Secrets Kept

by Allie Everhart

  I don't know where my courage is coming from but since it's here, I keep going. "I know what I saw. I know you shot that man. And that's not something I can keep to myself."

  "And who would you tell? The police? Gavin? You really think they'd believe you?"

  I don't answer.

  He chuckles again. "Oh, Kate. My dear, sweet girl. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."

  "What does that mean?"

  "It means you're dealing with something much larger than yourself. Larger than I would've ever imagined possible if I hadn't been brought into this and shown proof that it's real."

  "What's real? What are you talking about?"

  "Power. The power to make things happen. To make change. Real change. And the power..." He leans down to my face, so close I can feel his hot breath. "To silence people." He slowly backs away. "I was hoping you'd cooperate but it seems that's not an option. So you leave me no choice but to take a different approach."

  "Meaning what?"

  He pauses. "You love your father, don't you?"

  "What does my father have to do with this?" I ask, but I don't need the answer. I know what he's implying.

  "When people can't keep quiet, other people get hurt. Of course, that could all be avoided if you could keep your mouth shut."

  I nod really fast. "Fine. I'll do it. I'll keep quiet."

  "Is that a promise?"

  "Yes. I promise."

  "Just to be clear, when I say to keep quiet, I mean to everyone, including Gavin."

  "So he doesn't know? He doesn't know his father...kills people?"

  "I'm not a killer," he scoffs. "I told you, that man was dangerous. I did what I had to do to protect my family."

  "Then go to the police. Tell them that man was dangerous and that you had to do what you did. Tell them to keep it confidential so it doesn't hurt your campaign."

  "That's not how it works. We don't involve the police in these things."

  "Who's 'we'?"

  The door opens and Gavin appears again. "Are you guys done yet? We're losing bubbles on the champagne."

  Niles grins. "Well, we can't let that happen." He motions me inside. "After you."

  We follow Gavin into the kitchen, then the dining room, where Celeste is waiting, already sipping her champagne.

  Gavin hands me a glass, then Niles raises his up in the air. "To yet another very generous donation." He pauses and sets his eyes on me. "And to Kate, who is quickly becoming like part of the family."

  Celeste coughs and turns away, a look of disgust on her face. How can Gavin not notice this? And did he not hear how fake his dad sounded when he mentioned me in his toast?

  "Congratulations, Dad," Gavin says as we clink glasses. He sips his champagne, then turns to me. "And you're right about Kate being part of the family. That may happen sooner than later."

  Celeste is coughing again, choking on her champagne. She takes a napkin from the table and blots her mouth.

  "You okay, Mom?" Gavin asks.

  "Yes, honey, I'm fine." Her pursed lips attempt to form a smile.

  "Well," Niles says, "I suppose we should let these two head home. They have a long drive."

  Gavin sets his glass down. "It's not that long."

  "Then you should come see us more often," Celeste says.

  He rolls his eyes. "Yes, Mom."

  She sighs. "Gavin, how many times do I have to tell you not to roll your eyes. It's so disrespectful."

  "So we'll talk later this week?" Niles asks Gavin. "About the website initiatives?"

  "Yes. I'm already working on it. We can go over it on the phone tomorrow."

  "Excellent." Niles extends his hand to me. "Kate, as always, it was a pleasure seeing you again."

  I reluctantly shake his hand.

  Before letting go, he gives my hand a tight squeeze. "Will you be working the dinner here Thursday?"

  I look him in the eye. "I'm not sure. I'll have to check with Carol."

  "Maybe you could get out of it," Gavin says. "It's kind of strange having you work here."

  "Nonsense, Gavin," Celeste says. "The girl is just trying to make a living."

  "She won't be doing this much longer," Gavin says, smiling at me. "Next summer, Kate's opening a restaurant."

  "Is that so?" Niles asks. "What kind of restaurant?"

  Why did Gavin say that? I don't want his dad knowing about the restaurant, or anything else about me.

  "I haven't figured that out yet," I say.

