Secrets We Buried

by Jessica Sorensen

  Two hours and three rounds later, Kayden and I are dressed and lying on the sofa. Or well, we’re half dressed; me in his shirt and him in his boxers. I’m exhausted. Beyond beat. But feel way better than I did earlier today. So, when there’s a knock on the door, I make no move to get up.

  “I don’t want to answer that,” I murmur as I rest my head on his chest. “I’m too comfortable.

  Kayden plays with my hair. “Who do you think it is?”

  I shrug through a yawn. “I’m sure no one important. If it was, they probably would’ve texted first.” I laugh to myself. “Or maybe it’s my mom. Maybe she lost her mind completely and drove up here to bug me.”

  He laughs softly. “Is she still bugging you about setting a date?”

  I nod as he skims his fingertip along the top of my engagement ring. “I’ve tried to explain to her at least a dozen times that we’re going to wait until after we graduate, but she has it in her head that long engagements aren’t a good idea.” I nuzzle closer to him. “We’ve only been engaged for a year. That’s not that long.”

  “No, it’s not,” he agrees, but then pauses. “If you ever want to get married sooner, you know I’m down for that, right?”

  “Yeah, I know. And while I wouldn’t mind getting married sooner, I think we have too much going on right now to plan a wedding.”

  “Agreed.” He kisses the top of my head. “But I have to admit, I can’t wait until I can call you my wife.”

  “You’re so cheesy sometimes,” I tease but secretly smile to myself.

  The person knocks on the door again. And again, I make no effort to get up, but I do note that Kayden’s chest muscles wind tight.

  I push up to look him in the eyes. “Is something wrong? It seemed like you just tensed up.”

  “It’s nothing,” he promises, but confusion crosses his expression. “It’s just that when I was headed home today, I thought this SUV was following me, so eventually I pulled over. He just drove by, though, so I think I was being paranoid.”

  “How far did he follow you for?”

  “Well, I turned off into a subdivision to see if I could lose him. I drove around in there for a bit before finally pulling over.”

  “That’s really weird.”

  “I know, but I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I mean, why would anyone be following me?”

  “Maybe you have a stalker football fan,” I tease. Well, partially tease. Truth is, what he told me has me a bit concerned.

  “Maybe.” He gives me a quick kiss. “Let’s not worry about it right now. I’m sure it was nothing—”

  Knock. Knock. Knock.

  The knocks are louder this time, as if the person is announcing they aren’t going to give up anytime soon.

  Sighing, I climb off Kayden and move to pull on my jeans so I can answer the door. But he gets to his feet and reaches for his shirt.

  “Let me answer it, okay?” A nervous edge creeps into his tone.

  He might be trying to play off this SUV following him thing, but it’s fairly clear he’s nervous, which makes me wonder who he thinks could be following him.

  I nod but still pull on my jeans while he slips on his pants. Then he crosses the room and throws open the door just as the knocking starts up again.

  “Who are you?” Kayden says to whoever is outside.

  I move over to get a better look and my lips part in shock.

  Standing outside on the porch is the secretary from The Offbeat Go Daily, who I learned before I left my interview is named Easton. He has on the same outfit as he did earlier along with a leather jacket and fingerless gloves.

  “Hey, Callie.” Easton greets me with a smile.

  “Um, hey.” I scratch my head, confused why he’s here while Kayden glances at me with his brow arched.

  He smiles at Kayden’s confusion. “I’m sure you’re probably confused why I’m here.”

  I nod. “Yeah, pretty much.”

  “Good. I think that’s why Evie does it like this. She likes to keep her workers on their toes.” He winks at me.

  Kayden no longer appears perplexed but kind of irritated. “Who are you again?” he asks.

  Easton tears his gaze off me and offers Kayden his hand. “I’m Easton. I work for Evie at The Offbeat Go Daily.

  “I’m Kayden, Callie’s fiancé.” Kayden shakes his hand, and I detect a wince on Easton’s part. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but why are you standing on our doorstep at eight o’clock at night?”

