Page 39 of Choosing You

“Let me explain.”

“I don’t want to hear whatever excuses you’re going to tell me. You lied to me. And don’t say that not telling me technically wasn’t lying. Because it IS lying. It’s lying by omission and it counts as lying.” I turn to face him. “I don’t understand. Were you spying on me for them? Did they tell you to do that or did you just do it on your own?”

“I wasn’t spying on you. I just wanted to get to know you.”

“Why? So you could sleep with me? Did you think I’d be easy because I’m an orphan from a crappy home? Jasmine was right. Youarean ass. I’ll just walk the rest of the way.”

I get out of the car having no idea where we are. The road is pitch-black but I start walking down it anyway. I’m so angry at him and I don’t know what to do with all this negative energy. I could scream, but it wouldn’t be enough. So I try to walk it off in my uncomfortable dress shoes.

“Jade, get back here.” He races to catch up to me. “You can’t walk on the road. It’s dangerous.”

“My safety is not your concern. Now get the hell away from me.”

I keep walking. He stays behind, but I hear his voice. “There are all kinds of wild animals out here. Coyotes, raccoons, fox. They all come out at night.”

Shit! I hate wildlife. I’m scared of mice for crying out loud. I’m pretty sure I’d have a heart attack if I ran into a raccoon or a coyote.

I hear some rustling in the dark wooded area next to the road. It’s probably nothing, but now Garret’s put these images of rabid raccoons in my head and I’m scared to death of every little noise. I turn around and walk quickly back to the car. Garret’s waiting inside.

“Let’s go,” I say, slamming the car door.

He reaches over to put on my seat belt, purposely hesitating before he clicks it in place. “I swear to you, Jade. I wasn’t trying to spy on you or sleep with you or whatever other evil plots you’ve conjured up in your head. I just wanted to get to know you. That’s it.”

I look into his eyes. He looks so damn sincere that I almost believe him. Maybe because I want to believe him. I want whatever we started to keep going. I don’t want it to end. But it has to end because he lied to me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I grab the seatbelt from him and click it in place.

He sits back in his seat. “I’m embarrassed by my family, okay?”

“You’re embarrassed to be part of one of the richest families in America? Yeah, I’m sure it’s a real hardship for you.”

“Just because people have money doesn’t mean they have happiness or that they get along. My dad and I barely speak to each other. And when we do, we fight. And I hate my stepmom. She feels the same way about me.”

“Great. So you don’t get along with your family. I don’t know what that has to do with me.”

“It’s complicated. Being part of the Kensington family comes with responsibilities. And consequences.” He sighs. “And rules. Lots of rules. Rules that don’t even make sense.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about and I really don’t care. Can we go now?”

“No, because I’m trying to explain and you’re not listening.”

“What are you talking about? You haven’t explained anything! Why did you lie to me about who you really are? Why did you act like you didn’t know me at dinner? You haven’t explained any of that, Garret!”

“I told you. My family is messed up. I didn’t want you involved with them.”

“I’m already involved with them. They’re paying for my school. Why are you so freaked out about me knowing your family?”

He gets quiet for a moment and I wonder if he’s trying to come up with even more lies.

“How do you think people like my dad and stepmom get the kind of money to afford that house? And all the other houses they own? We have six houses, Jade. We also have a private plane. And a yacht. And at least 10 very expensive cars. Maybe more. I’ve lost count.”

“I don’t know. Your dad owns a big chemical company. The company makes a lot of money.”

“It’s more than that. You don’t get that rich from a single company. At least not from ours.” His hands tighten around the steering wheel and he stares straight ahead into the darkness. “They do things besides run the company. And those things result in secrets that have to be kept and then they have to protect those secrets. It’s messed up. And sometimes it’s dangerous. That’s why I wanted to keep you away from all that. As far away as possible. That’s why I acted like we didn’t know each other tonight.”

“You’re making no sense. Your parents just told you to get to know me. And as for your true identity, it was just a matter of time before I knew your last name.”

“Yes, but I wanted you to get to know me before that happened. I knew you’d think differently of me when you found out I was a Kensington. And I was right. Look how you’re acting.”

---