Chapter 60

Chapter Sixty

Will

I f Steven had smacked me around the head, I don't think I'd have been as dazed as I was by his announcement—or question, whatever it was. I had no idea, but what I did know was that he had a fucking cheek.

"You've got some neck on you," I finally managed to growl. "How fucking dare, you."

"William, if I hadn't been desperate… If he hadn't been desperate…"

Shaking my head in disbelief, I moved to shut the door, but he placed a big meaty hand on it.

"Will, please it's for my son," he yelled.

I'd been stoic as a kid, never really dwelling on my dad not being around. Never upset or questioning why he didn't want me in his life. It was what it was, and as far as I was concerned, his loss not mine. Yet, in that moment, listening to him pleading for his son, I knew exactly what rejection felt like. I knew the weight in my heart felt to the point of pain, like I was being crushed. The emotion I tried to hold back scratched at my throat and made my eyes sting.

Those feelings of loneliness that I'd pushed away as a kid, for fear of appearing weak, now washed over me like a cold, wet fog, making me shiver throughout my whole body. I hated that he'd evoked emotions I'd managed to stave off for years. He had no right to do that. He didn't deserve it, and I wanted to punch myself for letting him take away my control.

"I don't give a shit," I ground out. "Now, get off my fucking property before I call the police," I leaned into his space, "or worse."

He tried to hide his anger and disdain, but I saw it. I saw the disappointment that I wasn't willing to help his precious offspring. That his bastard wouldn't help the one with his name.

If I'd ever had any regret at saying no, then it disappeared in the split second that a sneer appeared on his lips.

"I told you once," I said, my tone low and menacing. "And I won't tell you again."

He finally got the message and took a step back, leaving me with one last look of pure anger and distaste before I slammed the door. With my chest heaving with the weight of it all, I laid both palms against the wood and rested my forehead, relishing in how the glass cooled my heated skin. My anger was at the point of explosion, with the pressure building in my head and buzzing in my ears. I wanted to rip the door off its hinges and then chase after him and demand to know why he thought he had the right to fuck about with my life.

"Will?" The voice behind me was tentative and quiet, but it still managed to instantly calm me down.

When I felt a hand on my back, I slowly turned around and asked, "Did you hear any of that?"

"Bits."

Maya's arm was wrapped around her waist, and there was pain etched across her face, so I put my hand to her back and gently turned her around. "Come on, let's get you back on the sofa."

"Will, I'm fine. What did he mean it's for his son? What is?" She looked over her shoulder and immediately winced. "Tell me."

"Sit down first."

I helped her back to the sofa, making sure she was comfortable. Sensing her impatience, I started to talk. "His son needs a kidney and wants me to give it to him."

"Woah."

With wide eyes, Maya looked as shocked as I felt. My heart was pounding against my chest as my head tried to unscramble everything that Steven had told me, that he'd asked me for.

"Yeah, I know." Saying it again didn't make it sound any better. Didn't make him sound any less of a wanker for asking, or me a twat for saying no. "Should I have said yes?"

Maya chewed on her lip and shrugged. "My instinct says no, but…"

I knew exactly what she meant. As the seconds passed by, the more I was questioning my response. Not telling him to fuck off, but I could have least told him to get my ‘brother' to contact me. Because surely he couldn't have expected me to decide there and then. Surely, he'd have known that I'd have to think about it… wouldn't he?

Maya must have read my mind. "Maybe if his son had asked you'd have felt different."

"At least then I'd know he really wanted it. Maybe he doesn't know he asked me."

"Maybe he doesn't even know about you," Maya said, grabbing for my hand. "It might explain why he's never tried to contact you or asked you for a kidney himself."

"I wouldn't put it past Steven to hide my existence. He's hardly got a good track record where honesty is concerned." Suddenly, I felt embarrassed for saying no, which made me angrier. I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. "Why the fuck am I feeling guilty about this?"

"You've nothing to feel guilty about. You're entitled to say no, Will."

"But what if…" My words trailed off as I considered what might happen to the brother I'd never met. "Should I have said yes?"

"No," Maya protested. "Not if you're unsure. Besides which, you may not be a match, and," she said with a sigh, "it's a dangerous operation, babe."

I reached up and rubbed a finger gently over her frown, giving her a small smile. "I'd be fine."

"I'd still worry. And think about Maddy. Would she want you to do it?"

"No, absolutely not," Maddy said later that evening when I mentioned the transplant. "You don't even know him, so why should you?"

