Page 115 of Unspoken Truths

It just honestly seems odd, though.

“Yes, happy birthday,mijita,” Emil says. “I understand that you have plans with Lili, but I figured that we could have breakfast together before you go.”

“She still doesn’t know what those plans are, Mr. Emil,” Lili says urgently, making big eyes at him to not say anything more.

I can’t help huff out a laugh, amused by all of this. From not having my birthday celebrated to being fought over. It’s not something I ever thought would happen.

“I promise not to spoil anything,” Emil says, hands up in the air with a smug smile.

“Ah, breakfast sounds good,” I finally say, feeling awkward.

“Great, we’ll let you two get dressed to come down. Emil and I may have a couple of presents for you as well,” Mom says.

“Presents? I mean, I pretty much have everything I need,” I begin to say.

“Mmhmm,” Emil says. “Needs, wants, and just because are entirely different things, Rachelle. I’ll see you downstairs.”

“This is all very different from other birthdays,” Mom says. “I also never forgot, I was just too ashamed I couldn’t get you anything.”

“I never cared, Mom,” I sigh as she bites her lip and slips out of the room.

“She struggles with how she handled your dad’s death and working all of the time,” Emil says softly. “It’s not my place to say anything else, but she wants to do this now.”

“Okay,” I say because there’s nothing else I can do without seeming ungrateful. “I’ll be down soon.”

Nodding, Emil follows my mom out, closing the door.

“Are birthdays weird for some reason?” Lili asks, brow furrowed as I groan and drop back into my pillows.

“What birthdays?” I ask. “She refused to acknowledge the day completely. It’s been very bizarre over the past few years. I understand that she’s trying, it just feels odd.”

“We won’t stay long, then,” Lili says. “We’ll eat breakfast and then bounce, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” I agree, sitting up and crawling out of bed.

“I really love these tiny shorts on you,” Lili purrs. “God, these are such a tease.Fuerza, Lili.I have to be strong here, baby.”

Her words make me smirk, my stomach flip flops, and I want to rethink having to leave my bed. Groaning, I force myself to walk across the room to my closet.

“You’re mean,” I tease her, pouting. “What should I wear? I don’t want to wear a dress if you’re going to have me running around or something.”

“Leggings, a tank top, tennis shoes, and a jacket for any random windchill,” she says immediately.

Portland has a way of changing temperature quickly, so I don’t blame her. Pulling my shirt over my head, I enjoy Liliana’s complaints as I step into the closet to change.

I kind of enjoy knowing how much she loves my body. With Lili, there’s less pressure with all things sexual. She’s never triggered me, reminds me to stay in the room with her mentally, and constantly checks in about my feelings. I feel safe with her in a way I don’t with other people.

I am even less self conscious about my scars with her, which I didn’t think was possible.

Quickly changing, I pop my head out to find she’s already dressed. Excited to see what she has planned, I run into the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth. I don’t know if I’ll have a chance to come back up, and I need fresh breath desperately.

“Ready?” she asks with an excited grin as I come out. Lili looks gorgeous with her long, dark brown hair up in a high ponytail, ready for whatever the day will bring.

Snagging a hair tie, I pull my long hair up as well. I’ve been meaning to get it cut, but Lili’s hair stylist is on maternity leave. I told her I’d rather wait for her stylist to be available. I would hate to be impatient and mess up my hair.

“Now I am,” I tell her, nodding.

Lili opens the door, where Ignacio is walking out of his room without a shirt on and basketball shorts. My stepbrother’s muscles are all on display, and I want to tell him to get dressed. Lili stares at him for an extra beat before saying exactly that.

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