Becoming Us

by Allie Everhart

  “I can see why. Great views, live music, and a large dessert menu.” He holds it up in the air.

  Grace laughs and turns to Jade. “Your grandfather loved dessert. Sometimes he’d skip dinner and just have two desserts.”

  Meredith points at William. “It must be genetic because his son is the same way.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with that.” He kisses her cheek. “Two desserts never killed a man. Or a woman. Order two desserts, Meredith. I dare you.”

  “No, thank you. One is plenty.”

  “I’ll order two,” Jade says.

  “Then I guess it is genetic,” William says to Meredith. “Jade has a sweet tooth, just like her uncle and her grandfather.”

  Jade smiles really wide. It makes her happy to hear William include her as part of the family.

  I put my arm around her. “Jade would have three desserts if I let her.”

  Grace sets her menu down. “I think I’ll have two desserts as well. We’re celebrating, so why not splurge a little? Garret, how about you?”

  “He doesn’t like dessert,” Jade says.

  Grace and William look at me in horror.

  “I know, it’s crazy,” Jade says when she sees their faces.

  “I don’t know if we can let you in the family if you don’t like dessert,” William jokes.

  Meredith leans closer to me. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I hardly ever eat sweets and they let me in the family.”

  “Come to think of it, I don’t think your father likes dessert either,” William says to me. “Every time I’ve eaten with him, he skips dessert.”

  “Yeah, sometimes he’ll eat ice cream but that’s about it. He doesn’t really like sweets.”

  William sets his menu down. “Well, there’s clearly a genetic defect in the Kensington line.”

  Everyone laughs.

  “Man, that’s harsh, William.” I pretend to be serious.

  Grace shakes her head. “He’s kidding. William, apologize to Garret.”

  I smile. “No, it’s fine. And today I’m ordering dessert so it’s not like I never eat it.”

  The waitress comes back, and when we order she looks at us funny because we’re ordering so many desserts. She reads the order back to us just to make sure it’s what we wanted.

  When she brings the desserts, they’re so huge they could be split between two people. But William and Jade are determined to eat both of their desserts. And they do. Grace takes one of hers to go.

  As we’re waiting for the check, Jade says to William, “Wouldn’t it be nice if your mom lived out here instead of in Florida?” She smiles at Grace. “Closer to her granddaughter who loves spending time with her?”

  I wonder if Jade already talked to Grace about this because Grace doesn’t seem surprised by the question.

  William sits back and looks at his mom. “Actually, that’s a good idea. The house here is much more manageable to maintain than the one in Florida. And you always complain about the humid weather.”

  Grace reaches over and rubs Jade’s hand. “Jade and I have already discussed this and I told her I would consider it.”

  “You wouldn’t need to do much for the move,” William says. “Just pack up your clothes and have them shipped here. Why don’t you try it for a month and see what you think? You can always go back to Florida.”

  We all wait for her answer.

  She taps her hand on the table. “All right. I’ll do it.”

  “Really?” Jade leans over and hugs her. “This is so great!”

  “But once I get used to having my granddaughter close by, you know it’ll be difficult for me to leave. I might just end up moving here for good.”

  Jade sits back. “I would love that.”

  “We need to celebrate again,” William says. “Anyone want another dessert?”

  We all laugh.

  He holds up his water glass. “I guess we’ll have to settle for a toast.” He waits for the rest of us to raise our glasses, then says, “To my mother embarking on a new adventure in life.” He looks right at Jade. “And to my niece, Jade, for making my mother smile like she hasn’t smiled in a very long time.”

  We clink our glasses, then Grace says, “We’re very blessed to have her in our lives.”

  I hold Jade’s hand under the table and kiss her cheek. She’s so happy right now. I’ve noticed Jade is happiest when she has family around her. She’s happy when it’s just her and me, but she’s even happier when she has Grace around, or Frank and Ryan, or even my dad. That day before our wedding, when everyone was there with us, Jade couldn’t stop smiling. Since she didn’t grow up with a big family, she wants it now. And with William and Meredith, she can add two more people to that family.

  I still have concerns about William. I feel a little better about him after spending some time with him, but I still don’t trust him. I think I’ll always be somewhat wary of him because he’s involved with the organization.

  In the afternoon we sit outside and talk. None of us want to go anywhere for dinner so we have Italian food delivered. Jade and Meredith set it up for everyone, buffet-style.

  After dinner, William gets the fireplace going and we play cards. William and Grace are very competitive. They keep challenging each other regarding the rules while Meredith rolls her eyes, telling Jade and me that they do this whenever they play together.

  When we’re in bed later, I give Jade a kiss and say, “So what did you think of the family reunion today?”

  “It was great. Better than I thought it would be. And I got Grace to move here, which was totally unexpected. I didn’t think she’d do it.” Jade backs into my chest and pulls the covers over us. “I know you don’t like William, but I do. He kind of reminds me of Arlin.”

  “I never said I didn’t like him.”

  “You think he’s bad because of the stuff he’s done. But your dad does the same things.”

  “Jade, I know that. I’m not judging him because of that. I’m just careful around him. That’s all.”

