“You’re nuts,” I managed to say in a calm voice. “How could I blackmail your dad?”
He stepped back, releasing the close button and allowing me to pass. The metal doors reopened, and I backed out into the penthouse breezeway, holding his gaze the entire time. His cold, blue eyes kept my chest tight, and when the doors finally closed, I let out a deep exhale, almost falling over.
Turning toward the receptionist, I found her desk empty, so I went straight to Mr. Kyser’s office. It was also empty.
For a moment, I wondered why Will hadn’t said his father wasn’t even here. Then my lips pressed together. That was probably why he’d had the nerve to hold me in the elevator. Either way, it didn’t matter. What I wanted right now was to locate Summer and get to the bottom of this.
Chapter 23
From the Phoenician penthouse, I drove to the paper office in Fairview. Summer might not be working, but I was going to find out. I couldn’t wait another minute to have it out with her. Luckily for me, she was sitting at the makeshift desk, scrolling through picture files. I went straight to her and grabbed the back of the chair, turning it to face me.
“Whoa!” she cried in her dumb, air-head voice. She started to laugh until she saw my face. “Anna?”
“What the hell, Summer?” I shouted, causing Nancy to emerge from her office.
“Is there a problem, girls?” Our editor said, looking from my furious expression to Summer’s clueless one.
Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure I wanted the Associated Press in on this story. “Sorry,” I said, working hard to soften my tone. “I need to talk to Summer about one of our classes.” I turned to my ex-friend. “Would you mind if we went outside?”
Nancy’s brows pulled together, and I was pretty sure she didn’t believe me. But she nodded and went back into her office. Summer stood and followed me out to the courtyard behind our building.
“You want to talk about English?” she said when we got outside. I waited for the door to close completely before continuing.
“I want to know why you’re spying on me for Will Kyser.”
Her face went from shock to curiosity to a look I’d never seen on Summer, cunning. “He told you?”
This turn of events took me aback. It also made me contemplate my answer. “Let’s just say he mentioned the book I lost.”
At that, she changed entirely back to airhead. “Oh,” she said in that voice I now realized was a cover. “I might’ve mentioned that you were worried about losing his dad’s book.”
“Why were you talking to him about me in the first place?”
She turned away, studying her hand. “Umm… I ran into him during Mardi Gras, and I guess I wanted to help you if I could.”
“Cut the crap, Summer. I don’t believe you for a second,” I said, crossing my arms. “You said Casey Simpson is your cousin, right?”
“I don’t see the connection.” She was back to the high-pitched voice.
“I don’t either.” I walked around the courtyard, thinking how interested Will was in me and Jack. “But if I catch you spying on me, I’ll do something about it.” I had no idea what. “And we’re not friends anymore.”
Her eyes flashed, and that old cunning was back. “We never were,” she said. “You pretended to be my friend, but I didn’t want to know you. Not after you stole Jack.”
“Stole Jack?” I almost laughed out loud. “What the hell?”
“Laugh all you want,” she spat. “Like you’re so much better than me. He was supposed to be mine after Casey left.”
I rubbed my forehead, looking up at the darkening sky. Jack was the least of my concerns. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I sighed. “And it’s getting late.”
“I’m sure you don’t know what I’m talking about,” she snapped. “You had your head up your ass the entire fall semester. Or I guess I should say his.”
My arms dropped, and I went to the glass doors. “I can’t argue with that,” I said. “I was kind of knocked off my feet by Jack. But I’m back on them now. And you’d better stay out of my way.”
I left her standing there, and as I went back to my car, I felt exhausted. All of this intrigue and lying and spying and sudden reveals was starting to wear me down. Why couldn’t I just have a normal life, a normal boyfriend, the things you see on the after-school specials. Instead I had Jack, who’d spun my head and then jerked me around. I had Julian, who I loved and couldn’t tell the truth about something that was tearing him up inside. And now I had fake friends spying on me and getting me in trouble with crazy older brothers who had hidden agendas.
By the time I made it back home, all I wanted was to sleep. And that’s exactly what I did.
Julian could tell something was up as he walked me to class after lunch Friday. “I’ve missed you a lot these last few days,” he said, holding my hand.
I nodded and smiled, squeezing his hand as we walked. The end of the year felt like it was racing toward us, and I wondered where we would be this time next year.
I wasn’t encouraged.
“Mom told me she’d be gone tonight,” he continued. “That’s a pretty big switch, don’t you think?”
“Sure,” I said. He still didn’t seem to know about Lucy’s discovery, but I figured since their cat was out of the bag, Ms. LaSalle had to plan her visits now. And since they knew Julian and Lucy were friends, it was smart to be open.
He frowned, studying my face. “Still love me?”
My chest clenched and I stopped walking. He stopped, too, waiting. “How can you ask me that?” I caught his face and kissed him.
That brought out the grin I loved. “Just checking. You’ve been kind of distant lately. And what’s up with you and Summer? I was just getting used to her weirdness.”
I shook my head. “She got to be too much. I asked her to give me some space.”
He poked out his lips and nodded. “No complaints here.”
We started walking again. “So you’re saying tonight?”
