Page 10

CHAPTER TEN

I race up next to Ryan. “Do you care if I sit in?”

“Um, no, I guess not,” he says, giving me an odd look.

The doctor glances at me. Does he remember me? I’m sure he does. The incident with Sinclair was just a few weeks ago. He extends his hand. “I’m Dr. Cunningham. And you are?”

“This is Jade,” Ryan answers for me. “She’s my younger sister.”

“I didn’t realize Frank had other children,” the doctor says.

“He doesn’t. She’s more like an adopted sister.”

“I see. Well, she’s welcome to come back with us if it’s okay with you.”

Ryan agrees and we all go to the doctor’s office where Frank is waiting. My heart is beating really fast and I’m tapping my foot on the floor. I need to calm down and act like everything is normal.

The doctor goes over Frank’s lab results which are all improving. Then he tells Ryan that he’s reducing Frank’s medications, saying that Frank will continue to improve when he doesn’t have the side effects of all those meds he was taking.

By the time the doctor is done talking, it sounds like Frank is doing really well. So is this doctor helping him? Or is he lying about Frank’s test results? I think back to what Frank said about the doctor who took care of my mother for all those years. He said Sinclair paid the doctor to give my mom pills that made her hallucinate so people would think she was crazy. What if this doctor is doing something bad to Frank? But Frank seems to be getting better. He definitely looks better.

Ryan and Frank ask the doctor some questions before we leave. Then the doctor escorts us back to the waiting room.

“It was nice meeting you, Jade.” The doctor smiles at me. He seems like a nice guy. So maybe he’s actually helping Frank. But he’s part of that secret medical group that only works with rich, important people, so what is he doing here?

As we’re walking out, I go over and take the magazine that had Ava on the cover. I know it’s stealing, but I have to show this to Garret.

During lunch, I keep quiet while Frank and Ryan talk. I don’t even hear what they’re saying. My mind is too busy thinking about that doctor as well as that magazine article. I really need to talk to Garret about all of this. But not over the phone. I need to wait until he gets here.

* * *

Garret arrives at Frank’s house around noon on Saturday. I greet him at the door, beyond excited to see him. A week apart seems more like a month. That’s completely pathetic and I’m ashamed of myself for even feeling that way, but it doesn’t change the fact that I miss that boy like crazy when he’s not around.

“It’s good to see you again,” Frank says as Garret walks in.

Ryan says hello as well. We all sit and talk for a few minutes, then I take Garret back to my room. We kiss the second the door shuts.

“Damn, I’ve missed you,” he says against my lips, his forehead resting on mine.

“Did you check into your hotel, yet?”

“Not yet.” He steps back and smiles. “Do you want to come with me to check in?”

“Definitely. Let’s go.” I drag him back to the living room where Frank and Ryan are watching TV. “I’m going with Garret to check into his hotel. I’ll be back soon.”

There’s awkward silence. I feel my cheeks heating up as Frank and Ryan look at me like they know exactly what I’ll be doing there. I race outside before either one of them can say anything.

At the hotel Garret and I can’t get to the room fast enough. He opens the door and we kiss as it closes behind us.

He takes my shirt off as we walk to the bed. I undo his pants, not breaking the kiss. In less than a minute our clothes litter the floor. I lie down on the bed and he gets on top of me.

“What about your chest?” I ask between kisses.

“Don’t worry about it.” His lips trail across my cheek and down the side of my neck.

“But I thought you couldn’t—”

“It’s okay.” His hand skims over my hip making me shiver. Going without him the past week has made my body extra sensitive to his touch. His mouth moves to my breast and I arch back as sensations ignite through my core. He rotates off me onto his side and his hand moves farther down. He runs it along the inside of my thighs, just barely brushing the area between and driving me crazy.

His lips return to mine and his tongue thrusts into my mouth as his hand finally hits the spot that is now aching for him.

I reach down and touch him.

“Jade.” His voice is deep, his eyelids heavy. His kisses grow slower and deeper.

My body’s on fire, desperate to be with him again. I pull on him to get on top of me, but he resists.

“What are you waiting for?” I whisper.

“What’s the rush?” He runs his tongue along my bottom lip, then slips it back inside my mouth. I’ve really missed this. His kisses. His touch. Him.

