Page 141

Noah kissed my cheek and told me he was going to get hot chocolate ready for our movie.

I watched him leave with a small smile on my face. Then my gaze swung back to the man behind me.

“You think I forgot your gift for today?”

He might not have forgotten, butIhad. I couldn’t even remember my name after we got back from the woods.

When my brow creased, he pulled a box out of the pocket of his pajamas and snapped it open so I could see what it was in the mirror.

A teardrop ruby necklace on a white gold chain.

“I know I already gave you a diamond one. But I bought this one at the same time. Reminded me of you.”

He pulled it out of the cushioned box and I shifted my braids over one shoulder so he could clasp it around my neck.

Greyson kissed my temple when it rested against the cleft of my cleavage.

“Thank you, Grey.”

“Anything for you, True.”

A few days later, I cringed at the layer of dust on the sleeve of the Summer Walker vinyl I’d just pulled off the wall. I was supposed to be packing for my trip home tomorrow, but I wanted to test my final gift of the week from Greyson and Noah before I left.

Eyeing the vintage record player, I admired the copper horn on top of it, tilting my head to take in the details.

Noah had dropped it off with a note scrawled in Greyson’s handwriting.

Day 22

This is from both of us. I found it at a shop across town. The owner said it hadn’t worked in years. But you know Noah. Hewasn’t stopping until he found the part and fixed it so you could play your records. I hope you love it, beautiful. I love you

Giddiness still filled me at the thought as I hit the round switch to turn the player on. It was plugged into the outlet by my desk because I didn’t have another flat surface big enough to hold it.

When the light glowed behind the power button, I eased the Summer Walker album out of the jacket and froze when a folded note fell to the floor, hitting the antlers on my reindeer slippers along the way.

A shiver worked through me, unease filling my gut.

I stared at the paper like it would grow legs and walk away. Or a mouth to tell me what it was, even though I had a sinking feeling I already knew.

Sliding the vinyl back into its sleeve, I set it aside and bent down to inspect the note. The cream paper was folded in fourths, and my fingers shook when I reached for it.

Once I had the paper open, I found the handwriting I’d been expecting.

True,

Please don’t be mad at me.

I know this isn’t what we agreed to when they first found the mass on my lung.

We agreed to fight to the end. Together. No matter what.

But I just couldn’t stand the thought of that when the doctor said it spread and they couldn’t operate.

I don’t wanna deteriorate in front of your eyes.

I don’t want mom to see me become a shell of myself.

I don’t want dad to have to help me to the bathroom.