Becoming Us

by Allie Everhart

  “Sean, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you.”

  “At least her parents will be happy. They showed up yesterday.”

  “Why? They’ll see her next week when she’s in LA.”

  “They wanted to meet with the doctor she’ll be seeing when she’s back here after the surgery. They’ll probably decide he’s not good enough for their daughter either.”

  “Have you seen her parents since they got there?”

  “No. The three of them went to dinner last night. I wasn’t invited. Of course they didn’t bother to tell me this until after I’d asked my boss for the night off. Now I have to work double shifts this weekend. Guess it doesn’t matter. I don’t have a girlfriend anymore. My weekends are free.”

  “This sucks, man.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it. Hey, you know anything about pawning engagement rings?”

  “Sean, don’t sell it. Keep the ring.”

  “Why? So I have a constant reminder of her? No, thanks. Besides, I need the money to help pay it off. I know I won’t get much for it at a pawn shop but at least it’s something.”

  “How much was the ring? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

  “It was $10,000.”

  Shit, that’s a lot of money for Sean. It’s probably half of what he makes in a year.

  “Just let me give you the money to pay it off.”

  “I told you I can’t take your money. I don’t want to feel like my best friend bought my girlfriend’s engagement ring.”

  “Yeah, but she’s not your girlfriend anymore.” I sigh. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”

  “No, you’re right. She’s not. It just hasn’t sunk in yet.” He gets quiet, then says, “Let me think about the money. Maybe I’ll take you up on the offer.”

  “Just don’t sell the ring.”

  “Garret, I don’t need it anymore.”

  “You don’t know that. Harper could change her mind. Maybe she really does need time to think. She’s been going through a lot. Not being able to play tennis anymore is a big deal. When I hurt my shoulder and thought my swimming career was over, I fucking lost it. I was yelling at Jade, then I wouldn’t talk to her. We were fighting all the time.” It’s a bit of an exaggeration, but Jade and I did fight. “And the thing was, none of it was her fault. She didn’t do anything wrong. I was just pissed about not being able to swim and I took it out on her. Harper might be going through the same thing.”

  “I guess it’s possible. She has been really down ever since they told her she can’t play tennis. And she’s really nervous about the surgery next week.”

  “Which is why you can’t sell the ring. Let her have the surgery and recover for a week or two and then talk to her. See if anything’s changed.”

  “I want to be there for the surgery, but if I show up at the hospital her parents will be pissed. What do you think I should do?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t decide that for you. If it were Jade, there’s no way I wouldn’t be there, even if she told me not to. But she doesn’t have parents to yell at me.”

  “If she did, would you still go?”

  “Yeah. I would. I love her too much. I’d have to be there.”

  “I feel the same way about Harper.” He pauses. “Fuck it. I’m going. Which means I’ve gotta scrape up some money for a hotel room. I won’t be staying at the Douglas mansion.”

  “You can stay at my dad’s apartment.”

  “He has a place in LA?”

  “It’s downtown in one of those hi-rise buildings. The doorman can give you the key.”

  “That would be awesome. You sure your dad would be okay with that?”

  “I’ll ask him, but I know he won’t care. It’s not like he’ll be using it over Thanksgiving.”

  “Shit, it’s after seven. I was supposed to be at work 10 minutes ago. I gotta go.”

  “I’ll let you know about the apartment.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  “And Sean, call me anytime, okay? Even if it’s the middle of the night. Doesn’t matter.”

  “You’re a good friend, Kensington.”

  “See ya, Sean.”

  I call my dad. He’s probably having dinner but I’ll leave him a message. It rings eight times and then he finally answers.

  “Hello, Garret.”

  I hear noise in the background. Maybe the TV? I can’t tell.

  “Where are you?” I ask him.

  “In the game room. Lilly and I are playing your race car game. I was in the final lap when you called so I couldn’t answer right away.”

  “I’m winning!” I hear Lilly yell.

