Brie hesitated at the hospital entrance, frightened of what she would find inside.
“Come, Brie,” Sir insisted, guiding her through the open double doors. After receiving instructions on the location of Faelan’s room, they headed towards the elevators.
You must be brave… she reminded herself, straightening her posture and nodding to Sir when the elevator doors opened. He led her through several hallways until they found the room number. Outside the door stood an elderly couple, holding on to each other in a desperate embrace. Brie couldn’t help wondering if they were Faelan’s grandparents.
Sir walked up to the couple to introduce himself. “Mr. and Mrs. Wallace?”
They looked up, expressions of misery and hopelessness coloring their faces. The man answered matter-of-factly, “I’m Mr. Wallace.”
Sir held out his hand. “It is good to finally meet you, sir. I’m Thane Davis. We’ve talked on the phone several times.”
The woman’s face lit up. “Mr. Davis?” Without warning, she threw her arms around him.
Sir embraced her, patting her lightly on the back. “Your son is going to be fine, Mrs. Wallace. He will recover from this.”
It wasn’t until then that Brie realized these were Faelan’s parents, not his grandparents. The revelation was shocking, but she suspected the hardships they’d faced over the years must have taken a physical toll on the poor couple.
“Things are not well, Mr. Davis,” Mr. Wallace corrected. “At this point, we’re uncertain he’ll even go through with the surgery.”
Sir seemed surprised by the news. “What do you mean?”
Mrs. Wallace broke the hug, tears coming to her eyes. “It’s like Todd’s lost his will to live.” A sob escaped her lips. “He refused dialysis, and now he says he doesn’t want the surgery. I’m losing my boy, Mr. Davis, and there’s nothing I can say or do to prevent it.”
Brie swallowed the lump growing in her throat and fought off the tears, knowing that Sir was watching her. If she was going to act courageously, this was the perfect time to prove it.
“Mrs. Wallace, I’m Miss Bennett, a friend of Todd’s. He has an entire community back in LA pulling for him. You’re not alone.”
The woman tilted her head. “You wouldn’t happen to be Mary, would you?”
Brie was startled by the question, but smiled warmly. “No, my name is Brie, but Mary and I are friends as well. Has Todd mentioned her to you?”
The woman shook her head. “No, but sometimes he calls out her name when he’s asleep.”
Brie had to close her eyes to keep back the tears. She opened them and smiled once she had them under control, stating with conviction, “I know we can help Todd regain his strength together. You’ve had far too much to handle on your own.”
Mrs. Wallace broke down, sobbing as she cried on Brie’s shoulder. “It’s been so hard watching him…fade away.”
Brie wrapped her arms around the frail woman, conveying her strength as she held her. Mr. Wallace cautioned in a low voice, “Hush, Ada. You don’t want Todd hearing you through the door.”
She choked back her sobs and nodded, pulling away from Brie. “I don’t want to lose my son, Miss Bennett. He’s been through enough in his young life. It’s not fair that he’s having to face this now.”
“Let’s concentrate on the fact that a healthy donor has been found and the operation takes place next week,” Sir encouraged them. “We’ve come specifically to support your son. You’re no longer alone in this endeavor.”
“I thought Todd mentioned he had a sister,” Brie said, troubled that the couple was facing this without family support.
“Lisa is in the last month of her pregnancy,” Mrs. Wallace explained, new tears forming as she shared. “The doctor has restricted her to bed rest. I’m afraid the pressure of everything has gotten to her. We can’t risk losing the baby too…”
“Of course not,” Brie agreed, hugging her again.
“Come, Ada, let’s get some coffee while Todd’s friends visit,” her husband suggested, taking her hand. Mr. Wallace glanced back at Sir, his face conveying a look of defeat.
Sir took Brie’s hand and squeezed it. “Are you ready for this?”
He will recover. He will live a long life, she silently repeated, steeling herself for the reunion. She looked up at Sir and answered with confidence, “I’m ready, Sir.”
Although Brie had thought she was ready, as the door swung open and she saw Faelan for the first time, she had to struggle to breathe.
