Secrets Told

by Allie Everhart

  "But—"

  "But you don't want me there?" He smiles. "Tough shit. You're too tired to fight me. And besides, is it really that bad? Being beside me?"

  I shake my head. "No."

  He laughs a little as he opens the door and helps me into the car. I don't protest this time because I'm where I want to be. Back with Gavin.

  How did this happen? We were fighting, barely talking to each other, and now we're back together? We still have so much to talk about and so much to figure out, but I'm tired of being apart from him. I thought I could do it. I thought it'd be good for us, but it's only made me sad and made me miss him more than I've ever missed anyone.

  He gets in the car and starts the engine.

  I gaze down at the roses I'm holding. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome."

  "I mean..." I look at him. "For more than the flowers."

  He reaches over and smiles at me, then takes my hand and kisses it.

  I love how he knows me so well that I don't have to come out and say what I mean. I love that he knew I wanted to be back with him but was too stubborn to make the first move. I admit I'm stubborn and can be a real pain sometimes, but Gavin still loves me no matter what.

  When we get to our apartment he walks me to the bedroom, then takes my shoes off and my clothes and slips one of his t-shirts over my head, the soft, comfy one that I like to sleep in. He tucks me in bed, changes his clothes, and gets under the covers. I'm on my side, my back to him. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me against his chest.

  "I love you," he says quietly.

  "I love you too."

  This is where I should be, in Gavin's arms, in our bed. It feels right, and always has. A part of me knew the first day I met him that Gavin was the guy for me. I don't know how I knew or why I felt that way so soon after meeting him, but I did, which tells me we were meant to be.

  As I drift off to sleep, I wake suddenly, remembering I didn't call my mom. I try to sit up, but Gavin holds me back.

  "Where are you going?" he asks.

  "I need my phone. I forgot to call my mom to tell her I wouldn't be there tonight."

  "She knows. I texted her."

  "When did you text her?"

  "As soon as we got home." He tugs my body closer to his. "Now go to sleep."

  "What about my flowers?"

  "I put them in water."

  "I didn't see you do that."

  "Because you were sleeping. Now would you stop talking and go back to sleep?"

  "Okay," I say, laughing. "Goodnight."

  The next morning, Gavin drops me off at the restaurant, then goes to work. His job is something we still need to talk about but we didn't want to do it this morning. Instead, we woke up early and had sex, then ate breakfast together. He says that's how our mornings will be from now on but I'll believe it when I see it. I don't want to get my hopes up, only to be disappointed.

  Sitting down at my desk, I see the piece of paper Carol wrote those names on. I forgot to tell Gavin about her handwriting. He's on the train now and won't be able to hear me with all the noise so I text instead of calling.

  Forgot to tell you. Got Carol's handwriting. It matches the menu.

  Gavin texts right back. You sure?

  Yes, it's definitely her. I still can't believe it. I don't know how she even had time for an affair.

  My dad didn't have time either, he texts. but somehow they made it work.

  Ever figure out who's paying for the apartment they were using?

  Yeah. I called the rental company. My dad prepaid it for the year. Lease runs out in October.

  I hear a noise coming from the kitchen. Someone just got here. I gotta go.

  Okay. Call you later.

  Setting my phone down, I get up from my desk. "John?" I call out.

  John's my morning cook. He usually comes in early because he likes to have a cup of coffee and read the paper before his shift.

  "It's Tad." He appears at my door, wearing his usual black tailored suit. He smiles. "I wanted to stop by and congratulate you. You had an excellent week, better than any of us could've predicted. You definitely exceeded our expectations, but I knew you would."

  "Whose expectations? The investors?"

  He chuckles. "Yes. The investors."

  Why is he laughing? I don't know why that's funny.

  "How do you like being a business owner?"

  "I love it, but it's a lot of work. I don't think I'll have time to take that class at Moorhurst this semester."

  "It's just one class. I'm sure you can handle it."

