Rebel(11)

“Oh, there you guys are.” Mom and Herbert turn towards us. “We were wondering if we were going to have to come in and get you.” Mom’s smiling, like she’s happy to see us getting along. I can’t screw this up for her.

I shrug. “Oh, you know, we’re just talking.”

Mom’s gentle smile turns into a mischievous grin. “Better not be any hanky panky. You’re going to be siblings, you know.”

They laugh it up while I just want to crawl into a hole and hide. My face is blushing so hot it must be glowing. This is one of the worst days ever. Second only to The Incident. What do those two things have in common? Oh right, Gavin.

The devil speaks up. “I wouldn’t think of it, ma’am. I’ll be on my best behavior.” His arrogant smirk smooths right into a sweet smile that’s like he specially designed it to melt the hearts of girlfriends’ mothers. Maybe he did. He probably practices it in front of the mirror every morning.

“Oh, Gavin. Call me Marie.” Of course the smile’s working.

“Of course, Marie. Thank you.”

Aaarrgh!

Herbert clears his throat. “I’d like your attention for a moment.” He smoothly pulls two envelopes out of the inner pocket of his blazer. “As you all know, I asked for Marie’s hand in marriage yesterday, and I think it’s a cause for celebration.”

I hold my breath. This sounds big.

“Marie, I’ve gotten us tickets on the Golden Emperor of the Seas, the most exclusive cruise ship in the world. Two weeks in the utmost of luxury. What do you say? A little celebration, and maybe a surprise or two.”

Holy crap, that sounds expensive. I glance at Gavin, finding his face surprisingly hard, his narrowed eyes glaring at Mom. What’s that all about?

“Herbie.” Mom’s eyes are glistening, filling up with tears. “I—I wish you’d asked me first.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” Herbert’s eyes narrow, and I see the family resemblance.

“I—Oh, God, this is embarrassing—I get seasick. Violently. I can barely look at a boat without throwing up. The idea of spending a couple of weeks on one terrifies me.” She watches Herbert’s face closely as it stiffens. “I’m—I’m sorry.”

He blinks, and then slowly, his lips curl upwards. He breaks into loud laughter, throwing the tickets onto the table. “Go figure.” He smiles at her, and for a moment I’m jealous of my own mother, because I want someone to look at me like that. “Nothing to be sorry about, darling. We’ll just find something else. You’re right. I should’ve asked first.” He looks a bit embarrassed.

“Well, I didn’t make dessert, but I did buy some cookies. Let me go get them.” Mom gets up, straightening her skirt.

Herbert is up just as quickly. “I’ll join you, and get rid of these.” His eyes sparkle with mischief as he picks up the cruise tickets. They head to the kitchen together, Mom walking with a wiggle I don’t think I’ve seen her use in my whole life. With Herbert walking behind her, I suppose I know why, though. He casually drops the tickets into the recycling bin as he passes by.

He’s going to throw them out? Just like that? Must be nice to be a freaking billionaire. I take a moment to imagine myself on a cruise ship, soaking up sun, drinking sangrias. And not sparkling grape juice. “I think I’ll get some water.”

Gavin grabs my wrist. “I wouldn’t, unless you want to catch your mom making out.”

I blink, a number of terrifying images flashing before my eyes. Making out? Oh God. I sit back down, glancing over at him to see if he’s serious. He shrugs. Alright, I suppose I can wait.

“Gotta piss.” Gavin gets up.

Yuck! “Thanks for sharing.” Some guys can’t do anything without narrating it.

“There’s a bathroom downstairs, right? Where is it, Sis?”

I sigh deeply, making sure he realizes just annoying he is. “Down the hall, second door on the left. And I’m not your sis.”

“Thanks, Sis.”

Arrrgh!

Laughing and flirting, Mom and Herbert return with the cookies. They sit down together on the love seat, and talk like I’m not even there. Who’d ever thought Mom would make me feel like the third wheel? Oh, whatever. At least the kitchen should be safe now. They don’t even notice me leave.

I pour a glass of what’s left of the wine from dinner, then turn and lean against the counter while drinking it. Today’s been ridiculous. I need to get away a while, at least if Gavin’s going to be hanging around. I so can’t deal with him on a regular basis.