“Nichole. I already told you, I’m not—”
“I know what you said, but your decision is completely reactionary. There is emotion behind it rather than an intelligent, well-thought-out decision.”
“The only thing that matters to me is keeping Myla.”
“That’s the right answer. But let’s say, five years from now, you gave up The Jock Report, something you and I both know started because of Myla, and you’re feeling immense regret. How do you think that will hang over your marriage?”
“She’s right, dude,” Banner says. “As much as I want to believe that giving up The Jock Report is going to be easy, it won’t in the long run, not when you’ve put your heart into it.”
“Which is why you need to take the job with ESPN. It doesn’t have to be one or the other, you can have both.”
“Not when Myla wants to live here. I’m not going to let there be space between us. She’ll let me go if I allow there to be separation.”
“Which is why I am posing an idea.” Nichole shifts and reaches for her water. I reach out and hand it to her. She takes a few sips and then says, “I would like to move to California.”
“What?” I ask. “Seriously?”
“Yes, I would. I’ve always loved the beach. My job has offered me medical leave for as long as I need it, and Myla will be able to help with appointments. I’m not super attached to my doctor, so finding someone in California won’t bother me, especially if I have Banner’s help. Myla keeps saying she wants to live in Chicago again, but we both know she just wants to live in a place where she has good memories, memories shared with you, Ryot. Being here in Chicago without you won’t be what she wants. She needs to realize that it’s okay to form new memories in a new place. So here is what I’m thinking.” She smiles. “Are you two going to take notes?”
Banner and I glance at each other and then fish out our phones from our pockets. Seems like we’re going to be told exactly what to do.
MYLA
I enter the room with five apple juices in hand, a shirt that says F*ck Cancer—they were selling them in the gift shop—and two word searches with accompanying pens. “I didn’t know how many juices you wanted.”
Nichole chuckles and says, “The more, the better.” I hand one to her and then set the rest down on the table next to Nichole’s bed as well as the word searches and pens. “Why don’t you sit on your husband’s lap?”
“Am I still her husband?” Ryot asks. When I glance at him, I still see some insecurity, and that’s natural, given everything we’ve been through in the past few weeks.
I walk up to him and sit on his lap. “I never signed the papers, so yeah, you are.” He smirks as he wraps his arms around me and holds on to me tightly as he kisses the back of my neck.
“I love you,” he whispers, only for me to turn toward him and kiss him on the lips.
“I love you,” I whisper back. Saying those words out loud is something I’ve truly missed, and I’ve missed the joy it brings him. Those words are like fuel to the flame, igniting me from the inside out.
Nichole clears her throat, so we turn toward her as she says, “I would like to start this conversation by first saying, there will be no protesting. The decisions have been made per my request. Therefore, you must all go along with it. Please nod your heads so I know that you agree.”
“But what if—” I start, but Nichole holds up her hand.
“I’m going to stop you right there and tell you that all decisions were made in your best interest. Therefore, there will be no protesting. I’m serious, Myla. What’s done is done. That’s it. End of discussion.”
“How is that fair?”
“Because you are far too emotional to be involved in this conversation. I’ve gone over everything with the boys, and they’ve deemed it worthy, so you can either leave or you can listen to what the plan is. You tell me.”
“Babe, just listen. I promise you’ll like it.” Ryot grips me soothingly, which warms me and eases my tension.
“Okay, but I reserve the right to have an opinion at the end.”
“Cute that you think that.” Nichole clears her throat. “Now, first things first. Number one on my list is that Banner is required to ask Kenzie out on a date.”
“Kenzie?” I ask as Banner sinks into his chair.
“Jesus Christ, Nichole.”
“You know you want to,” she says.
“What’s going on with Kenzie?” I ask.
Ryot leans into my ear and coos, “Banner likes her.”
“Oh, is that so?” I turn toward him as he motions to Nichole to keep going.
“Let’s move on.”
“Remember, there is no protesting, so Banner, you must do as you’re told.” Nichole smirks, and even though she looks unwell, there’s still a glint in her eyes. “Next on the list. Ryot will be accepting the ESPN job as well as keeping his position with The Jock Report.”
I turn toward him, and he just says, “Keep listening.”
“Thirdly, Myla, you won’t be moving to Chicago. You will be staying in California with your husband—”
“I’m not leaving you,” I protest, even though I know I shouldn’t.
“Babe, give her a second.” Ryot smooths his hand over my arm.
With an evil glare, Nichole continues, “You will be staying in California with your husband. You’re going to take that job with Kelsey because from what I understand, it’s a fantastic opportunity and something you’ve been dreaming of. Not to mention you seem to get along with them very well, from what I’ve been told. And me, well, I’ll be moving as well to a beach house in California.”
“Wait . . . what?” I ask, perking up.
“So will you and Ryot. He spoke with Huxley, who has a friend out in Malibu who rents houses. There are two right by the ocean, two doors down from each other, which would work perfectly for us. Your dearest husband has demanded to help with the cost of the rent. Banner has some doctors he wants me to talk to, and I’ll continue my treatments in California.”
“Seriously?” My eyes well up with tears.
“Yes. Now, there are no promises as to where this will take me, or what treatments are available. But even if I’m afforded a year, that’s one more year just sitting by the beach, reading all the books that I want to read, and enjoying the most beautiful sunsets while living near my best friend again.”
Tears stream down my face as I walk over to Nichole. I sit on the edge of her bed and say, “Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
“I’m more than positive.” Then she whispers and nods toward Ryot, “You sure you still want to stay married to him?”
I look over my shoulder at the most handsome, generous, and loving man I’ve ever met. “More than sure,” I answer.
“Good, that was a test, and you passed.”
“So this is happening. You’re moving to California?”
Nichole nods. “Yup. There will be some transferring we have to do with my treatments, but Banner has already been in contact with some people. It might take a week or so, but Ryot said you two will stay out here as long as we need to and then move me out to be with you.”