  "I'd rather take it next semester, if that's okay. I have too much going on right now."

  "Fine," he says, sounding angry. "But if you'll remember, that was part of our deal. You need to learn about business in the classroom in addition to what you learn here at the restaurant."

  I nod, even though taking a class was not part of our agreement.

  My phone dings with a text from Gavin, saying he loves me.

  "Kate?"

  "Sorry." I set my phone on the desk and look up at Mr. Walcott. "Could you wait here a moment? I have to get the ovens preheating for the pies. I prepped them last night but still have to bake them."

  "Go ahead."

  I was hoping he'd take that as a cue to leave but instead he waits in my office while I get the ovens going. When I get back, he's looking at his phone, texting someone.

  "So how's Gavin?" he asks as he continues to text.

  "Gavin?" I sound surprised because we almost never talk about Gavin. "He's fine. Why do you ask?"

  "It's almost the anniversary of his father's death. I was just wondering how he's doing."

  It's not really 'almost' the anniversary of Niles' death. It's still a few months away, but I go along with it. "He's doing okay."

  "What happened to Niles..." He shakes his head. "It was such a shame."

  "Yeah, it was," I say, trying to figure out why he's bringing this up.

  "We'd been out for lunch only a week before it happened."

  "Really? I didn't realize you knew him that well."

  "He was one of my clients, but I also knew him personally. We'd have lunch every now and then and we'd go golfing a few times in the summer."

  "Oh." I don't know what else to say. I don't like talking about Niles, or even thinking about him. When I think about him, I remember seeing him shoot that man, killing him. I remember him threatening me to keep quiet. I remember how panicked I felt when I thought my dad was in the house when it exploded. And how devastated I was when I saw Gavin having to watch as his dad died right before his eyes.

  "He was spending a lot of time in New York back then," Walcott says. "I could never figure out why. Perhaps he was seeking out supporters for his campaign."

  "He had an office there," I say.

  "Yes. He did, didn't he? Odd that he would have an office in New York, but I'm sure he had his reasons." He stands up. "Well, I should be getting to my own office. I have a lot of work to catch up on."

  "Thanks for stopping by." I give him a smile as I walk him to the door. "Have a good day!"

  "You too."

  When he's gone I get back to work but feel anxious and uptight after that unexpected visit. Being around Walcott always leaves me feeling this way, probably because he's rich and powerful and could put me out of business if he wanted to. He paid for most everything in here and paid for the lease so at this point, I'm more of his employee than his partner, just like my mom warned me about when she told me she didn't want me involved with Walcott.

  But too late now. I'm in business with him and will be for a long time. I appreciate all the help he's given me. I just wish I could trust him.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Kate

  "I'll be back in a couple hours," I tell Kami after the lunch rush. It's still busy but Kami can handle it. I need to go back to my mom's place and pick up my stuff. I called her this morning and told her I'm back with Gavin and would
stop by tonight to pick up my things, but I have time now so I'm just going to go over there.

  "Mom, it's me," I say as I open the door to her apartment. I didn't call to tell her I was coming over but I sent her a text from the parking lot so she wouldn't freak out when she heard the door open.

  "Mom?" I look around as I walk in. She's not there. She's probably out shopping or on a walk. I'll just grab my stuff and go.

  As I walk through the living room, I hear a noise. I go down the hall and see her bedroom door is closed.

  "Mom?"

  I hear laughing. She must be on the phone. I open the door. "Mom, I just wanted to—" My jaw drops and I stand there, frozen in place, staring at my dad's naked ass as he lies over my mom. I slam the door shut.

  "Kate!" I hear my mom screech. She sounds just as horrified as I am.

  "Sorry!" I yell. "I'm leaving." I run back to the living room and realize I don't have my phone. I was holding it when I opened my mom's door and must've dropped it when I saw them together. Shit! I need my phone. I can't leave here without it. I go back to her door and hear her and my dad talking. I lightly knock. "Um, Mom? I left my phone in there."