I didn't argue because she was right, I didn't owe Cameron anything, so why should I? I also knew that, like me, Maddy would start to feel guilty and by the end of the night would have probably researched everything to ensure that it was safe for me to say yes.

"And why hasn't he asked you himself?" She echoed the same question that Maya and I had been tossing back and forth earlier. "If he wanted your kidney, he should have come here, told you who he was, and asked politely, ‘can I have your kidney?'"

"You dad doesn't think that his brother knows about him."

Maddy's head whipped back and forth between us. "That's just messed up if it's true." She slumped back in her chair. "You really think your dad would do that?"

I shrugged. "I don't know him, so no idea. What little I do know; I wouldn't put it past him."

"What a vile thing to do." Maddy chewed on her thumbnail, and I knew she was thinking.

"What?" I asked.

"What if he doesn't really need a kidney and he's just going to sell yours?"

I burst out laughing, as did Maya, but she quickly stopped as it clearly hurt. Trust Maddy!

"What the hell sort of things do you watch on TV?" I shook my head, still chuckling.

"Hey," she protested, sitting up straight. "It happens, Dad. People go out for a drink and then wake up in an abandoned multi-story car park on an old operating table with a foot long scar across their back."

"A foot long?" Maya asked, grinning, but holding her side. "Is that even possible?"

"Are you two doubting me?" Maddy picked her phone up from the arm of the chair and started to tap away at the screen. "I'll show you."

"Mads, sweetheart, it's fine. I believe you, but I'm sure that's not what Steven is doing."

"You just said you don't know him," she protested, looking up at me through her long lashes as she continued tapping on her phone. "He might be a real weirdo."

"He might, but I believe that it's his son who needs the kidney." From my spot on the end of the sofa, I reached for Maya's feet and pulled them into my lap, resting my hand on her calf. I just needed to be touching her whenever I could, even if it was only her feet. "I think I'm going to sleep on it and see how if anything miraculous comes to me in the night to help me to decide. I'm sure he'll be back anyway."

"Maybe ask to speak to Cameron yourself," Maya suggested. "Then see how you feel?"

"Yes, do that," Maddy added and when her eyes narrowed, I knew she was already feeling sorry for my ‘brother'. "But I don't want you in any danger."

"If, and it's a big if, I say yes, then I'll make sure it's all completely safe. It won't be happening in an abandoned multi-story car park."

"I promise you it happens." She rolled her eyes and stood up. "I'll go and start the pasta for tea."

"No Zak tonight?" I asked, secretly hoping she was staying home so we could all watch a film or a comedy together. I wasn't sure how many more of those kind of nights we would have if she changed her mind and went away to uni, so any opportunity was gratefully received by me.

"No, his mum and dad are out so he's babysitting his sister."

"He didn't want you to join him?"

"No, Dad, because contrary to what you think, we're not joined at the hip." She leaned down and gave Maya a gentle hug. "I'm glad you're okay and look much better today, and I'm glad you're staying."

As she left the room, I wasn't sure I could speak. The lump in my throat was huge. The gratitude I felt for Maddy caring about my girlfriend was more than I could express. Then, when I glanced at Maya and saw her swipe away a tear, I knew she felt it, too. To be honest I think we both needed more sleep.

"You okay?" I asked, rubbing a hand up and down her leg.

Maya nodded and sniffed. "She's so lovely."

"I know she is." Maddy made me proud and glad that I hadn't been the drop out that I'd thought I was seventeen years ago. "She makes great chicken pesto pasta, too."

"I'm not sure I'm hungry." Maya's lips pouted; she knew full well I'd make her eat.

"Not happening. She can make you a small bowl."

She gave me an eye roll and then a little smile. "Okay, just a small one."

"Good girl." I patted her leg, which earned me a disgruntled sigh.

"I'm not a five-year-old who's just finished her greens, William."

That made me chuckle. I knew she would have stamped her foot if it hadn't been resting in my lap.

"Okay, Maya, duly noted." I leaned closer and gave her a quick kiss. "Right, I'm going to help Maddy. Will you be okay?"

"Fine. You're only a few feet away if I need anything. Want to get some walkie talkies so we can keep in touch?"

"Okay, I get it. I'm smothering you."

At least she laughed. "Go and I'll take a snooze while you do."

I narrowed my eyes on her. "I knew you were tired. Have a sleep, and I'll wake you when the food is ready."

As I left the room, she had already snuggled down. What was great was that she didn't wake until the next day, not even when I carried her to bed and tucked her in with a kiss to her forehead, or when I stood in the doorway, watching her sleep and being grateful for her coming into my life.