“I’m sure he will appreciate it as much as I do.” He packed up his laptop. “I’ll give you a call later.”
She smiled and nodded.
Kellen practically ran to his car. He wanted to be there for Dreyden. Checking his watch, he knew that his parents had driven him home where he could recuperate in bed for the rest of the day.
“What are you doing here?” Dreyden asked drowsily when Kellen strode into his bedroom. “You’re supposed to be working.”
“I came to see how you were doing,” Kellen responded. “Not that I was worried or anything.”
Dreyden gave a tiny smile. “That’s because there’s nothing to worry about, little brother.”
“Knock knock...”
Kellen glanced over his shoulder to see Sage standing in the doorway. He smiled as she joined them inside. “Hey, sis.”
She hugged Dreyden and then Kellen. “I thought you were going into work today.”
“I did, but I couldn’t focus,” he confessed. “I wanted to be here.”
“Same here,” Sage contributed. She looked at Dreyden and said, “All I could think about was you.”
“What’s up with you two? Why are y’all hovering over me like this? It’s not that serious.”
Before either of them could respond, their parents walked into the room, followed by Ari.
“Is anybody working today? I don’t want you all sitting around my house like this,” Dreyden stated. “I said that I’d call y’all if I got any news.”
“Stop your fussing and get some rest,” Sage ordered.
They sat in the living room while he slept.
Kellen sat with his hands curled into fists. All this waiting...he hated it.
“I can’t take much more of this,” Sage said in a low voice. “I need to know what we’re up against.”
“What Dreyden is up against,” Ari corrected.
“Whatever he’s going through will affect this family as a whole,” Kellen interjected. “If he does have cancer, our family will never be the same.”
“We are not going to fall apart, Kellen. This family is stronger together.”
“Dreyden was always the strong one,” he responded in a low voice.
Chapter 10
A couple of days later, Dreyden, Kellen and their parents sat in a waiting room.
“I’m ready to get this over with,” Dreyden uttered. “They wouldn’t tell me anything over the phone.”
Barbara reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
The nurse opened a door and called out, “Dreyden Alexander.”
“I want my family with me,” he told her.
She smiled and stepped aside to let them enter.
“What we found is neuroendocrine cell tumors,” Dr. Walton explained after they were seated in his office. “This is the cause of your abdominal pain and weight loss. After looking at your test results, I’m surprised that you haven’t had any attacks of acute pancreatitis in the past.”
Kellen glanced over at his brother. Dreyden never complained of pain, but then it was not his nature.
“Can you please tell us what is wrong with our son?” Barbara asked. “Are the tumors cancerous?”
“Yes,” Dr. Walton responded.
“He has pancreatic cancer.” Barbara glanced up at her husband. “Malcolm...” Her words died as she leaned against him for support.
“P-pancreatic cancer,” Kellen repeated, complete disbelief on his face. “Are you sure about this, Doctor? How could this happen?”
“Pancreatic cancer develops when a cell in the pancreas acquires damage to its DNA that causes it to behave and multiply abnormally,” Dr. Walton explained. “A single cancer cell grows and divides rapidly, becoming a tumor that does not respect normal boundaries in the body. Eventually, cells from the tumor travel elsewhere in the body through the blood or lymphatic system. When enough mutations accumulate, a cell becomes malignant and a tumor begins to grow.”
“My brother has cancer,” Sage murmured. “That’s what you’re telling us?”
Kellen embraced her. “He’s going to be fine. Dreyden, we’re going to fight this together.”
Dreyden eyed his doctor. “What is the extent of my cancer?”
“We really won’t know exactly how far the cancer has spread until surgery,” Dr. Walton confirmed.
“Okay, so when are you going to do the surgery?”
“I’d like to schedule it for Monday morning.”
“I don’t have anything on my schedule,” Dreyden said with a tiny smile.
It isn’t right.
* * *
After the surgery, Dr. Walton found that the cancer had spread to other organs.
Kellen and his family had all gone in believing that any cancerous tumors would be removed and this nightmare would end.
This was not the case, however. His heart dropped as he listened to the oncologist explaining that the tumors could not be safely removed because other organs were affected. Dr. Walton was able to remove the obstruction found, but announced that there was nothing else he could do.
Stage IV cancer.
It just didn’t feel real. There was no way Dreyden had stage IV pancreatic cancer. He was full of life. His brother had everything to live for.
Dreyden was taking it all in stride.
Kellen supposed it could be the medication he was on, but then again, he always presented a calm front. He was relieved when Dreyden agreed to start chemotherapy.
He felt like smashing his fist into a wall. Kellen was that angry and he wanted to hit something. Anything.
Ari walked over and stood beside him. “Believe me, I know how you feel.”
He turned to face his oldest brother. “Were you this angry when April got sick?”
“Yes,” he responded. “Perhaps even angrier.”