  "I'll get it," my mom yells. "Stay where you are."'

  This is so embarrassing. And gross. I may never get that image out of my head.

  My mom peeks her head out the door and then her arm appears with my phone. "Here you go, honey."

  "Thanks." I snatch it from her. "I'll be going now."

  "What are you doing here?"

  "I came to get my stuff. I sent you a text. Didn't you see it?"

  "I, um...wasn't checking my phone."

  "Yeah, got it. Okay, well, I'll just come back later."

  "As long as you're here, go ahead and get your things."

  "Are you kidding?" I whisper. "With you two—" I roll my eyes.

  "Kate, just go get your things so you don't have to come back."

  I sigh. "Fine. I'll talk to you later." I race off before she tries to explain what was going on. That's the last thing I need to hear.

  As I'm gathering my things, I try to block out any sounds from the bedroom next door. They're quietly talking but I don't want to know what they're saying. I run past their room and out the door. When I get to my car, I quickly text Gavin, Just caught my parents having sex!!!

  I get a text back, LOL. What'd they do?

  Gavin, this isn't funny!!!! I'm traumatized!!

  He calls me and I answer, "I think I might throw up."

  He's laughing. "How much did you see?"

  "My dad's naked ass in the air! I need to wash my eyes out. I can't believe I just saw that."

  "So he was on top of your mom?"

  "Gavin!"

  "What? I'm just trying to figure out what you walked in on. Were they actually doing it or just lying there naked?"

  "They were...he was...over my mom."

  Gavin bursts out laughing.

  "Why is that funny?" I yell.

  "Because of the way you're reacting. I admit it's gross to walk in on your parents, but it's really not that big a deal. It's not like they haven't done it before."

  "When they were married! And I didn't walk in on them back then, thank God. If I were still a kid, I'd really be traumatized. Actually, it might've been better if I were a kid. I wouldn't understand what they were doing."

  "So where are you now?"

  "In the car. I'm heading back to work. I just went to my mom's to pick up my stuff. I was going to go after work but I went early so I could be with you tonight."

  "I want to be with you too. I've missed you."

  "I've missed you too. Any idea when you'll be home? Or should I not ask?"

  "I'm leaving at four. I'm tired and I can't focus on work today. I keep thinking about Carol. I need to decide what to do."

  "What if I talked to her?"

  "I don't want you getting involved in this."

  "I'm already involved. I'm the one that found out it was her. And I know her better than you do. I've known her for years. She'd be more willing to talk to me than to you."

  "I don't know. Let me think about it. I should probably let you go so you can get back to work."

  "I don't know if I'll be able to after seeing what I just saw."

  "Just think of something else. Think of my naked ass instead of your dad's."

  "Ugh, now I'm thinking of both, side-by-side. Gross!" I try to shake it from my brain.

  "Mine's better, right?"

  "Gavin! Not helpful!"

  He laughs. "Sorry. I'll talk to you later."

  That night, I get home at six. Gavin texted me just after five and said he was home and was going to make dinner. I walk in to the smell of pizza and see the box for the take-and-bake place.

  "Pizza smells good," I say as I go up to him. He's in the kitchen making a salad.

  "It's not really cooking but it counts as making dinner, right?"

  I kiss him. "It's perfect. Thanks."

  He kisses me back. "Love you."

  "Love you too." I go around him and get some glasses from the cupboard.

  "You doing okay?" He snickers. "After your trauma this afternoon?"

  I whack his arm. "Hey! It was traumatic. I'm still feeling sick."

  "You want to see my ass so you get the other one out of your head?"

  "That won't help. That image will be in my head forever. I don't think I'll be able to face my dad for awhile. I'm sure he feels the same way." I fill our glasses with water. "Do we have any wine? After what I saw today, I need wine."

  "Over there." He points to the table. "I bought it on my way home."

