“Fuck, he knows,” he whispers to me and then listens again.
“Yeah, I knew,” Ben says as he reaches to turn on the speakerphone so I can hear.
“You should have come directly to me, Benjamin. This is ridiculous. Who are these people, and why would they send me this?” His dad is irate and not stopping to let Ben get a word in edgewise. “You tell these people that we do not negotiate with terrorists. Are these some of his idiot friends, playing a prank?” Finally, he stops to take a breath.
“This isn’t a prank. Mark owes them thirty grand in gambling debts. They’re technically keeping him hostage until it’s paid.”
A sob comes across the speaker, and Ben furrows his brow.
“Dad?”
“That’s your mother. She’s the one who opened the envelope. She has been inconsolable since. I can’t believe you tried to keep this from us.”
“I messed up. I’m sorry. I thought I could take care of it on my own.”
“It would have been better for you to tell us than for us to receive a mysterious letter in the mail, letting us know Mark is in trouble and what will happen if they don’t get their money. Tell us what needs to be done.”
“I’m meeting them tomorrow with the money.”
“You have thirty grand?”
“No, but we were working it out.”
“Who is we?”
“Pepper and me.”
“You have Pepper involved in this, but you didn’t think to, oh, I don’t know … pick up the phone and tell us?” his dad starts rambling again, and Ben grimaces.
“Look, Dad,” he says, cutting him off, “I’m taking care of it.”
“Just come here,” his dad says, deflating. “You know it will raise flags to take that money out.”
I know Ben’s trying to act nonchalant, but the worry is evident in his demeanor and expressions.
“Yes, we know. We’ve decided to take the money from Pepper’s account to alert the IRS,” Ben says.
I pump my fist, glad he’s finally seeing things from my perspective.
“Are you sure? I don’t like this, Ben.”
“I don’t like it either, but we don’t have a choice.”
“Okay. Well, keep us informed of what’s going on. Have you contacted the police?”
“We didn’t think we should with their threat of harming Mark if we went to the cops.”
“This feels like a movie,” his dad says, his tone almost disbelieving.
Betty continues to cry in the background, and I tear up a little, listening to her. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a child in this kind of trouble. It’s bad enough that it’s my boyfriend’s brother.
“Look, I’ve gotta go. All of this is upsetting your mother more. Like I said, keep us in the loop. I love you, son.”
“Love you too, Dad,” he says, sighing and sinking back into the pillow. He hangs up and sets the phone back down.
It seems like everything might just work out if we go with the plan.
“I was thinking …” I say, trailing my finger around his belly button. He stays silent, and I take that as my cue to continue talking. “I don’t think I’ve told you, but my mom is very involved in charity work.”
“Mmhmm.” The sound vibrates his chest.
“Well, one of those charities is a rehab program.”
“Rehab?”
“Yes. Do you think your brother would be open to going?”
“Isn’t rehab for alcohol and drugs?”
“Yes, mostly, but sometimes, other addictions come in. I think your brother’s problem qualifies … especially if he’s involved with bad people.” Ben doesn’t answer right away, and I sit up. “This could be exactly what he needs. I’ll call my mom and see if she can get him a spot. But only if you’re okay with it.”
“I want to get him help. I just don’t know where to start. But it’s not me you have to convince,” Ben says, sighing and sitting up, moving his legs so his feet are planted on the floor. He leans over and places his elbows on his knees, head in his hands as he rubs at his temples. “I don’t think Mark will go easily.”
“You would think, after being held hostage by goons, he would see the light.” I lean up and wrap my arms around him. My chest planted firmly against his back, I loop my head around the side of his, placing a kiss on his jawline. “Come on. We need to head to the bank.” I shuffle over and jump down off the bed, stopping when Ben grabs my hand.
“Pepper,” he says, raising his head to meet my eyes, “come here.” He pulls me between his legs. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he rests his chin right between my breasts, staring up at me as I look down, my hair closing us in a little box, where only we exist. “I just want you to know … well, um, I—”
“Spit it out, Benjamin.” I lean down and nuzzle his nose with mine.
“I love you, Pep,” he says, eyes never leaving mine as his arms tighten with tension.
I watch his jaw muscle twitch, as if he’s gritting his teeth, waiting for an answer. I know that I love him, and maybe it’s really quick to be saying it, but when you’re in circumstances like ours, the drama amping up fears and tension, it’s good to finally go ahead and say it.
“God, Ben, I love you too,” I say, eyes filling with tears. I blink quickly, surprised at how I’m overcome with emotion. “Are you telling me this because you think we’re going to die tomorrow?” I ask, laughing nervously.
He chuckles. “No, I just realized how much it was true over the five days I was without you. I never want to be apart from you again.” He stands and then places a hand on either side of my face, giving me a long, slow kiss before wrapping his arms back around me and picking me up, spinning me in a circle. “Wanna join me in the shower before we head out?”
He raises an eyebrow, and I nod, feeling