  "Sure you have," Gavin says. "We talk about it all the time. Tell them about your concept."

  "Not tonight. I'm tired and I'd really like to get home."

  "Then we have something to look forward to," Niles says. "Next time you're here, Kate can tell us all about it. How about tomorrow night? Why don't you two come for dinner?"

  "I'm sure they're too busy during the week," Celeste says, clearly not wanting me to come to dinner.

  "Then we'll do it this weekend. How about Saturday?"

  "Niles, we can't. Saturday we're attending the hospital fundraiser. And Sunday you have a campaign event."

  "Yes, that's right. Well, perhaps the weekend after then."

  Gavin takes my hand. "We need to get going."

  "Yes." Niles nods. "We'll talk tomorrow."

  "Goodbye, honey." Celeste gives him a quick hug.

  "Bye."

  I say goodbye too but only Niles says it back.

  We leave and go out to Gavin's car. Then I remember I drove myself here and say, "I forgot. I have my car."

  "That's right. Then I guess I'll see you back at your place." He kisses me. "Drive safe."

  "I will."

  When I reach my car, Carol approaches me. "I didn't know you were still here."

  "I was in the dining room. Niles wanted to make a toast. Apparently he got a large donation tonight."

  "It'd be nice if he shared some of it with the caterer," she mutters.

  "Are you saying he's not paying you enough?"

  She shakes her head. "I didn't mean to voice that out loud. Never mind."

  "If they're not paying you enough, tell me. I could say something to Gavin."

  "No!" She grips my arm. "Don't say anything. Please." Her voice is almost panicked.

  "Carol, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing. I just...I don't like to upset them."

  The way she's acting, it's almost like she knows. Like maybe she's seen Niles do something he shouldn't. Like she's scared of him. Maybe I should tell her what I saw. But not here. There could be cameras here. Or hidden microphones. They could be listening to us. These rich people always have their mansions wired with surveillance equipment, in case someone tries to steal from them. I'm sure the outside is wired too.

  "Could we meet tomorrow morning for breakfast?" I ask.

  "Breakfast?" She looks at me funny. We never do anything outside of work.

  "My mom and I used to go to breakfast," I explain, "and I was kind of missing it. Maybe you could go with me sometime? We could go to that train car diner. They have a great breakfast."

  "Sorry, Kate, but I can't tomorrow. I'm swamped with work. I have invoices to deal with and contracts to put together."

  "Oh. Okay." I put on my sad face, hoping she'll notice.

  "But I'd be happy to go to breakfast some other time," she says in a chipper tone.

  The sad face worked.

  "Maybe later this week?" I ask.

  "I'll have to check my schedule but we'll make something work." She pouts. "I didn't know you were missing your mom so much. Maybe you should fly down and see her."

  "I'm going down there for Thanksgiving. That's not that far away." I open my car door. "I should get going. Gavin will worry if I'm late. We're meeting back at my apartment."

  "So...how are things going with you two?"

  "Good."

  "It must be better than good if you were joining his parents for a toast."

  I glance at the house, still concerned we'
re being listened to. "Carol, I really need to get going. Can we talk later?"

  "Of course. Drive safe." She turns to leave.

  "Wait. Before you go, Niles said there's a dinner here Thursday. Is there any way I could get out of working that night? It's kind of awkward working for my boyfriend's parents."

  "Hmm." She taps her lip. "I'll have to get back to you on that. I was already short-staffed that night, but I'll see what I can do."

  "I could work this weekend if you want, to make up for missing Thursday."

  "If you could, that'd be great. I could use some extra help at the Kensington event on Saturday. I'll put you down for it."

  "Sounds good. Oh, and thanks for letting me off early tonight."

  She just nods, looking as though she didn't have a say in it.

  I get in my car and take off. On the hour-long drive, my mind keeps replaying the scene from earlier. I see that man fall to the ground, and then Niles holding the gun over him and taking the final shot.

