Love Me: Oakville Series:Book 5 by Kathy-Jo Reinhart Read Free Book Online Page B

as band mates and it didn’t take long before we all became close friends, but that has turned into a brotherhood—a family. I’d do anything for these guys, and the fact that they all stopped whatever they were doing to meet me with no explanation tells me they’d do the same.
    I sit in my truck for a couple minutes trying to think of how I’m going to tell them Taryn is dying. Just thinking it makes my pulse race and my stomach knot. How the fuck am I going to say the words out loud? The minute the words leave my mouth, it’s all going to be real—way too real.
    When I get myself together, I make my way into the bar. Kyle and Angel are sitting next to each other while Paul is standing behind the bar. They hear me open the door and when all heads turn in my direction, everything hits me. My vision begins to blur as my heart hammers in my chest. I’m frozen, unable to move any farther. All three guys are by my side just as my legs give out and I fall to the floor. A sob escapes as I try to tell them what’s going on. I’m breathing too hard and the words won’t come. Helping me to my feet, Angel and Kyle guide me to the closest booth. I slide in and Kyle sits next to me while Angel takes a seat across from us. A bucket of Coronas, a bottle of Jack, and four shot glasses in hand, Paul slides in next to Angel.
    “Drink this then tell us what’s going on. You’re scaring us a little, man,” Paul says as he places a shot and open beer in front of me. Bringing the glass to my lips, I tip it back and allow the slow burn of the liquid to calm me. Before I can place the empty glass back on the table, Angel places another full one in front of me.
    “You better take one more. You look like shit,” Angel states with a slight grin. Leave it to him to try to lighten any bad situation. Usually he would be putting a little more effort into it, so he must be holding back knowing this may not be a good time for his jokes. I appreciate that he’s trying. His smartass snarky comments make him who he is and are one of the reasons we all love him.
    I take the second shot and close my eyes as they wait patiently until I’m ready, being the best friends a guy could ever have. I take a deep breath. “Taryn has cancer,” I confess, my voice shaky, making me sound like a prepubescent boy, my eyes still closed tight. I just can’t bear to see the looks on their faces. Not yet. I’m hanging on by a thread and seeing the anguish on their faces will sever that thread, sending me spiraling into darkness . Kyle gasps next to me. Paul throws out a, “Christ, man”, and Angel roars out, “Fuck!” followed by glass shattering on the floor across the bar. I open my eyes just in time to see Angel pacing. He’s looking at the broken bottle so intently, you’d think he was trying to will it back together.
    For the longest time, no one speaks. We all just drink and glance at each other. I know they have a million questions and need them answered. I grip the bottle of Jack and lift it to my lips. Screw the glass. We are way past that now. I pass the bottle to Kyle next to me and watch as it makes its way around the booth. When Paul takes a swig, I say, “Okay, go ahead. What do you want to know?” They all look sheepish and unsure. “Don’t be pussies. Spit it out,” I joke. Angel grins at me, surprised I said what he was most likely thinking.
    Kyle is the first to speak. “Is it...can it be...cured?” I shake my head.
    “No. They can put her on chemo and it will slow it down some, but it won’t stop it,” I say, looking each of them in the eyes. I need them to really hear that. I don’t want to come right out and say the D-word. I know they understand when I see three of the toughest men I’ve ever known with tears rolling down their faces. My eyes begin to fill as well. There’s no point in trying to be macho, not with these guys. We have to be strong and level headed when it comes to our wives, but with each other, we can