Page 163 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled. “You’ve got this, babe. And I’m going to be beside you every step of the way, okay? Whatever happens tomorrow or the next day or the one after that, we’ll deal with it. Together.”

I nodded, feeling a ball of emotion lodged in my throat. “I know I won’t be there tonight, but I’ll still be rooting for you.”

Something passed over his expression, but he didn’t voice his thoughts. I couldn’t stand the idea that he might not play because of me. But Aaron would make sure he showed up. One way or another, my brother would get him there. And that was enough.

It had to be.

“Will you stay at my house tonight?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Yeah. Your dad said I can stay as long as I need to. I can’t go home, not yet. Not until I figure some things out.”

“You know my family loves you and will support you, whatever you decide.”

“I know.” He dropped a kiss on my head. “I’ll come see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay.”

I couldn’t hold back the tears, but it didn’t matter because Cole was there to wipe them away.

I knew now, he always would be.

* * *

“Sofia,Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, we didn’t expect to see you back here yet,” one of Dr. Jeffries’ nurses smiled as they wheeled me up to the desk.

For a second, I’d thought they were going to insist they roll me in on the stretcher, which was ridiculous. I could still walk and talk and control all my bodily functions.

I guess that was the frustrating thing about cancer. Until the chemo or radiation took your hair and literally started poisoning your body, you could appear to the outside world as perfectly healthy.

“We were surprised too, Jennifer,” Dad said, charming her the way he did everyone.

“And you must be Aaron.”

“Is it that obvious?” my brother chuckled.

“Good genes must run in the family.” She winked, making my parents and Aaron laugh again.

But after leaving Cole in Rixon, I was all out of laughter. It was almost four in the afternoon. In a couple of hours, he and the guys would be heading to the gig.

God, I wanted to be there. I’d wanted to be there so much.

“Where do you want her?” Dad’s question pulled me from my thoughts.

“Room three, please. We’ve got it all set up for you.” The nurse gave me another warm, reassuring smile. But a comfortable bed and homey room were the least of my worries.

“Did Dr. Jeffries explain what is going to happen?” she asked, walking beside us.

“Dr. Mackenzie did,” Dad replied.

“More tests and needles,” I murmured. “Yay, me.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you’ll get used to it eventually.”

I grimaced.

“Sweet room,” Aaron said, following us inside.

“I’ll give you some time to settle in and then I’ll be back to draw some blood, okay?”

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