Nick raised an eyebrow. That was great news. He himself had been tested the same day Luke had. He wasn’t a match, but that was no surprise. The doctors had informed them that usually a sibling was the perfect donor. “That’s great. Are you the match?”
Luke shrugged his shoulders and took a deep breath. “I don’t know.” He ran his fingers through his hair roughly. “The results came in yesterday. He’s on his way with Sam and Cara now.” He shook his head. “He wants to open the results together. You know what I’m afraid of finding? That neither me nor Sam will be a match.” He looked over his friend. “I need to be a match for him.” He pointed to his head. “For my own piece of mind, I need to be able to help him.”
Nick folded his arms and studied Luke’s anguished face. They’d been friends for over two decades. He knew the severity of the situation. Luke was a fixer, he was the responsible one. If he couldn’t find the remedy for the problem, he tortured himself until he did. “The doctor said it would more than likely be one of you.”
Luke nodded. “I know, and I guess if I’m not the match and Sam is, then I’ll still be relieved.” He leaned against the car, and looked back at Nick. “I’ve never been more scared in my life. Not even when Marie, told me she was pregnant.” He laughed at himself mockingly. “I should say not even when she took off and left me to raise Ava by myself. Anything I’ve had to overcome would be nothing compared to the thought of losing my brother.”
“He’s going to make it through this Luke. One of you will be a match.” He walked over to Luke and squeezed his shoulder. Luke merely nodded and Nick fought to find the words that would ease his pain. He wasn’t good with words, he found himself better at being a man of actions. Lucky for him, Cara pulled up before he could figure out some outrageous gesture to prove Luke of Jake’s wellbeing.
Of course he would manage to make it to work. At the rate this day was going, Sam started to wonder if she would be struck by lightning. It seemed like the perfect topper to her day, she just hoped Luke was the viable donor then. She climbed out of the car and followed Jake and Cara into the garage. Her sunglasses shielded her eyes so she could stare daggers at Nick all she wanted without having anyone notice.
Jake stood before Nick and Luke. He gave Nick a knowing stare before he leaned over and whispered. “You dirty dog you.” Someone had better inform Jake that whispering meant no one else heard.
Jake wrapped his arms around Cara’s waist and leaned his chin on her shoulder and gave Nick an expectant look.
“What?” Nick said innocently and then directed his gaze to Sam. “You and I need to talk.”
“Unless you plan on telling me why you held my clothes hostage, there isn’t anything I want to hear coming from that mouth of yours.” She said in a matter of fact tone before she crossed her arms at her chest and glared at him. Not that the glaring part mattered much, he couldn’t see her eyes.
Luke turned around abruptly. “You held my sister’s clothes hostage?” He looked at him incredulously.
Sam watched Jake chuckle as he looked back and forth between Nick and Luke. He cleared his throat and Luke’s eyes drifted towards him. “You should’ve seen her this morning.” Jake added and then smiled at Nick. “Way to go, man!”
“Jake, man you’re really not helping.” Nick said through gritted teeth as he kept his eyes firmly on Luke’s. Sam’s tongue snaked out and ran along her lower lip. The fact that her brother was looking at him like he was about to throttle him, didn’t faze him in the slightest. She shouldn’t have found it attractive, but then again, everything about her had been spiraling out of control today. “You’ve got something to say?” He asked Luke and Sam turned her head immediately to Luke.
“No, but something tells me you do.” Luke said as he eyed him patiently.
Nick nodded. “I do, but that’s kind of between me and your sister.” His eyes lingered on Luke for a minute before he turned back to Sam. “You think maybe we can be adults about this and not include your entire family?”
Jake frowned and managed to look hurt by Nick’s words. “Hey, where’s the fun in that?”
Sam pursed her lips as she contemplated whether or not she should even give Nick the time of the day. Curiosity won her inner battle and she pointed her finger towards him. “You have exactly three minutes.”
Sam watched from the corner of her eye as Luke nudged Jake. “This is all your fault!”
Jake looked at him outraged. “Mine? I didn’t take her clothes!”
Luke pointed an accusing finger at his brother. “Yeah, but you thought the two of them together was a good idea! You gave your damn blessing.”
“Hate to remind you big brother, but you did too.” Jake said as he cocked his head and gave him a so-there, look. Luke grunted, but had no words.