Ilaughed without humor. “Whatisn’twrong?”
“Lotsof things aren’t wrong. That vegetable crap didn’t kill me, and Iactually feelpretty good right now, so there’s that. Andsomehow you still smell good, even though you haven’t showered since yesterday,so that’s something …”
“Ican’t laugh right now.”
“Molly,listen to me. I have a diagnosis. I know what’s thematter with me now, and yeah, it sucks and I’m not happy about it. But Ifinally know what I’mdealin’ with. Do you realizewhat a relief that is?”
“Ihadn’t thought about it like that,” I admitted.
“Don’tget me wrong,” he continued, “I’mtryin’ to keep mycool. I don’twannabe here. I don’t want this to behappenin’ to me. I don’twannabestuck at home for the next God-knows-how-long when I could be touring with theguys. But Ihavetothink about the positiveshit right now, Molly, because if I don’t, I’ll go insane. I want you to pleasetry to do the same, because if you lose it, so will I. Okay?”
“Okay.”I nodded, swallowing my heart and urging it to stay down. “I’ll try.”
“That’sgood enough.” Chad’s arm tightened around my shoulders. “So, uh, one otherthing.”
“What’sthat?”
Hetook a deep breath, and I bit my lower lip. I listened to his heart speed up,heard the beeping from the monitor, and felt my pulse quicken in time with his.
“Iwant you to go back on tour.”
“Howdid you know I was having a hard time deciding?”
“BecauseI know you,” he laughed. “Hopefully, I’m onlygonnabeouttacommission for a few weeks, and even if theguys say they don’t need an opener for those shows, I know it puts them in ajam if they don’t.”
Inodded reluctantly. “Yeah, I know …”
“I’llhopefully come back around the time you guys hit Texas.”
“Youdon’t know that. The doctor said it could takeweeksfor you to startfeelin’ okay enough.”
Hesighed and shook his head against mine. “I know, but I can try.”
Therewas a determination and strength in his voice that gave me an all-new feelingof hope, and I found my smile just before he added, “And by the way, whenyou’rehome, I’m takin’ you out.”
Mystomach plummeted. “Oh, yeah?”
Ifelt him smile against the top of my head. “Yep.‘Causeyou’ll be home for your birthday, and let metellya… Thirty hasn’t been all that great for me sofar, but for you …” He nodded confidently. “We’rekickin’it off with a bang.”
Ismiled against his chest. My eyelids drooping with oncoming sleep. “Sounds goodto me, old man.”
Smoothinga hand through my hair, he sighed drowsily and muttered, “It’s a date, kiddo.”
22
Havea Best GuyFriend
CHAD
“OKAY,BABY BEAR,anything specific you need me to do for you?” Sebastianasked over the phone.
Mollyhad left with the guys the next day, and even though my parents were stillhere, waiting to take me home to Texas, I had never felt so alone in my life.
“Whatdo you mean?”
“Imean … you know.”
“Wow.Vague.”
