Page 126 of The Version You Hide

“I think this is my cue to leave,” I say, reluctantly releasing Mackenzie from my grip. “Meet me later at the marina?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” She lets go of my hand, a wistful smile on her lips.

Then I lean in and whisper into her ear, just loud enough for her to hear. “Happy birthday, Kenz.”

Her smile remains but there’s a warning in her glance. Mackenzie doesn’t like to talk about her birthday and if it wasn’t for the fact that she had to include the date in her employee profile at the tavern, there would be no way I’d even have known when it was.

I get it. Birthdays have never been something to be celebrated for her and the attention is unwanted, but I’m desperate to show her that it doesn’t have to be like that.

“Have fun, ladies,” I say to the two older women as I exit the shop.

Twenty minutes later, I’m on the dock heading to my boat when I hear someone call my name from behind me. The voice is one I could pick a mile off, but in this setting it’s completely unexpected.

I turn to find my father, strolling down the dock, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his pants. I’m not angry at him anymore, though I am curious as to why he’s here, given that we haven’t seen each other in months. I’d stopped making any real effort after the day he tried to bribe me to take my old job back.

“Dad. What are you doing here?”

“I came to apologise,” he says.

“Okay.”

He looks away, taking a deep inhale before he brings his gaze back to mine. “I’m sorry, Dylan. I regret the way things are between us. I should have let you exit the company quietly.” His eyes seem to mist over as he thinks about his next words. “I should have believed in you.”

“Thanks, Dad. That really means a lot.”

My father isn’t generous with apologies. He doesn’t like to admit when he’s wrong, so the fact that he’s here truly does mean everything to me.

“How’s Mackenzie?” he asks.

“She’s doing really well. She’s busy with the new studio.” I can’t help but smile as I speak of her.

“I’m glad.” He scratches the back of his neck before he continues. “I don’t want you to be a stranger. I want you to visit us frequently. And if it’s okay, I’d like to visit you and Mackenzie.”

I nod. “I’d like that.”

“And one more thing,” he says.

“What’s that?”

“I’ve reinstated the original conditions of your trust. The money should be available to you by this afternoon.”

“Wow. Dad. Thank you.” I almost choke on the words.

I’ve gotten used to living from paycheck to paycheck, never even considering that I might one day gain my inheritance back.

I had asked myself the questions though.

Would I still live in a run-down beach shack with a stray dog if I was a millionaire? Would I have kept working on a boat that needed loads of work instead of buying one brand new?

Would I still have the same dreams?

And the answer is yes. To all of them. Yes.

I know that without that money I would have been just fine, and I have no intentions of spending it right away. I’d like to make sure that it’s used for a greater purpose, but it helps to know that I could use it to help Mackenzie too. That after everything she has been through in this life, financial hardship won’t ever be something she has to worry about again.

“I’m proud of you, Dylan,” Dad says, placing a solid hand on my shoulder.

I nod, swallowing down the emotions his words have resurrected. “I’m proud of you too, Dad. And I’m sorry if I ever seemed ungrateful for everything you’ve done for me. I know how blessed I am.”

---