What now? I let myself into the bungalow.
“Are you guys ever going to start locking your door?”
“Oh, good! She’s here.” Mom’s voice is weepy. “Brina, baby, we’re in the kitchen. Come on in.”
“What’s going on?” I yell into the other room.
“An incredible week. Are you going to come here or do I have to drag you in?”
I can’t decide if Mom sounds high on life or just hyper.
My eyes bug out as soon as I plod into the kitchen.
There’s this massive catered Italian buffet set up on the counter, rolls and cold cuts and eggplant rollatini and meatballs and pasta in vodka sauce.
Even Dad beams at me when he stops stuffing his face from a plate piled high.
Whatever happened is big.
I smile at Dad first. He’s more likely to cut to the chase. Mom will try to give me the full story in her slow, dramatic, oh-so-writerly way. Right now, I just want to know what the heck we’re celebrating.
“You guys look...happy,” I try.
“Damn right, Brina.” His grin stretches wider. “I’m going fishing in Sturgeon Bay for a week.”
Suspicion creeps over me like a blanket.
“Oh, cool, you’ve talked about that forever! How, though?”
“I won a big vacation package. Don’t even remember the contest. But your ma and me are staying at a cozy little bed and breakfast for a week. I get unlimited fishing with a free license and boat rental. She gets a spa package.”
Oh, no.
No one wins packages from contests they never entered, and I know Dad didn’t.
Because I remember my bosshole’s little brother won lots of contests he never entered, too. All because Mag didn’t know how else to stay involved in his life.
This is not cool.
My hands curl into fists. I want to go outside, call him, and scream into the phone, but talking to him will only make it worse.
But now he’s sending my parents weird gifts, and I just have to let it go and let him play Creepy Bad Santa?
Yikes.
I take a deep breath and remind myself worse things could happen. Magnus is an arrogant douchebag, but he’s harmless. Dad’s happier than a lark with a vacation he’s always wanted, and no one had to pay a dime.
But still...
Mom looks downright teary-eyed. Since when does she give a flip about a week in northern Wisconsin? There has to be more to it.
“What’s with the catering?” I ask. “No one died, right?”
“Oh, Brina!”
“Mom?” I whisper, my heart racing.
“You’ll never believe this...” She stands up, wiping her eyes, and smiles so big I can’t see her pupils. “Hog Fights Under City Lights sold a million copies. I’m a USA Today bestseller!”
She’s sobbing maniacally.
“Are...are you okay?” I ask, my voice so small, fear clenching my throat.
She wipes her eyes. “I’m so okay. It’s just—I’ve waited my whole life for this, and somewhere along the way, I gave up. I didn’t think I’d ever be here. Agents are querying me now—big names who do huge book deals.”
Oh My God.
This is where I realize I’m going to go to jail, because if I ever see Magnus Heron again, I will strangle him.
When he quits buying her damn books, she’s going to be crushed. Though I’m not sure crushed is the right word for making Mom a bestseller, and both of my parents insta-millionaires.
God.
I pivot on my heel and start stalking away.
“Brina?” Mom calls.
“Hold that thought. I forgot my phone in the car. I’ll be right back,” I say tightly.
“You don’t care? I thought you’d be proud of me...” She seems hurt.
Damn it, damn it, damn it.
With a suffocating sigh, I move in and hug her fiercely.
“I am, Mom. It’s amazing, but I’m always proud, whether you’re selling one book or one billion. You taught me how to walk and talk.” I kiss her cheek. “You don’t have to put Sir Oinkswell on a movie screen to impress me. I’m happy for you, though. Huge accomplishment.”
She hugs me so tight I can’t breathe.
“Aww, thank you, baby!”
“I’m going to get my phone now, so I can text Paige. She’ll want to hear the big news.”
It’s not a total lie, okay?
Paige has loved my mother ever since she declared herself the unofficial dorm mom. We’ll just forget that the first call I make won’t be to Paige.
I go sit in my car and dial a number I thought I’d never call again. Even though I’ve blocked it, I somehow have it memorized.
Whatever. I’ll reblock him as soon as I’m done.
My hand shakes and my stomach clenches as I unblock Mag’s number and hit Call.
He answers on the third ring.
“Brina?” His voice just about undoes me.
Stay strong.
“Stay out of my life and leave my parents alone,” I say, ignoring the fire raking my throat.
My eyes tear up in under a second, but I can handle this. I can—
“Your parents?” His heavy breath fills the phone, shattering my thoughts. “What did I do to them?”