Forever You Read online

  Pearce clears his throat and looks at Garret. “Do you want to tell her now?”

  “Yeah, I think now’s a good time.” He looks at me to agree.

  “Go ahead.”

  Lilly’s ignoring us, bobbing up and down in her chair, eating the last of her ice cream.

  “Lilly, I have something to tell you,” Garret says.

  She looks up, the last spoonful of ice cream in her mouth. “What?”

  “It’s big news. Are you ready?”

  She nods as she sets her spoon down. She wipes her napkin over her face and waits patiently in her seat.

  “Jade and I are getting married. She’s going to be your big sister.”

  “Really?” Lilly jumps off her chair and runs over to him. “Jade will be my sister?”

  “Yes.” He laughs at her enthusiasm. “You’ll finally have a sister.”

  “I always wanted a sister!” She turns to me and I pick her up and set her on my lap.

  “And that’s not all,” he says. “We’re getting married in two weeks and you’re going all the way to California for the wedding.”

  “Do you get to wear a pretty dress?” she asks me.

  “Yep. A really pretty dress.”

  “Jade, you tell her the other part,” Garret says.

  “Garret and I would like you to be our flower girl. Do you know what that is?”

  She nods. “I get to wear a pretty dress, too, and throw flowers everywhere.”

  Pearce smiles. “Well, not everywhere, Lilly, but they’ll show you where to put them.”

  “And Mom said it’s okay?” Lilly asks Pearce. It pisses me off that she even has to ask.

  “Your mother and I both say it’s okay.”

  It’s a lie. I know Katherine doesn’t want Lilly in the wedding, but Garret says that since we moved, Pearce has been standing up more to Katherine and this is something he wouldn’t back down on.

  Lilly hops off my lap and runs over and climbs on her dad’s. “I’m gonna be a flower girl! And I have a sister!”

  “Yes, honey, that’s exciting.” He hugs her. He’s definitely acting differently than before. He seems more relaxed. “Go up and get your pajamas on and we’ll watch a movie before you go to bed.”

  She seems confused. “You’re gonna watch with me?”

  “Yes. And maybe Jade and Garret would like to join us.” He looks at us. “Unless you have other plans.”

  “I’d like to watch a movie,” I say.

  “Works for me,” Garret agrees.

  Pearce sets Lilly down. “Go get changed. And when you get back, you can pick the movie.”

  She gets this big, excited smile on her face and races out of the room.

  Pearce watches her leave, then turns back to us. “I’m taking her to Disneyland while we’re in California. I want to surprise her, so I’m not going to tell her until we get out there.”

  “Are you serious?” Garret asks. “Aren’t you worried about the crowds and her running off?”

  “I’ll keep an eye on her. Brian is going to fly out and meet us there so he’ll be watching her as well.”

  Brian is one of Pearce’s security guys. He’s huge and looks scary but he’s actually really nice.

  “How’d you get Katherine to go along with this?”

  “I didn’t. She keeps trying to forbid it, but what’s she going to do? She can’t stop me. Katherine won’t even be there.”

  “She’s not coming to the wedding?” I ask him.

  “I told her not to. I assumed you two would be okay with that.” He grins a little as he says it.

  Garret and I don’t respond, but we don’t need to. Pearce knows how we feel.

  “I told Katherine that if she wasn’t going to be supportive of your relationship, then I didn’t want her to attend. This is your wedding and you should only have people there that you want there. People who love you and want to see the two of you happy. And unfortunately, Katherine is not one of those people.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” Garret says. “Thanks for doing that.”

  He nods. “Well, shall we head to the movie room? Lilly will likely pick out a cartoon, but the three of us can watch something else after she goes to bed.” He stands up from the table. “Or if you two want to watch one alone, I can go do some work in my office.”

  “You should watch with us,” I say. “We don’t get to see you much anymore.”

  Garret takes my hand under the table. “Yeah, Dad. It’s Friday night. You shouldn’t be working. You need to relax. You should watch a movie with us.”

  “Okay, then. Let’s head over there.”

