“Why didn’t Mum tell me about our Kennedy connections?”
James stares off into space. “I don’t know, Faye. It seems Saoirse was determined to forget her past completely.”
We’ve come full circle, and I’m adrift at sea again.
Why, Mum? I send the question out into the silent universe. Why was it so important to hide?
“You can have your seat back,” James says to Kalvin as he stands.
“Um, actually, there was something I wanted to tell you.” I look up at him.
All eyes fix on me as James sits back down. Keven is still in the bathroom, but it’s not as if I need his permission, or any of their permissions, and I’m even wondering why I’ve decided to tell them like this. But I can’t backtrack now.
I sit up straighter in my chair, clasping my hands in my lap. “I’ve made a decision. One I hope you will respect.” Ignoring the boys, I focus my gaze on Alex and James. “I won’t be attending Old Colonial. I’ve enrolled myself in Wellesley Memorial High School.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Why on earth did you do that?” Alex looks genuinely confused. She turns to James, and he gives her a one-shouldered shrug.
“There are a few reasons,” I start to explain, crossing my legs at the ankles. “I know I’ll feel more comfortable in that environment, for starters. They have the best swim team, and I want to train with the best. And I won’t be in my cousins’ shadow there. I need to stand on my own two feet, and it’s become clear that that would be almost impossible in Old Colonial.”
“I don’t understand, Faye.” Alex presses into the table as she leans forward in her seat. “My family has attended Old Colonial for generations. It’s tradition, and unheard of for any of the family to attend the public school.”
“With the greatest respect, Alex, I’m not your family. That’s not my legacy to uphold.”
Kaden and Kyler share an indecipherable look, as Alex visibly pales. I weave my hands through my hair, starting to feel a little anxious. “I don’t wish to upset you or insult you. And I’m very grateful for all you are doing for me, but I have to do this for myself. My parents always encouraged me to forge my own path in life, and I had a plan, a goal before they …” I stop, unable to say it. A panicky, fluttery sensation floods my chest, but I keep it at bay, drawing a brave breath. “I’ve always known what I wanted to do with my life, but everything has changed now, and I’m trying very hard to adjust my plans accordingly.” Alex’s lips are set in a grim line, and I can tell she doesn’t understand. I look at my uncle, and there’s little understanding in his eyes either. “This is important to me. I’d really appreciate your support, but I’m doing this with or without your approval.”
“Which one of you put her up to this?” James glares at his sons.
My face contorts. “Why would you think your sons have anything to do with this?”
“Because this is the exact type of emotional blackmail they are so fond of,” James snaps.
I look down at my lap. “I’m not trying to blackmail anyone. I just want to be happy.”
“And you think you’ll be happy at Memorial?” Keanu sounds incredulous.
“Yes. I do.”
“If this is because of the Addison thing, I told you—” Kalvin is cut off by a razor-sharp look from Kyler.
“What Addison thing?” Kaden asks, looking directly between Kyler, Kalvin, and me.
“It’s nothing to do with that.” I glare at Kalvin. Kyler looks skeptical, and my blood starts to boil. “I could give two shits about your ex!” I hiss at him, anger rearing its ugly head. My eyes roam around the table. “This is nothing to do with anyone but me. I prefer to attend the public school instead of the private one. That’s all. I wanted to show you the courtesy of explaining my decision, and now I have.” I fling my napkin on the table and rise. “If you’ll excuse me.”
I try to keep my temper in check as I stride across the room. I doubt Alex would be quick to forgive if I made a scene in front of the hoity-toity crowd. I race down the back stairs and push out through the emergency exit into a dimly lit back alley.
Day has turned to night while we were eating, and I lean back against the wall and gaze at the empty skyline. I inhale and exhale in a slow, deliberate fashion, drawing huge chunks of air into my lungs. The action helps calm my frayed nerves.
I stare at the blank canvas in the sky imagining a myriad of sparkling stars. When I was little, Mum used to say that the stars were God’s angels looking down on us, keeping a careful watch over the earth. Dad always laughed—he loved to refute her. He’d point out the various constellations and give me these big, elaborate scientific explanations for how we came to be.
They were an odd match in some ways. Mum always remained true to her Catholic upbringing, while Dad was a self-professed atheist, preferring to believe in the big bang theory rather than the existence of a deity.
I liked how open they were on the topic with me, even from a young age.
I’m not sure what I believe in anymore.
If there is a God, why did he do this to me? Why take away the two people I loved most in the world? Why send me here, to a place where money and reputation appear to take priority over love and happiness? My aunt and uncle aren’t bad people, but they’ve lost sense of what’s truly important.
Raised voices echo from the far end of the alleyway, and I look cautiously at the three shadowy figures arguing in a corner. One of the guys has his back to me, but the other two are facing frontward. Sporting lethal expressions on their faces, they are staring the other guy down. I don’t know if it’s working on him, but I’m intimidated as hell. Both wield biceps to rival The Rock and are covered in multi-layers of tattoos. Power and danger lingers around their persona like some paranormal shade.
They are giving me major heebie-jeebies.
