Page 30 of Threads That Bind Us

Take what back?

I take a deep breath, glancing over my shoulder at Ana bundled up under her covers, sleeping as soundly as she can.

Me

I swear to god, Carlo Costa, I’m not in the mood to be fucked with.

Please take back the money you deposited in my bank account without my approval.

I watch the little typing bubbles, my irritation not abating at all when another realization crashes into me.

Me

Also, did you pay my rent? Because that wasn’t part of the agreement.

The bubbles disappear and then start up again, and I click my nails against the counter, counting the seconds until his response pops up.

Charlie

Yes, Guinevere Byrne, I did pay your rent, and yes, you did agree to it. The contract explicitly states that I will fully financially support both you and Ana. Since we agreed to a modified move-in date, I covered your housing costs.

I grind my teeth together again, frustrated with myself that I didn’t consider how my insistence on waiting to move in would change things. Even though I logically know the rent for this dingy apartment is a drop in the bucket for him, my chest still tightens in discomfort. I asked for support, signed a fucking contract for it, and it still makes me nauseous to think anyone needs to take care of me.

Me

I have savings and a plan. We would have been fine.

A tiny voice in the back of my mind reminds me we wouldn’t have been fine for long. That if Charlie hadn’t paid the bill for Ana’s surgery, I actually don’t know if we would have been able to make rent, even if I kept working. That my savings could cover our expenses for a few months, maybe, but after that we’d be screwed.

Charlie

I’ll say this as many times as you need me to. I have no doubt you could figure this out on your own. But we agreed to support each other, and this one way I can support you.

I hate this. I hate that he’s right. I hate that the way he frames it calms my heart rate down. I hate that I needed someone else to come in and save Ana. I hate that I can’t be enough for her.

Accepting his offer didn’t make any of this easier. It being the right thing to do just made me madder at myself.

Me

And the transfer?

Charlie

In case I’m not around to pick up the tab.

I scoff and roll my eyes, dropping my phone back on the counter. Charlie has kept his promise from that first day of Ana’s treatment. Once I finally gave in and agreed to let him help with our commute to appointments, he’s taken us to almost every single one. On the few occasions he couldn’t be there, Zane’s dropped us off and picked us back up, always with dinner and a note from Charlie about the restaurant he found. He’s fit into our lives seamlessly, like he was always meant to be there. It’s unnerving, and I shouldn’t enjoy it.

Ana’s still got her guard up a little, but I can tell she enjoys having him around. They’re both leagues smarter than me, and she likes talking with him about the things she’s learning, asking him questions about college and law school that she knows I can’t answer. He treats her like an adult, as much as I do, and I can tell she appreciates not being babied while she’s going through this.

Instead of answering Charlie, I snatch my phone back up and text Kenzie.

Me:

You working today?

Kenz

Not until 3, thank god. Want me to come over?