Page 87 of Part & Parcel

“We didn’t want to overshadow Eli’s finale with anything,” Kelly answered, practically beaming. “We were going to tell you guys after the last letter.”

“Congratulations,” Zane told them both, looking from Kelly’s smiling face to Nick. Nick’s smile was melancholy at best, though, and he was still looking devotedly at the table. Kelly leaned closer to him, whispering in his ear and then kissing his forehead before relaxing back in his chair.

The group grew silent, and Zane could feel the awkwardness settling in. He wasn’t sure if it was coming from the public display of affection that was still sort of new to Sidewinder, or from the silent wait for the last secret.

Nick sat up straighter, shaking off Ty’s arm around his shoulders and putting both hands on the table. He seemed to be bracing himself, and his nerves made even Zane edgy. He glanced around the table, looking unsteady and sort of ill. “I have . . . a couple things I kept from everyone. You all know the one, now. But . . .” His eyes went distant, and he lowered his head again, speaking quietly. “The other is not completely mine to tell.”

“You don’t have to tell us, Irish,” Ty whispered. “You’ve been through enough this year.”

Nick shook his head and looked up at Kelly, licking his lips. “I need to. I’m sorry. I can’t . . .” He lowered his head again, closing his eyes.

Kelly moved, sliding his chair closer to Nick’s so he could put his hand on Nick’s back. “Let us help.”

Nick turned a little in his chair, facing Kelly. They stared at each other, silent, still, neither man even appearing to breathe. Zane tore his eyes away from them to meet Ty’s. He was scowling, giving Zane a concerned glance before he returned his attention to Nick, sitting alone in a sea of turmoil like the craggy seashore Zane associated with him, like an embattled lighthouse in a hurricane. Zane got the impression that whatever this secret was, it wouldn’t end in a hug or a laugh like the others.

Nick picked up a stirring stick from the table, and he seemed to be unconsciously fiddling with it as he glanced around at the others. Then he looked back at Kelly, and the fear in Nick’s expression damn near broke Zane’s heart. After all Nick and Kelly had been through, did Nick really think anything he could say to Kelly would make the man think less of him?

“Should we leave?” Zane whispered.

No one answered him, so he stayed put.

“Okay,” Nick finally said with a nod. Zane had no idea what he’d seen in Kelly’s eyes as he’d searched for an answer. He had no idea what was going on.

Nick turned to square up to the table again, straightening his spine, taking a deep breath. “You all know about my dad,” he said in a rush that made it seem like he was relieved to be speaking. “How he knocked me around. What he did.”

Owen and Digger shared an uneasy, confused glance. Kelly and Ty were both still watching Nick avidly, waiting for him to continue.

Nick had his fingers clasped together, eyes down. “I found out when I was a teenager that he wasn’t my biological father.”

No one at the table moved. Ty and Kelly were still staring at Nick, like they were overcompensating and trying desperately not to react. Owen finally eased back on the bench and slumped against the wall, huffing.

“But,” Zane found himself saying. “You donated a piece of your liver to him.”

Nick nodded, pursing his lips and narrowing his eyes. “I’m a universal donor. I wasn’t an exact match, but my height and weight and blood type, they said I was close enough to be viable.” His voice was so low and cold when he answered that it gave even Zane the shivers. “Turns out they were wrong.”

“So . . . didheknow?” Kelly asked. “That you weren’t . . .”

“I can only assume,” Nick answered as he reached for Ty’s water and took a gulp of it.

“That rat bastard,” Ty muttered, and he stood up and took a step away. He put a hand on Nick’s shoulder, squeezing it as he stood behind him, obviously trying to get control of his temper. “I’m fucking glad he’s dead, fuck him.”

“Ty,” Zane said in shock.

Ty shrugged as he met Zane’s eyes. Nick didn’t seem to mind Ty’s anger. In fact, Zane thought he saw a smile flit over Nick’s lips as Ty squeezed his shoulder tighter.

“So . . . I’m confused,” Kelly said. “Why were you so afraid to tell us this?”

Nick shook his head, running his hand over his face. His shoved his hand into his hair, his fingers tangling in his curls as he closed his eyes. He wouldn’t look at any of them as he spoke. “You remember Paddy Whelan?”

Kelly’s brow knitted further. “Guy we met with last summer?”

“Paddy Whelan?” Owen blurted.

Nick nodded silently.

Ty was frowning so hard he struck Zane as a confused puppy trying to follow a laser pointer light. “Who’s Paddy Whelan? Why does that name sound familiar?”

“The Boston mob boss?” Owen cried, and the others shushed him before his voice could carry. No one in the restaurant was paying them any attention, though.

---