Page 50 of Doubling Down

“How juicy is your secret?” Dom pressed.

“Sooo juicy.” And it was. Dom would be happy for him. Lake too.

“You don’t usually have anything fun to tell me. It’s just work and home. And of course, that adorable little girl.”

“A lot has happened in the last few days,” Ezra admitted.

“Hmm.” Dom squinted at him.

“Please!” Lake clapped his hands. “You’re both keeping secrets and it’s not nice.”

Ezra crossed his arms over his chest. Dom would totally try to get out of telling his story. Ezra could wait all night.

“Fine.” Dom huffed.

“You first,” Ezra reminded him.

Dom lifted himself onto the counter. The coffee shop was empty and they were just passing time before their replacements came in. Ezra hoped he really could get the story out of his friend before they were interrupted.

“The cop. He dragged me to a clinic and refused to leave. Which mean he heard me tell the staff about my illness.”

Dom shared with very few people the daily battle he had to endure.

“I’m sorry,” Ezra said sincerely.

“Me too.” Lake came around the counter and hugged Dom. Since Lake was so much bigger than the two of him, he made a wonderful big ol’ teddy bear. Perfect for snuggles and hugs.

Even Dom couldn’t resist and leaned into their big guy.

“Remi, that’s the cop’s name, he didn’t react like everyone else had. He stayed quiet as the doctor worked on me but as soon as I was released, he insisted on taking me home. He peppered me with questions the entire way. I tried to tell him to fuck off but the man just doesn’t give up. He walked me inside and saw my latest test results from this week.”

“What tests? I didn’t know you had more tests.” Ezra usually went with Dom when he could. Or sent Lake or Tony. They hated when Dom went alone although Dom did keep a lot to himself.

“I just went for a few more tests. Nothing I haven’t been through before.”

Ezra stiffened even though he wanted to appear to remain calm. Dom suffered from chronic kidney failure and three times a week went for dialysis treatment. It was tough on his body and mind. He needed a transplant, but the odds weren’t in his favor without having a living donor match. He was on the waiting list but that could take between six and ten years. Dom’s health had been deteriorating fast and it was doubtful that he had that long. “Did they find a match?”

Dom shook his head. “No. Just more tests. They love to poke and prod.”

Ezra grabbed his hand. “That doesn’t mean we won’t find one.”

Dom let out a long sigh. “Doesn’t mean we will either.”

Damn it, life wasn’t fair. Dom was one the nicest guys that Ezra had ever met. He accepted Ezra and the limitations on his time since he had Annabelle. Ezra had even gone through the first stages of testing himself, but he couldn’t donate. He had enough kidney function himself to live a full life but not enough to give up one kidney.

Ezra had been devastated. Dom had shrugged off the results. He hadn’t wanted Ezra to do the testing since he had Annabelle, but Ezra had been sure they could figure something out. Ezra had failed his friend though.

“But hey!” Dom said with false cheer. “I told you mine so now tell me yours and it better be good.”

He met Lake’s gaze. They would keep an eye on Dom. He could get depressed and would disappear on them for a few days. And now it was his time to share. “You know how I’ve been staying with the new security guy?”

“Mr. McHottie?” Dom teased. “The security guy that is really a cop.”

“Yes. Him.”

“I like Eric,” Lake said. He is such a nice man. Every time he comes to the club, he always makes time to talk to me. I like that he likes you.”

“McHottie goes to the club?” Dom asked.

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