Page 57 of The Grumpy Billionaire
“Hold on.” I pulled the phone away from my ear and checked the number. “Heidi? I’ve gotta go. It’s the high school. My brothers have probably set the place on fire—again—or hung the headmaster’s underwear from the flagpole.”
I clicked back over and took the call. There was no fire—or underwear display—but apparentlysomeonehad filled the high school’s indoor pool with Jello, and those someones bore a strong resemblance to my two easily-identifiable brothers in the security video.
“Does that qualify as senior prank material?” I asked, hopeful but not all that optimistic.
“They’re juniors,” the headmaster deadpanned. “And they’re inseriousjeopardy of spending their senior years at some other institution—possibly the state juvenile detention facility—if things don’t change. I had to hire an industrial cleanup crew to shovel the pool out manually. Thankfully we’re on fall break next week, but it’ll be two weeks before we can even use it again.”
“I’m so sorry for all the trouble, but there’s no need to call the police about this, is there?” I urged. “Of course we’ll pay for the damage—and the cleanup crew. And if they can possibly help with the cleanup, I’ll send Baxter and Bowie right over.”
The headmaster sounded somewhat placated. “I’ll email you the bill. And pleasedon’tsend them over—they’re suspended for the rest of the week, and frankly I’d rather not see their faces right now—or for a long time to come. We’ve given the boys some… extra rope because of your father. But this can’t continue. It was one thing for them to haul in six tons of sand and create a beach—complete with beach chairs and volleyball court—in the school parking lot…”
“I apologize on their behalf,” I interrupted.
“And another for them to turn the school’s main hallway into a slip ‘n’ slide,” he said.
“I can see why that might have been frustrating and not conducive to a proper learning environment. Very sorry for that as well. Unfortunately, they have access to more money than common sense at this point in their lives. That’s why I moved back and took a job here in Rhode Island. I’m trying to create a more stable home environment for them.”
He sighed loudly. “Yes well… one more incident and we’ll have no choice but to expel them. I don’t need to tell you how that would impact their college applications at the prestigious universities I’m sure your parents want them to attend.”
“There won’t be any more incidents,” I promised. “I’ll take care of it.”
I wasn’t sure how, but I would because Ihadto.
“Miss Neely, if I may ask… why am I speaking with you instead of your mother or father? I understand your dad’s occupied with state business, but your mother… well, this seems like something that should be a matter of parental concern.”
“Believe me, they’re very concerned,” I assured him. “My mother’s… out of town. Trust me, Baxter and Bowie are going to be different boys when you see them again after fall break.”
I meant every word of that promise, but the truth was, it wasn’t completely up to me. My brothers would have to be convinced of the precarious position they were in and motivated to save their own necks. I wasn’t sure I could persuade them on my own—I needed some backup.
And I hated to admit it, but Bax and Bowie needed their father.
Grimacing, I dialed Dad’s number. I’d been ignoring his constant calls and messages, but in a state as small as this one, I’d eventually have to see him and talk to him. Maybe today was the right time.
I’d ask him to meet me for lunch, fill him in on the boys’ misdeeds, and request his intervention. Besides, I could use a little reinforcing of my armor before seeing Reid again tonight.
Nothing would be more effective for reminding me of why I couldn’t be with him than spending some time with my father.
NINETEEN
The Team Dad T-shirt
Mara
When I’d agreed to meet Dad for lunch at Lux Burger Bar, I’d forgotten the choose-your-own-custom-burger place was basically across the street from Reid’s Providence condo building.
It seemed like no matter where I went in this state, I was under his shadow. I selected a table in the back corner and sat facing away from the window-view of his shining high-rise.
Dad came in a few minutes later. Several heads turned, and some of the restaurant patrons called out his name, recognizing him instantly as the state’s governor.
I, on the other hand, barely recognized him. I mean, I knew it was him of course, but his appearance shocked me. I couldn’t believe how much eleven years had changed him. The pictures I’d seen online had obscured the truth.
He was heavier than I’d ever seen him, and his black hair was streaked liberally with gray. He just looked so much… older.
I stood, nervously waiting as he spotted me and approached the table.
“Mara,” he breathed, wearing a smile of wonderment. “Wow. It’s so good to see you. Can I hug you?”
“Oh. Uh, yeah.” I leaned toward him awkwardly as he wrapped his arms around me and squeezed tight.
