Page 34 of Exclusive

“Nothing,” I said, pushing past him into the hallway.

He laughed. “Does nothing deliver the news at five and ten?”

“Shut up,” I said, without looking back.

* * *

Lasagna noodles were so weird. Who invented them and what must that have been like? I sat on a barstool watching Sarah make dinner and felt like I was twelve again, admiring my big cousin doing something cool. I’d swung by to catch up, see how everyone was doing, but I also selfishly wanted to talk to someone about the new development in my life. My head was spinning in an excited, terrified sense, and I needed to find balance.

“Seems quiet today,” I said.

Sarah nodded and I could tell her spirits were low. “Grace is at a debate tournament. Walter is snoozing in his doughnut bed.” I glancedbehind me at the family dog, curled into a big ball. “And Emory’s lying down in the bedroom. She’s been a little down. Low energy.”

My heart sank. The reality of her situation still didn’t seem real. I hated every second of it. “So, she’s struggling. I get that.”

Sarah took a moment. “She acts like none of this is a big deal and that she’s feeling fine, and while that might be true physically, she’s not herself. I wish she’d just admit that this whole thing, being sick, it’s taking its toll.” She tossed the spatula onto the countertop and placed her hands on the back of her hips in a frustrated move.

I nodded. “But she’s Emory.”

“Pillar of strength and unbreakable in the face of adversity. Yeah, I’m familiar.” She nodded too many times, battling something inside herself. “But there’s a time when it’s okay to drop all that and admit that things are hard,” she said, clearly worked up.

“Not how she was raised,” I said, reminding Sarah of Emory’s less-than-warm upbringing. “She was groomed to be the best and show no cracks in the armor.”

“But that can only go so far. I need her to speak up more. Let me know what she needs, so I can be all those things for her.” She was beyond rattled, and who wouldn’t be? The woman she was in love with was very sick, and it likely felt like her world was spinning out of control without any brakes. I couldn’t imagine the stress.

I took Sarah’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “But listen, there’syou, too. I’m here for you, okay? On days where you just need to cry or vent or throw back a shot of the good stuff because it’s been a day, you callme. We’ll throw ’em back together.”

The tiniest of smiles appeared, the kind that came with encouragement. Sarah picked up the spatula and smoothed the sauce again. “Well, I can’t get you drunk and send you off to TV land.”

“Sure you can,” I said automatically. “Drunk reporters are in. People love it when the news goes off the rails. It’s the best, really.”

“My cousin, the slurring town crier.”

I nodded along. “Has quite the ring. You’re welcome.” I glanced at the staircase that led up to their bedroom. I’d come over with the idea I’d dish with Sarah, tell her everything, but now I was ready to pivot. “Can I go in and see Emory? Or would that be pushing it?”

Sarah nodded. “No, I actually think it would be good for her. She hasn’t been going out as much and needs to see humans other than me, Grace, or Lucy, who barges in on her and barks orders. It’s the greatest. I need her on payroll.”

“Taking a page from Lucy’s book then.” It was all the permission I needed. I made my way up the stairs and knocked quietly. “Hey, Em. It’s Skyler, your favorite cousin-in-law. You free?”

“Oh.” A pause. “Yeah, yeah. Of course. Come in.”

She was sitting up on top of the rumpled covers, which probably meant she scrambled there when she heard me coming in. Her hair was down and her face pale, but she was still Emory. Radiant even when less than herself.

“Hi, you. I’m here for your brain.”

She sat up taller as if to prove herself. “And here I am with it. Convenient, no?”

I nodded. “Most definitely.”

“I didn’t even know you were here. What’s new? Hit me.”

I sat cross-legged opposite her. “My head is spinning, and all I think about is kissing.”

“Well.” Her eyes went wide. “That is not what I expected to come out of your mouth.” She winced and leaned in. “Aren’t you still fifteen?”

“You’d think, but no. I’m nearly thirty and saw two gray hairs last week.”

“No.”

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