Chapter 2

I stood at the kitchen doorway, the words catching in my throat.

"Thank you."

"Just do your job well."

I called my mother that night. Her voice sounded even hoarser than before.

"Son, the nurse mentioned that someone called, asking for my medical records…"

I clutched my phone as a wave of helplessness washed over me.

After the call, I slumped against the corridor wall and stared at the ceiling for what felt like forever.

By day twenty-two of my trial period, Blair pointed out the sycamore trees lining our route home from school.

"Troy, put me on your shoulders so I can reach the leaf at the very top!"

I bent down so she could climb onto my back. When Blair couldn't get high enough, she tugged at my hair.

"You need to grow as big as the tree."

"I'll try."

Blair went quiet out of the blue, her face buried in the crook of my neck.

"Troy, when will your mommy get better? I heard Mommy on the phone yesterday, talking about helping a lady find something."

My footsteps halted.

"Your mommy has a good heart," I remarked.

"Duh! She's the best!"

Later that evening, I brought Vivienne a cup of tea while she worked in the study. She looked up at me.

"How's your mom doing lately?"

"It's still a waiting game."

"If anything comes up regarding a donor match, I'll let you know."

"Sure thing."

Before the door swung shut, I caught her mumbling to herself, "Always acting so tough."

…

It was a stormy Tuesday on the twenty-fifth day of my probation.

Blair wouldn't get off my back, demanding piggyback spins while Vivienne ran a video conference upstairs.

With the doorbell ringing, I carried Blair to open the door.

Two men stood on the other side of the door.

On the left stood a muscle-bound man, rainwater streaming down his buzz cut.

On the right was a man in a crisp white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses, a smile of a gentleman playing on his lips.

Seth Butter and Maximus Rogan had arrived together.

Blair went rigid, pressing her face tight against my shoulder.

Seth broke the silence.

"Hey, moocher, looks like my daughter's found herself a comfortable ride."

Maximus closed his umbrella.

"Seth, don't be crude. Mr. Bard here is still under contract."

"Come inside." I stepped aside. "Blair, hop down and help take their coats."

Blair clung to me for dear life, refusing to let go.

"No! They are both here to take me away!"

Seth was taken aback. The smile on Maximus' face faded.

I got down to her eye level.

"No one can take you away. Your mommy is here. I'm here as well. They can't steal you away even if they try."

Blair nodded, her eyes red-rimmed.

Seth sat on one end of the living room couch, and Maximus sat at the other end. Meanwhile, Blair huddled close by my side.

Once again, Seth broke the ice. "Troy, you're giving my daughter piggyback rides everywhere. She's closer to you than I am. How am I supposed to be fine with that?"

"You ought to be happy because she has one more person caring for her. It won't hurt her. You're her father. Of course you'd want the world to show her kindness."

Seth was stumped.

Maximus chuckled and pulled out a business card from his pocket.

"Mr. Bard, if you ever decide not to renew, come talk to me. I've got a few contacts in the transplant world. Maybe they can help."

He delivered his last sentence softly, his eyes lingering on my face for an extra beat.

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary for now."

Seth said sarcastically, "Here you go again with your mind games, Maximus."

"At least I know how to do more than just pound on doors."

Sparks flew when their gazes locked. Out of the blue, Blair snapped her head up.

"Stop fighting! Troy is better than all of you! He knows how to braid my hair, fix my toy dinosaurs, and make the best beef brisket."

Seth parted his lips, but no words came out. Maximus paused mid-sip before rising to his feet.

"Alright then. I'll drop by to see you another time, Blair."

Stopping right at the door, Maximus looked back at me.

"Mr. Bard, keep up the good work. Sometimes, it's a matter of money when it comes to finding a donor, but sometimes, it's not."

The door slid shut. Seth took off without another word, but he kicked the threshold on his way out.

Blair popped her head out from the couch and sighed. "That was scary."

A door creaked open above, and Vivienne poked her head out. "Who was that?"

"Your exes. They're ganging up."

She fell silent for a bit. "Come up for a sec."

I went upstairs to the study, and she closed the door behind me.

"Is Maximus here about the kidney donor again?"

"He didn't talk about it outright, but I got the message."

"Troy, don't let him get to you. I'm looking into your mother's case."

"Don't feel obligated, Vivienne. I took this job to get my mother the treatment she needs. I do the work, and you pay me, fair and square. I agreed to work for you for three months, so I have full intention to see it through to the end."

She met my eyes, her lips parting. "Honestly, you're…

"Stubborn to a fault."