Another time, a costar, Kate Phillips, spread lies that she had a sex tape of us. Sylvia went to town on Kate’s ass and got the rumors squashed.
Thankfully, my manager answers on the second ring. “What’s the problem?”
I suck in a desperate breath of air, and for a moment, I’m unable to speak.
“Easton?” Her tone is much more serious as she says, “Talk to me.”
When I finally get the words out, they’re strained. “Rachel is sick. She has cancer.”
It takes a few seconds before Sylvia whispers, “Oh God.” I hear her moving around as she continues, “I’m so sorry, Easton. What do you need me to do?”
“Postpone the filming and find the best doctors who deal with glioblastoma.”
“Glio ...” Her voice trails away, and it takes a moment before she exclaims, “Jesus! I’m coming over.”
The call ends, and I struggle not to crush the device in my fist as I look at Rachel’s pale face.
“I’m so sorry that you have to postpone filming,” Rachel apologizes, looking absolutely devastated by the hell that’s been unleashed on us.
“Don’t worry about work,” I say to reassure her. “You come first.”
We stare at each other for a moment, then her face crumbles, and folding her arms around her middle, she admits, “I’m scared.”
Christ.
My eyes begin to burn as I pull her to her feet so I can gently wrap her in a hug. Dropping a kiss to her hair, I say, “It’s going to be okay.”
Since Rachel was fifteen, I’ve been her guardian. I’ve done everything in my power to give her a perfect life, and I refuse to consider that I might lose her.
It’s not an option. I’ll spend every last dime I have to save her.
“You’re going to be okay,” I repeat.
Her hold on me tightens before sobs burst from her again.
I press more kisses to the top of her head, then mention, “Sylvia’s coming over. She’ll find the best doctors for us.” I push Rachel backward, and leaning down, I lock eyes with her red-rimmed ones. “I want the details of the doctors you’ve seen and all your test results.”
She nods while turning away from me and walking toward the stairs. “I’ll get everything from my bedroom.”
When it’s just Nova and me in the kitchen, I glance at her while sitting down at the island again. Even though her face is blotchy from crying and her green irises carry a world of sadness, she still gives me a compassionate look.
“I’m so sorry, Easton.” She begins to reach out to me but changes her mind and pulls back her hand. “I’m here if you need anything.”
I have no idea how I’m this calm as I ask, “Can you focus on Lainey? Keep her busy so she doesn’t catch on that something’s wrong until we’re ready to tell her.”
Nova doesn’t hesitate to nod. “Of course. I’ll take her out today so you and Rachel can have time to process everything.”
“I’ll arrange a driver and guards for you,” I mention.
“You don’t have to.”
My eyes lock with hers. “Everyone knows Lainey is my niece. It’s for her safety.”
Nova’s gaze widens slightly, then she whispers, “Oh, right. Of course.”
Even though I’ve just been knocked off my feet, I once again notice how beautiful Nova’s become since I last saw her. When I came down the stairs and saw her sitting at the island, I was stunned speechless for a few seconds, which is a rare thing for me to experience.
Every time Rachel told me about her calls with her best friend, I still pictured the sweet seventeen-year-old girl who was always shy and awkward with me. Now she’s breathtaking with her ginger hair and dark-green eyes.
