Page 125 of Robbin’ the Rich

“You do what is right by our kids and by Lantern House, and no one sees this.” She tapped her phone a few times. “I just texted it to everyone in this room. There are too many copies to destroy. Take any of us down and you go down with us.”

“Oh my god,” Robin said slack jawed looking between her parents.

Mr. Sherwood gave his wife a well-deserved high five. “The choice is yours. You press charges against me, and I will make the biggest stink you’ve ever known. Or let this go, keep donating to Lantern House, and we forget this whole ugly incident ever happened.”

“Fine,” he said. He collapsed in his chair. “Get out of my sight.”

The Sherwoods turned to leave, and I went to follow them.

“Not you, Micah.”

They all turned around.

“What do you need?” I asked.

“I think we have more to talk about.”

I was not going to do this. Not after that. “No. We don’t. I’m leaving.”

“Just like that you’re walking away from your family.”

“We’ve been over this. You know my feelings. You leverage it gone… so yeah, I’m leaving.” I turned as he continued to protest.

Then I felt Robin’s hand take mine as we walked out of that office. I clung to her like a lifeline. We quickly but quietly made our way through the decorated hallways until we came to the foyer. Robin’s hand finally pulled out of mine, and she turned to her dad.

“I can’t believe you did that!”

“What? This fellow isn’t the only man who would do anything for you, darling.”

Robin ran into her father’s arms, with her mom joining not far behind. Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks at the sight. This is what family love is supposed to be like, parents willing to do what it takes to be there for their daughter. Even if it was a little light crime and blackmail.

When they finally pulled away, he came over to me and shook my hand. “Micah, I would like to introduce myself. I’m Dave Sherwood.”

“It’s nice to meet you sir. You have an amazing daughter.”

“Don’t I know it.” He beamed at Robin who seemed unsure of how to handle this much attention.

“Honey, why don’t you let Micah take you home. We can figure out what to do with your car tomorrow,” Mrs. Sherwood said to Robin.

Her mom squeezed her face and kissed her cheek. “See you tomorrow sweetheart, and Merry Christmas to you both.”

And just like that they turned and left leaving us standing alone in the entryway.

“Wow, so those are your parents? They seem pretty cool.”

“Yeah,” Robin huffed out in amusement. “Who knew?”

She turned to me, her eyes full of emotion. “Micah, can we talk?”

“I would love nothing more. Can we do it in my car though? I really want to get away from this place.”

She took my hand and let out a breath. “Yeah, let’s get out of here.”

29

ROBIN

Iwalk into the cold hand-in-hand with Micah. When I say this Christmas Eve did not turn out the way I expected it to, I’m not messing around.