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Bentley flinches, the only indication that their hurtful words have hit their mark.
I fix my gaze on my mother. “Deal? What deal?”
“We mutually agreed that Bentley would keep his distance, not return to Garland, and certainly not encourage you and your silly schoolgirl crush.”
My blood turns to ice in my veins. “Youmutuallyagreed?”
She nods. “In return, we gave Bentley enough financial support to fund his education at his dream university, a bill he and his family would never have been able to afford, not even with the support of financial aid. It was a debt we never expected he’d be able to repay, but he paid back every penny, with interest,” she admits grudgingly.
“I … you paid him off?” Callum asks in disbelief, voicing the accusation stuck in my throat.
I’m bombarded with too many emotions to process. Pain at their deceit, not just my parents, but also Bentley. How could he not tell me? We’ve become so close over this last week. He told me he loved me. Was it all a lie?
No. I refuse to believe that what we have isn’t real. This is Bentley.MyBentley. He did what he did for me. I know it deep in my soul.
I step toward him, desperately needing him to anchor me. Looking into his eyes, I whisper, “Bentley?”
“I left because I wanted to make something of myself. I did it so I had something to offer you when I came back. And I was always coming back for you, Gem. My Gemstone,” he murmurs, cupping my face. “At first, I was convinced I was back here for the job, but I was lying to myself. I loved you when you were sixteen, Gem, but it’s nothing like my love for you now. It’s like comparing a snowflake to a blizzard.”
I swallow past the ball of emotion in my throat. “I should be angry … Iamangry with you. But I understand why you did it. I understand the need to make something of yourself, to prove to others that you’re good enough. But I also remember what you said the night we … the night we, you know.” I blush, aware that we have an audience, but plow on. “You said we were enough for each other. And that’s all that matters to me, Bentley. You see me in a way no one else does. And I see you, too. Your flaws, your strengths, your talent, and your selflessness. I feel your love for me like a physical thing, and I’ll never stop fighting for that love. For you. Forus.”
Bentley yanks me into his arms, crushing me against him. “God, I love you.”
“Love you too, big guy,” I wheeze. “Even though you’re about to crack a rib.”
Bentley’s laugh rumbles through me as he loosens his hold. I plant a quick kiss on his mouth, take a deep breath, and turn in the circle of his arms to face my parents.
“Bentley wasn’t responsible for the accident. I was, albeit indirectly. Bentley did nothing but be a good friend. It was me who snuck out to the party at a senior’s house. Bentley and Callum followed me because they knew this guy’s parties had a habit of getting out of control. Bentley stepped in when a guy Iwas talking to got a little too handsy. I don’t think he would’ve stopped if Bentley hadn’t stepped in. I threw a fit and walked home, and a drunk driver ran into their car on their way home. Bentley was sober and happened to be driving, but he took the blame so I wouldn’t have to.”
Relief washes over me as I finally confess the truth to my parents, and I feel a lightness I haven’t experienced in years. “So as much as you look down on him because he was less privileged, he’s risen above his circumstances and surpassed people like you, who see yourselves as superior. You’re so blinded by your misguided sense of right and wrong that it’s made you unyielding and closed-off. For years, you’ve blamed Bentley for the accident that robbed Callum of a career as a professional athlete,a career he never even wanted.”
My mother turns shocked eyes on Callum.
“It’s true,” Callum admits quietly. “I pursued football because you wanted it for me so badly, but it wasn’t a choice I would’ve made.” His mouth twists with a wry smile. “I hated myself for a while, but I was … relieved when the doctors said I couldn’t play at a professional level without some difficulty.”
“We messed up, but we just wanted you both to be happy,” my father says, looking ashamed.
“No, you didn’t. You wanted us to fall in line with your plans for us. But this man”—I point to Bentley, standing beside me like I know he always will—“makes me happy. He could’ve had both—the career and me—but he put what he thought was best for me above what he wanted.”
I pause, drawing a breath and glancing at my brother. “As for Callum and me … we’re happydespiteyou, notbecauseof you.”Those words physically hurt as they leave my mouth, but I don’t regret them. I can’t because it’s the cold, hard truth.
Bentley squeezes my hand, and I lean into his strength as tears spill down my cheeks. I wipe them away and lift my chin. “I’d like you both to leave now. And please don’t come back unless you’re ready to accept me for who I am and not some ridiculous ideal I could never live up to.”
My mother’s face is pinched with anger and humiliation, and my father looks like his world has dropped from beneath him. Neither utters a word as they head toward the door.
As my father pulls it open, I add, “Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I have a gemstone tattoo on my lower back.”
My father’s mouth tightens, and my mother mutters, “Come on, Leonard. We’re not wanted here.”
The second the door closes behind them, I collapse into Bentley’s arms, sobbing. This certainly wasn’t the ending I anticipated today.
Bentley wraps me in his arms, holding me as I release years of anger, frustration, and sorrow. Speaking my truth to my parents wasn’t pleasant, but a huge weight has lifted from my shoulders. I only wish I’d done it sooner. It’ll take me a while to forgive myself for that.
When my sobs calm a little, Bentley steps back, and my brother’s arms envelop me in a tight hug.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to speak for you,” I whisper, my voice thick from crying. “It all just came pouring out.”
Callum squeezes me tighter, resting his chin on my head. “Don’t ever apologize to me, Gem. I’m as much to blame as anyone. Ishould’ve spoken up sooner. I know they favored me, and I guess I didn’t want to disappoint them either.”
