The room filled with burned, acidic scents so thick I could barely breathe.
“Why don’t we—” Henry cleared his throat, his voice tight. “Let’s just listen for a minute.”
“This is a big shock and I know it sounds scary,” Dr. Ash said gently.
My eyes were fixed on the floor, unable to look away from a misaligned piece of flooring. The linoleum had been laid crookedly.
“Based on the tumor’s placement and shape, along with the fact that you’ve had these symptoms for years without additional health issues, we think there’s a good chance it’s benign and, therefore, hasn’t metastasized. The first step is to biopsy the tumor. We can schedule that for next week. It’s a simple outpatient procedure. The biopsy will allow us to type the tumor and come up with a treatment plan.”
“Shouldn’t we do the biopsy sooner?” Gray snarled. “What if you’re wrong and it is cancerous?”
I didn’t hear Dr. Ash’s response. The room spun around me, and a sick feeling clutched at my stomach. I tried to keep my breathing even, but it was like there wasn’t enough air in the room. The bright lights and antiseptic smell made everything horrible and harsh. I needed to get out of here.
“Is that everything for now?” I blurted out.
“Well—” Dr. Ash said.
I stood, releasing Liam and Henry’s hands. “I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Of course,” she said. “I just want you to know, Westin, that we’re still very hopeful…”
“Okay, thank you,” I said, heading to the door. The second it was open, I started jogging down the hallway. The hospital was a maze, and I was disoriented as I looked for the exit.
“Westin, baby,” Bear said, appearing at my side.
“Don’t make me go back in there,” I said, staring straight ahead as I picked up my pace.
“Well, I was going to suggest we break out of here, but you’re heading the opposite way from the exit.”
I stopped, turning to face him. “Don’t look at me with pity.” I crossed my arms.
“I’m not.”
“I’m fine. Nothing’s wrong.” I meant for my words to come out unbothered, but my voice cracked, giving me away.
Bear just nodded. “Want to go on a ride?”
The memory of being on the back of his bike and feeling like I was flying crept in past some of my aching numbness. “Yes.” I glanced back in the direction I’d come. “What about the others?”
“I’ll let them know.” He stepped closer as if to touch me, but I moved away.
“Not yet,” I whispered. If he touched me now, I would fall apart.
Bear seemed to understand. “Let’s get out of here, baby. We’ll head back to the house and grab my bike. I read about a road in the mountains called the Dragon’s Tail that’s supposed to be great for a ride.”
I followed Bear out of the hospital, barely feeling the sun on my skin. I was in a trance the entire taxi ride back, only realizing where we were when Bear opened the door for me.
“Come on,” he said. His voice was too sweet, too tender. I fisted my hands, refusing to unleash any of my emotions from the tiny metal box. They were trapped in there and would stay in there forever. This was too much to handle. I had been so close to happiness, to a future with four men I loved more than anything in the world, and now it would all be taken away.
Bear took my hand, leading me around the house—thankfully, Anne and the rest of the family seemed to be out—and got his bike out of the garage.
I barely felt it as Bear slipped my jacket on. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but then he changed his mind. Instead, he kissed my forehead before putting on my helmet.
He got on the bike, his hands gripping the handlebars. “Come on, baby,” he said gently. His face was covered by his helmet, but I thought I heard his breath hitch, and it made me want to burst into tears. I squeezed my eyes shut and clenched my jaw until I managed to push the feelings away.
When I didn’t move, Bear said, “Did you change your mind? We don’t have to go.”
I shook my head. “I want to.” My voice was hoarse around the lump in my throat.
