Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
I sniffed and wiped my nose on the back of my wrist. “He is a shade overprotective.” I took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, doing my best to drive down the panic I knew wasn’t logical. Later. Once we knew what we were dealing with, then I could panic if necessary.
“That he is. Now. I know it’s uncomfortable, but let’s get this done so I can start testing your blood.”
I nodded. “OK.”
Blade took several different vials of blood and a couple nasal swabs, which I didn’t understand but didn’t protest. He’d just finished when his phone buzzed from his back pocket. “Good,” he said as he glanced at the text. “I may have results for you quicker than expected.” He smiled. “I wasn’t sure she’d be available right away, but she’s waiting at the office.” He packed away the samples in a biohazard bag and put everything in what looked like a small lunch bag. “I’ll be in touch the second I have something.” That last he addressed to Jax.
Jax looked down at me. “I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jax
I could see panic had Holly deep in its clutches. She was looking for something to be royally pissed at so she could deflect her fear with anger. After Blade left, Wrath and Celeste stayed and the four of us sat on the couch in silence for a long while. Celeste gripped one of Wrath’s big hands in both of hers. Holly cuddled in my lap as miserable as I’d seen her since her last bout with leukemia.
“Jax,” she whispered, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. “I’m scared.”
“I know, sweetheart,” I whispered back, squeezing her a little tighter. “But remember what Blade said. We don’t know anything yet. I’m gonna be right here with you regardless. You get me?”
She nodded miserably before tucking her face back against my chest and sitting passively. I could only imagine what was going on in her head. Scratch that. I knew at least part of what she was thinking because I was thinking it too. What if this was another relapse? How many could she have before the cancer became resistant to treatment? My reassurances didn’t seem to make much of a difference for either of us.
“Why don’t I make us a snack?” Celeste stood with a smile and headed to the kitchen. “Nothing fancy, just something to keep hunger at bay.” The attempt at normalcy was much appreciated. I was surprised when Holly agreed without protest. She even managed to nibble on some of her sandwich before pushing it aside.
“Nervous stomach?” I murmured the question in her ear. We hadn’t moved from the couch, Celeste having brought one plate with both our sandwiches and chips on it.
“I’m afraid I’ll be sick if I eat too much right now.”
I got it. I was tied up in knots too. I ate because I knew I’d need my strength if this didn’t break our way. Again, if Holly needed, I’d provide.
As the evening wore on, Holly grew increasingly restless. Her fears chased each other in circles around her mind and I did everything I could to distract her. I could see it happening and was powerless to stop it. We watched a movie in the living room, flipping through channels until we stumbled upon an old rom com that left Holly and Celeste giggling despite the worrying. Thankfully, it was hard to hang on to a fear not right in front of you. This respite was as much a blessing as an exercise in frustration.
It was nearly dark when Blade pulled back into the driveway. Wrath was on his feet while the truck was still moving, opening the door and beckoning Blade inside.
“She’s fine,” Blade said as he trotted from the Bronco to the door. Thank God the man appreciated the urgency of the situation. Not so much in an acute illness sense, but how Holly and everyone who loved her were currently in a kind of limbo, unsure if we needed to prepare for the worst or laugh at our own panic.
“What do you mean, she’s fine?” Wrath snapped at the other man. “She’s anything but fine! Can’t you see how stressed she is? That can’t be good for her.”
“Calm down, Wrath. I mean she’s literally fine.” Blade smiled as he moved around the couch. “You have the flu, honey.” He grinned. “Influenza A, to be exact. Your white count is slightly elevated, but that can happen as a normal progression of flu. I’m still going to run several more tests on you, which will include a bone marrow aspiration.” Holly whimpered, but nodded her head in understanding. “I don’t want to do it because anything came back abnormal. I mean, it did, but nothing the flu wouldn’t easily explain. However, since you’ve had one recurrence and several recent stressing events, I think it’s better to be safe, and that’s the most accurate early detection method. I’m also going to do some scans. But your swab came back positive for Flu A. COVID was negative. We’ll know for sure if you start showing more common symptoms of the flu in the next twelve or so hours. Sore throat. Cough. Congestion. Sneezing. That sort of thing.”