Kellen shook his head sadly. “I feel like this is some cruel joke.” He dropped his arm to his side and looked at Ari. “I feel helpless. That’s my brother lying in that bed and I can’t do anything to help him.”
“I know,” Ari replied. “He’s my brother, too.”
Kellen raised his eyes upward. God, were you listening to me? I need Dreyden to get well. We can’t lose him.
He felt his father’s hand on his arm. Their gazes met.
Shaking his head sadly, Kellen released a long sigh. Shifting against the wall, his movements were now stiff as he braced himself for battle. Only this was a fight he might not win.
* * *
“Is there something going on between you and Kellen?” Tia asked as Addison put away her cell phone in her beach tote. They were spending the afternoon at Venice Beach.
She turned to face her friend. “Why would you ask me something like that?”
“I’ve noticed that you just seem to have a special way of lighting up whenever you mention his name.”
“He is a really nice guy, Tia,” she said. “But I’m his boss, and don’t forget that I’m five years older than he is.”
“I don’t think any of that matters to anyone but you, Addison. This may be the man for you.”
“I doubt it.”
“I think you two would make a cute couple.”
Her arms folded across her chest, Addison inquired, “Why are you suddenly advocating for this man? You don’t know anything about him outside of what you’ve read in some magazine or newspaper.”
“I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.” Tia smiled at her friend. “C’mon, Addison. Can you look me in the face and tell me that you have no feelings for Kellen Alexander?”
Addison took a sip of her tea. “Okay, so I’m very attracted to him, but as I told you before—I’m not going to act on it.”
&nbs
p; “Office romances happen. The only thing I would say is that you have to be able to separate your business relationship from a personal one.”
She laughed. “It’s not going to happen, Tia.”
“Two years from now, I don’t want to hear all of your regrets.”
“Okay, we can change the subject.”
Addison sat her tote down on the beach towel and then stared at the ocean. She craved the feel of the ocean air on her skin. She quickly put her hair up in a ponytail. “I’m going for a swim. Are you joining me?”
* * *
Fifteen minutes before her alarm clock was set to go off, Addison lay in the dark, her thoughts of her mother and how much she missed her. She wished more than anything that she could hear her mother’s laughter once more, see her beloved face wreathed with a smile just one last time. Addison wished she could tell her mother about her new promotion and that she was doing well and was happy. That had been her mother’s only concern during her illness—she worried about Addison, but there was no need.
She was strong. She had survived her mother’s death, after all.
Her thoughts drifted to Kellen. She could tell that he was extremely worried about his brother. Addison hoped all was well with Dreyden.
She turned off the blaring alarm and climbed out of bed. It was time to start off the day with a thirty-minute workout.
Afterward, Addison showered and dressed.
“Hey, how’s Dreyden doing?” Addison asked as she entered Kellen’s office an hour later.
She paused in her steps when he did not respond to her question.
“Did you hear me?” she prompted.
Kellen nodded, and then turned around in his chair to meet her steady gaze. “I’m afraid it’s not good news, Addison. We found out that Dreyden has pancreatic cancer.”
“Nooo,” she uttered. “Kellen...I’m so sorry.”
“I keep telling myself that this is not happening. My brother can’t have cancer,” he muttered. “Dreyden’s the most health-conscious of all of my siblings. I just don’t see how this can happen to him.”
Addison shook her head sadly. “I don’t know. I just hate to see you going through this—you or your family.” She sat down beside him. “The thing is...Kellen, you cannot lose faith. I’m not going to get superspiritual on you, but God has the final say.”
“I know that, and I don’t believe that my brother’s going to die or anything,” Kellen stated. “I’m just finding it hard to believe that we are even dealing with this.”
“How are you holding up?”
Kellen looked up from his work. “I’m good, thanks, which is mostly because of you. Addison, I wanted to thank you again for talking me down this morning. You said all the right things and I really appreciate it.”
“I meant what I said. I will be here for you. Oh, I have something for you.” She pulled a photograph out of her purse. “I found this when I was going through some boxes containing old records that were in storage.”
“It’s a picture of my grandfather,” Kellen stated. “From what I hear, my father shares many of Robert’s qualities. I suppose working in the hotel industry is in their blood. You know Robert had been in the hotel business since he was old enough to carry luggage. My dad has pretty much the same background. His family has managed a couple of hotels in Georgia for several generations.”
“I heard that Robert met Malcolm’s mother when he opened the hotel in Wilmington, North Carolina. She worked there as a housekeeper.”
Kellen nodded. “It’s true. Obviously, they could not control their feelings for one another. You can’t help who you fall in love with.”
“I’m not sure I agree with that statement,” Addison stated. “I think it’s natural to develop feelings for someone you work with closely, but that you have to learn to control those feelings. Besides, most of the work romances that I know about have turned out badly.”
