Ella

Brenna is over tonight to watch the game. I invited Melody, but she said she was tied up at work. Her shift was extended because of an emergency that required all hands to be on deck.

Right now, Brenna and I are confused as hell. Despite what happened to Brenna, Kaleb shouldn't be fighting with Mikael. They're teammates, and this fight could result in steep costs for Kaleb because he initiated the fight.

"What the fuck is he doing?" Brenna asks. She takes a sip of her sparkling water. "As much as I'm enjoying this, it's out of character for KJ. He knows better than to fight his own teammate." Tearing her eyes from the TV, she swipes her phone from the coffee table and looks at the screen. She's either looking at Twitter notifications or checking her text messages.

Brenna's made an excellent point. A point that concerns me. This isn't like Kaleb. Something's triggered him. That's the only viable assumption I can conclude. Mikael has pissed him off to the point of no return.

On the ice, Kaleb lunges for Mikael again, but the refs hold him back. Both players' faces and their jerseys are soaked with blood. Kaleb's lip has been split. There's a thin trail of blood leaking from his cheekbone, too. And although I can't see any bruising yet (thank you TV screen), I'm positive there's swelling and that he'll return home black and blue.

Brenna tosses her phone onto the coffee table. "Nothing from any of the ladies. Maybe KJ will reply with a text once he's in the locker room. I asked him what the fuck he was doing."

I don't doubt it for a second. Brenna's probably ripped a strip off of him. Tonight, Kaleb seems like he's reverted to a rookie. It's the worst game I've seen him play in years. It's like we're back in high school. The thought makes my stomach do a funny twist. Things were different in high school. Very different.

"Think he's okay?" I ask. Picking up my wine glass, I take a long sip, keeping my eyes averted from the screen. Seeing Kaleb with blood and signs of brusing doesn't sit well with me. Just like in high school, I have a difficult time watching hockey when the people I care about are harmed. The game itself is fun, but there are prices everyone has to pay. Seeing Kaleb hurt is one of them, and the same applies to Shea.

She sighs. "I don't know, Ella. Something bad's happened."

Just then, the doorbell rings.

I take a small sip of my red wine, and then set the glass down. Brenna shifts in her seat. I rest a hand on her knee. "I'll get it. You sit. Your body is doing enough work as it is."

Brenna smiles, resting a hand on her stomach. Because she's so slim, the bump has already started to show. It's very subtle, so you can't see it unless you know what you're looking for. Shea's been good at making sure Brenna takes it slow. The least I can do is contribute to aiding his efforts. Brenna sometimes needs a reminder that it's okay to relax.

"Thanks, Ella."

My bare feet stick to the hardwood as I saunter down the hallway. Just like every other time I've walked through this basement suite, I can't help but marvel at it. Without Kaleb and Melody, this never would've been possible. I'm eternally in their debt.

Opening the door, I'm surprised to see Melody standing on the landing. My first instinct is to smile and welcome her in to watch the game. Maybe she got off of work early.

But then I notice how haggard she looks. Her hair is a mess. There are smudges of mascara beneath her eyes, which are red and puffy from crying. The cardigan she's wearing is ratty: stained and full of holes. So is her sports bra and sweatpants.

My heart sinks. "Melody. What's going on?"

"Ella." Her voice cracks, and then she's sobbing on the front steps. Sobbing so hard she's clutching her chest. Her eyes are squeezed shut.

Dread fills my stomach. There's only one reason why Melody is so distraught.

Without hesitation, I pull her into my arms, hugging her tightly. She hugs me back and continues to sob into my shoulder.

Now I understand why Kaleb lost his mind on the ice tonight. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. Because of that, the world suddenly feels smaller. Darker.

Melody has cancer again.