  “It’s a little weird, isn’t it?” Easton agrees as he lets go of Kayden’s hand then reaches into his pocket. “Evie likes to do things a little unconventionally, though.” His gaze lands on me. “Something you’ve probably already figured out by now.” When I nod, he removes his hand from his pocket. His fingers are wrapped around what looks like a present. Even a bow decorates the top. “This is for you.” He hands me the present in question.

  I take it and fiddle with the bow. “What’s in it?”

  “A present. Obviously.” His lips quirk. “Well, that is, if you still want the job. If not, I guess it’s just a thing wrapped up in a bunch of decorative paper that you’re probably going to throw out when I leave.”

  I have literally never been more lost in my entire life. Does this mean I got the job? What on earth is inside this present? And why is Evie having Easton deliver me presents at all?

  I give the present a little shake, eliciting a laugh from Easton. “Should I open it now?”

  He shakes his head. “Wait for me to leave first.”

  “Why…” I start to ask, but he’s already walking away.

  “See you hopefully sooner rather than later, Callie,” he calls over his shoulder.

  Kayden shuts the door and turns to me with his brows raised. “That’s the secretary at this place you want to work at?”

  I nod as I pick at the edge of the wrapping paper. “I know he doesn’t really look like a typical secretary, but the whole place was pretty atypical.” I sit down on the edge of the sofa. “You should’ve seen Evie’s office. Her entire wall was covered with her research. I’ve never seen anything so crazy. Or old school, I guess.”

  Kayden sits down beside me and nods at the present in my hand. “So does this mean you got the job?”

  “I’m not sure.” But I’m sure whatever is inside this present might give me an idea.

  My stomach bubbles with excitement and nervousness.

  “But if you got the job, you’d be working with that Easton guy, right?” he asks.

  I shrug, tearing off the bow. “I have no idea. Evie didn’t tell me many details about the job, which is part of the reason why I was pretty certain I wasn’t getting hired.” I glance up and find him staring at me with a frown on his face and a crease between his brows. “What’s wrong?” I smooth my finger between his brows, erasing his worry lines.

  “It’s nothing.” He shrugs, staring down at his hands.

  I tilt my head to the side to meet his gaze. “It is something, or else you wouldn’t have that frown on your face.”

  He sighs, lifting his gaze to me. “I’m just thinking about some stuff I have to do tomorrow that’s stressing me out.”

  I’m almost certain he’s lying, but when I start to open my mouth to encourage him to talk to me, he places a finger against my lips.

  “I promise I’m fine.” He lowers his finger and smiles. “Now open your present.”

  He can pretend all he wants, but I can tell when something is bothering him. I make a mental note to bring it up later then rip the wrapping paper off. Inside is a box with a lid and inside that is a notebook with my name embroidered onto the front, a pen decorated with skulls, a key, and a card.

  I pick up the card and read the note.

  Callie Lawrence,

  I’d like to officially welcome you to The Offbeat Go Daily team. That is if you accept my job offer. Inside this box, there should be a notebook and a pen because, as you probably already figured out,
I like old school research methods. There should also be a key. Bring that with you tonight when you meet me at the bookshop on Main Road Drive and Autumn Breeze Way at ten o’clock. Again, that is if you decide to accept my job offer. You don’t need to dress up. We’re not doing anything fancy. Just discussing some details.

  And please, don’t be late. It’s very important.

  --Evie

  PS: I really do hope you accept the job. I think you’d be perfect for it.

  To say I’m surprised would be a complete understatement. During the interview, Evie had seemed less than impressed by me. But I guess I misinterpreted her indifference.

  “You got the job then?” Kayden asks, looking up from the card.

  “I think so.” I set the card down and pull out the notebook and pen.

  “And you’re excited, right?” He watches me carefully. “Because you seem a little subdued right now.”