He’s right. There’s no rush. I want this to last.

We keep it going as long as possible, which isn’t that long since it’s been a whole week since we’ve been together.

After what might be the best sex we’ve ever had, we lie back on the bed, sweaty and out of breath.

“I don’t know what you did just now, Garret, but that was amazing.”

“Thanks.” His famous cocky smile appears. “I thought so, too.”

“It must be the week off. I told you we do it too much. We need to take longer breaks.”

“I don’t think that’s it. And I have no intention of taking a week off from this again anytime soon. Or a week off from seeing you.”

I turn on my side and place my hand over the bandage that still covers his wound. “So this must really be healing if you were able to put weight on it like that.”

“Yeah, it’s a lot better. Last week I was even doing some laps in the pool. The doctor said I was healing faster than he expected.”

His comment reminds of Frank’s doctor. “Garret, I have to tell you something. I met Frank’s new doctor yesterday and he’s the same doctor who was there the day you were shot.”

“I just saw my doctor yesterday, so it couldn’t have been him. It must’ve been someone who looked like him.”

“It wasn’t the doctor you’re seeing now. It was one of the other doctors who showed up at your house that day. I’m 100% sure. I memorized their faces as they took you out of that room on a stretcher.”

“Why would the guy be in Des Moines? His team works out of the East Coast. Mostly New York and DC.”

“I know, but I swear it was him. And he does work in New York. He’s only working here part time.”

“Unless…” Garret pauses. “I’m just guessing here, but maybe my dad had something to do with it.”

“Your dad? What do you mean?”

“My dad might be trying to help Frank. He knows Frank is like a father to you and because of that, he might’ve sent that doctor out here to see if he could help Frank.”

“Why would your dad do that?”

“Because you’re like part of the family now.”

“No, I’m not. Katherine hates me.”

“It doesn’t matter. My dad knows how much I love you and he knows that you and I are getting more serious.”

“That’s not enough of a reason for him to send that doctor out here to help Frank. I think it’s something else.”

“Like what?”

“I think your dad is trying to keep me quiet. If he helps Frank, I’ll owe him. I’ll owe him my silence. It’s a way to make sure I never say anything about Sinclair.”

Garret sits back, distancing himself from me. “Can’t you just accept that maybe my dad did something nice for once?”

“Why are you getting mad about this? You’re the one who told me your family is all about bribes and favors. So it makes sense that your dad would bribe me into keeping quiet.”

“He didn’t even tell you about it. If he was bribing you, he would tell you. And you said you’d never tell anyone about Sinclair so he doesn’t have a reason to bribe you.”

“I don’t want to fight about this. Just forget it. Frank’s getting better and that’s the only thing that matters.”

Garret doesn’t respond. I figure since he’s already annoyed with me I might as well bring up the other topic that’s bugging me.

“So I saw this magazine when I was at the doctor’s office. It was one of those celebrity magazines. And it had a story about Ava. And um, you.”

He glances up. “What about me?”

“There was a photo of you and Ava at a charity event last fall. The article made it sound like you two really dated and that you might get back together. Actually it hinted that you already were back together.”

“And?” His eyebrows creep up. “You’re not telling me you believed some stupid article in a gossip magazine, are you?”

“No, but I’d like to know where they’re getting this information. Is Ava telling them this?”

“I haven’t talked to Ava for over a month. I have no idea what she’s telling people.”

“The article said the show has all these photos of you. Where did they get those?”

“I don’t know. Probably from the show last year.”

“You were on Prep School Girls?”

“No, but they made it look like I was.”

“I don’t understand.”

“On the last few episodes of the season, Ava made it sound like she and I were dating. She started talking about me, making up all these stories about us going out. Then the producers got footage of me at school and at parties and the way they edited it, it looked like Ava and I were dating. It’s just fucked-up Hollywood shit. Those reality shows are anything but reality.”

“They did that without your consent? Why didn’t you do something about it?”

“I was only in a couple episodes so my dad didn’t want to make a big deal about it. If we sued Ava’s family or the production company, it’d be bad publicity for the Kensington name and my dad didn’t want that. Plus Katherine actually liked my brief celebrity status. It got her invited to more social events.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“There’s nothing to tell. It’s just Ava making up lies. I was never even on the show.”

