Page 93 of Always Us

They go in my dad’s office and he slams the door.

I can’t believe my dad just talked to Roth that way. And grabbed his arm. Roth could have my dad killed for that. He could be dead tomorrow. Shit!

I turn around and see Jade coming toward me. She whispers in my ear, “I want to talk to Grace, so we’re going in one of the rooms down the hall so Victoria won’t bother us.”

“Yeah. Okay.” I’d go with her but I need to keep an eye on Roth and my dad.

When she’s gone, I approach the door to my dad’s office. I hear loud talking but I can’t make out the words.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn around and see Kiefer standing there.

“Garret, I need to speak with you when we’re back in California. What’s your schedule?”

He reeks of hard liquor and I back away. “Are you drunk?”

“No. Of course not.” He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. He’s drunk, but also seems anxious and tense.

“What’s wrong with you?”

He looks side to side, checking to make sure we’re alone. “Just say you’ll meet with me when we get back. I’ll make a trip up to see you.”

“Um, yeah, okay.” I agree to it just to get him to go away. “You have my number. Just call me and let me know when you’re coming.”

“Good. Very good.” He puts his glasses on and walks away.

What the hell was that about? And why was he acting so strange?

“Garret.” Lilly runs down the stairs. “Can we watch a movie now?”

I glance at my dad’s office. “It’s not a good time right now. Maybe later.”

“Please.” She grabs my hand. “You promised.”

“I know, but I can’t right now. I’m busy.”

She lets go of my hand and her head drops down as she turns back toward the stairs. I see her shoulders creep up, then down, like she’s crying. Dammit. Why is everything happening at once? First my dad and Roth, then Kiefer, now Lilly.

“Lilly, wait.” I meet her halfway up the stairs.

“It’s okay. You’re busy.” She wipes her tears with her tiny hand and I feel like the worst brother in the world.

“I didn’t mean that. I’m not busy. Come on.” I walk her up the rest of the stairs and to her room. “I’ll start the movie but I can’t watch all of it right now. I have to go downstairs and talk to people, but when I’m done I’ll come back, okay?”

She nods.

“What movie should we watch?” I’m standing in front of her TV. Below it is a white basket filled with movies, all of which have pink boxes. Princess cartoons.

“You pick,” she says.

I grab one from the middle. It has a princess and a snowman on it. Good enough. I put it in the machine and turn the TV on.

“I got your spot ready.” Lilly has pillows lined up against the headboard, the same way I used to arrange them whenever I’d watch TV in her room. Her headboard is made of wood and has a design carved in it that digs into your back when you lean on it, so I always had to pile up pillows behind me.

“I can only watch for a few minutes.” I sit next to her as the movie starts.

She leans against my shoulder, holding her stuffed panda bear in her arms.

“Garret?”

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