Jameson immediately turns to her. “Dad said there are giant sea turtles around here—the ones bigger than people. Are we gonna see any?”
She smiles. “If we’re lucky.”
I cut in before she can say anything else. “You planning to narrate the whole trip?”
Ryan shoots me a look. “Dane?—”
Charlotte just shrugs, like it doesn’t touch her. “Just answering his question.”
That almost makes it worse. Like she’s used to me being like this.
Tara’s eyes move between us. “All right. Before anyone starts anything, grab the bags and take them down to the rooms.”
She lifts one of the heavier ones and hands it to me. “You’re the strongest one here.”
Liar.
Ryan grabs another without a word. Jameson runs over and wrestles with one that’s nearly his size.
Just like that, everyone moves, and the moment disappears.
We stash everything below deck, and when we come back up, Dad’s already in the middle of the yacht, hands on his hips like he’s been waiting for us.
He claps once. “All right—crew meeting.”
Jameson hurries over, practically bouncing. Ryan leans against the rail beside him, and the rest of us drift in. Dad looks like he’s about to kick off the best trip of his life.
“So here’s the plan,” he says, gesturing out toward the water. “We head out this afternoon and start working our way through the islands. There are a couple reefs I want to anchor near for snorkeling. If the weather holds, we’ll spend a few nights in some of the smaller coves.”
Jameson’s eyes go wide. “Are there sharks in those coves?”
Dad grins. “Probably.”
That’s all Jameson needs.
Dad keeps going, pointing out toward the open ocean like we can already see it. “Most of these islands are remote. Not many boats. Just beaches, reefs, and water.”
Then he looks around at all of us.
“Two weeks. No business, no distractions. Just family.”
Tara smiles beside him like that’s the best part. “That’s the whole point, honey.”
“Great,” I mutter. “Two weeks of family time. Can’t wait.”
Ryan gives me a look that saysdon't start.
People start drifting off once Dad’s done. Jameson heads straight for the rail, already firing questions at Charlotte about turtles. Tara follows, laughing at something he says.
Ryan catches my arm before I can disappear.
“Hey.”
He pulls me a few steps away from everyone else. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
He glances back at the others. “Looking for reasons to hate them.”