“Well, apparently the fans are hoping you and Ava get back together during the reunion episodes that come out in March.”

“Yeah. So the fans will be disappointed.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that a national magazine is making it sound like you two are a couple? Because it bothers me.”

“Just ignore it. Why are you getting all upset about this? It’s a gossip magazine. They make up shit like that all the time to get people to buy the magazine.”

“I know, but I don’t like them saying that stuff about you.”

“Then stop reading it.”

“Did you know they were doing this reunion show?”

I’d heard rumors about it, but I didn’t think they’d involve me again. I thought Ava would find a new guy. But if she’s already making up stories about her and me, then this is just the beginning. She’ll do whatever she has to do to make sure people watch the show. If that means making up more shit up about me, she’ll do it.”

“Then do something. Call her and tell her to find some other fake boyfriend.”

“That would only make it worse. You know that. She loves pissing me off. It’s better to just ignore whatever she’s doing.”

“It’s not just Ava. You have all these people talking about you on the Internet. Teen girls downloading photos of you.”

“Nobody’s doing that, Jade.”

“They are, too. Girls are talking about you online. Saying how hot you are.”

“Whatever. Just stop reading that stuff, okay?” He gets up, dragging me off the bed. “Let’s go back to the house. We don’t want Frank and Ryan to think we’re doing anything here at the hotel.”

“Did you see their faces when we left?” I pick up my clothes and start dressing. “They totally knew what we were doing. I’m so embarrassed. I don’t know if I can go back there.”

“If you act normal, they won’t even think about it.”

“Hey, Ryan has to work tonight, but I was going to make dinner for the three of us. Can we stop at the grocery store on the way over there?”

“Sure. What are you making?” Garret is shirtless and just now putting his jeans on. I’m already fully dressed. I don’t know what takes him so long.

“I was thinking of making chili and cornbread. It’s one of Frank’s favorite meals.”

Garret finally puts his shirt on and I go over and button it up to speed things along.

He leans down and kisses me. “Can I help?”

“Of course you can help.” I grab his coat from the chair as he puts his shoes on. “You forgot to get your suitcase from the car. You want to go get it before we leave?”

“I didn’t forget it.” He takes his coat from me and kisses my cheek. “You just distracted me. I’ll get it later.”

* * *

When we get back to Frank’s house, Ryan’s already gone and Frank is sleeping. Garret and I start on dinner. He insists on making the chili, so I work on the cornbread.

“Is this some secret recipe?” I ask as I watch him add spices to the pot.

“Yeah, and I’m not telling you what’s in it, so stop looking over my shoulder.”

“Why won’t you tell me?”

He sets the spices down and turns to me. “Because once you taste this chili you’ll want it again and again. And the only way you’ll have it again is if I make it. It’s another way for me to make sure you keep me around.”

I loop my arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. “You don’t need chili for that. What you did before we got here makes me want to keep you around.”

“So you’re just using me for sex?”

“Pretty much.” I let go of him and turn toward the fridge.

He grabs me around the waist, hauling my backside against him and talking softly by my ear. “How is it possible that just being in here cooking with you is totally turning me on?”

“You, too? I thought it was just me.”

His hands move where they shouldn’t, making my legs so weak that I practically melt into him as he holds me.

“We’re not doing it in this house, Garret,” I say, breathless.

“I know. So stay with me tonight.” He moves my hair aside and kisses the side of my neck.

I force my legs to work again and turn to face him. “I want to, but I really need to be here with Frank.”

“It’s just overnight. Frank will be asleep. He won’t care if you’re gone while he’s asleep. I’ll make sure you’re back here first thing in the morning.”

“It’s tempting, but I still think I should stay here.”

He sighs and returns to the stove. “Okay. But you need to keep away from me because you’re driving me crazy. And stop rubbing up against me every time you walk by.”

“It’s a small kitchen. I can’t help it.” I go over to the stove and reach in front of him for the salt shaker, causing my butt to brush against his jeans.

He backs away. “Jade?”

“What? I need the salt.”

