Blinding Trust (Mitchell Family #7)(41)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I think Ty read my mind. He handed me another shot before I could ask for one. “Last one and then we need to get some sleep.”

“I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’m too scared. My life is riding on this test, Ty.”

“Van, you can’t think of it like that. Even if it is cancer, that doesn’t mean your life is over. Medicine has come a hell of a long way. They have treatment facilities and state of the art equipment to do it with. No matter what the outcome is, you’ll be in good hands.”

I started to cry and with the alcohol that I’d consumed, I was a mess. “I’m afraid of dying. What if I’m one of the ones that can’t be treated? What if my babies grow up without a mother? How can I look at them and know that my days are limited? I can’t do it, Ty. Some things I just don’t want to know.”

Ty pulled the shot glass out of my hand and sat it down on the table next to his. He grabbed both of my hands with his. “No matter what happens, you’re a fighter. You won’t give up, because I won’t let you. Do you remember when we were kids and you came out to the hole for the first time? Remember how scared you were to go on the rope swing? Colt was making fun of you and calling you a sissy little boy and it was making you cry.”

“I remember,” I whined.

“What happened that day, Van?”

I remembered that day vividly, probably because it was the day that I fell in love with Tyler Mitchell. He was my hero that day. “You took my hands and kissed them, and then you told me that I could do anything that I wanted to. You showed me how to hold the rope to get the most air, so that when I finally did it, I went the farthest.”

He smiled, hearing me tell the story. “I knew you could do it. I will never forget the look on their faces when you almost made it clear across that water. It was badass.”

“You were so sweet to me back then.” I think I was blushing thinking about it.

“I had to make you my girl, so I didn’t have to act that way around anyone else. Besides, I knew you’d turn out to be beautiful. Even an ugly duck can be a beautiful swan.”

He was showing me that side again, which meant that he was concerned about me. I squeezed his hand. “Aside from the cheating, you always took care of me. You may have been a terrible boyfriend, but you were an amazing best friend. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” I reached over and kissed him on the cheek. “ I know I said I was mad, but I’m glad you’re here, Ty. I don’t think anyone could get me through this the way that you can.”

Ty smiled. He leaned his head back on the couch. “You’re going to be okay, Van. No matter what, I just know you are.”

I leaned my head against Ty’s side and closed my eyes. Sure, I wished Colt was here to comfort me, but it felt good to not be alone. Besides, if Colt were around, Ty wouldn’t have come. The last couple days with him had really helped me. Maybe it was just supposed to happen the way it was.

I woke up to someone poking me in the leg. When I opened my eyes I saw Christian standing in front of me. I shot off the couch and realized that I was sleeping against Ty’s arm. His head was even leaning on mine. I was appalled to think of what my daughter had running through her mind. “Mommy, why are you sleeping down here with Uncle Ty?”

“I must have fallen asleep when we were watching television.”

She handed me my cell phone. “Daddy’s on the phone for you. I told him you and uncle Ty were asleep, but he said that I needed to wake you up, right now.”

“Thanks, honey.”

Ty yawned and stretched, paying what happened no mind. I frantically took the phone out on the front porch.

Hello

What the hell is goin’ on Savanna. Is this your way of gettin’ back at me for the photo?

What? No! I just…

Save it. When I get home in Saturday, we are sitting down and having a talk.

Fine by me. I have a lot I want to say to you.

I bet you do. I’m goin’ to tell you one thing, Savanna. Ty better be gone when I get there.

Why is that?

Don’t you play stupid with me. I know what’s goin’ on. I’m surprised it took you this long. I just can’t believe you did it with our girls in the house. How could you disrespect me like that?

Colt, you really have the wrong idea. There is nothing going on between me and Ty. I swear. We stayed up late talking and both fell asleep sitting up on the couch. That’s all there is to tell. Honestly, I can’t believe you don’t trust me.

Trust you? Darlin’ I can’t even talk to you right now. I’ll see you Saturday.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. How had things gotten so bad between us? Before I could get upset, I noticed that I had a half hour to be at my appointment and I still had to take the girls to my mother’s.

Ty must have noticed the time as well, he was carrying both girls down the stairs. They were still in their pajamas, but he had clothes in his hand. “Did you see what time it is?”

“Yes.” I started running up the stairs.

“I’ll run them over to your parents.” I heard the door shutting as I made it to my bedroom and started looking for clothes to wear.

By the time I was dressed and had brushed my hair and teeth, Ty had my SUV parked out front with the motor running. We got halfway down the road when it hit me where we were actually headed. Driving somewhere that could determine my fate wasn’t exactly exciting. I was petrified. I stared out the window, trying not to lose it. I felt a hand reaching out and holding mine. He squeezed it and smiled when I looked his way. “Deep breaths, Van. I got your back, I promise. If you need me to hold your hand the whole time. If you need me to watch the doctor and make sure he isn’t copping a feel, I can be that man.”

I took our hands and slapped him. “You just want to see my tits.”

We both started laughing.

“I just wanted to protect the goods.”

“My husband wants to kick your ass and you’re joking about seeing my tits. You really know how to push his buttons. He says you have better be gone before he gets home.”

Ty turned to look at me with his eyebrow cocked. “Is that so? Van, be honest, do you still say my name in your sleep? Is that why he’s so uptight?”

“Would you stop it.” I laughed again. “I don’t dream about you that way and you know it. I honestly don’t get why he’s freaking out. Maybe he feels guilty about something he’s done. It isn’t like we just became friends again. You’ve been my best friend since we were kids.”