UNBREAKABLE (ABLE SERIES) (24 page)

I clear my throat again and say, “Because everything good about us is right here too.” pointing at my chest. I wipe the tears streaming down her face, and although seeing her cry still stings, I have to learn to accept it. I need to understand her tears are a sign of how much she loves me, as my tears represents how much I love her. I promised her we could cry together, so that’s what we’ll do. We can fucking make a symphony orchestra while we’re at it.

I run my fingers against her soft cheek as she wipes a single tear on mine. The next thing I want to tell her hurts so damn much, because I want to be that guy, but I can’t be selfish. I want her to love again. But, I’m being honest with myself, no one can love her like I do…No.One.

“Don’t let my death or D’s stop you from loving again. That won’t happen if I can help it, but if the choice is taken away from me, I want you to move on. You have so much love to give, and keeping all that to yourself would be a disgrace. You know what they say the third time’s a charm.”

I’m trying so hard not to lose it, but the thought of her loving someone other than me is killing me. This sickness…this cancer…isn’t what’s going to kill me…a broken heart is what’s going to do it for me. I’m done talking about all this serious stuff. I want to see my girl smile…at least I’ll have her for as long as God wants me to. Three fucking months is all I have…
more
… I want more…God, bless me with more…

She smiles sweetly through her tears. “There’s no need for a third time. I have you, my heart will stay with you, only you. I know you don’t want me to see you in pain, but I want to be here for you. I need to be here with you…to hold you; to cry with you…I don’t care what we’re doing, as long as we are together…that’s all I need. Your pain is as much mine as it is yours. Just as your happiness is mine, too. So, we’re not going to give up on each other, no matter what…You and me, forever, okay?”

Then, I kiss her as if there’s no tomorrow. Just like that, my girl rights my world by kissing me. “Trish, you want to tell me how you managed to make me think I was dreaming. And, the threat about chopping my dick off, erase that completely from your brain. Don’t listen to Roxy.” I look at her with a huge smile on my face.

She gives me my favorite smile, and there goes my heart. Moments like these are the ones I need…the only ones I’ll ever want.

“Serves you right for being mean to me. Everyone was in on it, by the way. You know what they say, ‘payback’s a bitch’. About chopping your dick off, that thought is filed away in my dick rolodex lock box for safe keeping. So, be very careful. One infraction…” She laughs and does the cutting motion. Damn, I miss that sound. Her laugh gives me the strength and motivation to beat this. I want to see her smile forever, until I breathe in my final breath.

I pinch her ass. “Really, payback’s a bitch, huh?”

“Yup, you can say that again. You’re lucky, I love you so much. I can’t resist giving you some good loving.”

It’s my turn to let out a much needed laugh. I’m one lucky guy. I shouldn’t really ask for anything more, but I’m a selfish son-of-a-bitch, and I want forever with this girl…however long forever is. I’m all in. Death is the only thing that can separate us, and I’m staring death straight in the eyes. I’m flipping her the fuck off. I’ll fight for my girl…for her, I’ll endure anything.

Chapter 26

Jake

Freedom! It’s been a week since I was released from the hospital, and I’m enjoying every second of it. No annoying nurses poking and waking me up in the middle of the night, no one taking my blood like a fucking vampire, no IV poles to drag wherever I go, and no nasty food that taste like shit. I still have the tube sticking from my chest since I have to go back to City of Hope for my transplant, but other than that, I’m good.

I’m not looking forward to my transplant, not because I’m afraid, but because I don’t want Trish to see me getting sick again. Knowing that Emily will be there getting her transplant too, with Joe makes it a little bit easier. A weird partnership developed between her and I and we’ve grown really close. We are basically running the same race, not against each other but with each other. Although this time, it’s going to be much worse. I was warned, and I’m prepared to face whatever comes my way, except for Trish falling apart. Seeing her cry brings me to my knees. Every tear that drops from her beautiful eyes is like a knife cutting me, and nothing will ever prepare me for that. What I learned the hard way, though, is I need to accept it because I can’t and won’t fight this battle without her. I can’t survive without her, plain and simple.

“Jake! Where are you?”

She’s yelling for me, again. If she doesn’t see me right away, she gets nervous and goes into complete freak out mode. I think she’s seriously thinking of installing a low jack up my ass, just so she knows where my exact location is at all times.

