Page 101 of Play It Sinful

“Oh Sean… if you still have feelings for her after all this time, why the hell are you not together?”

My stomach churns. Kenzie is still in the dark that Ashley is our half-sister. I should have told her, but I was too wrapped up in my shame to say anything. I can’t keep the secret any longer though.

“I… there’s something you need to know.”

I take a deep breath, gathering the courage to blurt out the truth, but from the corner of my eye, I notice a doctor wearing scrubs and a nurse walking over. I tense.

“Are you Ashley Barnes’s family?” the doctor asks.

“Yes. She’s our sister,” I say.

“I’m Doctor Murphy. I’m part of the team of surgeons working on your sister. Where are your parents?”

“They aren’t here yet. How is she?” I ask through the lump in my throat.

“Her condition is still critical. She lost a lot of blood, and her kidneys were severely damaged.”

“You can’t repair them?” I ask.

“We’re working to salvage the left kidney, but unfortunately, we’ve already lost the right.”

“Oh my God.” Kenzie covers her mouth with her hands.

My pulse accelerates. “Are you saying she might need a kidney transplant?”

“Yes. It’s easier to find a match among relatives. If you agree, I can have you tested right away.”

Kenzie shakes her head. “She’s our stepsister, we aren’t?—”

“We’ll do it, doctor.”

He frowns. “If you’re not blood related, the chances are?—”

“We are. She’s our half sister. We share the same father.”

Kenzie whips her face to mine, but I keep eye contact with the doctor even though her gaze is burning a hole through my face now.

“Okay. Nurse Wilson will take you have to have your tests done.”

I start to follow the nurse, but Kenzie grabs my arm. “Sean? Is that true?”

“Yes,” I hiss. “Dad told me after he had his heart attack.”

Kenzie’s eyes flash with sorrow and hurt. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Does Ash know?”

“No. Come on. We can talk later.”

Clenching my jaw, I keep pace with the nurse. But Kenzie doesn’t want to walk in silence. “I can’t believe you kept it a secret all this time.”

“I’m sorry. I… Dad asked me not to tell anyone, and I thought it was for the best.”

A heavy silence follows, but Kenzie isn’t done talking. “You must have felt awful when you found out. I know I would have in your shoes.”

“I did. I still do.” I look at her. “Are you angry with me?”

“I… I don’t know yet. It’s a lot to process, and I’m worried sick about Ash.”

My chest hurts thinking about Ashley, fighting for her life. I throw my arm around Kenzie’s shoulders, needing the proximity. “Me too. You can yell at me later once Ash is out of danger.”

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