Page 137 of Promising You
“Jade, you understand that knowledge of this organization Arlin and I are part of is strictly confidential. I trust you’ll keep the secrecy of this organization intact. Is that correct?”
With the look Pearce is giving me and his somewhat threatening tone, I find myself unable to respond.
Garret squeezes my hand and I’m finally able to speak. “Yes, I understand. I won’t tell anyone.”
“Arlin never should’ve told you about it. It’s against the rules and he knows that. It just proves that he’s not as sharp as he once was.”
“But what about the other stuff he said? Was any of that true?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“So there’s no secret plan for me?” Garret laughs a little as he asks it.
“Of course not. That’s ridiculous.” Pearce smiles, but I notice his body stiffen up and his eyes shift to his desk and I wonder if he’s really telling us the truth. Or maybe I’m just being paranoid. Being in this house and around Garret’s family seems to make me that way.
“What about that stuff he said about Royce?” I ask. “Was the group you’re part of really going to make Royce president?”
Pearce smiles again as he sits back in his chair. “We aren’t in the game of picking presidents, Jade. It’s true we’re involved in helping people get elected, but strictly through donations. Helping with fundraising events.”
“But why would Arlin make up lies like that? Why would he say that stuff about Garret?”
“Because he doesn’t want his granddaughter dating a Kensington.” It’s so odd to hear myself referred to as someone’s granddaughter. “Given the circumstances, it’s understandable why he wouldn’t want you to be with my son.” Pearce stands up. “I really need to get back to work. I’m sorry, Jade, if Arlin frightened you with those stories he told you. I’ll have a talk with him at our next meeting.”
“No, you don’t need to. I’m just glad none of that stuff was true.”
I pretend to believe Garret’s dad, but I really don’t trust what he said. It doesn’t make sense. Arlin wouldn’t go to all that trouble to tell me those things if they were just made-up stories. And he seemed really sincere when he told me. Like he really believed everything he was saying.
Garret and I get up and leave and Pearce shuts the door behind us.
“Feel better now?” Garret asks, putting his arm around my shoulder. “Arlin is just a crazy old man trying to get you to break up with me because I’m a Kensington. Just forget what he said. My dad will talk to him. He won’t bother you again.”
“Yeah, okay.” I decide not to share my suspicions with Garret. He and his dad have been getting along better lately and I don’t want to mess that up. Besides, maybe Pearcewastelling the truth.
“Ready to head back?” Garret grabs our coats which we left sitting on a chair in the living room, mainly just to piss off Katherine who likes everything to be neatly put away.
“Not really. It’s a nice day and we don’t have class so maybe we could do something.”
“Like what?”
I look up at him and smile. “Take a drive in my new car? Since I can’t drive yet, you’ll be the first one to drive it.”
“I already drove it. I’ve driven it several times.”
“Garret!” I punch his arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He rubs his arm, laughing. “Because I knew you’d be pissed.”
“I’m not pissed at you for driving it. I’m pissed because you didn’t take me with you.”
“Well, I’m taking you now.” He kisses my cheek, then walks off. “Wait outside. I’ll go to the garage and bring it around front.”
Mr. Kensington bought me a brand new, white BMW convertible and gave it to me last week. It was a gift for finding his daughter, Lilly, when she ran off and got lost in the woods behind their house. Finding her is what landed me with stitches in my knee and a concussion.
Garret and I are taking my new car to California this summer. We’re living on the beach for three whole months. We still haven’t decided on a place, but we’ve narrowed down our options. We don’t want to be in a big city so we’re trying to find a place in one of the small coastal towns north of LA. Harper and her boyfriend, Sean, will be there, too. They’re hoping to get a place right next to ours so the four of us can hang out together all summer. I’m so excited about this summer. I just want it to hurry up and get here.
The car pulls up into the circular driveway and I get in the passenger side while Garret tucks my crutches in the back seat.
“Nice, huh?” He gets back in and speeds off.