  The oven timer goes off and I open the wine as Gavin takes the pizza out of the oven. We sit down and have a nice, relaxing dinner, avoiding any discussion of my parents having sex. We also avoid any discussion of the topics that led to us living apart. After we clean up the dishes, I'm about to bring those issues up, but then Gavin does.

  "I wanted it before, but not after I met you," he says.

  "Wanted what? What are we talking about?"

  "A job in politics. Before I met you, I considered it. I'm not saying I'd planned to run for office, but I was open to the idea. I thought after college I'd keep doing campaign work and if I liked it, maybe I'd keep doing it instead of working a public policy job."

  "Then why didn't you tell me that? Why didn't you just tell me the truth?"

  He takes me to the couch to sit down. "After I met you, I started to change my mind about what I wanted to do. I was thinking about it, and I knew I couldn't have a girlfriend or a wife or a family someday if I became a politician."

  "Politicians have wives and families."

  "Yeah, but they never see them. I didn't want to be the guy who works and travels all the time and never sees his family. That's not the life I want. I didn't expect to find the woman I'd want to marry when I was still in college, but I did, and that's when I started to focus more on a career in public policy than on campaign work."

  "But working on campaigns is what makes you happy."

  "It's more exciting than writing proposals, yes, but it's not what makes me happy." He holds my hand. "You're what makes me happy, not some job."

  "Gavin." I almost cry, he's being so sweet. "I'm sorry I reacted the way I did. I was just worried I was taking away the things you wanted in life. I didn't want you giving up your dreams for me. You helped me get my dream and I wanted you to have yours."

  "I'm sorry, too. I should've told you I was working for Jett. I was being selfish."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I thought if I told you, you'd tell me to quit and I wasn't ready to. I'll admit, at first, I liked working for Jett. I was flattered he even considered me for the job and I got caught up in the excitement of working on a campaign again. And when I had that meeting with the vice president and he suggested I run for office, I found myself actually considering it. I knew it's not what I wanted, but when the VP tells you he could see you in office someday
and would help you get there, you kind of get caught up in the moment, you know?"

  "The vice president told you to run for office?"

  "Well, not now, but when I'm older. He knew my dad, and kept saying how great it'd be if I followed in my dad's footsteps."

  "And what did you say?"

  "I tried to tell him I wasn't interested but then Jett interrupted and told him I'd think about it." Gavin sighs. "I'm really getting sick of Jett. I think I might quit."

  "And do what? I thought you said he'd try to keep you from getting a job."

  "Let him try. I have other options. I know a lot of people. Someone will give me a job. And if they don't, we'll live off my trust fund for awhile."

  "I can help with expenses. Given how the restaurant's doing, I might make some real money this year."

  "Then maybe I'll come work for you." He smiles and leans over to kiss me. "Anything else we need to talk about? Or can we go in the bedroom?"

  I feel like I should tell him the truth about his dad. But I can't. And I shouldn't. But what if I told him to keep it a secret? Gavin can keep secrets. He wouldn't tell anyone.

  "I need to—" I chew on my lip.

  "Need to what?" He sits back. "Tell me something?"

  "Never mind. We can go to the bedroom."

  "Kate, we're done keeping secrets from each other. If there's something you need to tell me, then do it. Whatever it is, we'll talk it out. We aren't letting stuff get between us again. So what is it?"

  I really don't know that much about what Niles was involved in, so I could tell Gavin but keep it generic. I could just tell him what I know to be true. The rest is just speculation, so not telling him isn't really keeping anything from him.

  "There's this group," I say.

  "What group?"

  "A group of men. Wealthy, powerful men. They belong to this group, kind of like a secret society."

  He laughs. "Secret society? Kate, what are you talking about? Is this a joke?"

  "No." I hesitate, thinking maybe I should stop now and not tell him anymore, but I think it's too late now. "I don't know exactly who's part of it but they're organized enough that they get stuff done. They control things, at least I think they do. And they get away with stuff. My dad—" I look Gavin in the eye. "You can't tell anyone this. Not anything I just told you or the stuff I'm about to tell you."