“You know who I am. Give me a few more days, and I’ll sort it.” My entire body tingles in awareness as I recognize the voice.
“You better, Kennedy, or there’ll be hell to pay,” a gruff voice warns.
Goose bumps the size of golf balls sprout on my arms.
“Here,” one of the thugs says.
There’s a rustling of paper, and Keven’s head dips down. “There are ten names on that list. The agreement was five.”
“That was last week,” musclehead numero uno says. “Each week that passes will double the list in size.”
“What the actual fuck?” Kalvin snarls in my ear, and I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Don’t creep up on me like that!” I hiss, punching his arm. “You almost gave me heart failure.”
“Come on.” He tugs on my elbow. “You shouldn’t be out here. And don’t let Keven know that you’ve seen him.”
I let Kalvin pull me back inside before I stop him. “Do you know what that was all about?”
“Let’s say I have my suspicions and leave it at that.” His mouth is set in a displeased line. “It’s nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.”
I yank my arm away. “Don’t be so bloody patronizing.”
His brow creases. “I’m not. I think you’ve enough to be worrying about as it is.”
I do, and it seems like I’m not the only one.
The atmosphere at the table is almost unbearable when we return. Thankfully, everyone has finished eating, so James orders the bill. Keven shuffles back to the table with a deep scowl. Kalvin tries to make eye contact with him, but he keeps his head low. Kyler—scarily observant as ever—watches the interactions with the intensity of a master criminal planning his next big production. James and Alex are deathly quiet, and a level of unspoken stress has descended over the evening.
I exhale gratefully when we finally make our exit. We bid goodbye to Kaden and Keven outside the restaurant, leaving them to make their own way back to Harvard, and the r
est of us bundle into the car for the return journey home.
Alex asks to speak to me in private when we arrive at the house, and I follow her and James into the study where we argue for the next half hour. But I’m resolute, and I refuse to back down. Eventually, they both relent but only when I agree to reconsider Old Colonial if I don’t settle in Wellesley Memorial.
When Alex asks me if I want to go to Nantucket with her and the boys the next day, I cringe as I decline. They are going to be away until late Friday night, and I can’t tell my new boss that I’m unavailable for the next three shifts. Alex accepts my explanation without argument and heads to bed.
I’ve just changed into my nightie, when a firm rap sounds on my door. Assuming it’s Kalvin, I shout out, “Come in.” I hope my face doesn’t betray my surprise as Kyler walks into the room. He quietly shuts the door, leaning back against the frame. He’s rolled the sleeves of his black shirt up to his elbows, and muscles bunch in his arms as he folds them in front of him. His hair has lost some of its slick styling, and a few layers fall casually off his forehead into his eyes. My fingers itch to run between the silky strands, and I have to sit on my hands to dampen the craving.
The now-familiar electrical undercurrent buzzes between us as I regard him warily. “Yes?” I cross my arms over my chest, watching how his eyes track the movement.
“I want to know exactly what you heard in the alleyway tonight.”
“And I want to know how to resurrect the dead, but we can’t all get what we want,” I retort, incensed at the cold, clinical way he is speaking to me.
He scrubs a hand over his stubbly jaw. “Look, I don’t want to argue with you. I’m only trying to figure out what kind of trouble my brother has gotten himself into now.” Pushing off the door, he walks toward me, his hands hanging loose at his side. “Is it okay if I sit down?” He motions at the space beside me. I didn’t know he had it in him to be polite. I toss him a terse nod, and he drops down on the corner of the bed. The heat wafting from his body snakes out in silent invitation.
When I feel my head clouding over in the usual way, I scoot down the bed and create some additional space between us. “Why don’t you ask him?” I’m not being a smart mouth. It’s the logical next step.
“He’ll clam up, and then he’ll be extra careful, and I’ll never know what’s going on.” A jaded look coasts over his eyes, and I take pity on him, telling him what I overheard. “It’s not much, I know,” I admit, subconsciously tucking my hair behind my ears. “But those guys looked downright scary. The type you don’t fall foul of, no matter what. Whatever mess Keven has gotten himself into, it looked serious.”
Kyler glances over my shoulder with a frown. I whip my head around in time to see Kalvin slipping into the woods. That isn’t the first time I’ve seen him sneaking about late at night, assuming it was him I spotted that other time. I wonder what he’s up to? I turn around to ask Kyler that question and find him already striding toward the door. He stops, clearing his throat as he looks over his shoulder at me. “What you did took guts.” Is that a look of … awe on his face? “I respect you for making your own decision and standing up to my parents.”
My brain has gone numb at the unexpected compliment, and before I can respond, he has walked away.
Chapter Eighteen
The house is eerily quiet the next morning, and I eat breakfast by myself. James arrives downstairs, decked out in clinging white trousers, a white belt, and a dazzling white polo shirt, as I’m finishing my meal. Honestly, words fail me. Doesn’t he have a mirror in his room?
“Do you have plans for today?” he asks, pouring himself a coffee.
“Yes. I’m going with Rose to meet my new swim coach before my shift.”
“Oh, that’s good.” He snatches a pastry from the counter. “Alex has taken Kalvin and the triplets to Nantucket, and Kyler’s already at the track. I’ll be playing golf the next few days, but if you need company, say the word and I’ll rearrange things.”