“I’m here in the bathroom, babe!”

“You scared me!”

I stick my head out the shower door.

“Hey, I’m fine, alright? You’re getting worked up for no reason.”

“I’m sorry. I just…never mind. Um, I’m taking Roxy and Tami with me to the store. Okay?” She tells me and walks out, not waiting for my response.

Where the hell is she going now? I only have a few days left of freedom, and instead of spending it with me, she’s going off somewhere with Roxy and Tami all the time. When I walk in the kitchen, the girls and Trish are about ready to leave.

“Jake, I’m taking your car, okay? Mine’s low on gas.”

I need to get something straight with her, right now. I love Trish, but I don’t trust her driving skills. Plus, she’s going with Roxy, and that spells disaster, right there. I’ll give her just about anything she wants, except driving my 1969 mustang. I don’t let anyone drive my baby. I’m the only one who can drive her.

“Nope. Just take Roxy’s car,” I shake my head as I give my response.

She narrows her eyes at me, and that only means one thing, she’s not going to take no for an answer. Well, news flash, sweetheart, I’m not going to change my mind! I’m standing my ground on this one. I don’t even notice Brian standing there, that’s how shocked I am.

“What did she say, Jake? Did I hear that right? She wants to drive your baby? This I’ve got to see.” Brian sits down and watches Trish and me go toe to toe.

The idiot is enjoying watching me squirm. Maybe, I should tell my sister to dump his sorry ass. Right on cue, Cody walks in the kitchen, awaiting how my love will cut my newly acquired balls off.

Trish glares at me. “You know I hate driving your bulldozer of a truck, and who’s your baby, Jake?”

“You’re my Baby, Trish.” Out of frustration I know is building up, I pull down my beanie since I don’t have hair to yank on.

She extends her hand, and starts wiggling her fingers telling me to give her the keys. Nope, not going to happen. She already has my balls; she can’t have my car! This is pathetic.

“Keys….Jake…now,” She says, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Trish, just take Roxy’s car, please. I’ll give you anything, just leave my bab…I mean, just leave my car alone.” I smile that smile she loves so much.

“This is gonna be a spectacular fight. Man vs. Pussy. Who will reign supreme?” Cody’s comic relief isn’t helping me one bit.

“It’s only a car, Jake. You love her more than you love your car, right? Unless, you don’t, then you guys need to have a pow wow,” Roxy says with a shit eating grin on her face, that at this very moment, I want to wipe off her face.

“Trish, why are you doing this to me, right now? You know, I don’t let anyone drive my car.”

“There’s always a first for everything, Jake. This is one of them.” She smirks at me.

She smirks at me! Well, the lines have been drawn, and I’m up for battle. Bring it on.

“Nope!”

I let the “P” pop on that one, because something else will pop if I don’t. That would be my brain, because she’s frustrating the hell out of me!

“It’s her or me,” She says.

She can’t be serious, right now! She wants me to pick between her and my car. This is an abomination. How the hell am I going to choose? No one gets between me and my ’69, candy apple red mustang. She has a
V-8 engine, a top speed reaching 118 miles per hour, four speed manual transmission, and zero to 100 MPH in thirteen point six seconds. Yes, damn it; I just spewed my baby’s qualifications! I know her that well.

“How about I drive you?” I wink at her, my last ditch effort to avoid an all-out war.

“Give it up, Jake. I want to drive your car.” She raises her eyebrow at me.

That one eyebrow move is her way of telling me she’s not backing down. Right at this moment, I’m gutted, emasculated. I can hear the sound of surgical scissors snipping away…snip…snip…because my balls are definitely not attached to me anymore.

Have you ever seen a parent dropping their kid off at school for the first time? That would be how I look right now. I remember my parents telling my sister, if someone comes up to her to scream
stranger danger
. I wonder, can my car scream like that to? I reluctantly give her the keys.

“We’ll be back before you know it. Love you!” She smiles and walks away.

As soon as I hear my car start up and see Trish pull out, Cody hands me a beer to drown my fucking sorrow away.

“What the hell’s wrong with you? I would’ve started war the minute she asked for my keys! You’ve seriously lost your balls! I swear, we need to get them and fucking super glue that shit back on!” Cody takes a swig of his beer and rolls his eyes at me.

