Becoming Us Read online

  I’ve never heard of the town, but I’ve heard of Westchester County and I know it’s full of rich people.

  “I didn’t know you lived so close to your parents. I mean, to their house in the Hamptons.”

  “Yes, it’s a short drive, but I don’t get out there much. I’m rarely at my own home. I spend most of my time traveling for work or I stay in the city. The next time you’re out east, let me know and you can come for a visit at the house. I’ll rearrange my schedule to make sure I’m there. And you can meet Meredith. Do you get back to Connecticut much?”

  “We were there in July,” Garret says. “We haven’t been back since. But we’re going back there for Christmas.”

  “Your father’s house isn’t that far from us, probably an hour’s drive. Perhaps you two could come visit us for the day. Or Meredith and I could go to Connecticut.”

  “We’ll talk about it and let you know,” I say, not ready to commit to anything yet.

  The waiter comes over and asks for our order. Then William talks some more and I just listen.

  After our food arrives, William says, “Are you ready to tell me about yourself, Jade?”

  I was just about to bite into the pasta I ordered, but instead I set my fork down. “There’s not much to say. I think you already know everything about me.”

  “What do you like to do for fun?”

  “Um, I don’t know.”

  Garret puts his arm around me. “We’re still working on that. Jade’s been a little consumed with her classes ever since we moved here. But we’re trying to work some fun back into her schedule.”

  “I like to run,” I tell William.

  “But I don’t let her go alone, so she hasn’t been running much.” Garret takes his arm back and picks up his knife and fork and cuts his steak. “There was a robbery next to where we live so I don’t think it’s safe for Jade to run by herself.”

  “Is that why you have the cameras everywhere?” William sets his wine glass down. “Walt showed me photos of your beach house. I saw the cameras.”

  “My dad had those installed. It wasn’t because of the robbery. He just thought we needed some security.”

  “You should have him get some tech guys out there. Those digital security cameras were easily disabled. When Walter was doing surveillance around your place, he was able to disrupt the signal and blur the images.”

  “Shit, I wondered about that. I noticed the blurry images. I thought it was just the wind blowing the cameras around.”

  “If you’d like, I could have Walt stay here and keep an eye on things for you, especially if you think there might be more robberies in the area. Walt’s background is in security. He’s worked for me for years, investigating anyone around me who seems suspicious. He knows how the criminal mind works and he’s good at getting people to talk and give up information. He could prove useful, especially if that robber has friends who might start lurking around your neighborhood.”

  “I don’t think we need that,” Garret says. “I’ll talk to my dad and have him get someone to fix the cameras.”

  “Just think about it. Sometimes it’s better to have someone actually watching the place rather than relying on cameras, which can be tampered with.” He takes another sip of wine. “So Jade, have you made many friends here?”

  “Not really. It’s another thing I need to work on. I have a friend at the coffee shop I go to. And I talk to my friend, Harper, all the time. She goes to Moorhurst, so I don’t see her anymore but we still talk. She’s from Malibu. Her dad’s a Hollywood director.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Kiefer Douglas.” I feel Garret nudge my foot under the table as I say it. He doesn’t want me talking about Kiefer because of his connection to the organization. But I wasn’t even thinking about that when I said it.

  “We’re finding it’s hard to make friends when you’re our age and married,” Garret says, trying to steer the topic off of Harper’s dad.

  William’s looking at me and I can’t read his expression. It’s either curiosity or concern or a mix of both. “So you’re good friends with Kiefer’s daughter?”

  “Yeah, we’re best friends. We lived next door to each other all summer and she was in my wedding. Do you know her dad?”

  Garret nudges my foot under the table again.

  “Yes, I know him quite well.”

  Garret pretends to pick his napkin off the floor. As he leans down to get it he whispers, “Don’t ask.”

  “How’s your dinner?” I ask William. It’s obvious I’m trying to change the subject but I didn’t know how to be subtle about it.

  “It’s very good.”

  Garret starts talking about his classes and the college and then I do the same. We stay on that topic through the rest of dinner.

  When we’re done eating, William looks at me and asks, “Would you like dessert?”

  “No, thanks. I’m really full.”

  “Garret?”

  “None for me either.”

  “Well, then, shall we call it a night? I’ll take care of the check if you two want to head out.”

  Garret and I get up and go around the table to where William is now standing.

  “Thank you for dinner.” Garret shakes his hand.

  I do the same. “Yes, thank you.”

  William hesitates, then steps up and puts his arms around me and hugs me.

  “You’re my niece,” he says. “What am I doing shaking your hand?”

  “Jade.” I hear Garret whisper it next to me.

  I notice I’m standing there with my arms at my sides. I reach around William and hug him back.

  William’s hug reminds me of Arlin’s hugs. Is that weird? Maybe I’m just imagining it, but it really does feel like one of Arlin’s hugs; strong, with his arms fully wrapped around me. And when I let go, William holds on a little longer, just like Arlin used to do.

  When he finally releases me, William stands back and smiles at me. “I hope to see you again soon.”

  We leave the restaurant and as we’re in the car driving home, Garret asks, “So what did you think?”

  “I liked him. I thought he was nice.”