  “I’m just a little confused,” I admit, fanning through the blank notebook pages. “I really didn’t think I was going to get hired.”

  “I figured you would.”

  “How? You weren’t even there.”

  He kisses my cheek. “Because anyone who speaks to you for more than a couple of minutes realizes how perfect you are.”

  A smile touches my lips. “As much as I love you for saying that, that’s completely untrue.”

  “Nope. I never lie.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “And I’m always right.”

  I laugh against his mouth. “You’re starting to sound like Seth.”

  He playfully pinches my side, and I let out a squeal as I laugh.

  “That’s not a bad thing!” I cry through my laughter as he softly pinches me again.

  “I don’t know about that. Seth’s a little weirdo.” He leans over me, forcing me to lie down on my back, then pins my head between his arms. “So, are you taking the job? Because you never said for sure if you are.”

  I nod. “I think I’d regret it if I didn’t. And I have a feeling it’s going to turn out amazing. At least, I hope so.”

  “I’m sure it will.” He kisses me again then hops off and pats me on the butt. “Now go hit the shower and get ready.”

  I giggle as I push to my feet. “Yes, coach.”

  He smacks my ass again then wraps his arms around me, his chest pressing against my back. “Better yet, I think I’ll hit the shower with you.”

  Then he flings me over his shoulder and carries me into the bathroom where we pick up right where we left off before Easton knocked on the door. But even through the kisses and the touches, my nerves continue to build. While I want the job and am super excited, it seems a bit strange that I have to meet up with Evie at the bookshop at ten o’clock at night. What could we possibly be doing at a bookshop that late? I didn’t even realize bookshops stayed open that late. I wonder if this is a normal thing with this job. I wonder if I’ll be able to handle it.

  I guess I’m about to find out.

  Four

  Kayden

  Callie is beyond nervous as she gathers her stuff so she can meet her new boss. It’s ridiculously amusing watching her shuffle around our apartment, flustered, and nervous. I’m sure she’ll probably act this way until she gets used to the job, which is fine. While I’m happy for her, I can’t help but be a bit unsettled by the way that Easton secretary dude was openly flirting with her in front of me. Sure, Callie was completely clueless, and even if she wasn’t, I know she’d never cheat on me. But the guy flirted with her right in front of me, even when he knew I was her fiancé and that doesn’t sit well with me.

  I’m not about to bring this up, though. Tonight is about her, and all I need to do right now is be excited.

  “How do I look?” she asks for the tenth time in the last five minutes.

  She’s wearing a pair of black jeans and a red top that matches her clunky velvet boots. Her hair is braided to the side, and she’s put on some black liner around her eyes, and I think a bit of lipstick.

  “You look…” I tilt my head to the side and let my gaze scroll over her body. “Hot, actually.”

  Her cheeks flush. “I do not.”

  “Actually, you kind of do.” I tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. “Relax. You look perfect. You always do.”

  “You say that too much to me.” She leans into my touch, staring up at me with those big, beautiful eyes of hers. “But thank you for saying it.”

  It’s moments like these, when she’s looking at me like I’m her entire world, that make me feel so whole inside. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, and I’m so fucking grateful she continues to want to be with me.

  “I say it because I mean it.” I lightly graze my lips across hers, and she sighs contently against my mouth.

  “I should probably get going,” she murmurs. “The note said not to be late.”

  “Okay.” I lean back, sweeping my knuckles across her cheek. “Do you want me to drive you?”

  Shaking her head, she collects her car keys and the notebook and pen Evie gave her. “I don’t want to make you wait around. I’m not even sure how long I’m going to be.”

  “I don’t mind waiting.” Plus, I don’t like the idea of her driving around this late by herself.

  While Callie takes kickboxing classes and carries a can of pepper spray in her purse, I’m always nervous whenever she’s out late by herself. Both of us know too well about the evils hidden in the world. Plus, that whole guy following me around has me on edge.