“Yep,” he smiled and kissed the back of my hand. “Can’t wait.”
“Me either.”
The idea of him with me, back in my bed holding me tight in his arms, made everything that was troubling me wash away in a wave of anticipation.
Chapter 24
Mom and Dad of course chose that night to take me out for a celebratory dinner in honor of graduation and my acceptance into Loyola and even better, my scholarship. Mom said the time was racing until graduation, to which I silently agreed. So in honor of the occasion, we drove to Jesse’s. I did my best not to think about the last time I was at the tiny upscale restaurant on the Magnolia River.
On that night, Jack had ordered steaks for both of us. I’d had mine with gouda grits. We’d danced, and after, we’d driven down to the beach and made out. It was the night I’d decided to be honest with him. After which, he’d promptly taken me home.
Clearly, I failed at not thinking about the last time I was at Jesse’s.
I did not order the steak. I got the New Orleans barbecue shrimp in honor of my future hometown, followed by shrimp and grits. I wasn’t going to make the grits suffer because I’d made a poor first choice in boyfriends.
Dinner was actually very nice. Mom and Dad split a bottle of wine. Then they got weepy remembering my first day of kindergarten, and I tried not to roll my eyes. At the end of the evening, I drove us all home nicely bonded and ready for bed. It was late, and I loitered in the kitchen as my parents said goodnight and then went to their rooms. I was confident they’d be sound asleep sooner rather than later.
Once I was certain they were settled, I headed up the stairs. Julian was waiting in my bedroom when I got there, but his appearance stopped me in my tracks. He sat on the floor beside my bed, and when I saw what was in his hands, my stomach fell two stories to the floor below.
He had the letter. And it was clear he’d read it. Even worse, his expression said he was furious. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he
said, teeth clenched.
My chest was so painfully tight, it hurt to breathe. “Mom and Dad took me to a surprise dinner.” I managed to say, despite the fear climbing my shoulders. “How long have you been here?”
“How did you get this?” he said, holding up the evidence. “It’s my mom’s handwriting. It’s to Bill Kyser. It says he’s—”
“Mr. Kyser gave it to me,” I jumped in quickly. “But…”
“Why the hell would he give this to you?”
The way he said you stopped my heart. My eyes grew damp as I crossed the room to him, dropping to my knees at his side. “Oh my god, Julian, it’s such a long story. Please let me tell it to you before you think anything…”
But he pushed away. “All I want to know is why you have it. And how long have you had it? How long have you known?”
I hiccupped a breath. “I saw him with your mom. When you were in the hospital last fall. He was comforting her, and it all led to this. But he made me swear never to tell anyone. That’s who she’s been going to every night. I tried to make them tell you, but they wouldn’t. Julian…” my voice cracked as tears blinded my eyes.
“You knew he was my dad all this time, and you didn’t tell me?” His voice strained as he said the words, but he was holding himself steady. It completely freaked me out. I could not lose him again. Not for them.
“I wanted to so much.” I reached for him, but he blocked my hands. Then he stood up quick. I was right behind him.
“Oh, god, Julian,” I cried. “They made me promise not to tell you. Please don’t be mad at me.”
He only shook his head and was through my window before I could stop him. “Wait!” I tried to catch his arm, but he was going down fast. He made it half-way to the bottom and jumped to the ground, taking off running into the night.
I didn’t even think. I grabbed my bag and dashed out my bedroom door, down the stairs and out the door after him. In the distance I heard a car driving off, and I went back inside, scribbled a quick note to my parents, and grabbed the keys to the Civic. I’d never catch a Beemer, but I had to try.
It felt like hours passed with me driving up and down the beach road straining my eyes for any sign of him. The Beemer was back at his mom’s house, but after beating on the door and yelling, I gave up. He wasn’t there.
Finally, I parked my car at the Romar Beach pavilion and walked out to the water. I didn’t know what else to do. My breath caught when I saw a dark figure sitting down by the water. The closer I got, the surer I was.
Fighting against the urge to run and tackle him, I slowly walked to the shoreline. I looked out at the water. I listened to the waves crash. My arms hugged around my waist, and I took a slow breath, thinking about what to say. Coming up with nothing, I turned back to face him.
I sat next to Julian on the sand, and for several long minutes we didn’t speak. We only watched the waves crashing, and I thought about all the times I’d studied these waters. At last, he spoke.
“As close as we were and you never told me?” His voice was quiet. “How could you keep that from me?”
I did my best to stay calm. “I kept begging them to tell you. You don’t know how many times I almost told you anyway.”
He propped his arms on his bent knees and looked down, but I reached out and held his hand.
“Please, Julian,” I was trying not to cry, but my voice broke anyway. “Please don’t shut me out. I love you.”
“Don’t go there, Anna.” His tone hurt worse than anything.
“It’s true,” I said, desperation clear in my voice. “And you love me. This has nothing to do with us.”
His eyes flashed. “It has a little to do with us. You’ve been hiding things from me again. How you could go on knowing Jack was my brother and not tell me?”
“I… I promised,” I whispered, looking down. “It had nothing to do with him either.”