  “Yeah, I did, too. It’s hard to believe he’s Royce’s brother. Grace is right. William and Royce are not at all alike.”

  “Garret, you’re an expert on hugs, right?”

  He laughs. “I don’t know if I’m an expert. Why do you ask?”

  “Can people have different hug styles? Like if you had your eyes closed and I hugged you, would you know it’s me?”

  “Definitely. I could pick your hug out anywhere.”

  “Do you think it’s genetic? Like you’re programmed to hug a certain way?”

  He laughs again. “No, Jade. Hugging is learned. Usually your parents teach you, but in your case, you got me as a teacher. And not to be cocky, but I think I’m a damn good teacher. You were a mess when we started and now you’re almost an expert.”

  “Yeah, you did a good job with me.”

  “These are very odd questions. Why are you asking about this?”

  “No reason. I was just asking.” I gaze out the side window, smiling as I think about William’s hug. It was like Arlin’s. I wasn’t just imagining it. Arlin taught him that. It’s part of him now. And I get the feeling William is like Arlin in a lot more ways than that.

  Garret reaches over and holds my hand. “What are you thinking, Jade?”

  “I was just thinking that…” I turn to him. “Sometimes you can tell a lot from a hug.”

  4

  GARRET

  I wasn’t sure how that dinner would go but it went better than I thought it would. I was predicting awkward silence, or worse, that William would want to just talk about his job. Guys like him tend to make their whole lives about work so it’s all they have to talk about. Shit, the guy runs one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. He must spend every waking moment at the office. I’m sure he works even more than my d
ad. I know he does, because my dad’s cut his hours significantly the past year. And thank God he did. He was headed for a heart attack if he kept working like that. William’s probably headed for one as well. He looked tired and stressed.

  When we get home, Jade calls Grace and tells her about the dinner. They don’t talk long because it’s late on the East Coast and Grace was getting ready to go to bed.

  When Jade hangs up, she says, “William called Grace and told her our dinner went well.”

  “He already called her, huh?” I pull Jade in for a kiss. “See? You won him over.”

  “He didn’t say that.”

  “He raced back to his room and called Grace to tell her how much he liked having dinner with you. Plus, he invited you to his house and wants you to go sailing with him. That means you won him over.”

  “That’s not what—”

  “Don’t argue with me.” I kiss her again, then smile at her. “I know these things.”

  “Oh, really? How do you know?”’

  “The guy runs a massive international corporation. He works 24/7. So if he’s willing to make time for you, that means he likes you.”

  “It means his mother’s making him do it.”

  “Once again, you’re wrong, Jade.” I walk off toward the bedroom.

  “Hey! I’m never wrong.” She laughs as she says it.

  I turn around and she’s right behind me. “You’re always wrong about this kind of stuff.” I hug her, lifting her off the ground. She needs a good hug. It’s been a rough day.

  “What stuff?”

  “People stuff. You always think people don’t like you and you’re always wrong.” I walk in the bedroom, still holding her. “That’s why it’s good I’m here to set you straight.” I put her down. “I need to go to the pool. I got yelled at today by my physical therapist for not being in the pool enough. So grab whatever you need and let’s go.”

  “What? I’m not going.”

  “Yeah, you are. I’m not leaving you here alone.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m not. So let’s go.”

  I don’t want Jade sitting here all alone. If I leave her here, she’ll think about William, overanalyzing every word that came out of his mouth and every expression that crossed his face. Then she’ll be back to thinking he doesn’t like her or she’ll wonder what he does for the organization. I need to get her mind off all that, which is why she’s going with me.

  “You’re being kind of bossy.” She says it jokingly as she goes to a stack of books on the floor and picks up her calculus book.

  I go over and take it from her. “No studying tonight.”

  “But I need to read chapter ten.”

  “You already read it. I saw you reading it earlier.”

  “Well, I need to re-read it.”

  I swear, the girl never takes a break. I thought my laziness would wear off on her by now but it hasn’t at all.

  “You can read it again tomorrow. Your brain needs to rest. Now get your swimsuit.”

  “You’re making me swim, too?”

  “We’re going to the pool. That’s usually what people do there.” I smile at her.

  “I’ll bring my suit, but that doesn’t mean I’m swimming.” She takes her swimsuit from the dresser. “I’ll decide when I get there.”

  “I just want you in the water.” I grab my gym bag from the closet, then meet her at the door to the bedroom. “I never said you had to swim.”

  “Yeah you did.”

  ‘“I said, in general, people swim when they go to a pool. I didn’t say you had to.”

  “Then why would I go in the water?”

  I lean down and whisper in her ear, “We can find plenty of other things to do in the water.”

  She shivers as I lightly kiss the side of her neck. “Okay, I’ll get in the water.”

  “I thought so.” I grab her hand and head out the door.

  I can always distract Jade with sex, although I don’t plan to have sex in the pool since there’s a good chance someone will walk in. But I can do plenty of other things to distract her and keep her mind off the earlier events of today.

  We arrive at the pool at eight. Nobody’s there, which isn’t unusual for a Monday night. The gym is always empty as well. It was the same way at Moorhurst. People partied over the weekend and were too tired to work out on Monday nights.

