Page 94 of Until the Last Star Fades

Ben shifted back into the cushions, the bag of mini pretzels from the party crinkling between his hip and the armrest. “Two gifts? Riles…you can’t affor—”

“If I told you I used a gift card for one, would you shut up?”

“But—”

“Ben, please.”

She handed him the two presents and sat down, the old loveseat’s springs groaning under duress. “Open them!” A summery nighttime breeze blew a Funyuns bag off the windowsill, scattering yellow rings on the floor.

“Love the paper!” Ben picked up the smaller of the two gifts. This one’s soft and squishy. His thumb popped the sticky tape…pretzel-print socks! His smile did the impossible and grew wider. “My favorite New York snack captured in hosiery!”

“You do have a thing for funny socks…”

“You been copping a sly look at my ankles?” Ben looked down. Santa and Rudolph today. “I hate to disappoint, but the daft socks weren’t really a fashion choice. More like a beggars-can’t-be-choosers thing…”

Riley tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

My mouth—fuck. Can’t change course now. Just…say it quick! “The fucking hairless rat-cat my flatmate adopted got into my room, chewed all my socks. It was the middle of winter, my feet were freezing, and I was completely skint”—he winced, barely pausing for breath—“so I nicked some on Boxing Day from a pound shop.” His expression tightened the faster his words flew. “I mean, it’s not like the shop lost a huge profit because of me, and they’re ugly and Christmas was over, so they needed a loving home—”

“Ben, I get it.” Riley balled up the discarded paper and lobbed it into her bin.

Oh. She’s not…shocked…

“Being broke and desperate…” She grimaced. “I’ve done things I’m not proud of, too.”

“Like what?”

“You’re going to think I’m awful.” Riley stared at the unopened present in Ben’s lap.

I doubt that. “Try me.”

She swallowed. “I only said yes to Josh because…” Her eyes closed. “He said he’d help cover Mom’s medical costs. She still doesn’t know that’s why I said yes.”

Woah. So…you weren’t heartbroken about Josh but…what the split would mean for your mom. Ben swept his hair from his eyes. “Well, nothing to be ashamed of there. You were being selfless, not selfish, and I get it—I’d do anything to help my mum.” He glanced at the socks, a grin rising. “Thanks, Hope. I love ’em. Now I can bench Santa and the gang, mix it up for a while!”

The smile returned to Riley’s face. She pointed at his second gift, a large flat square. “I hope you…ah, I’ll just shut up.”

Ben chuckled and ripped away the paper with one tug. Oh…woah. He froze, his jaw falling open. She bought me a-ha. His finger traced over the album’s cover.

“Do you like it? The guy said it’s their first album.” She deflated slightly when Ben didn’t respond. “I-I checked. That ‘Take On Me’ song from your phone is there, see?”

Flipping it over, he swallowed with a heavy nod. He blinked quickly. Don’t be a wuss. “It’s…”

“Secondhand, I know. I wish I could’ve afforded a new one—if they exist—”

“No. It’s perfect.” Ben pulled out the inner sleeve. A dusty scent accompanied the vinyl. “It’s the real deal—from the eighties.”

“That’s good…right?”

“God, this brings back so many memories. When Mum got sick, I—” Shit. He tucked the sleeve back in the cover. Go on. Tell her. She trusted you, now it’s your turn. He inhaled heavily. “I was put in a group home for a while.”

“A group home? Why?”

“I had nowhere to go. Mum’s adoptive parents and brother died in a car accident when she was eighteen.”

Riley’s mouth fell open. “Oh God!”

“So she couldn’t look after me on her own. Doctors said her recovery would be long and painful after surgery. There’d be chemo appointments and homecare visits—too much to deal with. I was twelve and had never spent a night away from her. Mum packed up my bag, put a name tag on it. I kinda felt like Paddington Bear, being dropped off with instructions—Please look after this Ben—but with peanut butter sarnies instead of marmalade.” A hint of a smile graced his mouth. “This record, though…Mum and I danced around to it while she cooked our tea. She gave it to me the day before she went in for surgery. I guess she thought it would help me feel close to her even when I wasn’t.”