“Yeah. No one asked me to, but I want to. Craig’s blood type isn’t compatible with Parker’s, they already know that. His mother will get tested, and so will his sister. But the two brothers are under 18, so they’re not eligible yet.”
“That’s a really big deal,” I said. “That you’d even consider doing that for someone.”
“I guess. But if I can help him out, I should. And I know my blood type: O positive.”
“That’s the universal blood type, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You know, I’m not even sure what mine is.”
“You’re not alone, there. A lot of people don’t know.”
“So, if you’re the universal blood type, then you already know you’re a match?”
“In that regard, yeah. But there’s other compatibility tests they have to do, and they make sure you’re in good physical shape and psychologically okay with it, too. But I think I am. We’ll have to wait and see.” He yawned. “Right now though, I am wiped out. And the only thing I could really think about was coming home and being able to get into bed with you.”
Chapter Forty-One
Graham
Just a few days after I found out that Parker was my brother, I got the news that everything checked out: I could donate a kidney to Parker if I wanted, and chances were good that his body would not reject it.
I went over to see him at his father’s house. It was the first time I’d ever been there, and the first time I’d seen Parker since the day he was taken to the hospital. Craig’s house wasn’t that far from Chloe’s parents’ place, actually, and it was also similar in size, with its immaculate, green lawn and long, winding, seashell driveway.
Parker was in the living room, sitting on the couch, scrolling on his phone when I walked in. He tossed the phone down and stood up when he saw me.
“Hey,” he said, a bit of a sheepish smile crossing his face.
“Don’t get up,” I said.
He waved me off. “I’m feeling better. A little bit. Taking it easy.”
“That’s good.”
We both sat down on the couch. He did look like he was feeling a little better. “I still can’t believe this,” he said, shaking his head. “All these years we’ve been giving each other shit at the races and all along you were my brother. That’s fucking crazy.”
“Yeah. It was unexpected.”
“I’m glad we know, though!”
“I might actually have to feel a little bad next time I beat you in a race.”
Parker laughed, but only for a second. “I don’t know,” he said. “My days of racing might be numbered. Racing mountain bikes and dialysis aren’t two things that really go hand in hand.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to spend much time doing dialysis,” I said.
He gave me a confused look. “What do you mean?”
“You can have one of my
kidneys. We’re a match. I had the testing done and it looks like we’re compatible.”
He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything right away.
“And this is something I offered to do; your dad didn’t ask or anything.”
“Holy shit. I ... I don’t even know what to say.” He shook his head slowly. “That’s completely not what I was expecting to hear from you. I don’t even know if I should accept it. I mean ... shit. You don’t even know me.”