Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“And it’s treatable, right? I ask.
In this moment, I feel like I’m going to vomit because if she tells me it’s not, I honestly don’t know how to handle this information.
“Yes, it’s treatable. But it’s also incredibly dangerous for somebody like Aiden to have this because he just doesn’t have the white blood cells that would help his body naturally fight it. It’s all going to depend on whether the medicine works.”
I can’t hide the panic in my voice. “I don’t know what that means.”
“I don’t really know what it means either. I just know that the doctors are very concerned. He’s had more specialists in to look at him today. Someone from infectious disease, nephrology, endocrinology. I can’t keep track of them, Boone. They all tell me about potential complications from the fungal pneumonia, and all I can manage to keep straight is that my brother has leukemia and we’re trying to get him past that.”
“I’m getting on a plane right now and coming back,” I say, my decision based solely on the fact that Lilly sounds like she’s about to fall apart. I cannot let her go through any more of this on her own.
“Absolutely not.” Her voice is strong, resilient, and allows no room for argument. Gone are the tears, the fear, and I hear a woman who is going to be pissed if I walk into that hospital. “I’m doing what you asked and I’m sharing with you what’s going on. I can only do that if I have assurances you’re not going to screw up your job. You have people counting on you. Hell, you have an entire city counting on you. You’re going out on that ice and you will play your ass off because there is nothing you can do for Aiden.”
“It’s not Aiden… it’s you. I can be there for you.”
“I’m strong. I’ve got this until you get back. I will keep you updated and share whatever information you want, but only if you promise to put your worries aside and do your best for the Titans.”
I have had many feelings for Lilly over the last several weeks, dozens and dozens of emotions ranging from the sweetest to the filthiest. But what I feel for her now is indescribable. It’s like pride but so much more. Respect, admiration… unparalleled awe. She had some weak moments on the phone, showing me her vulnerability. And I know how hard that was for her to open herself up. But Lilly is doing what Lilly has always done best. She’s taking care of shit that also includes keeping me on task. And fuck me, but the love I had suspected was blooming inside goes haywire and I tumble hard for this woman. Irrevocably deep. I want to tell her right now.
I’m crazy in love with her.
Again, bad timing. In the grand scheme of things, I’m not sure she would process it. All I know is that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with this woman, even if she doesn’t know that just yet.
“Okay, baby. I’m going to do exactly what you told me to do. I’m going to kick some ass. You’re going to watch over Aiden and you’re going to keep me in the loop. Still a team, right?”
“Always a team,” she says. And that is enough for now. “Talk later?”
“I’ll call tonight at nine. Is that good?”
“That works,” she replies softly.
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
When the call is disconnected, I tap my phone against my chin as my mind races with questions about fungal pneumonia. I know I have questions that Lilly may or may not have the answers to, but she doesn’t need me bothering her with that.
My laptop is back in my room. I think I’ll go there and do some research. That way I’ll have solid questions to ask tonight. She’ll probably have more information by then.
I head down the hall, back toward the elevators and nearly run into Bain as I round the corner.
“Whoa there, dude,” he teases as I scramble to sidestep him. “Watch where you’re going.”
“Sorry, man.”
“Did you eat already?” Bain asks with a frown because the dining room only opened about ten minutes ago.
“No. I’ve got some things I’ve got to take care of. I’ll catch you later.”
I walk again but he grabs my arm, stopping me. “Oh no you don’t. I recognize that frown and angsty voice. That was me just a few months ago. What’s going on and is it Aiden, Lilly or both?”
“Aiden,” I reply, not even considering a lie. I don’t hide stuff from my teammates and they all know what’s going on. “He has fungal pneumonia.”
“What the hell is that?” he asks, his face scrunched up.
“No clue. Never heard of it before. I’m guessing it’s pneumonia caused by a fungus. I was going to do some research on it so when I talk to Lilly later, I’ll have better questions.”