Page 69 of Unbreakable Love

“I know you didn’t want me to do it, but I wanted it. And more, I needed it. I needed to know I wasn’t taking advantage of you. You’ve had enough of that, and I knew you were struggling to make ends meet and everything.”

“I haven’t been taken advantage of. Mom?—”

“She does.” Her snipe was fast and furious. She could have leveled a city with the fire in her eyes. “And we won’t agree on that, so whatever. But that doesn’t mean I have to always take from you, too.”

“You don’t.”

“And I know you don’t see it that way and don’t get me wrong. I’ve loved it, every single second of you taking care of me, but…”

She trailed off. I glanced at the envelope. It was now trembling in my shaking hands. She’d been preparing me for this, whatever was inside. For months she’d been preparing me for this moment, to realize she was an adult and could handle herself.

I had to let my little sister go.

It sucked.

“But we’re changing and growing,” I finally whispered.

Her smile was a radiant beam. “Exactly.”

“I get it,” I admitted. I hated it, but I got it.

With care, I unsealed the envelope. In it was a check. A single check. I couldn’t bring myself to look at it. The amount.

“I took out loans, and before you yell at me for that, you should have next semester’s refund in your account next week. And don’t yell at me for it. The loans are small because I’ve been able to save so much. But that’s for you, for all your help, and I hope you know that no matter how much money is on that check that you’ll think is too much, there will never be enough I can give you that would ever be enough for what you’ve done for me.”

“For us,” I choked out. I couldn’t see her. She’d gone all blurry and tears were running down my face.

My baby sister was growing up. No, she was grown. I had to respect that.

“I hate you for this.” I laughed over my tears.

Maize just laughed. “You’ll get over it.”

Gathering my courage, I pulled the check out of the envelope and glanced down. My eyes jumped wide, and I started shaking my head. “No. Absolutely not. No way am I taking this from you.”

This wasn’t a check. It was a check. A check for three thousand, three hundred, and fifty-two dollars. My stomach rolled and swooped, making me dizzy and tingly all over. This was ridiculously insane for someone who was working at a restaurant.

“I’ve been saving up to pay you back for a long time, and this isn’t close to what you’ve already given me.”

Like I needed the reminder. She needed to do this. I needed to let her. I knew that deep in my bones, but letting her go was hard.

“Two dollars?” I asked. “Couldn’t leave it at fifty?”

It was a tease, something she needed based on the way her shoulders fell. “You’re worth all the dollars.”

“Thank you.” I licked my dry lips and thanked my sister again.

She launched herself around the table and squeezed me tight. “No. Thank you. I told you this would be the best Thanksgiving ever.”

Indeed. Indeed it was. Even if it was almost one of the most painful.

Faye

If I don’t get out of my house soon, I’m going to stab Max with a fork. In his eye.

“Who’s that from?”

“Faye,” I told Maize. It was after we cleaned up dinner, after I wiped more tears and gave more hugs. After we were curled up on the couch, Netflix poised and ready to play.

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