Pretty much.But it wasn't the wayshemade it sound.
Before I could even start to explain, she asked, "So Maisie is what now?Yourbest friend?"
Bestie or not, Maisiewasmy friend. And now that I knew her better, I understood just how badly she'd been hurt by my sister's defection. "A best friend you haven't spoken to in months?" But then, more softly, I added, "She really misses you."
Sounding hurt, Delaney said, "Well, it's a good thing she's got you then, huh?" Her voice wobbled as she added in a voice almost too quiet to hear, "But I'm glad you're both okay."
And now I felt terrible. Softly, I said, "Hey, it's not like I replaced you. Trust me, she'd take you over me, any day."
"Yeah, right. Just like Mom, huh?"
I knew what she meant, which somehow made it worse. "Momdoeslove you, you know. Maybe she's not good at showing it, but I know she does."
"Yeah, I can tell," Delaney said. "Even when she buys us matching earrings, she goes on and on about how pretty they are, because they matchyoureyes."
Delaney had amazing green eyes.And now that I thought about it, it would've been so much better if Mom had given her emeralds instead.
My stomach twisted with a sudden realization. If I hadn't loaned Mom that money, she wouldn't have blown it on sapphire earrings for either one of us. And everyone would've been happier.
Hoping to cheer Delaney up, I gave an awkward little laugh. "If it makes you feel any better, I had to sell the earrings for rent."
I was ashamed to admit it. But Delaney deserved to know.I wasn't nearly as golden as she thought.
All our lives, Mom wasn't the only one who compared us. Delaney had done her share of comparing, too.
So maybe – just maybe – hearing that I also came up short would make her feel at least a little better.
It didn't.
I knew this, because her reply was so sharp, it could've cut glass. "You are such a liar."
94
What Rent?
Tessa
Oh, so now I was a liar?Even from Delaney, this seemed a bit much.
I told her, "I'm not lying."
She gave a brittle laugh. "Oh, please. Like you'd pay your own rent."
My own?But then, understanding hit hard and fast, making me feel nearly nauseous. I had used the earring money to pay rent to Maisie. But obviously, Delaney meant rent for my place in Chicago.
Even worse, she was right.Someone elsehadfooted the bill, and I was talking to that person right now.
My mouth opened, but the only thing that came out was a strangled little groan that had Delaney saying in her most sarcastic voice, "Sorry, what was that?"
"Delaney—"
"What?" she snapped.
When I'd asked Mom for help with the rent, I'd had no idea she would steal from Delaney to get it. "I'msosorry. I didn't ask her to do it. And I'll pay you back, I promise."
Delaney hesitated. "What are you talking about?"
"The rent, like you said."
