Page 130 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
SIENNA
The Uber driverlistens to me cry for a good twenty minutes. By the time I reach Gabby’s apartment, I’m pretty sure I look like a swollen tomato.
Gabby takes one look at me on her front stoop and wraps me in her arms. “Oh, honey. What happened?”
Gabby knew Ben and I were meeting with her uncle this weekend. I told her in case we had time to stop by her place for a quick visit.
She ushers me into her apartment, and Rider waves from the couch. “Sienna!” When he sees how upset I am, he’s immediately on his feet. “Who do I need to kill?”
I laugh and ugly-cry while they both hug me. I love these two.
“Stop or I’m gonna get snot on you.” We head into the living room, and I flop on their giant couch. “Where’s Poppy? Is she already asleep?” I miss Rider’s little munchkin so much. I’m sure Lily is going to adore Poppy.
Rider nods. “The nugget’s in bed, but she’ll be up at asscrack, so you’ll see her tomorrow.”
They order Mexican food, and we settle in while I tell them everything that happened. I’m anxious as I share the truth about my family because I figure it’s just a matter of time before they hear it from Ben, and I’d rather them hear it from me.
“Do you hate me for not telling you?” I ask Gabby.
“Of course not, goofball. I don’t care who your family is. All that matters is what’s in here.” She taps on my shoulder. “And, I mean, if I could get free overnight shipping on your app, well, I wouldn’t complain.”
After a beat of silence, we all laugh. I know she’s just joking. Gabby is one of the most sincere people I know.
It feels so good to laugh and to be open about who I am. I didn’t realize this secret had been weighing on me.
I flick off a piece of cilantro from my asada taco. “Can I ask you guys something? Do you think I’m bad for Ben? Do I distract him?”
Rider gets a fierce frown on his face. “Don’t be crazy. As far as I can tell, you keep him from losing his shit.”
Gabby laughs and shoves her boyfriend playfully. He hooks an arm around her shoulders and pulls her in for a brief kiss, and it’s so sweet, I have to glance away.
“Look, Sienna,” Rider says after he finishes making goo goo eyes at Gabby, “Ben hasn’t been playing a lot of minutes because Krugman is a dumbass. The guys have all been calling me, so I’ve heard the coach is playing some weird favorites game. It sucks. But I can say that none of that has anything to do with you.”
I dip a chip into the queso. “I’m the reason he and Cal fought.”
He snorts. “I’m surprised that didn’t happen sooner. No one likes that guy. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Did Ben injure his hand?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so.”
“And he didn’t get any formal kind of reprimand?”
“No one saw it, but Krugman stopped playing him as much in scrimmages. And it’s been even worse since the season officially started.”
“That’s his loss. Everyone’s asking why B-Rod isn’t getting more game time. The ESPN anchor even wondered if he was injured and the team was keeping it a secret.”
Now that I’ve had time to talk through everything, I realize that Ben and I aren’t quite so hopeless. Yes, it’s a little crushing to know his aunt and uncle think I’m wrecking his football career, but that doesn’t make it true.
Ben and I just need some time to talk. I need to explain more about my family. Hopefully he won’t let his family’s opinions about me sway him.
I feel better after unloading everything on my friends, but I’m still restless after they go to bed. I regret the way I left Ben at his uncle’s house. Even though his family said all of those horrible things, maybe I should’ve stayed. Even if Ben was upset with me for not telling him about my background.
Tossing and turning in the guest room, I second-guess everything. He wouldn’t have chased me out to the street if he was that angry with me.
I kick off the covers and punch the pillow and stare at the dark walls, wishing I could be curled up next to Ben instead of here alone.
A part of me thought he’d call me before he went to bed. But my phone hasn’t rung all night.
I pull it out of my purse to double-check.
