Love Me: Oakville Series:Book 5 by Kathy-Jo Reinhart

feel what we need to feel. They understand this. They would all be just as destroyed and devastated as I am if it were happening to one of their wives.
    “How long?” Paul asks next, and my gut clenches. She won’t be around for any more holidays. She won’t be there when Chase turns seven. She won’t see our tenth anniversary. Tears begin to stream down my face. Nine years. I’ve only been her husband for nine short years. It’s not long enough. Paul begins to back track. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.”
    I hold my hand up, motioning for them to give me a second. “No, it’s okay. This is gutting me. What do I do without her? And Chase. He needs his mom,” I admit. “Without the chemo, a month. Maybe two. With the chemo, four or five months.” Angel slams his fists on the table, causing the beer bottles to wobble. His face is blood red with anger. Kyle hands him an empty beer bottle and nods. Angel picks it up and throws that one across the bar, too. We all watch as it lands a foot away from the first one.
    “Feel better?” Kyle asks him. He shakes his head no, but doesn’t utter a word. I knew Angel would take this the hardest.
    “Is this why all the girls are going to your house? Is Taryn telling them?” Angel asks. I nod and he quickly stands up. “I’m going over there. I’ll take care of all the kids so they can talk without interruption. I need to do something or I’ll go crazy. Besides, being around our rug rats always puts a smile on my face.” He stands up, yanks Kyle out of the seat next to me, and wraps me in a hug. My body stiffens at first. We don’t do this. A one armed hug or a slap on the back, maybe, but never this. I have to admit though, with everything the way it is, I needed this. It brings me comfort. “We’re here for you. Anything you need, just ask. We’ll get through this together, as a family,” he says. Clearing his throat, he slaps my shoulder, looking a little embarrassed by his open show of affection. A laugh escapes me and I can’t stop it. I haven’t laughed in days and it feels good.
    “Is the pussy fest over now?” Kyle teases, and we all burst out laughing. What would I do without these guys? They can always lighten things up, no matter how bad the situation is. Though nothing will ever take away the pain I’m in right now, they know their usual joking will ease it a little, if only for a moment.
     

     
    T he doorbell rings and my body tenses. I thought I was ready to tell the girls about the cancer, but now I’m not so sure. How do you tell your best friends, girls who are like sisters to you, you’re going to die in a matter of months? I haven’t even wrapped my own head around it yet and I know for a fact Marcus hasn’t either. He can’t even say the words out loud. Honestly, I don’t think he ever will.
    My hands shake as I grip the door handle. When I open the door, I’m surprised to see Angel standing on the stoop, his head hanging down. “Angel? What are you doing here?” I question. He should be at the bar with Marcus and the guys. He lifts his head and his eyes are filled with tears. Before I have a chance to say anything, he has me wrapped in a hug so tight, I’m finding it hard to breathe.
    “I’m so sorry this is happening. If you need anything, anytime, I’m here for you,” he whispers into my hair. His voice shakes with emotion and it breaks my heart. I am in no way ready for reactions like this. “I thought you could use some help with the kids while the girls are here, so you all can have some privacy.”
    “Thank you, Angel. Privacy with the girls will be nice,” I tell him, my voice filled with emotion. I’m trying so hard to hold it all in, but my trembling lip and the tears welling in my eyes tell me I’m fighting a losing battle. Seeing the signs of my impending breakdown, Angel wraps me in his arms again. I bury my face into his chest and one of his hands rubs my back as the other holds my head