Jack (The Family Simon 2)

“He’s not shaving his damn head,” Derek interjected. “Christ, we’d lose ten points overnight. Don’t underestimate the power of that head of hair.”

Grace made a face at Derek. “So what are you two arguing about anyway?” she asked, falling onto the nearest chair and kicking off her flip-flops.

“Nothing,” Jack answered, shooting a warning glance at Derek.

“Didn’t sound like nothing to me,” Grace answered, chewing her gum and smacking it loudly. “Actually, it sounded like a lovers spat. Is there something you two aren’t telling me?” she teased.

Derek rolled his eyes and scooped up his laptop along with his briefcase. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and convince your brother to get away for a few days and clear his head. He needs to get back in the game. Just because he’s a Simon doesn’t mean this senator gig is all wrapped up.”

Derek looked at Jack pointedly. “It’s been ages since you’ve had a vacation. Go and get some R&R. I’ll hold down the fort.”

Jack didn’t answer him.

“Wow. What the hell is up his ass?” Grace said, jumping to her feet after Derek left.

“Nothing,” he said. His mood was shit, and he still had a bone to pick with his sister, but it could wait. Aside from the fact that he didn’t have the energy to argue with someone who made arguing look like an art form, he was done discussing Donovan James.

“I think you should,” Grace said making her way over to him until she too was looking out over the ocean.

“Should what?”

“Go away for a few days. I could stay here and look after Coco, and you could clear your head and maybe do what Derek suggested.”

He glanced down at his sister, noting the grin. He was almost afraid to ask.

“And what’s that exactly?”

“Get laid.”

He shouldn’t have asked. “Jesus, Gracie. I’m not having this conversation with you.”

She shrugged. “You do seem more uptight than usual is all, and like I said, I can stay and look after the little monster.”

“You’re just afraid to go home and let mom have a look at your new head.”

“There is that,” his sister said with a grin, linking her arms through his as she rested her head on his shoulder. “At twenty-three, it shouldn’t be an issue, but man, she’s got a way of making me feel like I’m a teenager again.”

God, he loved the kid. She was thirteen years younger than him and for most of his life, she’d been the biggest pain in the butt. She was still a pain in the butt, but she was also so much more than that. She was a complicated, vivacious, petulant, loving, intelligent young woman…who had the worst taste in men.

“You should go to Belize,” Grace said, swatting at a fly.

That was from left field. “Belize,” he repeated.

“Well actually, there’s this little island off the coast of Belize that Liam and I were supposed to be staying at for ten days. It’s super private and only one guest house but um…” She sighed and blew out a long breath. “We broke up.”

“Ah, kid. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Turns out Liam has a problem keeping his dick in his pants when I’m not around.”

Jack heard the hurt behind her words and gave her a hug. “Asshole move,” he said quietly.

“Yes,” she replied.

Jack held his sister for a few moments, staring out over the water. “Belize,” he murmured.

“Belize.” She nodded. “Go. It’s already paid for. Dickhead and I were supposed to fly out the night of the fundraiser but…”

Jack was silent for a moment. “I don’t know, Grace. I’ve got reports to go over, and I’ve got a board meeting in a few weeks. It’s not a good time for me to slip away.”