I gnashed my teeth. I didn’t have time for this bullshit. If I didn’t hurry, I’d be late for my meeting with Toshino. But the hell I was going to tell the old man any of that.

“I really do have an appointment, Dad.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets as he shook his head. “Fine, we’ll continue with our conversation tomorrow. Do you at least want to see your present?”

No, I didn’t. “Sure. What is it?”

He pulled out a set of car keys and tossed them to me. The BMW key fob matched the one I already had for my car. “You bought me a car?”

He nodded. “I asked my secretary to go and pick up something a young man in his twenties would want. She came back with this. A BMW 6 Series convertible. I don’t know what you’re driving these days, but I’m sure this is better.”

No. Not better. Exact replica was more accurate. Was my father that clueless that he didn’t even know what I drove or that I’d bought the car for myself? Hurt chased annoyance as I took the keys. “Yeah thanks, Dad.” I’d find a charity in the morning to see if they’d come pick up the car. At least I could do something useful with it. “If that’s it, I need to get going.”

He eyed me up and down once more. I held his gaze directly and wished I knew why my father had stopped loving me.

I didn’t have long to wallow because Mum called as soon as he left. “How is one of my favorite sons?”

“You know that doesn’t actually mean anything unless you designate one of us your favorite, right?”

She sniffed. “You know I can’t choose. You and Xander are both so dear and darling to me.”

“Right. So, what’s up?”

“I know your father just left.”

Ahh, so the old man had called to complain. “Really, Mum. I don’t want to fight about him today.”

“And we won’t.” She placated me. “I was just going to say I have the perfect charity to drop the car off with.”

“You can relax, Mum, I’m not even that pissed. It’s not a surprise after all. Of course, he wouldn’t be paying attention.”

She laughed, and it made me smile. Her laugh was one of my favorite things. “Well, that’s a change. There was a time not so long ago that you would have both deteriorated into an all-out shouting match.”

“Yes, I like to call that period last week.” I sniggered.

“My, how you’ve matured since then.”

“Well, having it out with him would have ruined my birthday, and I’m not willing to do that.”

She was quiet for a moment. “You sound different.”