Page 113 of The Prodigal

“Because I was embarrassed. I was angry that the future I dreamt of was merely a tease. Albrecht stole my childhood, and Tooney destroyed my future, and I can’t do a damn thing about it but die.”

I swallow thickly and smile. “Except fuck up Albrecht’s life.”

“You’re not going to die,” Duke snaps, unhinged. “I won’t allow it. We will find you a new kidney, if I have to test the entire state of Texas for the match. I will not have my son taken away from me again!”

I don’t have the heart to argue with him.

But the truth is, only one of us can control the situation, and it’s not Dr. Duke Potter.

Remington

Two weeks later

Eden just had to be a fucking match as a kidney donor.

Worse, my mother matched, too.

Ask me if that changed my mind about receiving another transplant.

“Fuck, how bad is your hearing? I said no. Should I write it down this time?”

“For someone so clever, you haven’t thought this rebellion through.” Vance tsks, casually leaning back in the hospital chair, kicking his feet up on the bed like he has no manners. “I don’t need you to agree to the transplant, Remington. I just need your heart to stop.”

He looks at his watch like he’s waiting for my heart to actually quit beating.

“Because once they revive you—and they will revive you, Remington—they’ll leave you sedated and on life support.” He flashes me a wink. “And then they’ll ask my distraught brother what he wants to do.”

It’s then his face changes to something more determined. “And whatwe’lldo, Remington, is allow the transplant, sans your permission.” He shrugs, leaning back in his chair.

“So, refuse, but either way, you’re getting a new kidney, even if I have to make the incision myself.”

I swear my heart actually does stop for a second before I recover and flash Vance a smirk. “You keep forgetting that I’m an adult. All I have to do is buzz the nurse and ask for someone to fill out an advance directive.”

I didn’t just play video games when I worked for Potter’s Plastics.

“One call, and I’ll ensure Eden’s kidney never gets close to my body.”

Suddenly, Vance is out of the chair, his fingers gripping my chin as he turns it to the glass window, where Duke and Ramsey are speaking with the doctor. “Look at her.” He growls. “Look at the tears falling down your mother’s face. Besides Eden, she’s the only match, and she can’t help you without harming your sibling. She’s in a no-win situation. To save the child within her or sacrifice that child to save the one who refuses to save himself.”

I attempt to turn away, but Vance’s grip is too tight. “No, you look at her. Look at what you’re doing to a mother who spent her life only thinking of you and your father. She has the power to save you, and you won’t give her peace by accepting Eden’s kidney. What do you think that will do to her when you die? What do you think it will do to your father? Eden?”

Tears stream down Ramsey’s face as my father pulls her in closer, rocking her gently as the doctor continues talking to them. All my life, I’ve dreamed of comfort like my parents have. And I’ve found it. With them. With the asshole gripping my chin and force-feeding me the truth.

He lets me go and holds my angry gaze. Clearly, he’s not done lecturing me. “You can save them, Rem. You can save all of us by saving yourself. Don’t let Albrecht win. Don’t let him destroy our family more than he already has. Take the kidney, son. Do whatever it is you need to do to find peace with it, but fight for the life you deserve.”

I swallow harshly and avert my gaze. Seeing Vance with glassy eyes is more than I can bear. “I’ll think about it.”

Any other answer, and I think he would have shaken me.

“But I’m not promising anything.”

Vance settles back in his chair and pulls his phone from his pocket. “I suggest you think hard because your father and I have more pull at this hospital than a teenage boy on prom night. It’ll be months before you get that advance directive.”

I belt out a laugh.

I can’t even be mad at him. If I were in his situation, I’d do the same thing. We’re Potters. We always get our way.

“You’re such a dick.”

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