  We watch a cartoon with Lilly and then a comedy with Garret’s dad. He actually laughs during it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the man laugh.

  This house feels totally different than what I’m used to. The mood is lighter and warmer. And it’s not just because Katherine isn’t here. She’s been gone before and it wasn’t like this. Something’s different. Pearce is different. Good different, and it’s made the place feel a little more like a home.

  When the movie ends, Garret gets up. “I’m going up to bed. It’s been a long day.”

  Pearce stands up and stretches. “Yes, I should get to bed as well.”

  He usually sleeps about three hours a night so this, too, is strange. He normally goes to bed at 2 in the morning and it’s only 11 now.

  He picks up the remote and turns the equipment off. “I don’t mind if Jade sleeps in your room, Garret, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t let Lilly see, given that you two aren’t married yet. It would only cause questions.”

  “Yeah, we understand. Goodnight.” Garret walks out.

  “Goodnight, Mr. Kensington,” I say.

  He laughs. “Jade, you’re marrying my son in a few weeks. You need to start calling me Pearce.”

  “Okay, I will. Goodnight.” I follow Garret up the stairs and to his room. It looks the same as when he left. I was sure Katherine would’ve redecorated it by now.

  “What’s up with your dad?” I ask as I change into my pajamas.

  “I don’t know. He seems different.”

  “It’s like he’s a whole different person.”

  “Yeah, he’s acting almost like he did before my mom died. And he actually seems happy, which is unusual for him.”

  “It sounds like he’s no longer letting Katherine push him around, at least when it comes to Lilly. She’s going to be so excited when she finds out he’s taking her to Disneyland.”

  “I need to tell him what she said about being sad all the time. Maybe she needs to see someone, like a counselor or something.”

  I get into bed next to Garret. “I felt so bad when she said that. She shouldn’t be that sad. You really need to talk to your dad.”

  “I will. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. She’ll be okay.”

  Garret puts his arm out and I snuggle up against his chest. “I hope so. I worry about her.”

  He kisses the top of my head. “I know you do. And I love you for that.”

  I really do worry about Lilly. I hate seeing her sad. And that makes me think that maybe I wouldn’t be such a bad mom after all. It’s not like I want that anytime soon, but I’m starting to warm up to the idea.

  CHAPTER TEN

  10

  The next day the four of us hang out on the patio by the pool. Charles, the family cook, grills steaks for lunch and we eat outside. Then Pearce plays with Lilly in the pool while Garret and I stare at them like we’re watching someone else’s family. This is so strange. But it’s also good because Pearce’s actions have wiped the sad look off Lilly’s face, at least for today.

  In the afternoon, Garret has a talk with his dad about Lilly. When I ask him about it later, he says his dad already knew how Lilly was feeling and that he’s been working to make things better for her. He’s refusing to fight with Katherine anymore, at least at home. And he’s looking at private schools to enroll Lilly in that have tight security to keep her safe.
Katherine agreed it was a good idea. Apparently even she’s noticed how depressed her daughter is and finally agrees that Lilly needs to get out of her room and make some friends.

  “But your dad and Katherine aren’t back together, right?”

  “No. They sleep in separate rooms. Lilly knows that, and she’s starting to accept it now, according to my dad. It’s hearing them fight that upsets her.”

  “Is your dad still seeing that woman?”

  “Yes, and Katherine has someone new. That’s where she is this weekend. She’s not at a spa. She’s with her boyfriend.”

  “So they’re both dating other people? That’s weird.”

  He shrugs. “It seems to be working for them. If they can’t get divorced and this makes them happy, then I guess it somehow makes sense. They’ll just see other people on the side.”

  I still find it odd but I don’t really care what they do. I’m just glad Pearce is finally standing up to Katherine and being a better father to Lilly and Garret.

  Sunday we all prepare for Katherine to return, but she calls and says she’s staying wherever she is for a few more days. I smile when I hear the news. My Fourth of July just got a million times better and it’s not even here yet.

  Pearce spends all of Sunday with us instead of going into the office like he normally would. We swim, watch movies, and eat leftover pizza.