  How can I possibly keep this a secret? But like Niles said, if I told someone, they wouldn't believe me. Niles is well-respected, powerful, and rich. And what am I? A young woman struggling to pay her rent. Nobody would take me seriously. They'd think I made it up and then they'd come up with reasons why I'd tell a story like that. Reasons that could harm my reputation and make it difficult, or maybe even impossible, to start my restaurant someday.

  Back at my apartment, Gavin is waiting for me in the parking lot. He comes over to my car and opens the door.

  "What took you so long? I was getting worried."

  "Carol caught me as I was leaving and we were talking. I told her I didn't want to work at your parents' dinner on Thursday so I'm working this weekend instead. There's a party at the Kensington mansion."

  "Shit, really? I was hoping to take you into the city again. We didn't get a chance to see much last time we were there so I thought we'd try again." He smiles. "Or maybe just stay in the hotel like last time."

  "I'd love to but I already told Carol I'd work this Saturday. She was already short-staffed for your parents' party so she's really doing me a favor by giving me the night off."

  "Then we'll do something else this weekend. There's a music festival going on like a half hour from here. I don't know all the details but Dave, the guy who lives next door to me, was saying there'll be bands playing all day. He's going with his girlfriend."

  "Um, yeah, I don't know."

  "We could just go for part of the day since you have to work later."

  "I have a lot to do on Saturday. I don't think I'll have time."

  "What do you have to do?"

  "Run errands. Clean. Stuff like that. And I'm sure you have studying to do."

  "A little, but not much."

  I shiver as a gust of cold wind rushes past us.

  "Why are we still standing out here in the cold?" Gavin asks with a laugh. "Let's go inside."

  He takes my hand and we walk to the door.

  I can't do this. Not now. I can't be with him when I'm feeling this anxious and sick to my stomach. I don't want to be around him, or anyone, right now. I just want to take a long hot shower and try to sleep and escape the memory of that man being shot.

  "Gavin?" I say as he opens the door to my building.

  "What is it?"

  "I'm not feeling so great. Could we postpone tonight?"

  "You're not feeling well? What's wrong?"

  "It's nothing serious. I'm just really tired and my stomach feels off."

  "You're tired and nauseous? You're not...I mean, you're on the pill, right?"

  I smile. "Yes. And no, I'm not pregnant. You can relax."

  "Do you think it's the flu?"

  "I don't think so. I think I'm just tired. It's been a long week. And someone's been keeping me up at night."

  "Guilty as charged," he says with a smile. "What can I say? I can't get enough you."

  "Which is why I should probably sleep alone tonight."

  "It's still early. Can I come up for an hour or two? I could make you some tea, or whatever you need to feel better."

  "Thanks, but I'd really just like to crawl into bed and sleep."

  "You'll call me if you need anything?"

  "Yeah."

  He kisses me. "I love you."

  "Love you too. Bye."

  He takes off and I go up to my apartment. It's dark inside but I can see the glow of Megan's laptop on the couch.

  "Why are you sitting in the dark?" I ask as I turn a light on.

  "I had a headache. I'm light sensitive when I have a headache."

  "Sorry." I turn the light off.

  "It's fine. You can turn it on. I took something. My headache's almost gone. Are you staying with Gavin tonight?"

  "No." I turn the light back on. "He was just here. I sent him home."

  "Why?" She sets her laptop down. "What happened? Did you guys get in a fight?"

  I desperately want to tell her what happened. I tell Megan everything so keeping this from her is going to be nearly impossible.

  "We're not fighting. I was just tired and wanted to sleep."

  "You can't sleep with Gavin?" she asks, her lips turning up.

  I smile. "No. I don't get much sleep when he's in my bed."

  "It's still early. You want to watch a movie?"

  "Not tonight. I need a shower and then I'm going to sleep."

  "Okay, then I'll see you in the morning."

  She picks up her laptop and gets back to work. She didn't seem to notice how anxious and nervous I am. That's good. Megan notices everything, so if she didn't notice, chances are no one else will.

  Maybe I'll be able to keep this a secret after all.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  "Hey, beautiful," Gavin says when I answer the phone Saturday morning. "When are you coming over?"

