Page 56 of This Feeling

He exhaled before looking up at his younger sister. “I thought Hope had already spoken to you.”

“She mentioned needing to talk, but every time I try to narrow down a time to talk, she cancels.”

With a pained expression, he glanced around the group. “I’m only telling you this because Liam and Hope have started to tell family and friends. Hope has cancer.”

A round of gasps went up from the small group, and I felt my stomach lurch. “How bad?” I asked.

Tears built in Nathan’s eyes, but he blinked them away. “Stage four lung cancer.”

“What?” Aurora cried. “And you didn’t tell any of us?”

Nathan shot his sister a look. “Liam asked me not to. Hope wasn’t ready to tell anyone. Shestillisn’t, if I’m being honest. And Liam was going crazy not being able to talk about this to anyone, so he confided in me. It wasn’t my place to tell you at all.”

Brystol’s hands, which had been covering her mouth, dropped to her sides. “Is there anything we can do for her? For Liam? Winnie?”

Nathan gave her a weak smile. “Just prayers. Once they decide to tell people, I’m sure the town will rally around them.”

Aurora sank into a chair, tears rolling down her face. I crouched down and hugged her. “Don’t cry, Aurora. Please don’t cry.”

Nathan made his way around the booth, and Aurora stood, allowing him to pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Aurora. I wanted to tell you, but Hope just wasn’t ready.”

She nodded her head as she wiped her tears. “I understand. But I’m glad you told us.”

It grew quiet all around us, as if the day’s activities had somehow faded away, and the only sound I could hear was Aurora’s sniffles.

“I’m no longer hungry,” Gavin said quietly, before turning and stepping away from the booth. James followed his younger brother, and I watched them slowly walk away. When I glanced at Declan, he also had eyes on them. Then he turned, and our eyes met. I swore the air cracked between us for a moment with something I couldn’t put my finger on.

“I’m sorry,” Declan said to the rest of us, glancing around the booth, before leaving to catch up with Gavin and James.

Still shocked by Nathan’s news, I dropped into a chair. Brystol did the same.

“Poor Hope and Liam,” she whispered. “I can’t even imagine.”

All I could do was shake my head.

Then, suddenly, everything seemed to come into focus. Life was so short, and we weren’t promised a damn thing. My gaze lifted, and I saw Declan talking to some tourists. He smiled at something the older man said…and I knew in that moment I wasn’t going to pretend any longer.

I pulled out my phone and sent Sean a text.

Me: I can’t do this any longer, Sean. You’re going to have to tell your mother the truth.

Declan

I immediately wanted to drive away when I pulled up to my parents’ house and saw Sean’s car. He was the last person I wanted to see today because I was getting more and more agitated with his and Harper’s whole situation.

One week ago today, I’d stood on Harper’s rooftop and watched the sunset with her. I’d been trying to avoid her since then…which wasn’t hard because it was clear she was also avoiding me, as well. While walking down Main Street the other day, heading to my apartment, I saw Harper outside, watering her plants and flowers. She took one look at me, turned off the hose, and rushed into her shop.

Something had happened that night on the roof for both of us, and I was conflicted about what to do. I just knew deep down inside that something was off with Sean and Harper.

Glancing back at the house, I stared at the front door. There was only one way to find out what thatsomethingwas.

“Fuck it,” I muttered, as I turned off my truck, climbed out, and started for the front door. I could hear Sean’s voice the second I walked in. He was talking to my father, and they both glanced over at me when I shut the door.

“Declan. What brings you by?” Dad asked with a wide grin.

I shrugged. “Just wanted to stop in and say hi.”

“Well, your mother will be thrilled. Both her boys, dropping by out of the blue. She’s in my office at the moment, talking to Viola and Caroline about a surprise birthday party for Crystal.”

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