My phone rings as I await my results, and I juggle it out of my purse, fumbling it around a few times before finally getting a good grip on it.
"Hey," I answer, not bothering to look at who's calling.
"Where're you at?" Maverick asks, seeming sober and happy.
"Ridgewood. I had to fill out some more paperwork for you guys," I lie.
I need to mix truth with lies in case he needs me to meet him somewhere. I can't say I'm close by and not be able to back it up. I also can't let them know why I'm here.
"Shit. Sorry, Rain. Corbin and I will meet you there, and we'll grab something to eat. My treat."
"No," I blurt out, feeling my body flush.
"Yes," he rebuts. "We have to pick up Corbin’s car from the parking garage there anyhow. We're on our way. Chill out. We'll behave. Besides, the golf course is open now."
I half laugh, but what if they get here before I'm done? A doctor's office is fickle on how long it takes them to finish.ba
"Um... fine, but meet me at the restaurant."
"You sound... edgy. You only sound edgy when you're doing something shady. You had so better not be flirting with that dickhead cop."
I burst out laughing as I think back to Officer Charming who was more than obvious in his attraction to me. I was starting to worry Corbin and Maverick were going to end up back in jail if I didn't get them out of there.
"I'm not—" The doctor walks in, and my eyes grow wide. "I have to go. Jupiter's restaurant. I'll meet you there. Send me a text when you're close."
I hang up before he can say more and before the doctor can say anything in front of him. But apparently the doctor isn't in any hurry to say anything at all.
I hate stoic people. They never give you any warning of what news is to come, and this doctor has the best poker face ever.
"Well?" I ask, smiling and staying hopeful.
The harsh breath he lets out says more to me than anything he can voice. My smile falls and tears threaten to slip out, but I restrain them.
"There are two spots, Rain. We have to do the hysterectomy."
I was wrong. Saying it aloud is worse than knowing it without words. The tears start to fall, and a nurse comes in carrying a box of tissues. I jerk several free and start wiping my face as they stare expectantly at me. When no words leave me, the doctor continues.
"You knew this day might come. I know it doesn't make it any easier, but I'm sure you felt the same way when you had to have the double mastectomy. This won't be as bad as that. This is all internal. We'll do it laparoscopic and the small area most likely won't even scar."
My world falls apart in front of me. All my dreams... they suddenly don't exist.
"Having my breasts removed was easier because I could replace them. This... I could still have children without my breasts." My voice breaks, and I look up. The doctor's stoic face dissolves into a kind, pitying expression that I hate.
It's like I can't catch a break.
"Are you pissed at us or what?" Maverick asks as I push the food around on the plate, trying to make it look as though I've eaten something.
"No. I'm just tired," I lie, forcing a smile, and amazingly I hold back the parade of tears that are beating against the backs of my eyes.
"Rain, you've been acting... weird since we got here. Is this about Kode? He called today. He said he just needs some time to get his head straight."
My lip trembles at the mention of Kode. I won't ever have the same relationship with him. Never again. I just pray it isn't as bad as Dane and me.
"Like I said... just tired. Can we get out of here?" I ask while lifting my eyes to meet theirs.
Corbin frowns with Maverick as they both study me. After five minutes of silent gawking, I start feeling like a defective science project. Then Maverick’s face splits into a grin while he ignores my last question.
"Thanks for bailing us out."