Greyson smirks. “I doubt Noelle will allow that.”
I glance up. “Allow?”
“Well,” he says, shrugging, “I’m pretty sure she’s persuasive. I mean…she did something to make you fall in love.”
I don’t answer that. She did. She cried on my shoulder, kissed me with those tender lips, made me laugh when there hasn’t been much to laugh about, and then we shared a hotel room and she asked me to teach her. But what I realize now is that she was teaching me. How to heal a woman from the scars left by a prick of a man. How loving a woman healed me.
Two hours later, we’re standing in her dad’s kitchen, the house loud with familiar chaos. Henley is sitting up, playing with Mr. O’Ryan and a dancing cactus. Witley sleeps in Paulina’s arms. Noelle looks beautiful and anxious, all at once. Her dad pats her back as they talk.
Greyson takes Witley from Paulina and holds her as everyone fills up their plates. Their family reminds me of my own, except larger. Tonight’s potluck has all the family favorites—squash casserole, barbecue brisket, mac and cheese, roasted parmesan Brussels sprouts, and five desserts. The O’Ryans love sweets. Until my twenties, I did too, but it was more important for me to be in top condition to play football and stay alive. Okay, that’s a little dramatic, but I didn’t want to pass out on the field from my sugar going too high or too low.
Everyone takes their seat at the long wooden table with plates piled high. Noelle glances at my plate, shaking her head, and I realize it’s half of what everyone else has. Mr. O’Ryan asks about each baby and if they’ve done anything new for the week.
Sutton says, “Witley is learning to soothe herself. Last night she slept for five hours straight before she needed toeat again.”
“When she starts sleeping through the night, it’s going to change your life,” Birdie says, patting her hand against her chest. “I mean it. Henley is teething, so if she’s chewing on your hand, beware—those gums can clamp down hard.”
Noelle’s fidgeting, and I hope nothing is wrong with the baby. Before I can whisper in her ear, Parker says, “Guess who I have class with?”
Our mouths are all full, so there’s a lot of grunting. Finally, Witt asks, “Who?”
“Annika, the waitress from the pizza place. She sits in the front row like we’re in high school.”
“Maybe she wants to learn and not be distracted by a bunch of asshole football players,” Noelle responds.
Well, that startles everyone, including me. Does she still have feelings for Brooks? Her dad surveys the table, and Parker says, “This girl hates everyone.”
“She probably hates the way you all act like you’re God’s gift,” Noelle snips and sighs.
Something feels off. Noelle is off. She and Parker are tight. Parker is the gentle one, but he is a little cockier now that he’s a college wide receiver for Texas.
Then she drops her fork and presses her hands against the table, bracing herself for what’s to come, I guess. It’s how she steadies herself. But this time she shouts, “I need you all to get tested.”
Tested for what?
“For Matt,” she continues. “He needs a kidney.”
The room goes still.
It’s like the air gets sucked out of the house. I feel it in my chest first—the pressure, the panic, the betrayal. The fear in her family’s eyes and in my best friend’s.
“What are you doing?” I demand, turning toward her.We discussed in private what Dr. Knupp said. I’ve only told her and my sister. This is my news, and I get to decide when to share it.
Her eyes are filled with tears. “I just asked?—”
I don’t lether finish, storming out the front door, the night air slamming into me like a wall.
Footsteps follow.
“Matt—wait.” It’s J.D., not Greyson.
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “I don’t know what you’re going through, and having it on your mind daily has to be rough, but Noelle just wants you to be healthy.”
I rake a hand through my hair. “I’m not taking anything from any of you.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s not how this works,” I snap. “I won’t owe my life to your family.”