  “You get in first.” Jade’s standing at the edge of the pool in her black bikini, looking hot as hell. “Tell me if the water’s cold.”

  I jump in, splashing water on the tile around her feet. “It always feels cold when you first get in. You’ll get used to it.” I hold my arms out to her. “Come on. Get in.”

  “Don’t you want to do your laps first?”

  “I’ll do them later. Come on.”

  She steps closer and dips her toe in the water. “It’s cold.”

  “It’s not that cold. And once you’re in here I promise I’ll warm you up.”

  She smiles. That did the trick. I should’ve started with that.

  She sits at the edge of the pool, dangling her feet in. “I have to get in gradually.”

  “It’s all or nothing, Jade.” I grab her around the waist and pull her in the water, submerging all but her head.

  “Hey! I wasn’t ready.” She pretends to be annoyed, but she’s laughing.

  I hold her against me and she instantly wraps her legs around my waist. My face is wet and when I kiss her she feels the slickness of my lips and moans.

  Jade loves the water. Shower. Pool. If water’s involved, she’s instantly turned on. What are the odds that the girl of my dreams also happens to love making out in the water? Could I get any luckier? Seriously. I have no idea what I did to deserve this. Maybe I was a saint in a prior life.

  I slip my tongue in her mouth and back her up against the side of the pool. My hands are currently under her ass, but I move one of them to her breast, still teasing her mouth with my tongue.

  She moans again and it echoes in the open room. I hope nobody walks in. It wouldn’t embarrass me if we got caught, but Jade would be totally embarrassed. But right now, she’s too into this to care. She might not even notice if someone walked in.

  “Get me wet,” she whispers.

  I look at her, surprised. “I’m pretty sure I already did.”

  “No.” Her cheeks turn pink. “That’s not what I meant. I want you to dip me in the water. Get my face wet.”

  I pull her away from the wall and lower her into the water. When I bring her up, she leans her head back and pushes the water from her eyes.

  She starts laughing. “I can’t believe I said that. I wondered why you gave me that look.”

  “I’ve never heard you talk dirty like that, so yeah, I was a little shocked. But hey, feel free to do it again. It’s not like I minded.” I back her against the side of the pool and leave kisses along her chest, then up the side of her neck. “You wet enough?”

  She smiles, her eyes closed. “Yes.”

  I wet my face, then put my lips to hers and gently kiss her a few times. She parts her lips and I take the kiss deeper as she pulls me closer, pressing herself into my swim trunks. She starts moving her hips, rubbing against me.

  Damn, if she keeps this up, we might just do it in the pool. I know I said I wouldn’t, but shit, there’s a limit to my self-control and she’s pushing that limit to the absolute max.

  My hand’s still under her ass but I move it down a little and slip my finger under her suit and keep going until she gasps.

  “Garret,” she whispers, her eyes still closed.

  “Yes, Jade.” I keep my lips on hers.

  “We shouldn’t do this here.”

  “You’re right. We shouldn’t.” I shove my swim trunks down.

  “We could get caught.”

  “We could.” I yank the string loose on one side of her bikini, moving the fabric aside as I line myself up.

  “But we’re doing it anyway?�
�� Her lips draw upward.

  “We are.” I’m already inside her when I say it. To hell with self control. This is way more fun. I don’t know why I was even fighting myself over this. I’ve wanted to do this with Jade since that first kiss we had in the pool. I’m glad we didn’t do it then. It would’ve been too soon. But shit, I was really tempted that day. And now I’ve waited a year and here we are, in a pool with nobody around. So what the hell? It’s about damn time.

  We’ve barely started and Jade is already coming close. Just kissing her in the pool got her halfway there.

  A wife who loves sex and doing it in the water? I’ll say it again. I’m a lucky son of a bitch.

  I’m almost there, too. Watching Jade get this turned on always gets me going. And then there’s the fact that we’re doing it in the water and she feels freaking amazing.

  I’ve got my hands wrapped around her tight little ass, trying to go slow. I want to keep this going as long as possible, but from the way Jade’s reacting I think it’s going to be quick. And it is. Moments later, she holds onto my shoulders and lets out a really loud sound that echoes in the room. That’s all it takes for me to finish up, then we both take a moment to catch our breath.

  “That was so good.” She relaxes her legs down around me.

  I lower us into the water, then run my wet lips along her shoulder. “Just good?”

  “It was better than good. I’m just too out of it to find the right adjective to describe it.” Her dreamy sex haze fades and she looks at me, her face very serious. “But we still shouldn’t have done it.”

  “No, we shouldn’t have.” I try to be serious.

  “But we did.” She grins like a little kid who just stole candy.

  “Yes, we did.” I kiss her.

  “That was naughty of us.”

  “Very naughty.” I kiss her again.

  “I kind of like being naughty.”

  “Yeah, I could tell.”

  “Was I too loud?”

  “You were kind of loud, but that’s okay. I like loud.”

  She smiles at me. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. You want to let me get some laps in now?” I yank my swim trunks up as she fixes her bikini.

  “Let you? You’re the one who lured me in here. It wasn’t my fault.”