Page 60 of Jeremy
“Doyou ever see your parents?”
He’squiet for just long enough for me to think I may have upset him. “No, I used totry to keep in touch, but they never reciprocated.”
“Didyou have a fight or something?”
Heplays with my hair. “No, they just don’t have any interest in me or my life. Itwas always that way. I had nannies to take care of me when I was growing up,while they flew around the world, living their carefree lives.” He grins downat me. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I never did without anything. I’m not the poorlittle rich boy. I went to great schools, had a lot of friends, and grew uppretty happy. They just weren’t a part of it.
“Itwas like they were two strangers who would step in occasionally to dole outpunishments they wouldn’t be around long enough to enforce. When I got older,they were pissed that I wouldn’t date any of the debutantes they had lined up.I had no interest in getting married to some plastic girl and doing the twelvehour a day grind at their investing firm.
“Theytried to put their foot down and threatened not to pay for college when Iwouldn’t join their little high-class society jerkoff sessions.”
“Whathappened?”
“Mygrandpa happened.” A fond smile stretches across his face. “He always hatedthat whole scene too and supported me when I wanted to go into computers, notinvesting. Pissed my dad off something terrible when he stepped in, paid for mycollege, and set me up in a house near campus. The only thing he asked was thatI keep my grades up and work a part time job. He told me that everyone needsto see what it’s like to work every day whether you need the money or not. Thatit would help me relate to the rest of society, who aren’t as lucky.”
Icuddle against him. “He sounds like a great guy.”
“Hewas. He died of a heart attack right after I graduated. I was glad he got tosee me get my degree though, so he could see I took advantage of theopportunities he gave me.”
“I’msure he was proud of you.”
“Hewas. The last time I saw my parents was at the reading of the will. He left meeverything in a trust fund. His fortune, houses, and shares in multiplebusinesses.”
Hepeeks down at me. “That’s another little secret you should know, I guess. I’mfilthy rich.”
Laughing,I slap his chest. “I already knew that. And since you’ve hacked your way intomore than just my heart and bed, you know I don’t give two shits. I do verywell.”
Herolls over until I’m pinned underneath him, and his boyish grin makes me smile.“Yes, and since you don’t want me for my money, my cock will have to suffice.”
“Iwant your heart, but your cock comes a close second.”
“AndI make sure it never comes first.”
“Seriously,dick puns?” I love seeing him this way. He was always so serious and broody. Ihave a feeling I’m just now getting to know the real Jeremy.
“I’dswitch to vagina puns, but I cunt think of any.”
“You’reterrible.” I plant a kiss on his lips, then roll out from underneath him. “Doyou have to go to work?” My tone struggles to be nonchalant considering hiswork is plotting to kill the First Men.
“Yeah,are you going to see Calvin?”
“Later,first Leah and Zoe are coming over to help me put the finishing touches on thenursery.”
Wego our separate ways as usual, and I try not to think about the danger he maybe in. Soon, all this will be over. The cult will be gone, and my son will behome with me.
Iswear, sometimes it feels like letting myself feel hopeful and happy justtempts the universe to take it away.
#
Myshoes click against the highly polished floors of the Lindon Gallery as Iperuse the halls, waiting for my meeting with Penelope. After the success of mylast show, she’s eager to plan a future one, although I’ve cautioned her, it’llbe at least six months. Calvin needs all my time and attention.
“Ms.Sanders! It’s so good to see you again. How are you feeling?” Penelopeapproaches me in her usual mist of lavender scent.
“Muchbetter than the last time I was here,” I laugh, giving her a quick hug.
“Andhow is the little one? Please tell me you brought a picture.”
“He’sdoing well. If he keeps gaining weight this quickly, we may be able to bringhim home in a month or so.”
