Page 88 of Rise Above

on my brain. It took two years, but eventually, a neurologist linked the hormones and migraines to this supposedly benign cyst. They cracked my head open, removed the gland, and I’ve been pain free for six years.”

Bowie blinked. “They’re typically benign.”

“It’s called the suicide cyst for a reason.” I pulled

my phone out to show the video I saved. It was an explanation of the surgery and the cyst. “We can help that woman.”

“Surgeons here won’t risk that,” he said. “Probably not, but Texas will.”

“Aife…”

“I’m not a doctor. You are, but if you think it’s

symptomatic, what harm could it be to send her to the UT physicians’ team?”

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My head was pounding by the time I got home.

Unsurprisingly, Talon was passed out on my couch. Every Friday and Saturday, he was here. I enjoyed his company, but today had drained me. Revealing my brain journey never got easier. Even after six years, the fear that the migraines would return was all too real. Even now, I worried my baby headache was a sign that the cyst was back. Logically, I knew that wasn’t possible, but anxiety was a weird cross to bear. It kept my chest tight.

Talon’s snores filled the living room. He’d been

bored, desperate to begin occupational therapy on his wrist. He gained some sick joy out of pestering me. Part of me liked it. He was an exceptionally attractive man, but he and Davis had warned me of his wounds from Melody. Plus, I didn’t think I could do a romance right now. I kept saying that, but Talon was different.

I’d only known him a few months, but it felt like

years. In all that time, I’d only viewed this man as a friend of a friend. Now, we were definitely friends, but did I want more? Did he?

Rubbing my eyes, I decided to push all the thoughts

out of my head. It was in my best interest to not get tangled up in details. I was a planner through and through. A man

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had never factored into my plans, not after my brain surgery. I couldn’t factor anything else into my plans as it was. Getting the PhD was my only focus; it had to be.

“Aife, you alright?” Talon’s accented voice pulled

me out of my thoughts.

“Just had a long day.” I climbed onto the couch,

leaning my head against his shoulder.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Looking up at my new best friend, I shook my head.

“Honestly? No. Thanks, though.”

He nodded, staring at me carefully. “Are you still

down for Halloween bar hopping?”