FOREVER SERIES: COMPLETE BOX SET

by Lynn, Sandi

  I held out both my wrists. I pointed to my left scar. “I want ‘CONNOR’ on this one, and the infinity symbol on this one.” I pointed to my right. “Make sure the scars are totally covered.”

  Jack looked at me and frowned. “Who’s Connor?”

  “It’s a long story.” I shook my head.

  “It’s going to hurt, Elle. You do realize that, right?”

  “I know it will Jack. Let’s just get it over with.”

  Nothing could hurt me as bad as I was already hurting.

  Chapter 25

  Jack was a great guy. He was one of those guys that had tattoos covering every inch of both arms, down his chest, and his back. He was an artist like me, and he proudly displayed his work. His black eyes matched his long, dark hair, which he frequently wore back in a ponytail. He started with Connor’s name on my left wrist. The sting was bearable. Don’t get me wrong, it felt like a thousand tiny pins were being poked in me, but I’d been through much worse. After a couple of hours, Jack was finally finished. I looked at my wrists and smiled.

  “The redness will go away in a few days. Just make sure you keep moisturizer on them so that it won’t itch as bad.”

  “Thank you, Jack. They’re beautiful.”

  “Do you have a ride home?” he asked.

  “I’m going to call a cab.”

  He looked at the clock.

  “It’s midnight. I’ll have Donny close up and I’ll take you home.”

  “It's okay, Jack, really. I’ll just call a cab.” I smiled.

  He grabbed his coat, yelled for Donny to close up, and told me to get in his car.

  “If I’m not mistaken, you live by my girlfriend, and I’m heading that way anyway. It’s no problem.”

  I walked into my apartment, and the first thing I did was grab my laptop, change into my pajamas, climb in bed, and open my email. The first step in getting on with my life was apologizing to Connor, and I owed him a big one. I hit the compose button as a blank page came up.

  Dear Connor,

  I hope you’re reading this and didn’t delete it before you opened it when you saw my name. If you are, then you’ll see this is my heartfelt apology to you. Words cannot explain how sorry I am for not telling you about my illness from the start. I never meant for us to get as close as we did for that very reason. The night I took you home, I had every intention of leaving and never looking back. If I had, we wouldn’t have met, and you wouldn’t be hurting right now. I will never forgive myself for not telling you the truth. I believe in fate, and it was fate that brought us together. I told you I was saved for a reason, and I think it was to save you. You have a beautiful heart and soul, and you don’t deserve to never love someone. You will never know what you’ve done for me, and how you’ve changed my life. I never would have experienced love the way I have with you, because what you showed me, and how you made me feel, was a first for me in my lifetime. I never loved Kyle. I was with him because he was there, and I was afraid of being alone. Loneliness is what my whole life was made of. My decision to not receive treatment at the time was out of pure selfishness on my part, and I’ve come to understand that now. I want to thank you for your love and kindness. If I had one last breath left, I would use it to tell you how much I love you, because I do, and I always will.

  Love forever,

  Ellery.

  Tears filled my eyes as I hit send. I took in a deep breath, closed my laptop, and fell asleep.

  * * *

  I threw on a pair of leggings, my pale pink long sweater, and my black boots. I put some curls in my long hair and applied some makeup. I opened my laptop and checked my email—nothing. I didn’t expect there to be any reply from him, but one could only hope.

  I called a cab and headed to Dr. Taub’s office for blood work. I examined my wrists and smiled at the beauty of both Connor’s name and the infinity symbol. I entered the office building and took the elevator up to the fourth floor.

  “Hi, I’m Ellery Lane, and I’m here for some blood work,” I said to the young girl behind the desk.

  “Yes, I have your file right here. I just need to see your ID, please.” I dug through my purse, retrieved my driver’s license, and handed it to her. She took notice of my wrist with Connor’s name.

  “Oh my God, that’s awesome,” she said.