“You’re evil.” He watches me as I go to the fridge and grab a couple eggs and the carton of milk and bring them to the kitchen table where I’m making the cornbread.

Garret turns away from the stove and leans back against the counter across from me. “We should do this more often.”

“Do what more often?” I pull on each side of the plastic bag that contains the cornbread mix but it refuses to open. I tighten my grip on it and pull even harder.

“Cook together.” Garret comes over and takes the bag from me, opening it without any effort at all.

I look at the bag, annoyed. “We don’t have a kitchen.”

“So let’s get one.”

“I don’t know what that means.” I dump the mix in a bowl and add the milk and eggs.

“Let’s get an apartment.”

“So we can cook together?” I stir the cornbread, not really paying attention to what he’s saying.

“No. Let’s get an apartment so we can live together.”

“But we’re in college. We live in the dorms.”

“We don’t have to live in the dorms. We can live off campus. There are plenty of apartments close to campus.” He waits for me to pour the batter in the pan. “So what do you think?”

I set the bowl down, finally getting the fact that he just asked me to move in with him. “Are you serious?”

“I’m totally serious. Living in the dorms sucks. And you always say that you hate sharing a bathroom with 20 girls. This way you’d only have to share with me.”

I was not at all expecting this and now I’m not sure how to react. Move in together? At 19?

“Garret, my room and board is paid for. I don’t have money for rent. You know that.”

“I’ll have my dad put your room and board money into a rental fund.”

“I don’t have a car. How am I supposed to get to class?”

“Hmm. That’s a problem. What if I bought you a car?” he asks cautiously.

“No. Absolutely not. You are not buying me a car.”

“Then I’ll drive you to campus. Or we’ll get a place on the bus line.”

I watch him as he continues to think, trying to find a way to make this work. It’s so sweet. He really wants this, and I think I do, too, but it seems too soon.

“Let’s just put a hold on the moving-in-together idea, okay?”

He goes back to the stove and stirs his chili. I can tell he’s disappointed and I hate disappointing him.

I put the cornbread in the oven and go stand beside him. “It’s not that I don’t want us to live together. I just think we should wait. At least one more semester. And besides, I practically live with you already. I’m always in your dorm room.”

“That’s not the same as having our own place. We need an apartment, not a dorm room.” He adds another secret spice to the pot. “Once you taste this chili, you’re going to want a kitchen so I can make this, and all my other secret recipes, all the time.”

I take a whiff of the chili. “You have other secret recipes?”

“Tons. This is just one of many. And you could have them every night if we lived together.”

I turn him away from the stove and give him a hug. “Garret, I love you and I really do want to move in with you. Just not this semester, okay?”

“You haven’t even tried the chili yet.” He pulls away and takes a spoon from the drawer, then dips it in the chili, holding it out for me to taste. I take a bite.

“It’s good. Really good. Way better than the chili I normally make.”

“Yeah, so?”

“I still can’t move in with you. Not yet.”

“All right.” He kisses my forehead. “At least you like the chili.”

“What smells so good in here?” Frank appears, rolling his wheelchair into the kitchen.

“Garret made chili,” I answer. “And I’m making cornbread.”

“One of my favorite meals,” Frank says. “Thanks for making dinner. I thought you two would go out for dinner tonight.”

I take a seat at the table next to Frank. “We wouldn’t leave you all alone. I’m here to spend time with you.”

Garret sits next to me. “Is there anything you want to do tonight?” he asks Frank. “I could go get some movies.”

“Thank you for offering, but Jade and I have already watched plenty of movies this week. Maybe we could play some cards.”

“Sounds good to me,” Garret says. “The chili’s ready, so whenever Jade’s cornbread is done we can eat.”

I get up from the table. “It just needs a few more minutes in the oven. I’ll get the drinks ready.”

Frank starts wheeling himself back down the hall. “When you’re done, Jade, could you help me get a sweater from the closet?”

Garret jumps up. “I can help you. Just tell me what you need.”

I watch him follow Frank to his room. He’s so eager to help. How did I end up with this guy? He’s too good to be true. Seeing him act all nice like that to Frank makes me want to take him up on his offer to get an apartment. I should just do it. I love Garret more than anything. I want to be with him all the time. So I don’t know what’s stopping me.