Page 32 of Keeping Kyler
“What about that girl?” Faye asks. “The waitress. Is she a suspect?”
“I don’t believe so. It seems she has an alibi from the time she left Mr. Grant’s property earlier on that night until the next morning. It wasn’t her.”
Faye sighs. “Do they have any other suspects?”
“I believe they are exploring several lines of inquiry” is the vague reply. It doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Neither does the prospect of going home. The tension here today is almost unbearable, and I’m not sure I can take much more of it.
We pack up pretty much immediately and make our way to the airport where Dad’s private jet awaits. He had too much wine at dinner, so Michael, Dad’s standby pilot, is flying us home. We have only just taken off when Mom hands me a sheet of paper. “I’m issuing this press release the minute we land. If you have any problem with it, now is the time to tell me.”
She returns to her seat while Faye and I read over the official statement she’s planning on making. My stomach churns anxiously as I read. “Wow,” Faye whispers. “She’s really going to come clean about that?”
“This is damage control, pure and simple.” I can’t keep the disgust from my tone. Her statement confirms that her three eldest children were Doug Grant’s biological children and her husband has always known. Dad has signed off on this lie, which surprises me. I unbuckle my seat belt and walk over to him. “Why are you agreeing to this?” I thrust the press release in front of his face. Kade and Kev materialize at my side, also clutching a copy of the statement.
“Sit down,” he gestures, and I slink into the seat beside him while my brothers take the pair of seats facing us across the glossy walnut-topped table. Dad swirls the whiskey in his glass. “I’m only agreeing to this for you three. I’m certainly not doing this for your mother,” he adds bitterly. “This family has had enough press intrusion recently, and I’d like to make this go away as fast as I can. Putting an end to speculation up front is the best strategy.” His gaze skates between us. “For your sakes.”
“The press release also confirms the divorce is going ahead,” Kaden remarks.
Dad makes a disgruntled sound. “You hardly expect me to stay with your mother after this.” He knocks back his drink. “We can barely tolerate each other at this stage.”
Kev looks away, and Kaden rubs a hand along the back of his neck. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do, Dad, but you’re upset right now. Perhaps it isn’t the best time to be making such a big decision. You may feel differently in a few weeks after you’ve had time to think about it.” Kade’s suggestion is pragmatic.
“The trust is gone, son. On both sides, and I have to shoulder my fair share of the blame. Once the trust is gone, it’s very difficult to continue a marriage.”
“If you’re going to speak about me behind my back, you could at least keep your voice down,” Mom hollers, attracting everyone’s attention.
“You’re releasing a statement to the press the second we get off this plane. It’s going to become common knowledge. Stop trying to pick another fight. I’m done arguing with you,” he shouts back.
“What statement?” Keaton asks from behind me, leaning over his chair with a perplexed expression. I hand him my copy, watching as all the blood leaches from his face while he reads. Keanu, Kal, and Kent all read over his shoulder.
“What does this mean?” Keaton asks with tears in his eyes. “Please don’t leave again, Dad.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Dad confirms, nudging me in the side. I step out, allowing him to go to Keaton. He pulls him into a hug, kissing the top of his head. “Your mother and I are divorcing and there’s lots to be decided, but for now, we will continue to live in the same house. Your mother will bury her head in work, and you’ll hardly see her. It won’t feel any different,” he snipes.
Faye glances at me with saddened eyes, and I’m so over all this drama. If my parents are going to continue acting like juvenile brats, I’m damned if I’m going to stick around to watch the next episode.
It’s late by the time we get back to the house. Everyone goes their separate ways, and I pull Faye into my room. “Are you planning on returning to school tomorrow?”
“Yeah. I’ve missed enough time, and it’s better to show my face and deal with the latest crap than hide away here.”
I kiss her hard. “I love that about you.”
“I love everything about you,” she murmurs, and my heart does a funny flip in my chest.
“I’m going to face the music too, and I’ve been thinking about something on the flight back. Everyone is going to know we’re not related now, and I want to make our relationship status official. Are you okay with that?”
Her hands creep up my chest. “I’m more than okay with that.” She gives me a big grin, and I kiss her again. “But are you sure you want to do this now? There’s going to be enough gossip tomorrow as it is.”
“My new motto is it’s best to get everything out in the open.”
She tweaks my nose. “Okay. I’m in.”
“Then we need to talk to Brad. Agree how we deal with the ending of your ‘fake relationship.’”
She grimaces. “Aw, crap. I’m so not looking forward to that conversation.”
“I know, but I can’t say I’m sorry.” I don’t voice my suspicions, because I don’t think she has quite figured it out, and there’s no harm in sparing her the additional guilt. “I’ll talk to him. You go to bed, but make sure to leave your window open.” I smooth a hand up and down her back, squeezing her ass playfully.
“Nice try, mister.” She extracts my hand from her ass. “As much as it’s tempting to chicken out, there’s no way I’m not sitting in on this convo.”
