Page 71 of Always Us

It’s four-thirty and I decide to just get this over with. My grandfather’s home and my grandmother isn’t there so now’s probably the best time to talk to him. I grab my keys and go out to the rental car. It’s freezing cold and windy and a light sleet is falling. I definitely don’t miss this weather.

I turn the heat up to high as I drive out of the parking lot. The hotel is a half hour away from my house, which is why I picked it. I didn’t want to risk running into my family. But I have to drive by the house on the way to my grandparents’ house, which is another 20 minutes away.

When I arrive there, I’m surprised the security guard lets me in. I thought he’d call my grandfather first to make sure it’s okay. I know the guard. He’s worked here forever. But I wasn’t sure if Katherine was right and my grandfather told his staff to keep me out if I ever tried to visit.

I’m greeted at the door by the maid. She’s French and doesn’t speak much English. I tell her in French that I’m here to see my grandfather. She smiles and nods and walks away.

The house is quiet. I expected to see doctors and nurses, but maybe they’re in his room. I walk down the hall to the back of the house where the master bedroom is located. It’s huge and overlooks the back gardens and the pool. I open the door but he’s not in there. He must be staying in one of the upstairs rooms until he gets better. I go up the winding staircase and down the long hallway, passing several empty bedrooms until I reach a door that’s mostly closed. I open it and see him there in bed, hooked up to an IV. He’s reading a newspaper and doesn’t notice me.

“Hello, Grandfather.” I use a flat tone. I don’t want to show any emotion around him. Whatever he says, I can’t let him get to me.

He slowly lowers his newspaper, his face displaying a smug grin, like my showing up here means he won.

“Hello, Garret.”

He doesn’t even act surprised that I’m here. He must’ve expected this. I hate that I did exactly what he thought I’d do. Now I feel like I should’ve done this differently. I wanted him to be surprised by my visit. I didn’t want to just play into his hands. Let him think I’m predictable. Like he knows my every move.

He motions to the chair next to his bed. “Come sit down. Would you like some tea? I can have some brought up.”

“No. I don’t want anything.” My voice sounded rushed, almost breathless, because my heart’s beating so fast. I need to calm down.

I take my coat off and sit in the chair. I get a good look at him. He doesn’t look sick. Maybe a little thinner in the face, but not sick. His legs are covered with the blanket, but on top he’s wearing a long-sleeve, white cotton button-up pajama shirt with a gold swirling emblem on the right pocket. His shirt is freshly pressed, with not a single wrinkle. His dark gray hair is neatly trimmed and set in place with whatever old man hair product he uses. And his face is smooth, like he just shaved. If he had a suit on instead of pajamas, he’d look like he normally does. Like he’d never even been in a coma.

“So what did the doctors say?” I ask him. “Are you getting better?”

His expression turns grim, almost threatening, as his silvery-blue eyes lock on mine. “You were hoping I’d die, weren’t you?” When I don’t answer, he lets out a single laugh, then says, “That’s far too easy. If you want me dead, you need to do it yourself. You need to be a man. A Kensington. Take action. But instead, you wait for something to happen. You’re weak, Garret. Just like your father.”

I clench both my hands, then slowly release them. I won’t let him get to me. “I’m here to discuss your offer.”

His smug smile returns. “I’m listening.”

I stare back at him. “I’ll agree to go to Yale and work at Kensington Chemical if you leave Jade alone.”

The smile drops from his face and his eyes narrow. “That was not the offer I made. This isn’t a negotiation. I gave you the terms and conditions. The only decision that’s yours is whether she lives or dies.”

His lips turn up again. He’s loving this way too much. The power. The control. The idea of taking Jade’s life and destroying me in the process.

I want to strangle him. Kill him with my bare hands. I have this uncontrollable rage building inside me and I might just do it. I might just kill him.

“Garret.” He’s looking at me like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. It’s almost like he’s challenging me to do it. “Do you have something you’d like to say?”

I get up from the chair and stand next to his bed, blood rushing to my hands as I clench and unclench my fists. He’s just a foot away. I could do this and end it. He’d fight me, but I’d win. I’m stronger than him. I could end this right now. What do I do?

He’s watching me. Waiting.

I step closer, my heart pounding, my hands slowly rising.

“Mr. Kensington.”

I drop my hands and step back from the bed as an older woman in a nurse’s uniform walks in.

“Your wife called and said she’s running late. She’ll be here around six.” The nurse goes up to his bed and checks the IV bag.

I try to breathe, my thoughts still on those moments before she walked in. I almost killed my grandfather. With my bare hands. Holy shit!

“Is this your grandson?” the nurse asks my grandfather, as she checks his pulse.

“Yes. This is Garret.”

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