Page 91 of The Hookup
“Tell me what?”That he was splitting up with me?
“I’ll get him to—”
Something was definitely off. “He doesn’t want to see me anymore, does he? Is that why you’re being so awkward with me?” she asked, getting defensive.
“What? No?” Marie cried. “Goodness no. He never said anything like that.”
“If he’s in his office, I’d rather just go and see him myself.” Did he have someone else in his office? She had a good mind to march in there and see for herself. “You don’t have to be his bodyguard, Marie. I’m old enough to handle the truth.” She smoothed down her blouse, that mere act telling her body to brace itself for an unpalatable truth.
“He’s not here, Kay.”
“Then I’ll go over to his place.”
“He’s not there, either.”
Marie seemed to be stalling. More than that, she seemed uneasy. Kay sensed an ice wall between them, and she wondered what it was she was keeping from her.
He had surprised her. She hadn’t had him down for being such a coward; she’d expected a more manly response. A terse phone call, or text at the least, maybe even a final rushed, frenzied night of passion before he dumped her. That would be more his style.
“He’s in the hospital.”
“In the hospital?” It was so unexpected. The words took her completely by surprise. “Why? What happened?”
“I didn’t want to tell you, and I…” Marie shook her head as if it was a chore to get the words out, “I don’t think Ishouldbe the one to tell you.”
“Tell me.”
“He’s not well.”
“What do you mean he’s not well?”
“He’s in the hospital, and they’re operating on him tomorrow.”
The news was like a wrecking ball to her gut.
“Surgery for what?” she asked slowly, thinking of the worst. Luke was so young, and so fit and healthy. There had to be a mistake.
“He should be the one to tell you, goodness knows I’ve already said too much.”
Kay shook her head. “Tell me, please tell me,” she urged, a sixth sense warning her.
“He’s got thyroid cancer.”
She stumbled back a step, and her back hit the wall as the weight of the words fell on her. “What?”
When?
How?
She’d only seen him last week. She stared at Marie completely dazed.
Thyroid cancer?
Was it fatal? She didn’t even know what a thyroid did.
But it was cancer.
And that was always bad news.
