In the clear. Ishook my head and scoffed. “Man, there’s no such thing as being in the clear ifI have some of this shit.”
“Butthe doctors said that once you’re in remission—”
“Idon’t know when that’s going to be,” I interjected, clenching the ugly beigehospital blanket in tight fists. “We could betalkin’months here.”
“Well,we’ll deal with that if we get there,” Devin said, speaking gently. Like I wasa child unable to care for himself. And I guess he wouldn’t be wrong.
Myeyes met Sebastian’s glowering stare. He stood in a far corner, and for once,he was at a loss for words. I wanted the other guys to leave and give us theroom. I wanted to know what the hell was on his mind, what had bitten histongue and made him so incapable of talking and saying his usual stupid shit.
“Hey.”Molly hurried into the room, clutching her phone to her chest. “I just got offthe phone with your parents. They just boarded the plane and should be landingin a few hours.”
“Great.”
Hergaze met mine, and she said, “Guys. Get out of here.”
Devin,Ty, and Jon turned to face her, but none of them argued. They nodded solemnlyand turned to exit the room. When Sebastian began to follow, I furrowed my browand stopped him.
“Seb.”
Witha sigh, he faced me. “What’s up, Baby Bear?” The playfulness I was used to wasmissing from the words. Now, he just sounded tired and annoyed.
“Tellme what youwannasay.”
“No.”He shook his head. “You don’twannahear what Iwannasay.”
“Yes.I do.”
Molly’seyes shifted between us before saying, “Okay. I’ll just be outside for asecond.Gonna, um, make another call.” And sheslipped from the room, closing the door behind her.
Alone,Sebastian sighed and exhaustedly dropped into the chair Devin had left empty.“Chaddington …” He shook his head and raked a hand through his hair. “What thefuck,man.”
“What?”
Slumpingback against the chair and staring at me studiously, he lifted his hands in aflabbergasted shrug. “What the fuck were youthinking? Did you think you were doing us any favors by not sayinghow bad shit had gotten? Did youreallythink you were helpingyourselfby putting off seeing someoneabout this?”
Ishrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Dude,you’re not stupid! I mean,fuck! Man, you’re one of the smartest guys Iknow, and you did one of the stupidest things you could’ve done.”
“Iknow,” I agreed, nodding and dropping my gaze to the blanket.
“Didyou really think none of us noticed?”
“Idon’t know what I thought. I just didn’twannaburdenyou guys with this shit, or feel like you had to find someone to replace me, ormake you worry needlessly—”
“Man,we were worried anyway.” He crossed his arms and shrugged. “Wekindafucking love you, idiot. You’refamily. You’re supposed to tell family when shit’s going on, notjust what you think theywannahear. And bro,nojob on this fucking planet is worth killing yourself over, okay? And definitelynot this one.”
Inodded somberly. “I know.”
“You’remy best friend,” he admitted with sincerity. “So, do me a favor and getbetter.”
Chokedup and nodding, I replied, “I will.”
Takinga deep breath, Sebastian reached forward and clapped a hand against my upperthigh. My brow furrowed and he cocked his head. “Too close?” I glowered at himand his hand slid closer to my knee. “Better?”
“Alittle.”
“Okay.Good. One other thing, Baby Bear.”
