Page 49 of Finding Kyler
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 rest 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.”Isthat 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.”