  My dad laughs. “Yes, honey, but you practice a lot more than I do.”

  I hear Lilly again. “I could beat you, too, Garret!”

  “Since when did she get so competitive?” I ask my dad.

  “She’s a Kensington. It’s in the genes.” I can hear him better now. He must’ve gone out in the hall. “So are you just calling to check in?”

  “Actually I wanted to ask if Sean could use the apartment in LA next week. He’ll be there for Harper’s surgery and he needs a place to stay.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea, Garret.”

  “Why? I already told him he could stay there.”

  “Harper’s parents don’t approve of him, and as you know, we’re good friends with the Douglas family. If they found out I was enabling Sean to be there for the surgery when I know they don’t want him there, it could cause problems.”

  “What the hell? That’s ridiculous. First of all, they don’t have to know he’s staying there. And second, since when are you such good friends with Kelly and Kiefer?”

  “We’re becoming more involved with them. That’s all I can say.”

  If he can’t tell me, then it means this involves the organization. So I was right. Kiefer’s been asked to be a member, which means he has to get Sean out of Harper’s life. Shit. I was really hoping that wasn’t true.

  “Dad, Sean is my best friend.”

  “I know he is, and I’m sorry but I can’t help you out here. Just give Sean some money and have him stay at a hotel.”

  “When there’s an apartment sitting there empty?”

  “Garret, you know how this works. This isn’t about me. I would be more than happy to let Sean stay there, but I can’t, given the circumstances.”

  “Why is he doing this?”

  “Who are you talking about?”

  “Kiefer. Why is he doing this? And who asked him to?”

  “You know better than to ask those types of questions.”

  “I just don’t understand it. I don’t know why he wants to do this, especially knowing what it means for his daughters.”

  “It’s complicated. Just leave it alone. And tell Jade to stay out of it.”

  “You know she won’t do that.”

  “Then it’s your job to convince her to let this go.”

  “I don’t think I want to. This is stupid. Why can’t Sean and Harper just be together?”

  “You know the rules.”

  “They’re already breaking the rules by letting Kiefer in, so why not break the rule that says Harper has to marry—”

  “We can’t talk about this. Just give Sean some money so he can get a hotel.”

  “He won’t take money from me. I’ll have to figure something else out.”

  “I’m sorry, Garret. I really am.”

  I hear Jade’s car in the driveway. “I gotta go. I’ll call you next week before you leave.”

  “We’re not going. We’re staying here for Thanksgiving.”

  “Why aren’t you going to St. Croix?”

  Katherine decided she wants to stay here in town. She didn’t tell me this until yesterday. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have canceled all my meetings on Friday.”

  “Why does Katherine want to stay home?”

  “She wants to spend the weekend with the man she’s seeing. She’s with him
right now. That’s why Lilly and I are having pizza and game night.”

  “You’re eating pizza and playing video games? I swear, sometimes I don’t even know you’re my dad.”

  He chuckles. “Yes, I’ve changed a little the past year, haven’t I?”

  “Just a little.”

  “Daddy, would you play with me, please?” Lilly yells it from the game room.

  “I’ll be right there,” he yells back.

  “I’ll let you go. Tell Lilly she’s going to need a lot more practice if she thinks she’s going to beat me in that race car game.”

  “I will. Goodbye, Garret.”

  Jade walks in the door. She’s not going to like what I’m about to tell her.

  Harper broke up with Sean. And Kiefer’s joining the organization.

  So much for everything going well. I knew it couldn’t last.

  21

  JADE

  I walk in the door and see Garret sitting on the couch.

  “I was hoping you’d be home.” I drop my backpack on the floor and race over to the couch, curling up next to him and giving him a kiss. “What do you want to do tonight? It’s Friday night, date night. Want to see a movie?”

  “Sure. But first I need to tell you something.” He’s got that serious look on his face. I hate that look.

  “Something’s wrong. What is it?”

  He turns so we’re facing each other. “Sean called.”

  “Yeah? So?”

