She tucks her hair behind her ear. “He’s sleeping now. Mom’s with him.”
I hand her a coffee. “I’d be happy to stay with you.”
She takes a sip. “They only allow two people in the room at a time. And Mom won’t leave him.”
“I don’t need to be in the room.” I slip her hand inside mine. “I just want to be here with you.”
Her brow furrows. “But you have to travel to San Diego tomorrow. You should go home and get some rest. Coach Marco needs to bring his A-game.”
I shake my head. “Nothing’s more important than this. And I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’m not alone. Mom’s here and Eli’s on his way.” She bites her lip, then sinks onto the love seat. “Speaking of Eli, your uncle told me something tonight.”
“About Eli?” I sit next to her. “Why would Rafael bring up your brother?”
She hesitates, setting her coffee down. “He said you gave Eli money for a business venture.” She wraps her arms around herself. “Is that true?”
I freeze. Of all the things Rafael could have said tonight, I didn’t expect this one. I don’t know how much he told her, or how much she already knows, or whether Eli has said anything.
“Yes, but he wasn’t supposed to tell you. That was between Eli and me.”
Her eyes widen. “How long have you been keeping this secret?”
“It was years ago.” I drag a hand over my face. “I hardly remember it.”
Her brow knits. “How much did he borrow?”
“I don’t remember the amount. It was for the developer he hired for the delivery app.”
“And he never paid you back.”
“He couldn’t—the business went under. I told him it was a risky move, but he didn’t listen. I really didn’t expect him to pay me back.”
“Well, apparently your uncle did.”
“Rafael wasn’t supposed to know either,” I mutter. “No one was.”
“That’s why you and my brother aren’t speaking,” she says. “He owes you money and he’s ashamed that he can’t pay you back.”
“It’s not about the money. I never cared about that. When I told him he could forget about it, he got angry. Told me I didn’t understand what it’s like to struggle, since money has never been an issue for me. But it put a wedge in our friendship, like he’d failed me somehow.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Then why didn’t he tellme? I’m his sister.”
“He was embarrassed. Which is why he asked me, as his friend, to keep it between us.” I move closer to her on the love seat, close enough that my arm brushes hers. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Scarlett. Your brother cares about your opinion. He didn’t want you to know he’d failed again.”
Her eyebrows rise. “I would never think less of him.”
“I know that, but he didn’t. That’s why I kept my promise to him.”
She studies me for a long moment, then lets out a breath. “You know, for someone who claims you’re not friends with my brother anymore, you’re sure acting like one.”
I’ve been carrying this secret so long, it feels good to get it off my chest. I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “Do you know how many times I almost blurted it out? That night you forced us to have dinner together was the worst.”
She looks down at her hands in her lap. “That must have been painful.”
“Excruciating.” I reach for her hand. “But not as painful as keeping something from you.”
Her fingers curl around mine. “I believe you, but I still have to talk to my brother.” She pauses. “What I don’t understand is how your uncle even found out.”