“That's awful,” she said.
“Pop had lost the flash drive, but what he said was enough for the government to launch an investigation on Lynch. They arrested him three months ago.”
“I know. My Dad was one of the local cops involved in the case.”
I nodded. “We were so relieved. But then came the trial. We had to stay in town until Pop got his day in court. So they moved us again, set us up with new names, and put Nate and me … well, here,” I pointed at the buildings of JMMS in the distance. “They dressed us up like 'bad boys' so no one would want to be friends with us, I guess.”
She lifted her head to face me. “Yeah, that much I figured out. No offense, Mark, but you're one of the worst 'bad boys' I've ever seen.”
Even though my stomach was still churning, I laughed. I leaned over and gave Kelsey a gentle kiss on the forehead, and she smiled.
“I wasn't supposed to make friends. I was just supposed to come here, sit in class, and not get into trouble.” I sighed. “But I did make friends.” I gently stroked the back of her head with my hand. “I made the two best friends I've ever had.”
She took my hand in hers and squeezed it. “I don't know what it was … that first day, I mean. Something about you just didn't seem … you know, right. And I had to find out what it was. You were such a mystery to me. And you know me and mysteries.”
I smiled back. “So how'd you figure it all out, Detective?”
“Well …” I could see her face reddening. “I … kinda overheard my dad talking to my Uncle Walter. I mean, he's not really my uncle, he's a cop too, like my dad. They said some stuff about Lynch, and about your father, and I was able to put it all together.”
My eyebrows went up. “ 'Overheard'?”
“Um … yeah,” she said, a guilty look crossing her face.
“Damn, you are good, Detective Callahan,” I said, chuckling.
“Thanks,” she said, leaning forward with a sheepish grin. I leaned forward as well, and we shared a brief kiss, relief flooding through my body. Even though I'd broken Rule #1, I felt so much better.
She was smiling again as we broke the kiss. I looked away, and then back at her. “You know, it's funny.”
“What's funny?”
“I've only been Ethan Zimmer a few months. You didn't know Mark. Believe me, you'd have hated him.”
“Why?”
“Same reason you hate Kirk. I was a lot like him. Actually, I was exactly like him … a childish prick who treated people like crap, who didn't care about anything but himself.”
“I thought you were popular at your old school,” she said with a puzzled look. “You said you had lots of friends.”
“I lied,” I said. “There were people that hung out with me, the other pricks who thought they were so cool, and the kids that wanted to be just like us.” I looked her in the eye. “But none of them were really what you'd call friends.”
I sighed. “Going through all this … I've learned so much. Getting to know you, and Baz, and the guys … it's been amazing. I've learned more in three months being Ethan Zimmer than I did in thirteen years being Mark Campbell.”
I squeezed Kelsey's hand again, and I could feel the tears threatening to return. “I'm happy here. I wanna stay here. With you, and Baz. I wanna keep being Ethan … but I can't.”
My eyes closed, and my head drooped onto my chest. “When this trial is over, I'll have to leave. And there's nothing I can do to stop it.”
She clung to me, as if physical contact would create a bubble that the outside world couldn't penetrate. “I know,” she said.
“Next year, maybe next month, next week, who knows … I'll be someone else, somewhere else. And I'll have to pretend that none of this ever happened.” I turned my body to face her, grasping her shoulders. “I don't know if I can do it.”
“You have to, Mark,” she said. “It's horrible and it's unfair. It's so unfair. No one should have to go through what you and your family have gone through.” She paused. “But we're just two kids playing a game where grown-ups make all the rules. We don't even get a vote.”
I nodded. “I don't know how much time we have left, Kelsey. But if this, here, now, is the last time I ever get to spend with you …”
Say it, Mark. SAY it.
I gulped. “I want you to know … that I lo-”
Quickly, she put her hand on my mouth, silencing me. “Don't say it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, a scared look coming over her face. “Please, don't say it. I can deal with the secrets, and the lies. I can deal with your … situation. And if I have to deal with you leaving, then I guess I will. But I can't deal with … that. Not right now. Okay?” Slowly, she took her hand away.
I nodded resignedly. “Okay.”
We released each other, moving a few feet away from each other on the bench. When my insides finally calmed down, I said, “So what do we do now?”
She smiled again. “We take advantage of every second we have.”
I grinned. “That's exactly what Baz said.”
“You told him too?” she asked, surprised.
“Not about me,” I replied. “About us.”
“Oh.”
“He's a really great guy. And he's got a thing for April.”
“Because of the … party?”
I shook my head. “No, way before that.”
She chuckled. “How about that.”
Two hundred yards away, the fifth-period bell rang. Kelsey and I slowly rose to our feet. I turned to her. “I'm so sorry that I got you into this.”
“It's okay, Ma … um, Ethan. I'm glad you did.”
“You … forgive me?”
“There's nothing to forgive.” She took my hand. “Now let's go see which horrible tie Mr. McCann picked out today.”
I laughed. “Let's do it,” I said, and we began the long walk back across the playground, which was, thankfully, Apache-helicopter-free.