“What’s the play, Jake? Do you want to follow them? Or, you want to sit this one out and wait.”

“Brian, why would you suggest that? Do you know what will happen if we follow them? Ninja brain fuck, balls cut, that shit doesn’t scare you?”

Brian smirks at Cody. “Since we don’t know where they went, we can’t follow them, stupid; even if we wanted to.”

“You know what, I’ve been thinking about the same thing. Two days ago they went somewhere, and Trish is really being vague about it. I wonder if my mom knows. What the fuck? It just dawned on me; the girls are out there with no fucking protection!” I’m ready to call my dad and go caveman Jake on him.

“Your dad has someone tailing them,” Brian says as I look at him as if he has sprouted another dick.

“Why not us. I mean, you or Cody. I know I’m still not a hundred percent, but why someone else?” I ask controlling my frustration.

Cody sighs out loud. “I don’t know, man. Your dad is being stealth on this Damien guy. He’s having him tail the girls, and we have to babysit your sorry ass.”

I don’t want to think she’s hiding something from me, but I can’t help thinking that she is. I make a mental note to grill her when she comes home. Although, I have a feeling she’s going to distract me big time.

Trish

“Rox, I’m really getting nervous. What if they’re not going to see anything? What if it’s not working? Oh my God! What if I have to start over again? I’m losing my mind….” I start hyperventilating just thinking about it.

Roxy taps my knee, stopping me from bouncing it. “Will you relax? I’m gonna lose my lunch if you won’t stop yapping! How can they even see anything yet, anyway? Stop! You’re stressing me out.”

“You should’ve really discussed this with Jake. We should have told him.” Taking a deep breath Tami continues, “No, no negative thoughts. Everything is going to work out. Oh God, my vagina hurts! I’m experiencing pity pains.”

I take a deep breath, because she’s asked me this many times since we had the meeting with the doctor. I just have to tell myself time and time again that I’m making the right decision for us. I’m through with sitting down and waiting for something good to happen. I’m doing this for Jake, for us.

“You’re right, T. Everything’s gonna be fine. I’m gonna be fine.” I give her the two thumbs up sign, just like Emily.

The nurse calls my name, and the three of us march in the room. We have to do this for twenty-one long days. So far, we’ve been lucky and hopefully my luck won’t run out anytime soon.

Roxy rubs her hands together with a smile on her face. “Yes!
Operation Icicles
is now a go. Are you excited, Trish?”

“I am!” I can’t seem to stop smiling, then I look at the probe and I get clammy again.

“Oh my God, why is there a condom here? What the hell?” Tami asks while Roxy is busy examining the probe that will be inserted into my vagina.

“Tami, stop touching stuff!” I’m looking in horror at my two friends who are busy playing with the machine as if it’s a toy.

Roxy holds up the probe wearing a naughty grin. “Trish, look at the size of this! It’s bigger than my B.O.B.! Except, I don’t think it vibrates. Can you imagine if this shit vibrated? Your ovaries would have a party.”

Tami and I start laughing, watching Roxy wave the darn thing.

My OB walks in, grabs the probe, and puts a condom on it. She starts explaining the process while Tami and I exchange looks, and Roxy gives me the thumb up sign as she mouths the word ‘big’. After the ultrasound, we head home, but not until we figure out a ‘diversion plan’.

“Okay, since we’re heading home, what excuse are we going to tell Jake? Think ladies!”

“That’s your job, Rox.” Tami looks at her annoyingly.

Roxy huffs out. “Oh, so now, I’m the brains of this operation? The first diversion was taking Jake’s car. I’m sure Jake’s mind is preoccupied, right now. The next one’s in the mall. So, take me there, Trish.

I narrow my eyes at her from the rear view mirror. “What are we going to the mall for? I’m not buying any toys, Roxy, so scratch that idea.”

She lifts her chin at me. “Trish, we’re going for dick diversion. That’s the only way you can pull this off.”

We end up buying a sexy number for Jake, which makes me blush ten shades of red. Thank God, I talk Roxy out of buying a damn toy because the one she wants me to get is a butt plug. Oh, hell, no!

“Hello boys! We’re back!” Roxy yells.