Page 38 of Wicked Savage Cruel
His pale eyes flick from me to the boy I know is standing a few paces behind me. “Sorry.” I wilt under his scrutiny. “We didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“Have some decorum. We have neighbors.”
My face falls and I nod. “Sorry,” I mutter, hating that this man I barely know has the power to make me feel two inches small. I’m just about to slip in past him when I feel Aaron step in beside me.
“I’m Aaron Henderson, sir. I go to school with Allie. It’s nice to meet you.” Aaron thrusts out his hand and surprisingly, Gerald takes it, giving it a firm shake and giving Aaron an assessing look.
“You’re Allen’s boy?” he asks.
Aaron nods. “Yes, sir.”
Okay, hold up. What is going on right now?
“I’m happy to see my daughter making respectable friends. I was worried when I agreed to send her to Sun Valley Public instead of Prep, but it was your father who reminded me he’d made a similar decision with you. Thank you for looking after her.”
Aaron nods. I shoot him a questioning look but he either doesn’t see it or chooses to ignore it.
“Well uh, thanks for the ride.” I give Aaron a small wave, cringing at the awkwardness of it when Gerald does the unthinkable and invites him in.
“Allie, why don’t you run along and get ready for dinner. Aaron and I will be in my study when you’re done.”
What?
Aaron’s expression brightens at the invitation, and when Gerald steps back, opening the door wider to grant us both entrance, Aaron sweeps right on in as though he’s been here a dozen times.
“Uh…”
Aaron meets my gaze giving me a small nod.
Alright then. “I guess I’ll go take a shower.”
Neither one of them respond. Gerald grips Aaron’s shoulder in an almost fatherly embrace as he leads him away from me and toward his study.
I jog up the stairs, stripping my sweat-soaked clothes off as soon as the door to my bedroom is firmly closed behind me. Why would Gerald want to talk with Aaron in his study? Clearly, he knows his parents but …
I rush through washing my hair and body, taking the fastest shower of my life. Something about leaving Aaron and Gerald alone together is setting off alarm bells in my head. And what was all that about looking after his daughter?Why didn’t Aaron mention that our dads knew each other?
I dry off at record speed before pulling my hair into a wet and tangled messy bun. I’m assuming dinner will be here since Gerald invited Aaron to join us. I throw on a knee-length, long-sleeved dress in a soft blue, cinching a belt around the waist and slipping my feet into a pair of strappy sandals.
I don’t bother putting on any makeup before heading toward Gerald’s office. Murmured words greet my ears as I approach but I can’t make them out. I haven’t been in Gerald’s office before. He’s always given the impression that it was off limits and I never wanted to impose. After knocking three times, I reach for the handle and let myself in.
Gerald is sitting at his desk, a cigar in one hand and a glass of amber liquid in the other. He’s smiling. I’ve never seen him smile, but whatever Aaron must have just said clearly amused him.
Aaron is sitting in a leather lounge chair opposite Gerald, a matching glass of liquor in his hand, though his glass looks untouched.
“Umm…”
“Alejandra, come in.” Gerald says in a booming baritone. “Aaron was just telling me all about the camping trip the two of you went on together.”
I frown, worried Gerald will get the wrong impression and I’ll wind up in trouble. He’d given me his permission to go but I’d intentionally left out the fact that I was going away with a boy, assuming he’d think I’d made girlfriends. But he seems pleased anyway, not shocked or upset as I would have expected. Mom would have murdered me. I wasn’t even allowed to have Julio over without leaving my bedroom door wide open. “Oh,” is all I manage to say before taking a seat in the chair beside Aaron. He gives me a reassuring smile. I’m not sure what to think of that.
Aaron certainly looks comfortable. Like this is an everyday occurrence for him. He’s dressed in his usual Volcom black jeans and a charcoal Hurley t-shirt, ever the skater boy and at complete odds with Gerald who’s wearing a custom-tailored suit, crisp white dress shirt, and burgundy tie. Yet the two are chatting as though they’re old friends. Aaron’s even holding himself taller. Like he’s not just your average high-school kid.
My head is spinning. I take my seat and fold my hands in my lap. Gerald’s eyes zero in on the movement before his scrutinizing gaze takes in my appearance. “I see Janessa’s provided you with adequate clothing.”
I nod.
“Though it seems a trip to the salon may still be in order.”
