Page 90 of The Surprise
And Dad made me beg my aunt to give up her inheritance to ‘save’ my mom? It makes me even angrier. I hate how often in this world the little guy’s asked to sacrifice for something while the fat cats sit and lick their paws.
I tap on Dad’s window, and then I make a signing motion. I want that transfer document. He opens the door and signs it, and then stuffs it back in his pocket. “I did what I said, but I’ll hand it over on Monday morning.”
Why didn’t I expect something like this? It’s classic Dad. Before I can yell at him, Grandma and Grandpa walk out the front door. The last few times I came to visit, I’m positive they had a butler or someone like that who let us in.
“You came.” My grandma’s face barely moves when she smiles. Probably another reason she loves sea creatures—isn’t that where Botox comes from?
“Always a delight to see my little urchin.” Grandpa holds out his arms like I’ll rush over and hug him.
I force a smile and wave instead.
But I canfeelDad’s glare on my back, so I slowly walk toward him and let him hug me. It’s hard to know how much of Dad’s story is true, and how much is an exaggeration. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa aren’t guilty of much more than being rich and judged by their daughter. He seems genuinely happy to see us.
“Alright,” Grandpa says. “Are we all ready to go?”
“Go?”
“We didn’t tell her yet.” Mom smiles. “We thought it would be more fun for her to find out from you.”
Find out?
Grandpa claps. “We just bought a new boat, and we’re all going out to christen it this weekend.”
“Oh, no,” I say, shaking my head involuntarily. “I can’t.”
Mom glares.
Dad scowls and pats his pocket.
Grandma looks confused. “Why not? What’s wrong?”
Dad looks practically apoplectic by now, and he makes a tearing motion with his hands.
I scrunch my nose and snap, “It’s just that I forgot to bring my boat shoes.”
She beams. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I have so many pairs I haven’t even worn them all yet. You can have one of them. I’ll let you pick.”
“Oh, yay.” I was trying for forced enthusiasm, but it just came out forced. That earns me another scowl, since Mom can clearly tell I’m being sarcastic.
We don’t discover that we’re not the only people who will be on the boat until we reach the dock. It’s been two years since I’ve seen him, but I feel about the same now as I did then.
Jackson’s taller and broader than he was before, and his dark hair still falls across his eyes, but his sullen look is the same as he lugs his suitcase up to a man in a uniform and practically drops it into his hands before turning away like the attendant is a bug.
“You didn’t tell meshe’dbe here.” His disgust is baked into the words.
“I was also not informed,” I say.
“Oh, young people,” Grandma says. “I know you two didn’t hit it off last time, but haven’t you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“Enemies-to-lovers is all the rage right now.” She winks at me.
Like I’m about tofall in lovewith her friends’ entitled, irritating, frat-boy grandson? I don’t hand my suitcase to the man on the deck. It’s a stupid kind of rebellion, but I can’t help it. I’m too annoyed, and I can’t think of any other way to show it so I clutch my bag to my chest like a conspiracy theorist.
“Why didn’t you hand that over?” Jackson asks. “Is there something good in there?” He looks. . .hopeful.
“Something good?” I frown. “I don’t have a bag full of cash, if that’s what you mean, and I left my good jewels at home.”