I scrunch my nose up. “Nah, I’ll be grand. I’ll probably hang with Rose or mess about in the pool. Don’t worry. I’m used to my own company.”
“Sit for a minute.” He slides onto the bench, and I claim the space across from him. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the Kennedy Charitable Trust. Every year, Kennedy Apparel sets aside a chunk of money to donate to charity. We try to alternate the beneficiaries on an annual basis to share the funds among various different organizations. Our customers can nominate charities, and at the start of every year, the boys have a set amount to donate to a charity of their choice.”
I tap my fingers off the tabletop, wondering what this has to do with me.
As if has a direct line to my thoughts, he continues, “You are a part of this family now, Faye, so you need to decide how to allocate your fund.” It’s starting to sound like a mantra. If Mum were here, she’d clip me around the ear for acting so ungrateful.
“That’s not nec—”
He holds up a hand. “As long as you are under our roof, you will be on an equal footing as our sons. I thought Alex and I already explained this to you.” He lets out a little sigh. “Plus, it’s for a good cause. It’s not often we get to help others less fortunate than ourselves. It’s one of the nicer aspects of our lifestyle. Just think about what you want to do with your fifty K.”
My eyes pop wide. “Did you say fifty thousand? You want to donate fifty thousand in my name?”
He smiles as he rises. “Yes. Time to get your thinking cap on!” He leans in, kissing me cautiously on the head. “There are certain rules regarding charitable donations that we must adhere to, so you only have a week to decide.”
“Okay. Thanks.” His shoes tap on the floor as he exits the kitchen. “James?” I call after him, and he stops. “Do I have to donate to a charity in America, or can I donate to a charity in Ireland?”
His brows scrunch up. “Good question. I’ll check it out and come back to you.”
I meet with the swim coach that afternoon and he puts me through my paces while Rose watches from the sidelines. I’m ecstatic when he asks me to attend a tryout with the team once the school term starts back.
Tuesday and Wednesday come and go without incident. Kyler, James, and I are like passing ships in the night, but you won’t hear me complaining. Kyler hasn’t said one word to me since Monday night, although I’ve seen him coming and going at various times. Watching him jogging, cycling, swimming, pounding the equipment in the gym, and charging down the driveway like Evel Knievel has left me feeling like a lazy slob, so I purposely squeeze in a few extra laps in the pool each day.
Jill and Rachel are most disappointed that there’s no update on the Kyler front, but I’m like a pro as I deflect their attempts to force an admission from me. I’m not admitting to anything, because it can’t, and won’t, go anywhere, and there’s no point entertaining the notion or feeding their need to live vicariously through me.
Thursday rolls around, and I’m surprised to see storm clouds lingering in the gray-tinged sky. I stay in my room for most of the day, reading and doing some further research on suitable charities to “invest” my fund in. James confirmed that the monies have to be donated to charitable organizations in the States so that killed my idea of donating to an Irish orphanage.
James insists on driving me to the diner that night, even coming in to have a quick word with David, my boss. The diner is bustling from the minute I arrive, and I’m immediately thrown into the thick of it, which I love, because the shift whizzes by. Slowly, I’m starting to get to know the other waitresses. They are all friendly, but I don’t click with any of them in the way I’ve clicked with Rose. It’s as if we were destined to become best friends. And I have to admit that the thoughts of school on Monday aren’t so bad now that I know a couple of girls in my year. I know I’ve made the right decision, even if my aunt and uncle think I’m missing a few
brain cells.
“Welcome to Legends,” I say, arriving at the next table as I whip out my pen and pad. “What can I get you?”
“Whatever you’re offering,” a rich baritone voice says, and I jerk my chin up.
“Jeremy.” It pains me to smile at him, but I’m paid to be pleasant, so at least I have an excuse. I hand him a menu. “That’d be whatever’s on the menu.”
“You didn’t call me back,” he drawls, taking the menu and flipping it casually on the table.
“I didn’t know you’d called,” I reply truthfully.
“Kennedy motherfucker. I knew it!” A smug grin tugs up his lips, which I immediately feel an obligation to remove.
“But even if I was aware, I still wouldn’t have taken it.”
The other boys at the table holler their delight, but Jeremy’s smugness clearly knows no bounds. His grin widens and he pins me with a suggestive expression. “Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it, sweetheart. You know you want this.” He gestures at himself as if he’s a prize bull.
Delusional much?
I wiggle my nose in mock disgust. “I plead the fifth. That’s what you guys say when you don’t want to incriminate yourself, right?”
Jeremy’s buddies howl a little louder this time. All semblance of casual indifference flies out the window as Jeremy glares at me. I figure that’s me crossed off his little black list, or, at least, I hope it is. “You’re a stuck-up bitch, Faye, and I wasn’t interested anyway. Don’t flatter yourself that this was anything more than a setup.”
“Whatever you say, big boy,” I tease, on a roll now. “So, what can I get you guys?”
“You handled that well,” Rose murmurs as I input their order into the system.
Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys #1) Page 14