I squeeze Sienna’s hand as I look Janelle dead in the eye and say, “Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of my girlfriend. We don’t have secrets.”
I venture a glance at Sienna, who gives me a tight smile. She hasn’t run away screaming, so that’s promising.
When Janelle doesn’t say anything, I have to take a deep, calming breath and pray for patience. “Aren’t you going to ask about your daughter? You know, the kid you abandoned?” I wait for her response, but she looks down, her face turning red.
“Now, now, give the girl a chance.” My uncle pulls out a chair and motions for everyone to sit down.
“What do you mean, give the girl a chance? A chance at what? At being a parent? Because I know you’re not trying to get me back together with her. We broke up in high school. That’s a long-ass time ago.”
Teresa closes her eyes dramatically. “I did not raise you to speak like that in my house.”
“You didn’t raise me to chat up my ex about getting back together while I’m dating someone else either. Why don’t y’all be honest and tell me what’s really going on. I need to clean up the baby, but when I get back, I’d like the truth.”
“I’ll do it, Ben.” Sienna takes Lily out of my arms. “It’s okay,” she whispers to me. “Stay and talk. We’ll be right back.”
Wary, I sit at one end of the table, as far from Janelle as I can get. My aunt and uncle reach for the chairs on either side of me, but I stop them. “Sienna sits next to me.”
My aunt rolls her eyes, plants herself at my side, and grabs my arm. “Benjamín, listen, I know you like that girl. She’s very pretty, but looks aren’t everything. You have a duty to your daughter that you need to put first.”
What the fuck does that mean? “Why are you pushing me to get back with Janelle? Were you not listening when I told y’all on the phone that she lied about the paternity and tried to pass off Lily as some other man’s kid? Or what about when she ditched Lily at the lake without bothering to say goodbye to her, or leaving me word about where she’d gone? We called the damn cops.”
Teresa crosses herself and leans over to Mr. and Mrs. Lopez. “Please forgive his language. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”
My uncle leans forward. “Mijo, we’re just worried about you. You haven’t been playing a lot this year. And we can’t help but think this girl is distracting you. You even got in a fight, and that’s never happened before.”
Yes, I made the mistake of telling my uncle what had happened with Winston. I’d been going out of my head at the dorms and desperately hoped to put things in perspective. I had no idea he’d throw it in my face later. At least I never told him about the second incident.
“Maybe ask me what’s going on instead of assuming you know. I can’t believe you’d blame Sienna for that. She has nothing to do with football.”
Would I have gotten in a fight with Winston if Sienna wasn’t involved? Maybe not. But he’s had a good ass-kicking heading his way for a long time regardless, and I don’t regret giving it to him.
I’m about to explain the Winston crap to everyone—that he and I have been long-time rivals since high school—when I start sneezing. Jesus, not this.
After the fifth sneeze, I can’t deal anymore. “Did you just get the carpets cleaned?” I always get terrible allergies when I’m here.
“A week ago. It shouldn’t bother you now,” my aunt says, like I can help the biological reaction I have to those cleaning agents.
I shove my chair back and head to the kitchen, where I dig through the cabinet with medical supplies and vitamins. I pop two extra-strength allergy pills, which will probably throw me into a coma later. When I return to the table, Sienna is standing off to the side as she holds Lily.
I glance around the table, offended that no one has offered her a chair. “Come sit next to me, sunshine.”
I pull out a chair for her before I join her. My eyes stray to the clock on the wall.
Shit. It’s too late to head back to Charming tonight, especially since Lily’s not feeling well.
Why did I agree to this meeting? I should be wining and dining Sienna. Reconnecting and having mind-blowing sex. Instead, we got in an argument on our way here, Lily got sick to her stomach, and I got ambushed by Janelle.
I just have to get through this evening. I snap the rubber band on my wrist, but it breaks on the first pull.
Fuck. Nothing’s going right today.
46
SIENNA
I wish I could say that a few minutes in the bathroom helped me get some perspective, but the powder room off the kitchen has remarkably thin walls. Either that or everyone was talking loudly because I heard everything.
The one sentiment that really hit me was his aunt’s comment that Ben has a duty to his daughter. Ben’s family obviously wants him to get back with Janelle. That would explain his aunt’s attitude toward me.
They think I distract Ben. That I’m the reason he hasn’t been getting more minutes in games. That I’m why he fought with Cal.
I guess I did make things messy for Ben.
After I get Lily’s mouth rinsed and we rejoin the group in the dining room, I’m wondering how much an Uber back to Charming would cost. It’s obvious no one wants me here except Ben, but I return to the dining room, determined to support him.
I sit next to Ben, and Lily rests her head on my shoulder. After the day she’s had, I’m not surprised when she starts to doze off. I’m just glad she’s not puking anymore.
I keep waiting for Janelle to ask for her daughter or ask how she’s been, but she barely glances at her. It pains me that she’s so dismissive. It makes me more determined to love up on Lily.
Tío Julio folds his hands in front of him. “Ben, we just want you to hear what Janelle has to say for herself, that’s all.” He looks at me briefly and then back to his nephew. “Yes, your aunt and I are hoping that you and Janelle will work things out for the sake of your daughter.”
When Ben starts to argue, his uncle holds up his hand. “We’ll respect whatever your decision is. We only ask that you hear her out.”
Ben crosses his arms over his broad chest and stares at Janelle. “Go for it. Let’s hear whatever you have to say so we can get this circus over.”
Her eyes well with tears, and a part of me sympathizes. After that brief spat I had with Ben on the way here, I know how his cold words can cut.
The other part of me thinks she’s a manipulative bitch.
I breathe in Lily’s baby shampoo and think about how Janelle’s drama has only hurt her daughter.
Janelle grabs a tissue and dabs her eyes. “First, I want to apologize for the lies and for the way I left y’all at the lake. There was no excuse for my behavior.”
Her parents nod, and her mother grabs her hand in solidarity.
“Also, I want to tell you that once I got home, I went to see a doctor who says I’ve had postpartum depression. I was...” Her chin wobbles. “I had a miscarriage earlier this summer, so I think maybe I’ve been hormonal.”