  “Harper broke up with him.”

  I bolt up from the couch. “What? Are you serious?”

  “She went to his apartment and told him earlier today.”

  I slowly sit back down. “Did she give him a reason?”

  “She said she was confused and needed time to think.”

  “About what? Whether she wants to marry him? She already knows she wants to marry him. She just isn’t ready yet. So what does she need to think about?”

  “Nothing. She just said that to let him down easy. She broke up with him, Jade. They’re not getting back together.”

  “Of course they’re getting back together. This is just a stupid fight. I’ll talk to her. Call Sean and tell him not to worry. They’ll be back together by Sunday.”

  “Jade, it’s not going to happen. Her parents are there.”

  “In Connecticut? Why?”

  “Sean said they wanted to meet with Harper’s doctor but I think Sean is the real reason they’re there.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They need this to end. They need Harper to break up with Sean before Kiefer can join the organization.”

  “No.” I slump into the couch. “This isn’t happening. Tell me this isn’t happening.”

  “I just talked to my dad. We were right, Jade. They asked Kiefer to be a member.”

  I close my eyes and take a moment to breathe because I’m starting to feel like I can’t. This is all too similar to last year. The organization interfering with lives, destroying them.

  “Jade.” Garret strokes my hair. “I know this is bad, but there’s nothing we can do. So I need you to stay out of this.”

  I open my eyes just as Garret leans over to kiss my forehead.

  “I want to do something, Garret. I want to fix this.”

  “I do, too. But we can’t risk it. I’m trying to stay off their radar. I don’t even want them thinking about me.”

  “What if I just—”

  “Jade. No. If either one of us does anything to interfere with their plans for Kiefer, they’ll find out. They’ll come after us.”

  “It’s not fair they’re able to do this. To control people like this. Someone needs to do something.”

  “Jade, look at me.” I lift my head and he locks his eyes on mine. “We are not going to get involved in this. As much as I want to see Sean and Harper together, there’s no fucking way in hell I’m risking our relationship for them. I need you to promise me you won’t either.”

  I nod.

  “That’s not enough. I need you to say the words. Promise me you will not get involved.”

  “I promise.” I don’t think he believes me, so I say it a different way. “I love Harper and Sean, but I would never, ever do something that would jeopardize what you and I have together.”

  “Good.” He rests his forehead against mine. “I really needed to hear you say that.”

  “How’s Sean doing? How did he sound?”

  Garret sits back. “Sean’s a fucking mess. He sounded lost, confused, hurt. Part of him is still in denial, the other part’s in shock. He didn’t get any clues, any warnings this was coming. He thought everything was going great. And then she just walks in and tells him it’s over.”

  “Are you mad at Harper?”

  “I shouldn’t be, but yeah, I guess I am.”

  “What was she supposed to do? Her parents obviously forced her to do this.”

  “I get it. It’s not her fault. It’s just that if you’d heard Sean today, it wasn’t the Sean I’m used to. The guy’s always smiling and happy. But today he sounded like his life was over. So yeah, even if it’s wrong, I can’t help but be pissed at Harper. But I’ll get over it.”

  “What’s Sean going to do with the ring?”

  “Sell it at a pawn shop. I told him not to, so I hope he listens to me.”

  “Why would you tell him not to sell it?”

  “Because they might get back—” He tips his head back. “Shit. I told him that before I knew what was going on. I told him Harper might change her mind. Fuck.”

  “Garret, you didn’t know. And maybe he should keep the ring. Just in case.”

  “I’m sure he’ll end up selling it. He needs the money. That’s the other thing. He’s going to LA for Harper’s surgery and he doesn’t have money for a hotel. I offered him the apartment but my dad said Sean can’t use it.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he’d be helping the enemy, meaning Sean. My dad has to show his solidarity with the plan. I get why he has to do it, but now I have to find Sean a different place to stay. Or get him to take my money for a hotel.”