  “But you don’t need to be. Don’t you think he’s nice?”

  “Yes, but I’m always extra careful when it comes to you.” I tighten my arms around her. “I love you way too much to let anything bad happen to you.”

  “Nothing bad will happen to me. I feel like we’re safe now. That guy we thought robbed the neighbors is dead and that fake cop hasn’t shown up again.”

  “We still have to be careful, Jade.”

  She yawns. “I’m really tired.”

  “Go to sleep.” I kiss her cheek. “And tomorrow we’ll go see the place where we’re going to live.”

  “I can’t wait.” She smiles, her eyes closed. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  In the morning, after we get ready, Jade and I go in the kitchen where William, Meredith, and Grace are all having coffee.

  “I was just about to start breakfast.” Grace pours us some coffee. “I was going to make eggs, but I thought you might want to make pancakes, Garret, since you weren’t able to yesterday. Jade keeps saying you make great pancakes.”

  “Sure, what kind would you like?”

  “I didn’t know there were options. Jade, what kind should he make?”

  It’s Sunday, which is typically our pancakes-and-sex day. I know Jade is thinking the same thing because she’s blushing.

  “Jade, what kind would you like today?” I smile at her.

  She smiles back. “Apple-cinnamon would be good.”

  I keep my eyes on her, imagining the shower sex we’ll be having later.

  Grace hands Jade some creamer for her coffee. “I’m sorry, honey, but we don’t have any apples.”

  Jade spots the bowl of cut-up strawberries sitting on the counter. “How about strawberry-lemon?”

  Shit, yeah. Finally. Outdoor sex. And I bet I know exactly where she wants to do it.

  Grace opens one of the cupboards. “I don’t have lemons but I have lemon extract. Will that w
ork?” She hands it to me.

  “Yeah, that’ll work.” Actually, fresh lemons are what’s in the recipe but who the hell cares what the recipe says? I’m making those damn pancakes. I want the outdoor sex.

  Jade helps me mix up the batter and when nobody’s paying attention, she gets close to my ear and whispers, “I’ll pay you for them later.”

  It gets me so worked up that if there weren’t all these people here, I’d take her in the back yard and do her right now. But I can’t, so I try to think non-sexual thoughts while I drop pancake batter onto the hot skillet.

  The pancakes are a huge success. I didn’t have the recipe but the basic batter is the same for all the different pancakes, so I had it memorized. Then I just added the lemon extract and chopped strawberries.

  After we eat, Grace, Meredith, and Jade go outside to talk and finish their coffee. William and I offered to stay inside and clean up. When we’re done I start to head outside but William stops me.

  “Garret, can we talk for a few minutes?” He sits down at the kitchen table.

  “Sure.” I take the seat across from him. “What do you want to talk about?”

  He looks out the sliding door behind him to make sure it’s closed. “You’re no longer involved with the organization. Is that correct?”

  Why is he asking me this? He already knows the answer.

  “Yeah, I’m out. For good.”

  He nods. “That’s what I thought.”

  “Why did you ask me that?”

  He clasps his hands together on the table and circles his thumbs. “I just overheard some things and it made me wonder. That’s all.”

  That’s all? He can’t leave it at that. If he heard things, I need to know what the hell he heard.

  “Yeah, you’re going to have to explain what that means. What exactly did you hear?”

  “I’ve heard your name being mentioned recently but I’m never there for the full conversation. I’ve only overheard bits and pieces so I don’t know for sure what they’re saying about you.”

  “Is my dad around when they’re talking about me? Because maybe he’s just—”

  “No, he wasn’t around.”

  “Maybe my grandfather was talking about me. He’s trying to get me to take over the company and he often talks business with the other members.”

  “I don’t see your grandfather anymore. He’s been promoted, but I’m sure you already knew that.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “When they get to that level, we don’t see them anymore. They’re more of an entity, not a person. The upper tier.”

  I roll my eyes. “Is that what they call themselves? They actually have a name?”

  “Informally, yes. It’s not official.” He looks back at the patio. Jade is laughing at something Meredith is saying while Grace sips her coffee. “Garret, are you sure you and Jade are safe?”

  I tense up. “You think we’re not?”

  “I didn’t say that. I just think it would be wise for you to invest in some extra security. That place you’re living in is so out in the open. No security gate. No guards. You’re a Kensington. There are always people who will want to come after you. I’m surprised Pearce allowed you to move there.”

  “I’m not part of his world anymore. I don’t have to worry as much as he does.”

  “You’re still his son, which means you still need to be careful. And Jade does, too.”

  “We are.”

  “I’m not telling you what to do. I’m just reminding you that you can never be too careful.”

  When he says it, it reminds me of Walt.

  “What’s the story with Walt? Why would you hire someone like him for your private security?”

  William doesn’t act surprised that I know the truth about Walt. He knows my dad would’ve told me about him.

  “Walt is very good at what he does. And I only hire the best.”

  “You really want a killer working for you?” I didn’t mean to phrase it like that, but it’s what I was thinking and it just came out.