At that, Julian dropped his arms and stood. “I’m going to see him.”
My brows pulled together. “Jack?”
“My father.” He caught my hand then. “And you’re coming with me.”
“But—” The look on Julian’s face shut my mouth. I nodded. “Let’s go.”
I followed him back up the long stretch of sand to the parking lot. I knew Julian’s car was back at his house. “Should I drive?” I asked, almost afraid to speak.
“No,” he said. “Let’s get the new car.”
We drove in silence to his mom’s house, where we got into the shining Beemer and headed off toward Hammond Island. He didn’t look at me the entire time, and my stomach was in knots. I was completely desperate. I would not let his stupid, selfish parents break us up. Not now. Not after all we’d been through. Julian was mine, and they were going to fix this or I’d be figuring out a way to make them.
The drive went by in a blur. The last time I’d driven this way with Julian was the night of Jack and Lucy’s birthday party. That night had ended with me running from the house after seeing Jack with Casey Simpson, and Julian chasing after me trying to console me. He’d wanted to take me home, but I’d sent him back inside to be with his half-sister. Neither of us knew about the family connection then, and I wondered if Julian was thinking about it now.
When we arrived at the house, the only car in the driveway was the silver Audi. Lucy wasn’t here, but I knew who was. We both knew. He parked the car and walked around to help me out, still silent.
“Julian, wait.” I said.
He stopped to look at me, but his expression was closed.
“Before we go in there, just listen to me.” He started to turn away, but I grabbed his arm hard. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ever knew about this. I never wanted to know this secret, and more than that, I never wanted to keep it from you.”
“I appreciate your concern.”
“Julian, stop!” I cried. “I’ve been on your side the whole time, but I had to keep my word. Please believe me. I’ve been begging them to tell you. And when we go in there now, I’m still on your side. You deserved to know the truth.”
Finally he exhaled. His shoulders dropped as he looked down. I held my breath watching his actions until he finally pulled me into his arms. I almost burst into tears. My knees were weak, and my body shook as he stroked my back.
“Calm down,” he said. “I don’t want to be mad at you. I just want to know the truth.”
“Oh, Julian.” I reached up to pull his face to mine. He kissed me briefly, but he pulled away, focused on what was coming. I felt only slightly better. He was still angry, and I wasn’t entirely out of the woods with him yet. They’d better fix this.
We entered the large home, and Julian walked straight into the living room.
“Mom?” He shouted, looking up and around. “Please come here. I need to speak to you. Mom!”
My eyes were huge, my whole body tense. I heard noises from upstairs. A few seconds passed before Ms. LaSalle appeared on the landing. She was only slightly disheveled, and it seemed she hadn’t been here long.
“Julian?” she said, glancing at me. “What’s this about?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. I was at Anna’s and I found this.” He pulled out the letter and placed it on the coffee table. His mother quickly descended and picked it up. Just then, Mr. Kyser appeared and began walking down the stairs. He looked resigned, and when he made it to the bottom, he walked over and poured himself a scotch.
“How did you get this?” she said.
“Maybe you should ask my dad.” Julian’s voice was sharp, and Ms. LaSalle’s eyes flashed to me, but he cut her off. “She didn’t tell me anything, and I don’t like you making Anna lie for you.”
Calm permeated her tone. “I didn’t mean for her to find out. I never wanted you to know—”
“Why not?” His voice rose. His whole body was tense, and my stomach was sick. “You didn’t think I needed to know? You made that choice for me?”
“Julian…” She reached for his arm, bu
t he pulled away.
“Stop it, Mom. You were only thinking of yourself.”
“That is not true,” she snapped. “I have always thought of you. You’ve had everything you ever needed, and we’ve always been fine by ourselves.”
“I never had a dad.” He looked at Mr. Kyser. “Why did you let her do this?”
His father lowered the scotch glass. “I don’t tell your mother what to do, Julian. Whatever she wants is fine with me.”
“At least you’re honest about it.” Julian turned away. I didn’t know what to say. Ms. LaSalle stepped forward and touched his arm. Her voice was gentle now, but I could tell it bristled her son. “Julian? Baby? What are you thinking?”
He wouldn’t look at her. “I’m not a baby. I haven’t been for a long time. And it would’ve been nice to have a dad.”
Mr. Kyser placed his drink down and stepped forward to put his hands on Ms. LaSalle’s shoulders. “Julian, please don’t be angry with your mother. She was trying to protect you.” He exhaled. “I’m not exactly a model father.”
Julian looked at him, and his expression made my chest hurt. “You gave up that easily? Didn’t you even care?”
“Of course I did.” He stepped toward his son. “But… your mother was right. The truth would’ve only made your life more difficult.”
“How?” Julian said.
“It’s a small town. I don’t exactly have a lot of privacy.”
“So you let me go.”
“I’ve always maintained contact.”
Julian shook his head. “It’s not that easy. You can’t just send money and have that make it okay.”
Mr. Kyser’s hands were open, as if he wanted to reach out. “I know,” he said. “You needed more.”
“What did you need?” Ms. LaSalle cut in angry. “You had everything. I made sure there was nothing you didn’t have.”
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