  “Sean shouldn’t be going to the surgery. He’ll end up getting in a huge fight with her parents.”

  “He doesn’t care about that. The woman he loves is having surgery. He’s going. If you were in the hospital, there’s no fucking way I wouldn’t be there. I don’t care who I had to fight with to get in that hospital. I’d still be there.”

  “You would?” I smile. “Even if I’d broken up with you?”

  “Yes.” He threads his hand with mine. “You still don’t get it, do you?”

  “Get what?”

  “I’ll never stop loving you.” He looks me right in the eye. “If you broke up with me tomorrow or next week or next year, I’d still love you. For the rest of my life, I’ll love you. You have my heart, Jade. I can’t get it back. It’s yours now.”

  I reach over and hug him. “Where do you come up with this stuff? I really need to start writing this down. Put it in a scrapbook. Or frame it.”

  He gives me a kiss. “Do you want to get out of here? I need a break from all this Sean-Harper stuff. It’s depressing.”

  “I need to call Harper. I’m sure she’s a mess right now. I’m surprised she hasn’t called me.” I get up and check my phone. “No messages.”

  “She’s with her parents. She probably doesn’t want to call you with them around.”

  “But I’m worried about her. I need to call her.”

  “Jade. Remember the promise you made me.”

  “Yes. I won’t interfere. I just need to know she’s okay. Well, I know she’s not okay, but you know what I mean.” I call her phone but it goes right to voicemail so I leave a message asking her to call me.

  Garret and I go to a movie, then out for dinner. I can’t stop thinking about Sean and Harper. I always imagined them getting married and having kids and all of us hanging out 20 years from now, and even years after that. It was a nice dream,
but dreams don’t always come true.

  When we get home I watch TV while Garret checks his phone.

  “Any messages from Sean?” I ask him.

  “No. He had to work tonight.”

  “I’m sure he didn’t feel like going to—”

  “What the fuck is this?”

  I turn around and see Garret in the kitchen, staring at his phone.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I got a message from a PR agency in LA wanting me to be their client. And I think I have a voicemail from them.” He holds the phone out. He has it on speaker and I hear a woman’s voice.

  “Garret, this is Wynona Stiles. I’m a publicist at Halstine, Callahan, and Witz, one of the premier public relations firms in Los Angeles. I’d love to speak to you about our services. We handle the publicity for Shalise Halloway, who you may know from the daytime drama, Creston Hills. Shalise’s daughter, Brook, recently called me saying you were in need of a publicist. I would love to speak to you about that. I’m familiar with the unfair portrayal of you in the media last spring, but if you hired us, I guarantee we could turn your image around within a few months. The whole country will love you when we’re done with you. And just to show you how powerful our reach is, check the news the next few days. I think you’ll be pleased with our results. Just imagine what we could do if you were our client. Call me at…” She leaves her number.

  Garret slams his phone down on the kitchen table. “Who the fuck does Brook think she is? I met the girl one time—twice, whatever—and now she’s setting me up with a publicist?”

  “Garret, calm down.” I meet him in the kitchen. “Just call that lady back and tell her you’re not interested.”

  “I will, but she said they already did something.” He goes to the living room and picks up the remote and starts flipping through channels. “Do a search for me on the Internet and see what you find.”

  I get my laptop and bring it to the couch and sit next to him.

  “Jade, look.” He’s pointing at the TV. At the corner of the screen, there’s a photo of him with the words ‘No longer a bad boy?’ under it.

  It’s one of those celebrity news shows and the host says, “Garret Kensington, one of the stars of the reality show, Prep School Girls, has reportedly traded in his wild nights in Vegas for a more quiet lifestyle. The rumors are that Kensington is now attending a private college in a small town somewhere along the California coast. Our sources didn’t identify the town or the college but did say Garret hasn’t been seen at parties and is no longer drinking or doing drugs. We reached out to Pearce Kensington, Garret’s father and CEO of Kensington Chemical, but he declined our request for an interview. In other celebrity news…”