Chapter 37
~ DAY 39 (Thu.) ~
KELSEY
Even though we figured the number of times we'd be able to sit together on the bleachers was probably down to single digits, Ethan and I were somehow able to enjoy our recess periods there. It was hard, though, to keep thinking of him as “Ethan” and not “Mark,” and I had to occasionally stop myself from calling him the wrong name, especially when other people were around.
Recess period today was awesome. The weather was perfect, cool with just a bit of a breeze and a few wispy clouds covering the sun. Ethan seemed a lot more relaxed around me now that all of his secrets had been revealed. I was happier than I'd been all school year for the same reason, and because Bree had finally come to terms with her personal issues.
The only thing missing was Penny. She still hadn't returned any of my texts or voicemail messages, and I knew a face-to-face was about the only way I was going to get any answers from her.
Ethan and I got really silly on the bleachers today. We started swapping stupid jokes, which got dirtier and dirtier as the hour went on. I could tell he was nervous at first about using foul language around me, something boys our age find as easy as breathing when only in the company of other boys, and the look on his face when I matched every raunchy joke he told with one of my own was priceless. I had to remind him that I grew up in a house with an older brother and a dad who was a cop. I'd been exposed to language like that since I was a kid, and I'd long since learned when it was appropriate to use cusswords and when it wasn't … which was almost all the time, but even so, it was fun to cut loose every now and then.
After the bell, we walked to Algebra class with our arms around each other. We'd also decided that given our limited remaining time together, it was pointless trying to hide our feelings for each other. I cared too much about him to pretend that I didn't when I was around other girls, some of whom gave me the occasional strange look out of the corner of their eye when they thought I wasn't looking. I didn't even mind kissing him in front of our classmates w
hen we were on the upper concourse, though we kept those as brief as possible. We weren't going to hide our affections, but there was no sense getting ourselves in trouble either.
I walked Ethan to Mr. Chambers' classroom, giving him a quick kiss goodbye before telling him that we'd see each other tomorrow. He still hadn't revealed what surprise he had in store for me at Saturday's dance, and it was driving me crazy. But I didn't press him on it; since it was pretty much the only secret he had left, I let him have it.
From outside the classroom, I watched Ethan take his seat, then turned around to wait for Penny. I didn't have long to wait. I deliberately stepped between her and the doorway, and she stopped. She had a troubled look on her face.
I knew I was taking a risk. Whatever was keeping her from rejoining our group was still bothering her, that much was clear, but I also knew that Penny was far too nice a person to lose her temper with me. At least, I hoped so.
“Hey, Pen,” I said.
“Hey, Kelse,” she replied.
We stood there, staring at each other, wondering who should be the next one to talk. I only had a few minutes before I had to get to Social Studies, so I figured it had to be me. “Are you doing okay? I've left you, like, a dozen texts and messages.”
She hung her head for a moment, then met my gaze again. “I know. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you. It's just …”
I stepped toward her, stopping when I was only a few feet away. “Pen, if this is about what Bree said … she's really sorry about it. She was going through some stuff, but she's worked it out now. She wants you back with us.”
“Really?” Penny asked, her eyes brightening.
“Yes, really,” I replied. “It's not the same at lunch without you.”
“I know,” Penny said, giving me a half-smile, “and I will come back. Soon. I promise. I'm just … working through some stuff of my own.”
This I understood. “I got it,” I said, smiling. “Just make it soon, okay? Bree feels horrible about what she did.”
Penny nodded. “I will. I swear.”
A thought struck me. “Any way I can talk you into going to the dance on Saturday?”
She turned her head away from me slightly, and her smile widened. “You know, that's not a bad idea. After all the, um … heavy thinking I've been doing lately, a night out sounds awesome.”
Whew, that could have been awkward. “That's great, Pen. Ethan and I are going, and he's promised me a 'surprise.' I have no idea what it is, so Saturday can't get here fast enough.”
“Ooh,” she said, and just for a moment, the Penny I'd been best friends with for the last year was the one that I saw standing in front of me. “Sounds juicy.”
“I think so, too.”
Her trademark naughty grin appeared on her face. “Maybe he'll take you on a trip around the bases.”
I made a face and raised my fist. “I am so going to punch you!”
She raised her hands defensively, laughing. “Just messing with you, Kelse.”
I laughed as well, and I felt relief seep into every corner of my body. This is how it SHOULD be.
Penny spoke again, more serious this time. “Will Bree be there?”
I paused for a moment. It didn't seem like Penny was still hurting from Bree's tantrum, and I hoped that Penny wasn't still consciously avoiding being in the same room with her. “She said she would be.”
She considered this for a moment, and then nodded. “Well, in that case, I'll be there too. I think my mom has an ugly Hawaiian shirt that I can borrow.”
I giggled. “Great. We'll look for you.”
“You got it. Later,” she said, and then walked into her classroom.
I turned and strode down the concourse to my next class, and I felt the bounce returning to my step. Little by little, things are getting back to the way they should be.
When I hit the east end of the school, I cast a glance toward the school's exit-gate, and I noticed something out of the ordinary.
