Infuriating - Onley James Page 0,93
without looking at him.
“Me either. Smile and wave. Say thank you. People are staring.”
Day smiled. He waved. He said, “Thank you!”
After a few minutes of awkwardness, Day relaxed. Jackson was right, these were Day’s people. His adopted family. Charlie plopped a gold crown on his head and dubbed him, “Queen of the Night. You know, like Whitney Houston.”
They ate and talked and drank champagne. Day danced with Jackson’s mom and his nieces. He did the Macarena and the Cupid Shuffle. After a dinner consisting of all the things Jackson had gotten Day the first time they’d gone grocery shopping together, the kitchen rolled out a stunning three-tiered gold cake with a twenty-four scrawled in black as the centerpiece. It was a decadent chocolate fudge cake with cherries inside.
Day frowned at Jackson. “You hate cherries.”
Jackson grinned. “Yeah, but you love them, and I love you.”
Day blushed, shoving him. “Still so corny.”
“You ready for your presents?” Charlie asked the moment Day’s plate was empty.
Day flushed, shaking his head. “Presents? No. Come on, this is already way too much.”
“Oh, there’s only one and it’s from all of us. Come on.” She dragged him from his seat to the big throne onstage.
Day covered his face until his crown went askew and he was forced to look up or risk it falling to the floor and shattering. With his luck, it was some vintage trinket worth millions. When he raised his head, Charlie had a mic in her hand. “Oh, God, who gave her a microphone?”
The crowd laughed, and Charlie curtsied, then she looked at Day with a warm smile that lit up his belly. “Day, you were the last to join Elite’s merry band of misfits, and even though you kicked and screamed the whole way, we’re so glad you’re here. You’re funny and glamorous and one of the smartest people I know. You pick up languages like I pick up dates and Wyatt and Linc pick up sex toys.” The crowd snickered, and Linc groaned. Charlie continued, “You managed to live twenty-two years without a single person realizing you couldn’t read. You survived a horrible attack and came out stronger for it. We’re all kind of in awe of you, and we hope this is the beginning of a new tradition where we all get to recognize you for the perfectly magical unicorn you are.”
Day’s pulse hammered in his ears, and he blinked back tears, realizing she still wasn’t done.
“We wanted to get you something to show how much we love you, but since you went and snagged the richest dude we all know...”
“Not richer than me,” Angel cried, making the crowd titter once more.
“The second richest guy we all know,” Charlie corrected. “We weren’t exactly sure what to give you that Jackson hadn’t already thought to lay at your feet.” She cupped her hand over her mouth, whispering directly into the microphone, “Except maybe a ring. Hint. Hint.” Day covered his face in his hands. “Anywho, after much consideration, we all chipped in and got you this, so that you can help others like you helped yourself.”
Day took the envelope from her hand, opening it carefully. When he pulled the paper free, he froze. It was a letter…or maybe a receipt. It was a thank you from the Literacy Coalition thanking him for his recent donation of fifty thousand dollars. “I--” He cleared his throat and tried again. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you, everybody. This… This is amazing.” He flushed at his lame attempt to express how he felt. His ears burned.
“Jackson, it’s your turn.”
“Wait, what?” Day said, watching as Jackson stood and walked across the room to take the microphone. “Jackson Andrew Avery, if you hand me a check or a ring, I will divorce you before we are even married. I swear to God.”
Everybody laughed, including Jackson, but Day was overwhelmed. “Relax, baby. I promise it’s not a check…or a ring...yet.”
Day rolled his eyes, but his shoulders sagged. He loved Jackson and he believed with everything he had that Jackson was it for him, but he needed a little more time to be sure he was it for Jackson.
“Despite what Charlie says, I’ve given Day very little, because, as soon as I turn my back, he’s taken it back to the store and exchanged it for something for me. Day is the sweetest, most selfless person I know. He’s also the prickliest and meanest person I know, especially when it comes to standing up for others. So,