  “Wouldn’t you? I mean, if you were me?” He sits back casually in his seat. “People come after me, Garret. Not just because I’m wealthy but because of the things I’m involved in. I don’t think I need to explain what I mean.”

  When I don’t answer him, he continues. “Unfortunately, for people like me, and your father, there are times when it’s either kill or be killed. And when it comes to that, you want the right people on your side. People who can do the job that needs to be done. It’s not a choice, Garret. It’s survival. You’re just lucky you got out.”

  I didn’t expect him to be so honest. My dad’s never even been that honest with me. So does my dad have a guy like Walt working for him? If he does, I don’t know who it would be. My dad has his own security team but I thought they were just guys he hired from a security company. But maybe they’re guys like Walt. Guys who do freelance work for the organization.

  I don’t know much about that side of my dad’s life. He keeps it hidden, or at least he tries to. I think William does, too, but just now I saw a glimpse of it. As William was talking, I watched him, studying his face. The moment he alluded to the organization, it’s like he became a different person. He looked at me with this blank stare and lost all expression on his face. It’s like he turned off all emotion. Even his voice changed. It was deeper, more direct, almost angry.

  My dad does the same thing whenever he talks about the organization. It’s like he and William turn a switch and become someone else. Someone who does what he has to in order to survive. Someone who’s able to set his morals and ethics aside just long enough to do whatever he’s ordered to do. I don’t like that side of my dad and I don’t like that side of William either. Just sitting here and seeing him look at me that way is making me uncomfortable.

  “Well, Meredith and I need to be going.” He smiles and switches back to the other William, the friendly uncle I want to trust but can’t. Not yet. Not until I know more about him. He has to earn my trust and he hasn’t yet.

  He moves his chair out and stands up, so I do as well. “I know we didn’t have much time here, but I think it was good we got together like this.”

  “Yeah, I think so, too.”

  He puts his hand on my shoulder. “Keep an eye on Jade. Make sure she’s safe.”

  I back away. “Don’t say shit like that. You’re basically implying she’s not.”

  He shakes his head. “No, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s just that Jade doesn’t know our world the way you and I do, and I don’t want her taking risks. She needs to always be on guard. Even though you’re not part of this, Garret, she needs to understand there are dangers in being a Kensington. Just like there are dangers in being a Sinclair. I want to make sure you haven’t hidden these things from her. She needs to know the reality of being in a family like ours.”

  “She does,” I assure him, even though I’m not sure if it’s true. I’m always telling her to be careful, but at the same time, I don’t want to scare her. I don’t want her living in fear for the rest of her life.

  William stands by the patio door and waves at his wife to come in. “Does Jade plan to tell Victoria and the girls who she is?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. It’s best for the girls not to know what their father did. If Jade ever wants to meet her sisters, maybe she could do so without telling them who she is.”

  “Maybe. We’ll see.”

  He opens the sliding door. “Meredith, we need to leave in a few minutes.”

  The three of them come inside and we all say goodbye.

  I watch as William gives Jade a hug. He holds on to her a few seconds after she lets go. Arlin did that, too, so maybe it’s just something Arlin taught him. Or maybe William really is worried about Jade. Maybe he holds on those extra seconds because he thinks he may not see her again. I’m probably reading too much into it, but after that conversation I had with him, m
aybe I’m not. Maybe he knows more than he told me.

  19

  JADE

  We left Grace’s house around noon and now we’re driving up the coast to go check out our land. We’re almost there. This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see it.

  Garret’s been quiet the whole time we’ve been in the car. I’m guessing he’s just tired. We were up late last night playing cards with everyone. Grace and William are so competitive. It was funny to watch them.

  “Hey.” Garret reaches over for my hand.

  “Hey, back.” I smile. “Why are you so quiet over there?”

  “I was just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  He glances over at me. “You know you need to be careful, right?”

  “Careful? What are you talking about?”

  “I mean, like just in general, you know you need to always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t trust people you just met. Stuff like that.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “You can’t say it like you’re not sure. This is important. I need to know you’re being careful and taking precautions.”

  “I don’t understand. Are you saying I’m not safe?”

  “No. It’s just that William was talking to me after we cleaned up breakfast and he wanted to make sure you’re being careful.”

  “Why does William care?”

  “Because you’re his niece and he worries about you and wants you to be careful. So are you? Like when I’m not around?”

  “I was careful even before I met you. I never trust anyone. You know that.”

  “Yeah, but it’s not just that. You can’t take risks, Jade. Like going running by yourself when nobody’s around. You can’t do stuff like that. It’s too dangerous.”

  “For anyone? Or just for me? You need to explain why you’re saying this.”

  “It’s dangerous for anyone, but especially you because you’re a Kensington now. And that name comes with risks.”

  “Because of the organization? You keep saying not to worry about them.”

  “I’m not talking about them. What I mean is that having a lot of money attracts bad people. Everyone knows my dad has a shitload of money, which means they assume we do as well, which we do, but not anywhere near what my dad has. I’m just saying that bad people could come after us so I just want to make sure you’re always being careful.”