“Ari and Natalia met on the job and fell in love,” Kellen stated. “So did Sage and Ryan.”
“I thought he was a journalist.”
“He is, but he worked undercover for us—that’s how they met. Blaze and Livi didn’t meet on the job, but they reconnected at work.”
“What about your other sister?” Addison inquired. “Zaire.”
“She met her husband on the job, as well—they are business partners.”
“Apparently, this is some kind of trend in your family,” she said with a smile. “It started with Robert DePaul, apparently.”
“I suppose we are going to break tradition.”
“Why don’t we get out of here and grab some lunch?” Addison suggested, changing the subject.
“I’m not hungry.”
“We’ve been through this already. I’ll say it again. You have to eat something,” she insisted.
Kellen shook his head. “Can I have a rain check?”
“I can bring something back for you if you don’t feel like going out.”
He smiled at her. “Thanks, but I’ll be okay.”
“I wish there was something more I could do for you,” Addison said in earnest. She knew exactly what he was going through. She had experienced those same emotions when her mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn’t want to believe it, either.
“They’ve made great strides in cancer research,” Kellen was saying, trying to see his brother’s condition in a positive light. “Dreyden’s strong. He can beat this. My nephew is in remission from leukemia. If we all stick together we can beat this dreadful disease.”
Addison listened because that’s what Kellen needed at the moment. He just needed someone to listen.
Chapter 11
Kellen stayed with Dreyden at the condo after his first round of chemotherapy. He brought his laptop with him and worked while his brother slept.
Ari was looking into clinical trials while his parents wanted the best oncologist in the world treating Dreyden.
“You should eat,” Kellen said. He recalled Addison telling him the same thing just the day before.
He nodded but didn’t move toward the bowl on the table next to him.
His thick lashes fluttered up, his gaze blurry. “Sorry, I’m so incredibly exhausted.”
“It’s all right. I’ll feed you. Here.” He lifted the bowl of soup, steam rising into the air and bringing with it the comforting scent of chicken and noodles. He pressed the spoon to Dreyden’s lips.
His brother rested his pale hand on his stomach, drawing attention to the dips of muscle.
When he finished feeding Dreyden, Kellen cleaned up the kitchen.
He found his brother sleeping so he settled down in the living room to watch some television. He stayed there until he heard Dreyden calling out to him. His voice was weak but audible.
“I’m... I don’t feel w-well...”
Kellen helped him to the bathroom.
Dreyden fell to his knees with his head over the toilet.
“It’s going to be all right,” he whispered as he placed a cold washcloth to his brother’s forehead. “You’re going to be fine.”
He helped Dreyden back to bed, but only after his brother insisted on brushing his teeth.
“Take a few sips of water,” Kellen advised. “If you prefer, I can get you some ice chips.”
Dreyden shook his head. “Water’s fine.”
He sat in the chair near the bed. “Do you want to watch some television? I think there’s a game on.”
“You go ahead.”
Kellen’s eyes teared up as he surveyed his brother in this weakened state. He blinked rapidly. He didn’t want to let Dreyden see him cry. He had to be strong.
His brother needed him and Kellen was not going to let him down.
* * *<
br />
“You seem kind of down,” Tia observed aloud as they left the movie theater. “Is something bothering you?”
“One of my employees received some bad news. They have a really sick family member.”
“I hope things get better,” Tia said. “Did you know him or her?”
“I met him,” she responded. “And I’m praying things work out for the best.”
“I think it’s really nice the way that you care about your employees. My manager is just the opposite.” Tia made a face. “I don’t think I told you, but I’ve decided to look for another job. I’ve already sent my résumé and portfolio to several companies.”
Addison broke into a grin. “Good for you, Tia. It’s about time. You’re a great interior decorator. I’m sure you’ll find something quick.”
“I know that you’ve been telling me for years to do this, but I stayed because I wanted to build up my experience.”
She nodded in understanding.
Addison picked up the phone with the intent to call Kellen later that evening. She changed her mind and went back to the work she’d brought home with her.
However, she couldn’t stop thinking about Kellen. Addison changed her mind once more and grabbed her cell phone.
“I just wanted to call and check on you,” Addison said when Kellen answered.
“I’ll be okay,” he told her. “It’s just been a lot to take in.”
She noted that he did not sound like himself at all. Addison’s heart fell as she heard the despair in his voice. “It doesn’t sound like you feel like talking so I won’t keep you. I just wanted to check to see how you are doing.”
“Thank you.”
“If you ever want to talk, please call me.” Addison wanted to say more but couldn’t. She had set the terms of their relationship. She could not change things now.
* * *
“Hey, big brother...” Kellen called out as he entered Dreyden’s condo, using the extra key. “Where are you?”
“I’m in here.”
He followed his brother’s voice to the master bedroom. “I hope I didn’t wake you,” Kellen stated when he walked inside.
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