Page 95 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
“This is going to sound stupid. It’s nothing major, I swear. But I, uh, I might have supplemented your rent last year. And the year before.”
Judging by the look on Gabby’s face, she hasn’t a clue what I mean. So I explain how I paid part of her rent because I knew she was paying for college on her own and wanted to help.
“Tío Julio sent Tía Carmen money for your schooling, but when I told him I didn’t think any of it had actually been given to you, he was pissed. So he gave me extra money to help you.” I swallow. “Since I had such a hard time talking to you, what with my panic attacks and all, I thought it would be easier to pay your rent. Sorry I didn’t talk to you about it back then. There might’ve been other things you needed instead.”
Fuck. Until this moment, it hadn’t occurred to me that maybe I should’ve just given her the money. Why did I think I knew what she needed in the first place?
Ignoring the bout of nausea that’s taken residence in my gut, I wipe my forehead and wait for her to say something. When she starts crying, I feel like complete shit.
But then she leans over Sienna and hugs me so hard, I almost choke.
“Thanks, Benny. You don’t know how much that means to me. I love you so much.” She lets go to dry her eyes. “I always knew that sweet boy I grew up with was in there somewhere.”
Just like that, we’re good. We smile at each other, but then she pokes me hard in the chest.
“Okay, now focus! I want to talk about Lily, but first I need to know, how did you and Sienna end up together?”
That’s easy.
“Well, Cinderella here lost her tennis shoe...”