Sir whispered, “Remember why we came.”
Brie quickly pulled herself together as she took her first step into the room. Faelan looked gaunt, his face sunken and hollow. With his eyes closed, it looked as if he might already be dead—the sound of periodic gasping the only sign of life.
“Mr. Wallace,” Sir said loudly. “Mr. Wallace, Miss Bennett and I have come to see you.”
His eyelids fluttered for a moment, but he did not move or open them.
Brie spoke up. “Todd, it’s me. Sir and I have come to visit you.” When he did not respond, she called out, “Faelan.”
Todd slowly opened his eyes.
Brie sucked in her breath. Those magnetic blue eyes that had always drawn her in were now dull and lifeless.
“Go away,” he rasped.
Even though a chilling sense of doom fell over her, Brie stubbornly held on to her mantra. He will recover. He will live a long life… She shook her head, laughing softly as she took his limp hand. “Oh no, you aren’t getting rid of me that easily. I’m here to stay.”
He turned away slowly, a pained expression on his face. “I don’t want you to see me like this. Go…now.”
Brie didn’t move.
“Although I appreciate how you feel, Mr. Wallace, we won’t be leaving,” Sir said with compassion. “You’ll have to dig down deep to find the strength needed to survive this surgery, and we’ve come to support you in that cause.”
Faelan snarled, “I don’t want your help. I never asked for it.”
“Friends don’t wait to be asked,” Brie told him.
He closed his eyes in an attempt to block her out. “I don’t even want this damn operation.”
“Why not?” Brie cried.
With his eyes still closed, Faelan stated coldly, “There’s no point in a perfectly healthy man losing a kidney. I’m dying. Hell, I’ve been dying since I was sixteen. Just let me get on with it.”
“You have too many people who care about you,” she protested.
He laughed bitterly. “Right…”
“Don’t you realize how desperate your parents are, thinking they might lose you? You can’t do that to them,” she insisted. “And what about your poor sister and her baby?”
He opened his eyes and glared at Brie. “They’ll be better off. They all will.”
She knew he was including Mary in that statement. Playing on his sympathy for others wasn’t working, so Brie changed tactics. “What kind of legacy are you leaving if you give up now? You can’t end on a cowardly note.”
“I’m no coward.”
“Exactly,” Sir answered. “Which is why you will suffer whatever is needed to survive this. You’re neither a coward nor a fool. When fate has granted you a second chance, you grab it with both hands.”
When Faelan remained unmoved, Sir added in a grave tone, “You have no idea of the devastating consequences such a cowardly act would have on your family and friends.”
Brie wondered if Sir was referring to his own father. Was there a part of him that resented his father for taking his life and leaving Sir behind? Her thoughts turned to Mary. Brie was concerned that if Mary ever found out Faelan had chosen to die, it might destroy her.
Without asking permission, Brie lowered the rail on the bed to sit beside Faelan. She took his hand back in hers and squeezed it. “You’ve touched too many lives to have the luxury of giving up now. Think who will suffer if you do—your parents, your sister, your friends…and Mary
.”
For the first time, she saw a flicker of light in his eyes, but he turned his head from her. “I’m tired, Brie. I just want to stop fighting.” He let out a long, agonized sigh. “I just want to die in peace.”
“Too fucking bad,” she stated, standing back up. “I’m here now and I won’t let you.”
Faelan glanced at Sir and said in an ominous tone, “You don’t want to know what I’ll do to her if she stays.”
“What? Are you going to throw insults at her? Because God knows you’re too weak to throw anything else.”
Faelan’s expression darkened. “Not that long ago you wouldn’t have let me near her, and now you’re willing to risk her staying alone with me?”
“If I am brutally honest, Mr. Wallace, there’s no risk involved, given your current state.”
“Fuck…you.”
Sir smiled. “Is that the best you can do? Brie should have no problem, then.” He turned to her. “You’re in charge of getting him to eat regularly and forcing him to exercise his limbs. A gratitude journal might also prove beneficial.”
