Chapter 7 Let's Talk About It

• KYLO
• Slumping against the wall outside my mother’s room and squeezing my head between my knees, I snatched air into my lungs as I tried to steady my breathing.
• We came so close to losing her.
• After resuscitating her a couple of times, the doctors brought her back, but the diagnosis was very bleak. She had undergone surgery to remove one of her breasts, and she was weak, barely holding on. At this point, all we could do was pray for a miracle.
• Zorii and I had been sleeping at the hospital for the past three days and had planned to camp there again tonight. The doctor sent us home and told us there was nothing we could do. Last night, after surgery, our mom slipped into a coma and hasn’t woken up. The surgeon recommended we go and get some rest, or he would sedate us to accomplish that.
• I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. The stress was getting to me, to be honest. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my mom saying goodbye before quietly slipping away. I would jerk up and wake in a cold sweat.
• It was the worst feeling ever.
• I thought if I stayed close, it would protect me from getting the dreaded call. I’d rather be here when it happened… If it happened…
• Oaklynn had been to the hospital every day since my sister kind of manipulated her into coming. We hardly spoke more than formalities; my friends were always around, and she usually talked to Zo briefly before leaving. It seemed they had become friends, not that I was against it. It was a good thing. My sister wasn’t a social butterfly and needed more friends in her life.
• “I’m sorry, dude, but I have to agree with the doctor,” Jordan said. “You look like crap. You should go home. Lana and I will stay, and yes, we will call you if there’s any change. Now get out of here before I call security.”
• “He means it,” Lana affirmed, standing by her husband. “But wait, babe, we need to feed him first, then let him go. You know he won’t eat once he’s alone.”
• “I’m right here…” I sighed and glanced from one to the other.
• “I knew there was a reason I married you, sweets,” Jordan grinned and turned to me. “We’re going to make a quick stop at the diner across the street, and then you’re free to go.” He slung his arm around my shoulders as we strolled down the corridor, rubbing his knuckles over my head. “I’ll be back in a bit, text me if you need anything,” he called out to his wife.
• “I’m perfectly capable of eating on my own,” I protested.
• “Meh,” he cut in. “You’ve proven that you’re not. I need to have a word with your furball. She’s seriously slacking.”
• “We’re not together.”
• “Yeah, I know, but that’s just semantics,” he quipped. “She’s totes in love with you,” he remarked in a high-pitched voice.”
• Laughing, I pushed him away. “Please don’t!”
• “I got you to laugh. My good deed for the day is done,” he dusted his hands together. “You can thank me with a Frappuccino.”
• “I knew there was a catch,” I groaned when we stepped outside, coming face-to-face with Oaklynn. She was looking lovely as usual, in a simple sweater dress, which stopped just before her knees, showing off her lovely legs and cinched by a thick belt, and paired with ankle boots.
• She smoothed back her dark hair as she approached us. “Hey, guys.”
• “Hey, little one, glad you could make it,” Jordan smiled at her. “He’s all yours,” he said and turned to me. “Before you get your boxers in a twist-this talk is long overdue. You need to do this. Don’t mess up my hard work,” he ruffled my hair again before he strode back in.
• My friends called it an intervention, and I called it for what it is: an ambush.
• I didn’t know what to sa,y so we stood there in awkward silence. “I-I was about to go and grab a bite to eat at the diner across the street, want to join me?”
• “Yes,” she nodded. “But maybe we need to go somewhere more discreet? I don’t think I can handle the reporters today.”
• “You and I both,” I said. “There’s a little café close to my block that serves a killer lasagna? You in?”
• “Sounds good, Commander," she smiled. “Lead the way…”
• We entered the restaurant on the rooftop, and the hostess ushered us to a quiet corner table by the window, which had a picturesque view of the city. Oaklynn slid into her booth seat, and I occupied the opposite side. We ordered our food and started with drinks.
• We avoided the elephant in the room; the idle chatter evolving from family, friends, and work, until, finally, I set aside my fork and fixed my eyes on her.
• “I had meant to thank you for coming to visit my mom. And for being there for Zo.”
• Wiping her mouth and setting aside her napkin, she shrugged. “I was actually there for you. But it’s okay. Guess you didn’t notice.”
• “Oh.” Caught by surprise, I bunched my eyebrows together. “Uhmm..thanks?”
• “I was there for your sister, though, I wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for you.” Her eyes bored into her glass. “I know we haven’t been on good terms, but I still care about you, Kylo. That hasn’t changed.”
• “Is Tristan okay with you being here?” I asked, putting my foot in my mouth. “I’d hate to cause problems…”
• “Does it matter? I don’t answer to him.”
• “And yet you’re still wearing his ring?” My gaze wandered to her finger, and my heart sank when I saw it. Seeing the ring forcefully brought me back to reality.
• She lifted her hand and spread it out on the table. “So instead of asking me, you came up with your own conclusions?”.
• “While we’re on the subject…I have a favor to ask?” I grimaced. I hated doing this, but I had to. “Because of your ring-”
• “I think I’m not going to like what you’re going to say,” she broke in.
• “Who’s jumping to conclusions now?” I shot back and settled back in my chair.
• “Fine. Please go on,” she replied drily.
• “My PR guys have suggested that it’s best we not refute the rumors of our engagement.”
• She leaned forward and speared me with a look of an angry kitten. “Why? Scared that you’ll look like the bad guy with commitment phobia?”
• “That’s a bit below the belt, don’t you think, kitten? You need to put your claws back in,” I said sardonically. “All I’m asking you-and Tristan-is to hold off on announcing your engagement just for a little while. Just until this thing dies down,” I turned my gaze to the side. “For now, I just need to focus on my mom.”
• “Unbelievable!” She exclaimed and threw her hands in the air. “You’re resorting to emotional blackmail??!”
• As luck would have it, the waiter came with our wine and saved me. I was going to give him a huge tip just for that.
• Oaklynn pushed her plate aside. “I’ve just lost my appetite.”
• I closed my eyes and breathed out. “I’m sorry kitt-Oaklynn-I’m sorry for putting you in a corner.” I was going about this the wrong way. I needed to get her on my side. “Allow me a do-over? Please?”
• “Don’t threaten me. Don’t manipulate me. Got it?” Her gaze softened as she looked up at me. “I will help you in any way that I can. There’s no need for any of that.”
• “I apologize. I shouldn’t have done that-I should know better,” I quickly amended. “Do you think you can help me out?”
• “Why should I?”
• “Maybe you owe me?”
• Yes. I went there.
• “So, it’s like that, huh?” she asked without preamble. “You want me to settle the score, is that it?”
• “That came out wrong.” Gosh… What was wrong with me today?
• She inched her left brow. “Consider us even then. Since I owe you one and all that.”
• “I’m sorry I keep saying all the wrong things-I shouldn’t have said that-“
• “You can call me later with the details.” She slid off her seat and rose to her feet. “For your information,” her lips twisted wryly. “I never got back with Tristan. So, get your facts straight next time.”
• “Oaklynn, I’m sorry. I keep putting my foot in my mouth-”
• “I’ll do it,” she snapped. “But don’t twist my arm because I hurt you. I already apologized a hundred times for that.”
• “Please sit,” I gestured to the opposite bench. “I don’t want to fight. Can we just eat? Please.”
• “Fine,” she sighed and dropped onto the padded seat. “Only because I like lasagna, and you’re picking up the tab.”
• The meal was a bit tense, but eventually, we eased into conversation. And even as we parted ways, there was still so much we both left unsaid.