Page 125 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

Now she had to ask. “Did something happen between you and Layla?”

“No. Can’t I change my mind about a stupid party?” He pushed to his feet and threw the rest of the bag of chips in the trash.

“Lucas,” she chided.

“What?” he snapped.

She stopped herself from lecturing him about throwing out food and said, “I know you’re going through a lot right now, and I get that you don’t want to talk to me about it, but I think you should talk to somebody.”

“I’m fine.” He stalked out of the kitchen, and she followed him into the living room.

“Lucas, it’s okay not to be fine. None of us are fine right now. I’m talking with a therapist, and it’s helping me. I think it could help you, too.”

“I don’t need a freaking therapist,” he snapped. “What’s she going to do for me? Is she going to take away my cancer? Is she going to make sure my hair doesn’t fall out? Or I don’t feel like shit when I have chemo?”

His words severed her heart. “No,” she said softer. “But she can help you deal with everything you’re feeling.”

“I am dealing with it,” he said sharply.

“No, you’re not. You’re bottling it up, and I’m worried about you.”

“Please stop pushing me.” His chin trembled, his words shooting out fast and vehemently. “Not everyone deals with shit as well as you do. I just found out I have cancer, so excuse me for not feeling like going to a party and pretending everything is normal, or wanting to spill my guts to a stranger.” Tears spilled from his eyes. “Nothing is normal. It’s never gonna be normal again, and I need to deal with it my way. On my terms.”

“I’m sorry, baby,” she said, her own tears falling. “I didn’t mean to push you. I’m just worried about you. I don’t want you to get so overwhelmed you…give up.”

“Give up?” His brows knitted. “Are you worried I might hurt myself or something?”

“No.” She didn’t even realize she’d been worried about that until now. “I don’t know. I guess, maybe. This is the hardest thing any of us has ever had to deal with, and I love you so much, I don’t want anything more to happen to you.”

“Mom, I promise I’d never do anything like that. I’m not a quitter, and I’d never do that to you and Doc. I know if I ever felt that way I could come to you guys, but I don’t. I just need to deal with this my way.”

“Okay,” she choked out. “I’m sorry.” She drew him into her arms. “I’m sorry. I love you.”

He returned her embrace. “I love you, too.”

“I’ll try not to push you anymore, as long as you know I’m here if you ever do want to talk.”

He held her tighter. “I know.”

Two quick knocks sounded at the door, and they both looked over as Seeley walked in. “Hey.”

Lucas stepped out of her arms, wiping his eyes.

Seeley’s brow furrowed. “Is everything okay?”

“It is now, I think,” she said. “Lucas?”

Lucas nodded. “Yeah, we’re good. And if you’re worried about me offing myself, don’t be. I’d never do that.”

“I wasn’t worried about that.” He looked curiously at Juliette. “What happened?”

“I was worried about him, and I didn’t realize I was pushing him so hard to talk about everything that’s going on. But Lucas reminded me that we all handle things differently.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Seeley hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “Do you want me to take off and give you some time alone?”

“No, we’re fine,” Lucas said adamantly. “She’s not going to push me, and if I need to talk to you guys, I will. I promise.”

“In that case…” He cocked a grin. “Go get your hiking boots or sneakers on, throw a few clothes into a backpack, and let’s get out of here. We’re going on a fuck-cancer camping trip.”