Chapter 3
Eve
“No cap?”
“No cap,” I answer my daughter.
“Holy shit!”
“Watch your language!”
“Sorry, but this is unbelievable. Why didn’t Daddy tell us that we’re rich?”
I shrug. “I have no idea. I’m as surprised as you.”
Honestly, I’m glad the fact that Brandon lied to us, to her, wasn’t lost in the large piles of money we can now dive into. While never warm and affectionate, Brandon was her father, and he loved playing the part. He managed to make it to all the school concerts and events, even if it was just to criticize her after the fact.
They had a bond. Gemma didn’t hold her father high on a pedestal, but she loved him. His cold demeanor and tightly clenched fists never seemed to faze her. Or if they did, she never let it show.
It bothered me. Still does. More and more every time I think about it. Seriously though, what kind of man hides money from his wife and child when it could make their lives easier?
“There’s no way you didn’t know before now.”
“I found out a couple of days after he died. I had a hard time believing his attorney and wanted to make sure everything, including the huge insurance policy, was legit and not something that relied on me paying a huge bill that I couldn’t afford first. I didn’t want you to get your hopes up only to disappoint you.” Or me, for that matter.
“I can’t wait to tell Teddy!” She lunges off her bed.
I groan as I reach for my daughter’s arm. I don’t need her dashing off and running through the hall of her dorm, screaming at the top of her lungs, “We’re rich!”
“Gemma, honey, I told you this in confidence. I’d rather you keep it to yourself.”
“Why?”
“Because the fewer people that know, the better.”
“He’s not people, Mom. He’s my boyfriend, and I love him.” Of course she does. They’ve been together for two whole months.
“Which is exactly why you shouldn’t say anything. If you stay together and things work out—”
“They will. You’ll see.”
“Then you’ll thank me because you’ll never have to question his motives.”
“OH MY GOD! What is wrong with you? Now I see why Daddy didn’t want you to know we were rich. You’re crazy.”
My husband had bags of money stashed away, along with a house I could only dream of, and it’s my fault. I realize it’s natural for Gemma to blame me; I blamed myself when I first found out. For being so trusting and not being more involved with our finances. Since then, I’ve had a minute to think about it. Now I question what other secrets Brandon had.
“Right. I’m the problem.” I wonder if she realizes she shoved an icepick straight through my heart.
“WHY ARE WE AT A RUGBYgame? Didn’t you say you wanted me to meet your boyfriend?” I look at the mostly empty bleachers as players stretch on the field.
“You’re here to watch the game with me and keep me company. You’ll meet Teddy when it’s over.”
“Oh.” I take a deep breath. “So, I was too crazy for your father to tell things to when he was alive, but I’m not too crazy to keep you company? You better cross your fingers that I don’t have an outburst and embarrass you.”
“I knew you were still pissed.” Gemma sighs and pouts like I put her out by throwing a teasing jab at her because she said something hurtful to me. “I apologized three times already. I didn’t mean you’re actually crazy. At least not certifiable.” She mutters the last part under her breath as if I’m not sitting right next to her. Taking my hand in hers, she gives it a little squeeze. “I really like Teddy, and I want you to also.”
“And you thought a rugby game would be the best way for us to meet?” I try to help her see the error of her ways.