  “It’s okay. You have a game tomorrow anyway. You need your rest.” She stands on her tiptoes to kiss me goodbye, pulling away too soon.

  I press my hand to the small of her back and guide her back to my lips. “Promise me you’ll message me when you get there and when you leave, okay?” I seal my lips to hers, parting her lips with my tongue and kissing us both breathless. “And let me walk you to your car.”

  She nods easily. Walking her to the car is something I do every time she goes out late.

  Threading my fingers through her’s, we head outside into the cold night. My gaze instinctively scans the parking lot that’s lit up by a few lampposts. I’m not even sure what I’m looking for. Maybe nothing. And that’s pretty much what I see—nothing except a few other people wandering out to their cars. Still, my nerves are all over the place tonight, as if I can sense something unsettling heading my way. The last time I felt like this my dad died.

  “Be safe,” I tell Callie as she unlocks the car door.

  “I will. And I love you.” She climbs into the car, nervousness written all over her face

  “I love you too.” I grab the door as she starts to shut it. “Hey, you’re going to do great. They wouldn’t have gone through all of this trouble to tell you that you got the job if they weren’t impressed by you.”

  She chews on her bottom lip. “I just hope I do well with… Well, whatever this thing is tonight.”

  “You will. You’re an amazing writer and person.” Then, just because I can, I steal another kiss from her.

  “You’re amazing too.” She smiles at me then closes the door.

  She says that to me all the time, but it still blows my mind that she sees me as amazing.

  I stand in the parking lot and watch her drive away, only heading back inside when her taillights disappear down the road. I’m halfway to the stairs, my thoughts stuck in Callie Land, when I hear someone call out my name.

  “Kayden Owens?”

  I glance around then promptly tense as I spot the guy who was following me earlier slowly walking across the grass. He’s wearing the same outfit as he had on before only he’s ditched the hat and has the sleeves of his shirt rolled up.

  “Can I help you?” I cross my arms and stare him down, trying to be as intimidating as I can.

  “I’m hoping so.” He comes to a stop in front of me. “You are Kayden Owens, right?”

  “That all depends on who wants to know.”

  “I…” He glances at a coup
le exiting their apartment. “Can we go somewhere and talk privately?”

  “No,” I say flatly. “Whatever you have to say, you can do it right here, man.”

  He’s really starting to creep me out. While I can hold my own in a fight, he’s not a small guy. He’s at least as tall as me with the same type of build, so there’s a fifty-fifty chance I’ll be able to kick his ass if I need to. I hate fighting, though. It reminds me too much of my psychopath of a father.

  He surrenders his hands in front of him. “I swear I’m not trying to come off weird. I just really want to talk to you. Need to actually.”

  “Well, your efforts at trying not to be creepy are failing because you’re acting fucking weird as hell.”

  He chuckles, his hands falling to his sides. “I guess I probably am, huh?”

  “And speaking of creepy. Did you follow me earlier today?” The fact that he knows where I live has to mean he did. Realizing that, I turn to leave. “You know what. You need to leave before I call the police.”

  “Kayden wait.” He rushes after me, but I only quicken my pace. “Please just listen to me. I promise what I have to say is important.” He jogs to my side. “It’s about your father… He wants to talk to you.”

  I slam to a stop so swiftly he nearly trips over his feet. “Nice try but my father is dead,” I bite out, more than pissed off.

  “Not the father who raised you,” he says with pity in his eyes. “Your real father.”

  “Fuck you,” I spit out then I rush up the stairwell and lock myself in my apartment.

  The guy knocks on the door several times, yammering about how my birth father wants to meet me. Eventually he gives up and leaves, but not before slipping a card underneath the door.

  I don’t pick it up as I pace the living room, my thoughts racing a million miles a minute. What if what he said is true? What if my father wasn’t my birth father? What if all those years of abuse were never supposed to be my real life?

  I want to tear the card to pieces. I want to scream. What I really want to do is cut the pain right out of me.

  Five