  I smiled and thanked her as I showed her my other wrist. The scars were barely noticeable, and for people who didn’t know, they wouldn’t see them. The nurse called my name and took me back to the drawing station. She asked me if I was nervous about needles, and I laughed.

  “I’ve been through chemo before, so giving blood is nothing.”

  She managed to force a smile. I didn’t think she thought that was too funny. She drew three vials of blood and told me to have a good day.

  I left the medical building and decided to walk around for a while before getting a cab and heading home. I walked a few blocks, doing some window shopping, when a text came from Peyton.

  “Hey, girl! I’m on the plane, headed to Colorado. Please tell me you’re doing ok?”

  I smiled and replied as I walked down the street. Unaware of my surroundings because I was too engrossed in text-messaging my best friend, I collided into someone.

  “Oh, shit, I’m so sor…” I started to say as I looked up at the man that I just ran into head on. I took in a sharp breath and looked down.

  “Connor, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

  I couldn’t even look him in the eyes. I was so ashamed. My heart started pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.

  He stood there, staring at me.

  “No, it’s my fault. I should have been paying more attention.”

  We stood there in front of each other awkwardly, with his hand lightly touching my arm. I pulled away. The pain was too strong, and I felt my throat closing up.

  “I have to go,” I mumbled as I turned the corner and didn’t look back.

  I reached an alleyway between buildings, and I stood with my back against the brick, trying to catch my breath. All the emotions that I tried to force away came flooding back and bruised what was left of my soul.

  I ended up walking home, which was about ten blocks from where I was. I didn’t care. I needed to try to clear my head. I walked through the door, panting and completely exhausted. I made a pot of coffee and, as it brewed, I sat down in front of my easel and continued my painting of the wedding in Central Park. I wanted to get at least two more paintings finished before I started chemo. I was up till two a.m., and it was finally finished. I painted it with the vision of how I would want my wedding to be. It was just a delusional thought from my head. I took my brushes over to the sink and let them soak as I went to bed. Tomorrow, I would paint a new picture.

  Morning had come and gone. I was awoken up by my cell phone ringing.

  “Hello?” I sleepily answered.

  “Ellery, it’s Dr. Taub. Your blood results came back, and I’m a little concerned about your hemoglobin level. It’s a little low, but I’m going to go ahead and start chemotherapy anyway. I’m going to schedule your first treatment one week from today, but first, I’m going to prescribe you some iron pills that I want you to start taking immediately.”

  “Okay, Dr. Taub. One week from today at nine o’clock.”

  I looked at the clock and it read twelve noon. I couldn’t believe I slept in that late. I put on a pot of coffee and rinsed my brushes. I took a quick shower and got dressed. I noticed the pile of clothes lying in the laundry basket that needed to be washed. I hadn’t done laundry in a while. I sighed as I picked up the basket and set it by the door. I filled a mug with coffee and headed off to the laundry mat. Thank God it was only around the corner. After a couple of hours, I finished my laundry and walked back to my apartment, where I saw Kyle leaning up against the door.

  “What do you want, Kyle?!” I yelled before I approached the walkway. He was standing there with his hands in his pockets, staring at me.r />
  “I wanted to see how you were doing.”

  “You could have messaged me and not just shown up here.”

  This was just what I needed; this asshole to ruin my day. I wasn’t in the mood, and I needed to start painting.

  “Here, let me help you,” he said as he took my key and opened the door. I walked in and set the basket in my room. When I came out, I noticed him staring at my painting.

  “Elle, this is beautiful.”

  “Yeah, isn’t it? Now, what do you want, Kyle?”

  I was being mean, but I didn’t care. I loathed this boy standing in front of me and for what he did.

  “Like I said, I wanted to see how you were doing.”

  “Bullshit, Kyle! I’m fine, and now you know. Now you can leave.”

  “Elle, stop acting like this, baby,” he said as he swiftly moved closer to me. Before I knew it, his mouth was on mine. I pushed him away with force.

  “What the fuck are you doing?”

