Page 11 of O Goalie Night
“Exactly,” I fume. “It did look fine. I don’t need you making me feel like an idiot, Ben. I’m doing a pretty great job of that all on my own. How about we call Mom and Dad? Maybe put them on speaker and we can update them on the last twenty-four hours together?”
“Come on, Bug.” He only uses that nickname whenhe’s desperate and given that he promised our parents he’d look out for me, he knows they’ll be disappointed to find he didn’t. “You know that will only upset them.”
“You’re right. They’d be very upset to hear that someone took advantage of me and you weren’t there.”
At that, his nostrils flare and he spins around to where Foster is leaning against the counter holding a spatula, observing our sibling squabble.
“What the fuck, man?” Ben demands.
I’m confused at first, not understanding his reaction, until Foster gives an exasperated sigh.
“She’s clearly talking about the people who scammed her, you moron.”
Ben visibly relaxes. “Right, I knew that.”
Realisation dawns and my jaw drops so fast I’m shocked it doesn’t dislocate. How could he have thought that Foster would make a move on me when I was in such a vulnerable state? Even if I wasn’t, the very idea is laughable. He’s Foster James. I have enough self-awareness to understand that there are leagues and he is far out of mine.
Ben’s focus is back on me. “Look. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you, Bug. Really I am. Are you okay?” He looks genuinely apologetic as he opens his arms to me.
I know I shouldn’t let him off the hook this easily. I should stay mad at him in the hopes that he might actually learn something. But I’m so sad and overwhelmed, and right now I could really use a hug from my big brother.
The moment his arms are around me, I burst into tears. It’s the first time I’ve cried since all of this happened and while I’m a bit embarrassed to be fallingapart in front of Foster, I’m also surprised I managed to hold out this long.
“Awww, don’t cry, Bug. It’s going to be okay.” He ruffles the hair on top of my head.
“How?” I pull away, wiping at my tear-stained face. “I start my new job on Monday and I don’t have a place to live.”
Ben places a hand on his hip and runs the other over his face as he blows out a breath. “I’ll put you up in a hotel until we figure something out.”
A hotel?
Foster doesn’t seem to like his suggestion either. When I look over I see his shoulders stiffen as he continues flipping bacon. “Why can’t she stay with you?”
I’m so grateful he said it and not me. My entire family stayed with Ben the last time we were here. His condo is huge with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Ben suddenly looks very uncomfortable. “I would invite you to stay with me, Bug, I’d love to have you. But Valentina is there already.”
“Who?” I have no idea who he’s talking about.
“Your future sister-in-law,” Ben states without a trace of sarcasm. “You’re going to love her, I promise.”
I try to hide my surprise at this revelation. Ben’s only serious relationship ended close to a decade ago. He’d started dating Madelyn when they were sixteen, but they broke up when he was drafted after juniors and he’s never so much as mentioned her or any other girl since.
Not that I’m one to talk. I’ve only dated a handful of guys and none of the relationships ever reached the meet-the-parent stage.
Foster shifts against the counter. “Don’t you have several bedrooms?”
“Yes, but she’s very private. I can’t just tell her my little sister’s going to be moving in.”
“Why the fuck not?” Foster asks tersely. “It’s not like you’re asking her to babysit.”
This is a new level of humiliation for me. Foster doesn’t realise it, but he’s pressing on an open wound. Everyone in my family already treats me like I need adult supervision. It’s part of the reason I’ve been trying so hard to become more independent.
“It would be weird, okay? The relationship is too new. Besides,” he glares at his friend before continuing, “I don’t think you’re one to give out family advice, okay?”
I watch Foster’s jaw go rigid and his eyes harden before he looks at the floor. After his reaction to me asking about his family yesterday, I suspect there’s more to that story than he’d like to admit.
“I’ll find you a hotel,” Ben repeats, bringing my focus back on him.
