Page 119 of Yours Truly

“He didn’t want anyone to know,” I said. “But he’s given me permission to tell you. Also, he’s asked me to move in with him and I’ve agreed. I’m leaving. Tonight.”

My brother looked stunned. Mom had her hands over her mouth. Then she got up and headed straight to the fridge.

I twisted in my chair. “What are you doing?”

“Packing food for him. Briana, make him a plate.”

“Mom, I’m not going yet—”

“Si, claro que se lo vas a llevar!” She was pulling Tupperware out of the fridge. “If you do not go and feed that man right now, I will go there and feed him myself.”

I groaned. Jacob didn’t know it yet, but his freezer was about to be full of Salvadorian food. Forever.

I looked back at Benny. He was just blinking at me.

“You don’t have to make a big deal about it,” I said to my brother. “He’s introverted too. He won’t like a big show of gratitude or anything.”

Mom pulled an insulated bag from the pantry and went for the deep freezer in the garage. When the door to the garage closed, Benny licked his lips. “You’re not doing anything stupid for me, are you?”

I wrinkled my forehead. “What?”

“You’re not like, hooking up with him for this. Right?”

I shook my head. “No.”

I could tell by the look on his face that he didn’t believe me. “Why’d he ask you on that date?” he said. “The other day?”

I leaned forward. “Benny, I need you to believe me when I tell you that Jacob would never do anything to take advantage of me. I am deeply in love with this man. And only five percent of that is because of what he’s doing for you.”

I realized in that moment that it was true.

It was amazing that Jacob had so many endearing qualities that donating an organ to my brother only represented the smallest reason why I loved him.

Benny peered at me for a second. Then he looked away from me and nodded.

“I’m sorry I’m leaving you here with Mom,” I said quietly.

He sniffed. “It’s okay. I get it. Tell him thanks.”