Parked about ten yards down the road was a really expensive car, a Cadillac I think, cherry-red in color. At first, I didn't pay it much attention – there were certainly kids in the school whose parents were rich enough to drive something that flashy – but then I noticed that there appeared to be someone sitting inside it.
Instinctively, I hugged the nearest wall, and dug my binocs out of my backpack. Ignoring the strange looks I got from classmates walking by, I pointed the lenses at the Cadillac.
There was someone inside it, and he appeared to be watching the school.
Hoping like heck that I was too far away for him to see me spying on him, I adjusted the binocs' focus and zeroed in on the driver. It appeared to be a man in his thirties, with barely any hair on his head. He was wearing an Arizona Cardinals jacket and sunglasses.
Quickly, I put the binocs back in my backpack and rushed to my sixth-period Social Studies class, getting there just before the bell rang. I was only able to half-concentrate on the lesson, because my inquisitive mind had been presented with yet another puzzle.
Who was that guy? Someone's father? Same question as with the black car, why would a parent show up an hour before school ended? If he's here to meet with Renee or the principal or somebody, why not just park in the main parking lot, where there are plenty of open spaces? Why park outside the school?
Could it be a security detail? No, that didn't seem right. I'd also shot a glance outside the entrance-gate on the way to class, and the ever-present black government car was still there, same as always. Two security details? True, with the trial nearing its conclusion, I can understand the need for extra security, but … would a government agent really drive around in a flashy red Cadillac? I thought it was a bodyguard's job to be as inconspicuous as possible.
Am I being paranoid again? Maybe this guy has nothing to do with Ethan or Logan at all. Maybe he's one of those creeps that likes hanging around schools. Maybe I should tell the principal. Yeah, that's a good idea. Better to be safe than sorry, right?
* * *
After class ended, I watched from the upper concourse while the black car picked up Ethan and Logan. I scanned the streets outside both gates for the Cadillac, but it was gone.
I hitched my backpack up my shoulders, and made my way toward the school buses. I really need to stop watching so many crime dramas on TV.
Chapter 38
~ DAY 40 (Fri.) ~
ETHAN
I left the cafeteria today and immediately started walking toward the bleachers that Kelsey had called “The Island” a few times. I could still hear the sounds of construction coming from the still-unfinished gym, and forced a grim smile in the realization that I probably wouldn't be around by the time the school started using it.
I'd only gone about twenty yards when Kelsey came running up to me. She was smiling, which was always a good sign.
“Hey, Ethan,” she said. “Heading for the bleachers?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “Why aren't you there?”
She took me by the hand, and pulled me in a different direction. “I thought we'd try something else today.”
I was puzzled by this, and more than a little curious, but I didn't have long to wait before I found out what she meant. She led me toward a different set of bleachers, the ones nearest the cafeteria, where two of her friends, April and Bryanna, were already waiting. They stood up as we reached the foot of the bleachers.
Still grasping my hand, she pulled me up to the third tier, where she motioned for me to sit down in between all three of them. I looked at the faces of all three girls, who were all smiling, although I could tell that April and Bryanna were a lot more nervous about me being there than Kelsey was.
“I know we've all been sitting in the same class for a long time, but you've never actually, you know, met,” said Kelsey. “Ethan, these are two of my best friends, Bree and April.”
“Hello,” I said, extending my hand to both of them. April reached out and shook it with a friendly smil
e. I then offered my hand to Bryanna, who also shook it, but with a lot less energy. “It's nice to, uh, finally meet you.” I managed an awkward smile. “Kelsey's told me so much about you, I kinda feel like I know you already.”
“Same here,” said Bryanna. “She sure talks about you. A lot.”
I shot a look at Kelsey, whose face had gone crimson. Then I turned back to Bryanna. “All good stuff, I hope.”
“Oh, yeah,” she said. “She's totally into you.”
Kelsey's jaw dropped. “Bree!”
Bryanna threw her hands up in defense. “Well, you are!”
April nodded. “Yeah, you totally are, Kelse.”
I was more than a little nervous, being a guest in the girls' inner sanctum, and at first I expected to be bombarded with questions by Kelsey's friends, since I was the first guy that had lured Kelsey away from the “girl time” they'd all shared since fifth grade. But they were actually quite nice, even polite, and they went out of their way to let me know that they approved of my relationship with Kelsey. Whew.
“By the way … thanks for helping me out at the party, Ethan,” said April.
I smiled. “You're welcome.”
“I don't remember a lot about what happened that night, but if it weren't for you and Kelsey, things might've …” She trailed off.
I nodded. “Well, you know, right place, right time and all that. But it wasn't just me and Kelsey. Baz was there too.”
“Yeah, Kelsey told me. I'll have to thank him too.”
I laughed. “I know he'd appreciate that.” I looked her in the eyes. “He … likes you.”
“Ethan!” Kelsey yelled.
A surprised smile erupted on April's face. “Really?”
I nodded again. “I know everyone thinks he's this cool, bad-boy, rocker guy, but…”
“What?” April asked. “He's not really like that?”
Ethan's Secret (James Madison Series Book 2) Page 22