  On Monday, the Fourth of July, Charles makes hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, and all the other traditional picnic foods and we eat outside by the pool.

  Three guys show up after lunch to set up the fireworks way back on the property. Garret said they’ll come back tonight to set them off.

  We lounge by the pool all afternoon, enjoying the warm sunny day. Then we have more picnic food for dinner, although I’m still kind of full from lunch. I tend to overeat when Charles cooks.

  Around 8 a voice comes through the intercom on the patio. “Mr. Kensington, your parents have arrived. They just drove through the gate.”

  Pearce gets up. “Thank you. I’ll meet them at the door.”

  His parents are here for the fireworks show. I met them last Christmas. They were extremely formal and didn’t say much. In fact, I don’t think they even talked to me.

  As Pearce goes in the house, I notice the rising tension in the air. It started when we heard the intercom message. Garret stands up, smoothing his white polo shirt and pulling his shoulders back, like he’s preparing to be inspected. He looks nervous and it’s making me nervous.

  The sliding glass door opens and Garret’s grandmother, Eleanor, appears followed by his grandfather, Holton. Holton’s wearing beige pants, a white button-up shirt, a tie, and a navy sport coat. That’s his version of casual. He usually only wears suits. Eleanor has on a short-sleeve navy blue dress and heels.

  Holton’s tall, like Garret and Pearce, but thinner than them because he’s old and doesn’t have the muscle tone anymore. But he stands very straight and commands attention when he walks in a room. I’m guessing he’s in his mid-seventies but he doesn’t have a ton of wrinkles. He has a full head of gray hair and has the same strong jawline as Pearce and Garret and the same piercing blue eyes. He looks good for his age. The Kensington men definitely age well. They all look handsome.

  Eleanor’s a few inches taller than me and very thin. She wears her hair really short but it’s layered and styled like one of those pixie cuts and she colors it a shade of light blond that’s almost white. It’s a very sophisticated look and she has a pretty face so the short hair works on her. I would never look good with hair that short.

  “Glad you could make it,” Pearce says, extending his hand to Holton.

  How weird is that? He’s shaking hands with his own father?

  Holton gives him a quick handshake. “Yes, well, your mother enjoys the fireworks show.”

  Pearce gives Eleanor a distant hug and kisses her cheek. “Hello, Mother.”

  She smiles. “Hello, Pearce. I hope you’re doing well. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you.”

  Been a while? They live like 20 minutes from here. How long has it been? I wonder if Pearce and his parents are fighting about something. From the vibe I’m getting, I’m guessing Pearce is only fighting with his dad. Eleanor seems okay but Holton is shooting angry looks at Pearce.

  “We’ll have you and Katherine over for dinner next week.” Holton says it like it’s an order, not a choice. “Next Friday night.”

  Pearce straightens up, his jaw clenched. “Yes, fine. Just let us know what time.”

  “It’s too bad Katherine couldn’t be here tonight.” Holton smirks, as if he purposely said it to annoy Pearce.

  For some reason, Holton likes Katherine. I noticed this last Christmas when Eleanor and Holton came over. Holton was super nice to Katherine. I didn’t understand it then, but now I’m thinking maybe Holton was the one who picked Katherine to marry his son. It was an arranged marriage and I’m sure Holton had a say in who Pearce’s wife would be.

  “Grandma!” Lilly runs out of the house and up to Eleanor, holding her arms up.

  Eleanor picks her up. “There’s my little sweetie. Where were you?”

  “In the kitchen helping Charles frost the cookies. We made fireworks cookies!”

  “I’ll have to try one.” Eleanor sets her down. ”I brought you something.”

  “You did?” Lilly jumps up and down.

  Eleanor reaches in her purse and pulls out a small, sparkly wand that lights up. “It’s a princess wand. Just like you told me you wanted.”

  Lilly’s eyes get big and she hugs Eleanor. “Thank you, Grandma!” She looks at her dad. “Can I play with it right now?”

  “Yes, honey. Go ahead.”

  She takes the wand and runs off, twirling it in the air.

  Holton huffs. “Pearce, what is wrong with you? Your daughter shouldn’t be working alongside the hired help.”

