Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“No, your dad did.”
“Screw you, Ben!” I walk out of the office and into our bedroom. I almost don’t get into the closet; afraid he might have done something with my clothes. Thankfully, my side is untouched, while his is all over the floor. I’m afraid to step anywhere because I have no idea what might be hiding under his crap.
I head into the bathroom and am surprised to find it fairly clean. I expected to find a ring of filth in the shower, hair everywhere, and who knows what floating in the toilet. Still, this isn’t the Ben I grew up with, and I’m pissed Quinn told me to come over. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and send him a text telling him how he sucks and about Brad and Brenda.
After I pocket my phone, I notice pill bottles on the bathroom counter for Xanax and Valium. “What the . . .”
“What are you doing?” Ben asks, startling me. I hold the bottles in my hand.
“What’s going on? Why are you taking these?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“That may be, but I’m making it my business. Quinn told me I need to talk to you and for the life of me I can’t figure out why. But I’m willing to bet it has something to do with these. So, tell me what’s going on.”
“Like I said, it’s none of your business.”
“It is my damn business, Ben. You look like shit. You’ve lost weight, haven’t shaved in over a month. You aren’t cleaning. Your mother and Brad are here, and my brother won’t stop pestering me about coming out here. So, here I am, Ben, crying in front of you, begging for you to let me in because I still fucking love you. Please, tell me what’s going on.” I don’t bother to wipe away my fallen tears. He needs to see them. Ben needs to see his words and lack of effort are hurting me. I didn’t want this break up, he did.
When he doesn’t say anything, I throw the bottle at him. “Whatever, Ben.” I brush by him and head back to what was once our shared bedroom.
“Fine, you want to know going on?” he yells. “I have fucking cancer, Elle. I have fucking cancer in my nut sack. Are you happy now?”
His words stop me dead in my tracks. Surely, I’ve heard him wrong. I turn slowly and look at him. “What did you say?”
“I have cancer,” he says quietly. He looks down at the ground when he speaks, but I still notice the lone tear making its way down his cheek before he quickly wipes it away. “The pills are to help me sleep, and for anxiety.” I walk closer to him and stand where he has no choice but to look at me.
“Ben,” I say his name and then cover my mouth. I rest my head on his chest and he finally wraps his arms around me. “Oh, Ben.”
“Don’t cry, Elle.”
As much as I want to stop, I can’t. He’s been my best friend for most of my life and this patch we’ve hit, it’s been rough, but I never thought it would last. When Ben’s grip on me loosens, I step back.
“When did you find out?”
“Not that long ago.”
“Are you doing chemo or something?”
“Surgery first, and then chemo and maybe radiation.”
“When is your surgery?”
“Next week,” he tells me.
“Is this why your mom and Brad are here?”
He shrugs. “She just showed up and then she called him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ben steps back. “Because it’s my problem not yours, and we’re not together anymore. Besides, I’m sure you’re busy.”
“Together or not, I love you. You’re my best friend and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Except set a wedding date.”
“That’s not fair, Ben, and you know it.”
He nods and moves toward the counter to put his pill bottles back. He stares at me through the mirror. “Did Quinn tell you? Is that why you’re here?”
“Quinn knows?” Of course, he does. I don’t wait for Ben to answer before continuing. “Quinn didn’t tell me. He came to my office the other day and told me I needed to come out here and see you. When I first walked in, I thought it was because he wanted me to see what a trash hole the house is, but now I know. He wanted me to come out here because you swore him to secrecy, and he kept your secret.”
“I don’t know why I told him. He’s the first one to know. He’s come over a couple of times. I can’t figure out if he’s trying to play peacekeeper between us or what.”
“He’s not,” I tell him. “Quinn’s your friend. He will always be your friend regardless of us.”
“You say that—”
“I mean it, Ben. Quinn would never stop hanging out with you because we broke up, unless you did something unforgivable. What happened with us, is because of us or me or whatever. It’s not like you cheated or hit me.”