer and wrap my arms around her. Pressing her head against my stomach, I vow, “I’m going to find someone who can help you. We’ll get through this.”
Rachel doesn’t nod but only grips me tighter.
Fuck. I’m not losing her. I can’t.
Letting go of her, I dig my cell phone out of my pocket and dial Sylvia’s number. She’s been my manager from the beginning and has gotten me out of some serious, shitty situations.
There was one incident where I placed my hand on a teenage girl’s back for a photo. The press blew it totally out of proportion, practically making me out to be some fucking pedophile. Since then, I refuse totouch a female fan. Sylvia made sure the media stopped printing the false information.
