Page 51 of And Now, Back to You

“No,” I agree, rushing down the stairs, Jackson hot on my heels. I don’t even care that he’s carrying my suitcase. I just need to get the hell out of this Shining-wannabe hotel. I shiver. “No, you’re right. I’m not staying here.”

I’m so spooked I don’t even realize. It’s the first time we’ve agreed on something.

PENELOPE CLARK: I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want you on television.

ADELINE CLARK: Agreed.

ADELINE CLARK: It’s not cool.

ADELINE CLARK: It’s the worst.

JACKSON CLARK: ????

[unanswered call]

[unanswered call]

PENELOPE CLARK: I can’t say it.

ADELINE CLARK: I WON’T say it.

JACKSON CLARK: What the hell is going on with you two?

JACKSON CLARK: Answer your damned phones.

PENELOPE CLARK: Calm down, Jackie. We’re fine.

JACKSON CLARK: Then tell me what’s going on.

PENELOPE CLARK: It’s not a big deal.

ADELINE CLARK: It is a big deal.

PENELOPE CLARK: The entire school just thinks you’re hot and now our lives are ruined.

ADELINE CLARK: I WILL NEVER RECOVER.

JACKSON CLARK: If this is a joke, it’s a bad one.

ADELINE CLARK: I wish.

ADELINE CLARK: God, do I wish.

CHAPTER 12

JACKSON

“Keith is a jackass.”

“We don’t know that it was Keith,” Delilah replies easily, a mug of hot chocolate at her elbow and her thumbs working furiously across the screen of her phone. She’s been looking for alternative accommodations for the past twenty-three minutes, and so far her best bet is a shack two miles away, right at the water’s edge.

“That could be fun,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to stay in a yurt.”

I don’t look up from the weather projections on my laptop. I have both the Global Forecast System and the European model running. “That yurt doesn’t have a toilet.”

“Oh. Well.” Her teeth drag over her bottom lip. I get a flash of that cute little gap. “I don’t—”

“You need a toilet, Delilah.”