  “Elle, don’t fight it. I know you still love me, and I want you so bad.”

  I stood there in shock by his words and by his actions. I didn’t know what to say.

  “Really, Kyle, you think I love you? Let me tell you something, you scum-sucking, loathsome little worm. You leaving me was the best thing that ever happened in my life. I never loved you. You were a convenience for me; someone to fill the lonely spot in my world.”

  His face turned red and angry. “You’re a fucking bitch, Elle!” he screamed.

  “It takes one to know one, Kyle. Now, get the fuck out of my house before I seriously hurt you.”

  “I’d like to see you try,” he said.

  I picked up a vase that sat on the corner of my desk and threw it at him. He ducked as it shattered against the wall.

  “You are one crazy bitch. I’m out of here.”

  I ran and locked the door, avoiding the tiny pieces of glass that were scattered across my floor. I heavily sighed as I cleaned up the mess I made, remembering the first time I met Connor in his kitchen, and I dropped the mug on his floor.

  The whole week, I never left the apartment except when I went to the hospital to have a port put in for chemo. I concentrated on finishing my paintings, and successfully, I did. Sitting in front of my easel was the only time when I felt somewhat normal. My heart was still shattered, and my soul was empty. I felt lost and broken, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t shake the feeling, so I just existed.

  My first treatment was tomorrow morning, and I was scared. I had no one to be there with me. The first time I went through chemo, my dad managed to stay sober long enough to be there for me during my sessions, but as soon as we left the hospital, he hit the local bar. Now, I was all alone facing cancer and chemo once again—by myself.

  Tears came to my eyes as I threw myself a little pity party. I had some friends, but I was in no way going to have them stop their lives to help me. I took the paintings to the art gallery and terribly missed seeing Peyton’s smiling face greeting me at the door. She had one more week left in Colorado. Sal nodded his head when he saw my paintings.

  “Ellery, these are beautiful! You’re so incredibly talented. I know these will sell quickly,” he said as he moved them over to the empty wall. I gave him a hug and thanked him.

  Chapter 26

  Chemo day arrived. I put on my yoga pants, a baggy sweatshirt, and threw my hair up in a ponytail. There was no going to chemo looking fashionable. I grabbed my blanket and my Kindle and stepped inside the cab that was waiting for me outside. I arrived at the hospital and headed to the cancer center, where I would be a frequent visitor once a week for the next six months. Because I waited longer than most to have chemo after I was told my cancer came back, the doctor and I agreed to do a little more aggressive treatment that would shorten the duration of my therapy, hopefully.

  Nurse Bailey called me back into the room where a total of sixteen oversized blue chairs lined the walls of the sterile white room. There were eight chairs on one side and eight on the other, each chair having its own IV pole and curtain. I never felt comfortable with my chemo treatments. People always looked at me like I was way too young to have cancer. I was the youngest one there for the first eight months until a nine-year-old girl named Molly showed up.

  “Is anyone here with you, sweetie?” Nurse Bailey asked with a smile.

  “No, it’s just me.”

  She patted my hand and gave me a sympathetic look.

  “Well, don’t you worry. I’m here with you.”

  She was an older woman, probably in her fifties, with short salt and pepper hair. Her voice was soft but perky. She told me about her ex-husband and her three grown children as she sat me in the chair and did some prep work. She excused herself and said she’d be right back. I looked around the room at the six chairs that were filled by people who were here for the same reason I was. It was weird because, being complete strangers, we all shared a common bond.

  “Someone is here to see you,” Nurse Bailey said in her perky voice.

  I looked up from my phone and practically went into cardiac arrest when I saw Connor standing there. I felt like I was going to suffocate.

  “What are you doing here, Connor?” I managed to ask.

  He sighed and sat in the chair next to me.

  “Hello, Ellery.”

  I continued to look down at my phone, and I refused to look at him.

  “I asked you a question,” I sternly spoke.

  “Nobody should have to go through this alone.”

