Page 6 of Always Us

I go in the bedroom and shut the door. I need just a few minutes to myself. I need to get my mind focused on tomorrow and this weekend. I want this Thanksgiving to be a good one for Jade, so I need to put on a smile, act happy, and pretend nothing’s wrong. I did that for most of my teen years so this should be easy. Of course, back then I had alcohol to help me out. And I didn’t have this huge secret to hide.

But so far, I’m doing pretty well. I’ve managed to act halfway normal since my grandfather’s visit a few days ago. I’ve shoved that whole conversation in the back of my mind and when it makes its way to the front again, I tell myself it never happened, then shove any memory of it back in its place. If I don’t, Jade will know something’s wrong. She picks up on stuff, even the tiniest things, so I need to be aware of my tone, my expressions—anything that might give me away.

I hate hiding this from Jade but my dad practically ordered me not to tell her, and he’s probably right. She doesn’t need to know, at least not yet, and maybe not ever. How exactly would I tell her something like that anyway? My grandfather plans to kill you, Jade. Yeah, I can’t even think those words, let alone say them.

My dad said he’d deal with my grandfather and I believe him. I just need to give him time to do that. I’m worried he’ll sacrifice himself somehow to get my grandfather to back down. Like agree to do whatever his father tells him to do in exchange for him leaving Jade and me alone. My grandfather could make my dad run for public office, something he would hate doing. He has no interest in being a politician and never has. But my grandfather always wanted his son to be in politics because of the power and prestige that comes with those positions. So when my dad didn’t go down that route, my grandfather wanted me to, which is why he was thrilled when I was chosen to be president, then furious when I destroyed my image, thus ending my future political career. So maybe my grandfather will force my dad to run for office, like maybe run for governor, or for Congress. The organization would make sure he’d win.

I don’t want to see my dad’s life ruined like that, but my grandfather has us backed into a corner. He’s made this ultimatum. Divorce Jade or he’ll kill her.

I haven’t slept much since he gave me that ultimatum. A couple hours a night, max. The rest of the time I’m wide awake, watching Jade sleep, worrying about her safety, and trying to come up with ways to get out of this. Trying to figure out how to make my grandfather accept Jade, even though I know he never will. I even considered working for the company. Maybe if I agreed to take over Kensington Chemical someday, my grandfather would leave Jade alone. If he did, I would do it. I would dread going to work every day, but I’d do it if it meant he’d leave her alone.

Problem is, he won’t agree it. He hates Jade and he hates that I’m with her, and he’s determined to break us apart. Which means I have to rely on my dad. He’s the only one who can fix this. I just hope that he can.

“Hey.” Jade comes into the bedroom. I’m unpacking the suitcase and hanging clothes in the closet. She comes over and gives me a hug. “You want to take a nap? You look tired.”

“I’m okay. We should go hang out with Frank and Ryan.”

“Ryan went to pick up Chloe. They’re getting stuff for tomorrow. And Frank is resting in his room. Do you think Frank’s okay? It worries me that he’s so tired.”

“I’m sure he’s fine. He said he didn’t sleep well last night.”

“But why isn’t he sleeping well? That could mean something, Garret.”

“Don’t read so much into it.” I kiss her forehead. “He just didn’t sleep well. That’s all.”

I don’t know what Jade will do if Frank ever gets really sick. Last year when he was in intensive care, Jade was a mess. She couldn’t handle seeing him like that. I tried to be there for her, supporting her, helping her get through it, and I think she was glad I was there. It was hard to tell back then. She hid so much of herself that I was always left guessing what she needed from me. She’s better now, but I still have to guess sometimes.

“Come on.” She leads me to the bed. “Just take a short nap. I know you haven’t been sleeping much the past few nights.”

Shit. How did she know that?

“I’ll take a nap, but only if you sleep next to me.”

She smiles. “I will.”

We lie on our sides, her back against my chest, and I hold her there, not wanting to ever let go. As hard as I try to shove that conversation with my grandfather out of my head, I keep hearing his words and rage erupts inside me, making my muscles tense up, my jaw clench.

“That’s a little too tight, Garret,” Jade says. “What is with you and these super tight hugs? You keep doing it. You’ve been doing it since Monday.”

I relax my arms. “I don’t know. I guess I don’t know my own strength.” I use my cocky tone to steer her off course from any suspicions she has that something’s wrong.

“You are really strong.” She turns her head back and kisses me, then rubs her neck. “My neck still hurts.”

“You want me to massage it again?” I laugh as I say it. “If I do, you better keep quiet this time or Frank will think we’re doing something in here.”

She laughs. “I promise I’ll be quiet this time.”

“Don’t do it on my account. Feel free to practice your porn lines again. I don’t mind. You’re the one who gets all embarrassed.”

She reaches back and swats at my leg. “Which is why I’ll be quiet.”

She leans forward a little and I massage her neck.

“Garret?”

“Yes, Jade.”

“I’m so happy being here. Having a real Thanksgiving with you and Frank and Ryan. And it’s so great seeing them living in a house that’s new and doesn’t have a leaky roof and peeling paint. All of it just makes me happy.”

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