  “She was just frosting cookies. She wasn’t—”

  “That cook of yours knows a Kensington shouldn’t be doing his work. It’s complete insubordination. Katherine would never allow such behavior and neither should you. You should fire that man. He disobeys orders and his cooking is atrocious.”

  Pearce tightens his hand into a fist, then releases it. He’s so tense I’m worried he’s going to explode at any moment. But instead he smiles and turns to Garret and me. Holton has completely ignored us since he arrived. Eleanor smiled at us, but she didn’t say hello.

  “I have a surprise for you both,” Pearce says. “As you can see, Garret and Jade have joined us for the holiday.”

  They didn’t know we were coming? Why didn’t Pearce tell them? Did he think they wouldn’t show up if they knew we’d be here? Or if they knew I’d be here? Are Pearce and his father fighting because of me? I’m guessing that’s the reason.

  Garret’s grandparents don’t know me, but they don’t like me and they don’t want me marrying Garret. In fact they’re refusing to go to the wedding. It’s fine with me because like Pearce said, the people at our wedding should be people who support us and want us to be happy, so Garret’s grandparents shouldn’t be there. But I know Garret wants them there, even if he won’t admit it.

  “Hello, Grandfather.” Garret puts his arm out for the formal handshake.

  Holton glares at him for what seems like forever because the man doesn’t say anything. There’s just awkward silence. But as I watch Holton’s steely gaze, it’s almost like the awkwardness is intentional. Like Holton’s trying to say something with his silence. Make sure we know that he’s the one in power. And that’s exactly how it feels. Like we’re letting him run the show while we all stand here afraid to speak or do anything.

  Holton doesn’t shake Garret’s hand but instead looks him up and down like he’s disgusted with him. It causes a bolt of pain to rip through my chest. I know how much Garret wants his grandfather’s approval. I don’t know why that’s so important to him, but it is and his grandfather knows that. Holton knows ex
actly what he’s doing and I hate that he’s purposely trying to hurt Garret. He may not approve of Garret marrying me, but that’s not an excuse to act this way to his own grandson.

  Garret slowly puts his arm down. This is so uncomfortable. And whenever I’m this uncomfortable I say or do stupid things which usually only makes it worse.

  “Hi, Mr. Kensington,” I say, breaking the silence. I offer my own hand and as expected, it only makes things worse.

  Holton barely glances at me before turning and storming back into the house, leaving the sliding glass door open.

  Garret stands there, looking just as shocked as I am that Holton just walked off like that. Seconds later, Garret wakes from his shock and heads toward the door. “Grandfather! You can’t treat her that—”

  “Garret.” Pearce gets a firm grip on Garret’s arm, stopping him.

  Garret turns to his dad and nods. Then he comes back over and stands next to me.

  Eleanor still hasn’t said a word. She closes the sliding glass door, then comes over and offers her hand to me. “It’s nice to see you, Jade.”

  “Nice to see you, too.” I shake her hand, still in shock over the scene I just witnessed.

  “Garret.” She waits for him to approach her, then gives him the same distant hug she gave Pearce.

  “Hello, Grandmother.” He tries to smile but it’s strained as his eyes search through the glass patio door trying to see where Holton went.

  Eleanor looks over at Pearce and he looks at her. They seem to have some kind of secret message going between them. Then Eleanor looks at Garret like she wants to reach out and give him a real hug but can’t. Like she’s not allowed to or something. It’s very weird.

  “Are you enjoying your summer, Garret?” Eleanor talks in this formal tone that reminds me of the way people talk in old black-and-white movies.

  “Yes.” Garret finally directs his gaze away from the door and back to his grandmother. “Jade and I really like California.”

  “Good.” Eleanor’s lips turn up just slightly. “Well, I’m going to see what Lilly is up to.” She takes off toward the grassy area behind the pool where Lilly is twirling around with her princess wand.

  That’s it? She hasn’t seen Garret for months and that’s all she has to say to him? She could at least talk to him for a few minutes. Act like she’s happy to see him. What is wrong with these people?