My stomach drops. “Is everything okay?”
Jace moves closer to me.
My dad chuckles. “Better than okay, tater tot. I have fantastic news. I don’t want to explain everything over the phone though, so meet me outside.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “I’ll be there in a minute, just let me say bye to Jace.”
“Okay but make it snappy.”
Uh. That’s weird. “Why?”
“Christ, Dylan. Stop with the ninety-nine questions. I promise I’ll explain everything when I see you.”
“All right, fine.”
“Everything okay?” Jace asks after I hang up.
“According to my dad, everything is better than okay. Apparently, he has some exciting news to tell me that couldn’t wait until after I got home.”
“That’s…”
“Strange? Yeah, I know.”
His shoulders rise in a shrug. “Maybe he won the lottery.”
I snort. “I’m sure Savannah will just love that.” I clutch my chest when the thought hits me. “What if she’s pregnant?”
Jace blanches. “I—shit. You think so?”
“What else could it be? I can’t think of anything that would warrant him being this excited.” Drawing in a shaky breath, I pace back and forth. “He mentioned applying for a promotion at his job, but that’s something that could have waited ‘til later.” I swallow the lump forming in my throat. “My dad’s always wanted a big family. When my mom died and my sister—” Pausing, I look at Jace. “If he expects me to be happy about the spawn of Savannah, he’s out of his mind.”
“I don’t blame you.” Reaching for me, he pulls me into his arms. “But it won’t be all hers. Considering you have half your dad’s genes too, there’s a fifty percent chance this kid will turn out awesome, just like their big sister.”
No one has the ability to talk me off the ledge like he does.
“You’re right.” I rest my head against his chest. “I hate change.”
“Sometimes change is good.” He kisses the top of my head. “I know you’re worried, but having siblings isn’t that bad. Sure, they get on your nerves, but the positives outweigh the negatives. It’s like having a best friend for life.” His expression borders on pain. “Someone who always has your back.”
I tilt his face. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just have to talk…” He shakes his head. “Everything’s fine.” He juts his chin toward the door. “You should go before your dad gets mad.”
After fastening the button on my dress, I give him a quick kiss. “If I can feign enough excitement about the baby, I should be at your house by nine-thirty the latest. If not, keep your window open.”
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he blows out a breath. “Sounds like a plan.”
Something’s definitely going on with him. “Are you—”
My dad’s ringtone cuts me off again.
Jesus. He’s never been this annoying before.
“I’m coming out now,” I yell before I hang up and focus on Jace. “I’ll text you in a little while.” I stop short when I realize. “Tell your brother I’m sorry I left early.”
“Yeah.” He squeezes the back of his neck. “I’ll tell him.”
I blow him a kiss and hustle out the door.
“So, what’s the big news?” I ask as I climb into the back seat of my dad’s car.
Of course, Savannah’s sitting in the passenger seat, like the succubus she is.
My dad smiles from ear to ear as he shifts the car into drive. “Remember how I told you I was gunning for a promotion at work?”
I nod as I fasten my seatbelt. “Yeah, did you get it?”
He shakes his head. “No, they gave it to Jim.” Reaching over, he kisses Savannah’s hand. “But Savannah here—incredible goddess she is—found out that her friend Brandi’s husband, who happens to be the CEO of Flash Corp, had to fire his CFO due to some financial discrepancies and needed a replacement ASAP.”
Savannah smirks as she looks over her seat. “Guess who they hired to fill the position?”
Gee, I have no idea.
It’s all I can do not to tug on her cheap hair extensions, but I don’t want to ruin my dad’s good mood. “Congrats. That’s awesome.”
“Told you tator tot would be happy.” Before I can ask why he thought I wouldn’t, he adds, “I know I sprung this on you last minute, but Savannah has everything covered. She was able to find a full-service moving company on short notice, and they’re coming to pack up the house tomorrow.” He makes a face. “We’ll be staying at a hotel for the time being, but you and Savannah can start house hunting tomorrow while I’m at the office getting settled.”
Record. Freaking. Skip.
“Wait…what? Why are we moving? What’s wrong with the house we live in now?”
The home I grew up in.
The home my mother loved.
“Come on, Dylan. I thought you were smart,” Savannah chirps as she flicks down the visor and peers into the mirror. I’m surprised it shows her reflection and not some demon witch. “Flash Corp is in Orange County.”
“Orange County?” If it wasn’t the first week of June, I’d think this was a sick April Fool’s joke. “That’s over five hours away.”
Turning the steering wheel, he nods. “I know it will take some adjusting, kiddo, but opportunities like this are rare and you have to strike while the iron is hot. Flash Corp is the biggest up-and-coming software company since Microsoft. My starting salary is triple what I was making at Mayer Inc.”
My heart is pounding so fast I’m certain this is what having a heart attack must feel like. “But what about—”
“School will be over in less than a week.” He waves a hand. “I’ll call them on Monday, but with your grades, I’m sure everything will be fine.”
Jace. What. About. Jace?
“Jace.” My voice cracks. “I have to—”
“Stop being so dramatic,” Savannah whines. “You and your little buddy can still keep in touch. It’s why God created Instagram and Facetime.”
My dad chuckles like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.
Anger rolls through me and I clench my hands into fists. “How can you just rip me out of my childhood home and away from all my friends without giving me a chance to say goodbye?”
Hot tears run down my face. How can the best night of my life turn into the worst?
Savannah clicks her tongue as she applies her lipstick. “Really, Dylan, can you try to be happy for your father? This is an amazing opportunity.” I don’t miss the daggers she glares at me as she kisses a tissue. “He’s done nothing but work his butt off so he could give you everything you ever wanted. It’s the least you can do.”
My dad beams.
He’s ruining my life and he’s freaking lighting up like a Christmas tree.
This is a nightmare.
“How the hell would you know, you stupid bitch? You’ve barely even known him a year.”