  “I’m not alone. I have Nurse Bailey.” I pointed, still looking at my phone.

  Before I knew it, he grabbed my phone from my hands and put it in his pocket.

  “What the hell, Connor?!” I snarled.

  Nurse Bailey came walking over. “Okay, sweetie, here’s your cocktail. Bottoms up.” She smiled as she inserted the needle into my port and hung the bag on the pole.

  I gently smiled at her. “Cheers.”

  “I’m here as your friend, Ellery.”

  “Can I have my phone back please?” I asked nicely as I held out my hand.

  He took in a sharp breath, reached in his pocket, pulled out my phone, and handed it to me. Our fingers touched as he put it in the palm of my hand. My heart started racing like it always did when he touched me.

  “This is how this is going to work,” he spoke. “I’m going to bring you here every week and then take you home. I’ve hired a private nurse to come to your apartment daily to tend to you and make you comfortable.”

  All kinds of thoughts were running through my head. Why was he doing this for me? Was this his revenge, to kick a girl during her chemo sessions?

  “Why, Connor? Why are you doing this?”

  He looked at me with cold eyes. “I owe you.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “You took care of me once, so now, I’m returning the favor. I know you don’t have anyone else.”

  So, now I’d become his charity case—great.

  “The night you brought me home from the beach and put me to bed, you said we were even. You don’t need to stay. I’m fine. You can go.”

  He looked down and laced his fingers together.

  “I’m staying, Ellery, and you’re in no position to say otherwise.”

  I rolled my eyes and tried to think of a million ways to run.

  “By the way, how did you know I started chemo today? And how did you know I was here?” I glared at him.

  “I know a lot of things, Ellery. I’ve told you before that I can find out anything.”

  I shot him a look. “Stalker.”

  I sat there reading while he sent emails and did business from his iPad.

  “You don’t need to be here. I’m sure you have better things to do than sit in a room, watching people get chemo for five hours,” I randomly said.

  “Whether I have better things to do or not, this is how it’s going to be, so let’s be quiet, and don’t worry abo
ut it.” His voice was flat and cold.

  Didn’t he realize I was pissed off at the world at that moment, and he was making it worse? I didn’t want him here because it was bringing back all the emotions that I tried to bury, but I did want him here because I had a bit of hope in the back of my mind that he still wanted to be with me and that he possibly forgave me. I looked down at my Kindle and tried to read, but as I looked at the words, the only thing registering in my mind was Connor.

  “How are you doing, sweetie?” Nurse Bailey cheerfully asked as she checked my chemo drip.

  “I’m doing fucking fantastic, Nurse Bailey, because I know that probably by tonight, I’ll have my head down the toilet for a good hour or two.”

  Connor looked at me and then at Nurse Bailey.

  “Ellery, that’s enough.”

  The nurse looked at him sympathetically.

  “It’s all right. She’s angry right now and needs to let it out. I’m used to it. I just try to make my patients as comfortable as possible.”

  Connor leaned closer to me and whispered, “Could you please stop being a smart ass? She’s only trying to help you.”

  I couldn’t look at him because, if I did, I was going to slap him right across the face. I didn’t say a word. I was more than ready to rip that chemo line right out of me and run as fast and as far away as I could. That was what I wanted to prevent: the hostility, the anger, and the resentment. I just wanted to live my life—with the time I had left—happy.

  That was the longest five hours of my life. Nurse Bailey removed the chemo drip from my port and gave me a hug goodbye. Connor grabbed my blanket, and I tore it out of his hands.

  “I got it.”

  He heavily sighed and followed behind me as I exited the hospital. He opened the limo door for me as I slid into the seat.

  Denny turned and looked at me. “Hello, Miss Lane.”

  He was the only person of the day that got a smile from me.

  “Hi, Denny.”

  Connor climbed in next to me. “How are you feeling?”

  I stared out the window. “I’m fine right now. It takes a few hours or even a few days for the chemo to hit you.”