“You have to be shitting me,” Faelan growled.
Sir replied with a straight face, “I never shit, Mr. Wallace—unless I’m in the bathroom.”
Brie covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
Faelan stared at him, a look of disbelief on his face. Out of the blue, he started laughing, but it soon became gasping breaths and he turned from them in humiliation. When he finally regained his composure, he commanded hoarsely, “Go…”
“We will,” Sir informed him, “but only because I need to help Brie settle in. Rest assured, Mr. Wallace, she will return tomorrow with the donor. It will give you a chance to meet the man who has graciously agreed to save your life.”
Faelan stared at the window, his voice devoid of emotion. “Save us all the trouble, Mr. Davis, and buy the poor bastard a return ticket home.”
His words cut Brie to the bone, but she kept her mind firmly on her mission. “So, Todd, start thinking about what you’re grateful for so you can fill up your gratitude journal. Oh, and you’d better inform the nurses what you want to eat, or I will choose something for you—and I’m feeling rather spiteful at the moment.”
“Go to hell, Brie.”
As they exited the room, Sir smiled at her. “That went well.”
“But, Sir, you saw him…”
“Mr. Wallace still has enough fight in him to give us grief. That’s encouraging. I was worried for a moment.”
Brie took his assertion to heart, and was able to keep a genuine smile on her face when Sir spoke to Faelan’s parents. “Not to worry, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace. With Brie’s caring ways, I’m certain he will not only agree to the surgery, but will recover quickly from it. You’d be surprised what’s possible when you have the right people behind you.”
Faelan’s father shook his hand vigorously. “Thank you, Mr. Davis. Not only were you instrumental in finding our son a donor, but your support now means the world to us.”
“Please save your gratitude for the donor.”
“And he’ll be coming tomorrow?” Mrs. Wallace asked.
“Yes. In fact, Miss Bennett will be picking him up after she drops me off at the airport. I expect he’ll be here at the hospital by ten tomorrow morning.”
“We’ll be sure to look for him when he arrives,” Mrs. Wallace assured Sir.
“Good. May I suggest you both get some rest tonight? Your son has some serious soul-searching to do, and such tasks are best done alone.”
“We’ll certainly take that under consideration,” he replied.
Mrs. Wallace blushed as she broke away from her husband and gave Sir another hug. “Despite what you say, I can’t thank you enough. You have given him—all of us, really—hope again.”
“I simply made a few phone calls.”
She stated shyly, “Mr. Davis, I make a strawberry jam that has won several blue ribbons at the county fair. I would like to make you some as a thank you.”
He smiled down at her. “That is very kind of you. Sadly, I leave tomorrow, but if you give it to my fiancée, she’ll make sure I get it.”
“Very well, Mr. Davis,” she agreed, returning his smile.
While they were driving to Master Anderson’s home, Brie told Sir, “I love how compassionate you were with Todd’s mother.”
He shrugged. “I understand it’s difficult to receive help without giving something back. They are such kindhearted people; it makes me curious how they will handle the gift of the donor.”
“Maybe a case of strawberry jam?” Brie suggested.
Sir chuckled, ruffling her hair.
“So, Sir, did I hear that I will be picking up the man tomorrow?” Brie ventured.
“That’s correct, babygirl. His flight comes in two hours after mine leaves. I must warn you, though, English is not his first language.”
Brie furrowed her brow in concern, afraid of losing the hapless man in the large airport.
Sir noted Brie’s expression and grinned. “No need to worry. I told him what you look like, so the pickup should go smoothly. Simply help the man with his luggage and drive him to the hospital. The staff will take it from there.”
Brie nodded, satisfied with the arrangements. “Sounds simple enough.”
“I’ve tried to make this as easy as possible for you, since I won’t be here.” He stared towards the impressive mountain range. “I find it extraordinary that there are people in the world willing to make that kind of sacrifice for another. Although his airfare and hospital stay are being paid for by the Wallaces, he’s refused any other compensation.”
