ker's

stepped out of the bar and into the night. I didn't get to enjoy the s

the phone while walking towards the garage. I

Da

aced the phone close to my ear, my

ker, do you still remember what's at

r from you too

voice was sharp, making

d out while starin

weeks is what's left. The deadline is approaching

o again-the

folding there. "You're not reminding me. You're re

een a ring? Or a name?

ling it." I pulled open my car d

week but there's still no woman. They're already questioning yo

e is not up ye

board meets in fourteen days. If you don't have someone by

tation surfaced. "Be

reliable and he's a family

thing sounded ridiculous. They were dem

two. I have devoted my life to bringing the group

to them, that means unpredictabl

t a bunch of old gizzards had a say in my life. "They can think all they want until they grow a double brain. I'

car wrapped around me and I didn't even realize I was

like a slow-burnin

econd and she came to mind

ith a lot of women but there was jus

some charms, sign a check, put

rfect key piece for my bigger game

t I knew what I saw in her eyes. She wasn't don

. One way or another, I was going to get her

nessa'

spine, I couldn't wash down the dread crawling up my throa

again as I raised my eyes, bringin

ped around Annie's waist, staring at me l

g all cozy...probably enjoying ever

sofa, watching me like I was perfor

out!" Derek spat out, reminding me that

t voice filled my head, and the stranger's words made sense. Ho

l the burning sensation around my eyes growing worse.

rden my resolve. Like it would prevent me from breaking. "Anni

red at me, making my breathing catch. "You never wasted time sliding

to say all that to my face someday. As if he had been waitin

ay. I couldn't give them even more satisfaction of seeing me crumble. "Was

you to play hero." Annie countered immediately. And I wondered how she did it

that he had coaxed me into stepping in for Annie nor did he

I wiped it off with the back of my sleeve. "I gave everything

t me. "Did I ever ask y

ung like a sla

ar, every part of me shreddi

ier as he enunciated every word like a promise. "T

ft one last time-from Derek's angry face, to Annie's smug little sm

ed, spoke, o

lly sinking in as I bent down, grabbed

nded close to Derek's feet. My fingers shook as I

from the signed papers to my face and I swore that I sensed a slight frown

ick skin left. Probably because I knew I was dying...I had colon cancer.

ir e

" I let out in a low voice before turning around,

ife...All of them we

me anytime y

ridiculous in that moment but now.. it had

r all. Maybe I wanted to

ut of my pocket, took a deep

st at every ring, and my throat t

he hell a

m I even

oice was deep and slow like he

Little W

nd just like that, my