MY FRIEND & I BET ON WHICH OF US WOULD LIVE LONGER — YEARS LATER, HE INVITED ME TO A REUNION BUT NEVER SHOWED UP.

unfolded the note, hands slightly trembling. Jake’s handwriting was the same—sharp, a little rushed, like he had a million thoughts racing ahead of his pen.

Paul,

If you’re reading this, it means I chickened out. Or maybe I just ran out of time. Either way, I’m sorry.

I never should have let something as stupid as Laura come between us. That’s on me. But that’s not why I wanted to meet.

I found out a while back that I lost the bet.

My breath caught. I gripped the note tighter.

I have cancer, Paul. The bad kind. The kind where doctors just talk about “making you comfortable.” I thought I had more time, but life’s funny like that, huh?

I wanted to see you one last time, to laugh about our dumb bet, to tell you I never stopped thinking of you as my brother. But I was afraid. Afraid you’d be mad. Afraid you’d look at me with pity. Afraid I’d break down in front of you.

So I left this instead.

I know you, Paul. You’ll sit here, finish that beer, and wonder why I didn’t just face you. The truth is, See More….