  He asks because I usually go over to his dorm on Saturdays and hang out while he studies, then we go to lunch and after that we come back to my apartment. It's become our routine but today I don't feel like it.

  I'm avoiding him, which I've done since I saw his father kill that man. It's been three days now. I told Gavin I've been sick. He still wanted to see me but I wouldn't let him, saying I didn't want him to catch whatever I had. But then last night he showed up here and could tell I wasn't sick. I told him I'd rested all day and was feeling much better. He asked if he could stay over but I told him I wanted to wash my sheets first to get rid of any germs. He accepted the excuse but now he really wants to see me.

  "I'm just going to stay here today," I tell him. "I have to clean and do laundry. Go to the store."

  "You're choosing cleaning and laundry over me?" he says, pretending to be hurt. "After not seeing me for days?"

  "I know. I'm a terrible girlfriend. But I need to get this stuff done. I wasn't able to do anything when I was sick."

  "What if I came over and helped you?"

  "It's sweet of you to offer but I'd rather do it myself. Besides, if you were here, I doubt we'd get much done."

  "So how much time do you need?"

  "Probably the whole day. It's gonna take me awhile. I'm moving slowly today. I didn't sleep well last night."

  It's true, but it wasn't just last night. I haven't slept well in days. Not since that night. I toss and turn, unable to stop thinking about what happened. At some point, I drift off, but then have nightmares of Niles trying to kill me. Instead of a gun, he uses his hands and tries to choke me. I wake up sweating and gasping for breath.

  "You didn't sleep because I wasn't there," Gavin says with a smile in his voice. "I told you I should've slept over."

  "Then I would've had even less sleep."

  "But it's quality sleep, so you'd need fewer hours."

  "How do you know it's quality sleep?"

  "Because after we have sex, you're all relaxed and sleepy and fall right to sleep in my arms."

  "That doesn't mean it's quality sleep."

  "Then how do you explain how
we have the energy to do it several times a night? And then wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go?"

  "Okay, maybe that's true, but I still need some time alone today to get stuff done."

  "So we'll meet up for dinner?"

  What do I do? I want to see him but I feel like if I'm around him, I'll blurt out what I saw that night. I'm not someone who keeps secrets in a relationship. I like to be open and honest. So I don't know how I can keep this from him. And this isn't just any secret. It's huge. The biggest secret I've ever had to keep. Gavin's father is a killer. I saw it with my own eyes. His father even admitted it. How do you keep a secret like that from the guy you're in love with?

  If I told Gavin the truth, which I considered doing about a million times, he may not even believe me. Actually, I doubt that he would. Gavin worships his dad. He thinks his dad can do no wrong. So I can't imagine him ever believing his dad is capable of killing a man. He'd probably get mad at me for even suggesting it's possible. That's why his dad made that comment about my relationship with Gavin ending if I told him the truth.

  "Kate?" Gavin's voice startles me from my thoughts. "Dinner?"

  "I can't. I have to work tonight."

  "Shit, I forgot about that. So we can't see each other today?"

  "Probably not. But we could go to dinner tomorrow night."

  He's quiet, then says in a serious tone, "What's going on?"

  "Nothing." My heart's thumping, my stomach twisting, as I try to hold myself back from telling him the truth. It's only been a few days and it's already killing me to keep this a secret from him. Or anyone.

  "Something's wrong," he says.

  "Nothing's wrong. I'm just busy."

  "You wouldn't let me stay over last night and now you won't let me see you today? There's something wrong."

  "Gavin, really. There's nothing wrong. I just have a lot to do and then I have to work tonight."

  "Kate, stop it."

  "Stop what?"

  "Stop lying to me. This isn't us. We don't keep secrets from each other."

  My heart pounds harder, the words hovering at the edge of my tongue, dying to be spoken.

  "Kate. Say something."

  "I don't have anything to say. I told you—"

  "I'm coming over."

  "Wait—what? No. You can't come over. It's not a good time."