“I invested this money in the stock market, and I’ve lost almost all of it.” My voice barely rose above a whisper.
“What? What happened? I didn’t know you were investing.”
“I had a tip, and I did my research. I thought I did, at least. But today the drug everyone thought was going to come on the market soon, instead got rejected and sent back for more testing. More likely it’s dead in the water.”
Like my investment career. I barely heard her as she continued to pepper me with questions. If I got out now, I’d still be able to salvage almost half of Nana Josephina’s money, but all my money was gone. It was the least I could do for being so damn stupid. I thought I was so smart…
“So much for buying an apartment.” My stomach turned, knowing I had to tell my parents how reckless I’d been with their trust, and I needed to talk to Aaron. His blunt honesty was exactly what I needed. The thought of sitting through a class on Fashion Through the Ages made me nauseated. “I gotta go. I’m sorry.”
“I understand, go on. I’ll tell the professor you got sick.”
Throwing her a kiss and a grateful smile, I rushed out of Starbucks and to the train. The crowd and jostle made me glad to concentrate on something else aside from my inner turmoil, and by the time I got home, I had almost figured out what to do.
When I opened the door, Aaron was on the computer, looking at job sites. His gaze latched on to mine.
“What’re you doing home from school? Playing hooky?”
When I didn’t return his smile, he shut the laptop screen and stood. “Something bad’s happened, right?” His eyes narrowed. “You don’t look good.”
I wanted to tell him. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. All I heard was my mother saying how smart I was. And yet…fuck.
“I lost it. The money I invested.”
Brow wrinkled in confusion, Aaron stared at me. “What? How?”
Shame coursed through me. “I…I…” What could I say that would make it right? Drained of emotion, I shuffled to the sofa and threw myself facedown, partially so I wouldn’t have to see Aaron.
“That tip I had. The approval for the drug everyone said was a sure thing? It wasn’t. It crashed, taking almost all my money with it.” The sofa dipped, and I knew Aaron sat beside me. A hand touched my back.
“You wanna talk about it?”
Maybe a part of me still expected Aaron to get mad, yell and scream at me. Tell me how stupid I was to risk everything. He wouldn’t be wrong either. When he didn’t and leaned over to kiss the back of my neck and hold me tight, I almost lost it. I didn’t deserve to be treated nicely.
“Go ahead. I’m listening.”
I spilled my guts, and Aaron remained silent, only getting up to get me a few tissues to wipe my eyes when I couldn’t stop the stupid tears from falling.
“I failed them. That’s what hurts the most. I know I lost my money…the money I wanted to use for an apartment for us, but eventually I’ll make it back. But I should’ve never risked my grandmother’s money. I just wanted them to be proud of me.” I rolled over to face him and ran my arm across my face to wipe off the wetness. “They’re gonna hate me.”
“That’s not true. They’re your parents. They love you.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t tell them I was using my grandmother’s money. They’re gonna be furious.”
“Jesus, Frankie. That’s more than stupid.”
Aaron had every right to say it to me, but it still stung like a bitch to hear him say it.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’ta said it that way.” He rubbed my back. “You gotta tell them.”
“I know.” I sniffed and blew my nose. “Will you come with me?”
“Of course. I ain’t leaving you. It’s only money. You can make it back.” He scratched the top of his head. “Or…hmm.”
“Or what?” I scrambled to a sitting position. “You got an idea?”
“You didn’t use all the money, right?”
I shook my head. “Only half of mine and hers.”
