Page 31 of Dirty Play

You guys are still up to meet at the hospital today, right?

Miles

Do you think we’d actually let a kid down?

I mean…

Trevor

Shut up. Of course, we’ll be there. I’ve already picked them up.

When I told the guys about Kennedy and her parents, they were immediately willing to come help spread some cheer. The four of us are planning to meet at the hospital to link up with Gwen, who will navigate hospital politics for us. We are going to spend some time with Kennedy and her family, along with other patients in the hospital who are interested.

My phone vibrates, this time from Harris in a separate message.

Harris

I wouldn’t miss today for anything, brother. Promise. I know I’ve been busy a lot lately, but I’ll always be there for you.

I’m not oblivious to why this means so much to you. Just know you can talk to me anytime.

Thanks. See you at four.

Harris is the only one of the guys who truly knows, damn, well nearly everything. Growing up as neighbors, he grew up close to my entire family. He knew Veronica very well, and her death hit us all hard. He watched me push my entire family away and, to this day, never repair those relationships. He’s tried to bring up the subject a time or two, but I squashed that years ago. My family is better off when I’m not around. They’re better off without me.

It’s not up for discussion.

But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wonder sometimes. The older I get and the more I learn, the more I’m starting to realize I didn’t know a damn thing at eighteen years old. Although I acted like I knew everything and made a lot of grown-up decisions, I wasn’t thinking about how many other people I was hurting in the process.

I may not take him up on the conversations, but knowing that he’s there is enough to make me feel less alone.

Walking into the hospital with the guys, our duffle bags are filled with all the signed swag we could fit. We are ready to make some people smile, starting with Miss Kennedy and her family.

Gwen has coordinated the whole thing for us, getting a gathering room where we can meet with them, which will give Kennedy time and space to talk to us and ask questions or whatever she needs to forget why she’s still in the hospital.

Even if it’s all I’ve been able to think about since I met her.

She’s fighting the same damn thing my sister did.

The same fucking thing I was supposed to save my sister from.

But then I had to go and be a selfish asshole and get hurt, leaving a perfectly matched kidney stuck inside my body.

I can’t keep myself from wondering if maybe, just maybe, I can help Kennedy now.

By the time we make it to the room, Gwen and Kennedy are waiting with her parents, who are sitting on the couch watching their daughter with proud smiles on their faces. Kennedy squeals the second she sees us, making us laugh. I’m sure you can hear it throughout the hospital.

The guys introduce themselves and tell a little bit about what they do for the team, which Kennedy quickly pointed out is highly unnecessary.

“So, do you guys do this often?” Kennedy asks.

“Do what?”

“Come and cheer up sick kids.”

Denise gasps, but Kennedy starts laughing before anyone can think she’s being serious.

“Sorry, my sense of humor is a little dark. I’m just used to saying what I feel… and right now, I’m a little bit over being the sick kid.”

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