Page 25 of Lilly

"Here it is," Dean says as he pulls into the diner. "Reed's favorite childhood restaurant."

I smile and kiss Reed's cheek. "This'll be fun. Do we get to color hats?"

"If they let us, then yeah. But it might be limited to kids only."

It's not. The waitress brings us both a paper hat and we decorate each others. Reed draws unicorns and rainbows on mine, an inside joke. I draw skulls and guitars on his, because it seems like something a rock star would like, and when I first met him, I thought he was in a rock band. I even called him Rocker Guy until I knew his actual name.

While we're coloring, Dean texts people on his phone and goes outside a couple times to make calls. After lunch, we return to the apartment. Dean gets his laptop out to do some work while Reed and I watch TV. At one point Reed leans over and whispers in my ear, suggesting we go in his room, but I can't do it, not with his dad here. His dad would know what we were doing and that's too embarrassing.

So we watch TV until my dad arrives at four-thirty. He says a quick hello to Reed and Dean, then tells them we need to get going. I think my dad's worried that if he stays any longer, Dean will ask him for another favor.

On the drive home, my dad says, "I'm going out of town this weekend."

"You and Mom?"

"No, just me. I have a meeting to attend in Connecticut."

"When are you coming back?"

"The following Monday. While I'm gone, you and Rachel will be staying with Garret."

"Why would we stay with Garret?"

He glances at me. "Remember when you were younger and I'd tell you that sometimes it's best if you don't ask questions?"

"Yes." And I never understood why. I still don't.

"This is one of those times." He grips the steering wheel tighter and raises his voice. "I don't want you arguing with me about this. You'll be staying with Jade and Garret."

"I wasn't arguing," I say quietly. "I just wondered."

He reaches over and puts his hand on mine. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm just a little stressed right now. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

I nod, and keep quiet the rest of the drive home. My dad's quiet too, seeming lost in his thoughts.

I have no idea what's going on, but something is, and I know my dad won't tell me. Neither will Rachel or Garret. Or maybe it's nothing and they're just being weird. But I feel like it's more than that. Like it's something they don't want me to know. And it's a feeling I've had before, many times.

I always feel like my family is hiding something from me.

Chapter Six

Pearce

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rachel asks as I add my tie to the suitcase. We're in the bedroom and she's helping me pack for the trip.

"Sweetheart, we've talked about this. This isn't something I want to do. It's something I have to do. I don't have a choice in the matter."

"Isn't there someone else William trusts to attend this meeting? Or maybe you could have someone plant microphones and listen in instead of actually being there."

"They check for microphones. And as for someone taking my place, there IS no one. I'm the only one William trusts."

She sighs heavily, sitting down on the bed. "I don't want you doing this, Pearce."

"I know you don't." I sit beside her. "And I'm sorry it's come to this. But hopefully, it's only temporary. I'll go to a few meetings and that'll be it."

She turns to me. "You know that's not what'll happen."

"Rachel." I hold her hands. "We have to stay positive. The organization that existed when you and I were first married is not the same organization it is today. Things have changed."

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