Brie felt tears come to her eyes. “We’re all indebted to him for this.”
“Yes, we are,” Sir replied, with a hint of melancholy in his voice.
Brie touched his shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry I won’t be here, Brie.”
She could tell he was genuinely distressed about it. “I’ll be fine, Sir.”
“I know you will,” he said, gracing her with a smile. “Did I tell you Brad has an entertaining night planned for us? Something he says will take our minds off our concerns for a while.”
“Oh, my! With Master Anderson, that could mean anything.” Brie giggled.
“Which is exactly why I’m looking forward to it.”
Brie wondered if it would be a session in the backyard with bullwhips, or free rein over the entire Academy. Oh, the kinky possibilities!
Beta
Sir whistled as they drove up to Master Anderson’s home nestled in the foothills. “He really has some view up here, doesn’t he?”
“Being in the mountains overlooking the city of Denver does seem like a little slice of heaven. Boy, I can only imagine what it looks like in the winter with all that snow.”
Sir snorted humorously. “The fact that I can’t drive my car in the winter kills the allure of this place. He can keep his mountain paradise.”
They rang the doorbell several times, and Sir banged on the door, but got no response. Brie spied Master Anderson’s nosy neighbor peeking around the corner of his garage. The woman cleared her throat before stating, “Mr. Anderson is in the back, weed—” She stopped midsentence when Sir turned to face her.
“Thank you,” he replied in a pleasant but formal tone.
Courtney blushed from head to toe, her attraction to Sir painfully obvious to Brie. “Are…are you a friend of Mr. Anderson’s?”
“Yes, we’re long-time friends. Now if you’ll excuse us.” Sir put his hand on Brie’s back and guided her past Courtney, heading towards the backyard.
Darned if the woman didn’t blush a deep shade of red as he passed, her eyes drifting down to stare at Sir’s sexy ass. Brie shook her head, stunned by the woman’s brashness.
When Sir opened the backyard gate, Brie saw Master Anderson stand up in all his bare-chested glory, a handful of weeds gripped tightly in his fist. He glanced briefly at Courtney, then dropped the
weeds and brushed off his hands.
The smile he bestowed on Sir as he approached was quite…beguiling.
“I don’t believe it! It’s really you after all this time!” He reached out to Sir, his arms outstretched.
Sir tilted his head, confused by Master Anderson’s odd behavior. “I—”
“No, don’t. I don’t care why you left me. The only thing that matters is that you’re here with me now.” He wrapped Sir in his beefy arms, grabbing his ass firmly with both hands.
Sir gripped his wrists and forcefully removed the offending appendages from his butt, shaking his head with a bemused look on his face.
“Don’t be like that, lover,” Master Anderson scolded.
Brie heard Courtney inhale sharply behind her, and she turned to see the woman staring at the men, her mouth agape. Playing along with Master Anderson’s ruse, Brie smiled nervously at Courtney as if they’d caught the lovers in a stolen moment. She slowly closed the gate on the stunned woman, blocking her from continuing to gawk.
“Come into the house,” Master Anderson insisted. “I need to show you how deeply you’ve been missed.” He winked at Brie as he led them into his home.
“I don’t even want to ask,” Sir remarked once the door was shut.
“Welcome to Ms. Courtney, the neighborhood snoop.”
“Is she still trying to set you up?” Brie asked, fondly remembering the little prank they’d played on Courtney the last time she’d visited.
“I can’t tell if her interest is still for others or for herself these days.” He looked at Sir. “That’s the reason I had to take advantage of your arrival.”
“I hate to break it to you, Master Anderson,” Brie said, laughing, “but I think you only raised the hot factor for her. I definitely saw Courtney staring with lust in her eyes when you grabbed Sir’s fine ass. She might even make it her task to convert you now.”
Master Anderson slapped his forehead. “I can’t win with that woman.”
Sir shook his head. “I don’t know how you get yourself into these predicaments. I’ve never had any issues with my neighbors.”
“Of course not. You stay in your apartment like a hermit, while I go out and actively engage my neighbors.”