The Lake (The Lake Trilogy, Book 1) (22 page)

“Interesting, how?” I ask curiously.

“Marcus? Really?”
He’s upset and staring at me now. I didn’t mean to hurt him but have done just that.

“Did you want me to tell him the truth? Will, c’mon, I wasn’t expecting him to ask me so point blank like that,” I say in my defense. “What happened to ‘he’s going to question you and you won’t even know it’?”

“Playing the Marcus card was risky, Layla. It could have ended badly. He could have looked at you and seen Holly.” Will’s anxiety is higher than it was earlier when he blurted out his love for me and all I can think is that
I’m
the one who did more harm than good.

“Maybe he didn’t,” I say, trying to convince both of us that my improvisation worked.

“All in all I think it went well. Claire and I have Marcus to use in any conversation where it might look like Gregory is suspicious. Layla, you’ll need to fill Marcus in soon, but we still need to be careful,” Luke says stepping in.

Luke and Claire get in the car while I say good-bye to Will. We’re standing on the driver’s side, shielded from view. Will hugs me but is still distant in thought.

“Will, everything is ok. He thinks I’m with Marcus,” I say. I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince more.

“Maybe. Something just doesn’t feel right, though,” Will says slowly. “He dropped it too easily
. He didn’t ask for any proof. We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Will kisses me quickly, puts me in the car and shuts the door. As we drive away I watch Will stand in the driveway, still contemplating the night. I hope he’s wrong. I hope that I’ve been convincing enough.
In order to make this work, I’m going to have to break my deal with Marcus.

I’ve spent all morning attempting to coordinate clothes for school. I have every piece of wardrobe a person could need, but nothing looks right.
It doesn’t help that I’m distracted thinking about the evening at the Meyer’s. I replay everything from which fork I used for what to my interrogation. Then all I can think is that I’m not going to school with normal people anymore. I’m going to school with the law firm of Meyer, Fincher and Marks. Every shirt or pair of shorts I try on makes me look and feel completely inadequate. I’ve tried to make it work but it’s just not happening. I hate to do this, but I’m going to have to ask Claire to take me shopping. I hate even more that I feel like I’m compromising myself. Since when do I care what other people think of my style, or lack thereof? But, lately I’m caring about a lot of things I never have before.

When I ask Claire if she’ll take me shopping
, I swear she lets out a little squeal. She doesn’t waste any time and grabs her keys. I barely have time to put my shoes on before she’s hustling me out the door and she’s is absolutely giddy the entire time it takes us to get to the mall. She takes me to a different outdoor mall than our first shopping excursion.
Doesn’t this place have any traditional indoor malls where old people walk for exercise?

When we get there I immediately recognize several of the stores, which puts me at ease. I can shop without worry because I know there won’t be any $250 shirts at Old Navy. We shop and try on clothes for hours. I’m learning to enjoy this time with Claire. It’s becoming almost effortless, and shopping with her is actually pretty fun. I remember this part of what having a mother is like and I realize how much I have missed it. My heart is full of joy and gratitude that Claire didn’t give up on me during my season of sequestering when I arrived here.

We go from store to store, trying on shoes and clothes, with Claire making me promise to try on things I wouldn’t normally. Her theory proves correct when I end up loving most of the things I hated on the hanger. By the time we’re done I have six new pairs of shorts, four dresses, three pairs of jeans, and ten tops. I lost count of everything Claire got. It was a shopping frenzy and she loved every minute of it.

It’s Sunday, but Luke is working from home to wrap some things up before a heavy work week, so Claire decides that she and I get a break from cooking and
we go out for dinner. As we sit there discussing our victorious shopping conquest, I can’t keep my mind from going back to our dinner with Will’s parents. Even though I don’t believe Will could ever be like his father, I also can’t help but consider Luke’s warnings.

“I have a confession to make,” I say to Claire. “The morning after my date with Will, I overheard you and Luke in the kitchen.”

“Oh?” she replies.

“I’m really sorry that I listened. I didn’t plan on it. I just heard Luke talking when I came to the door, but I should have backed away.” I feel badly and I want her to know that I don’t normally do that sort of thing.
I suppose I don’t feel badly enough to confess to overhearing their exchange the night I arrived in Davidson. I’m causing such a mess right now, I don’t want to remind her of the uncertainty she had about me living with them.

“It’s alright, Layla. So you heard Luke’s concerns
…,” she says, trailing off at the end inviting me to fill in the blanks.

“Yes
, and I appreciate them. Really, I do. I just…” I’m not sure where to take this conversation now that I’ve started it. I don’t want to freak Claire out and tell her about the beating I saw outside the firm, not that she’s unaware of Mr. Meyer’s dealings. I decide to do a little fishing and let her do the filling in. “What is it about Gregory Meyer that has both Luke and Will trying to keep me away from him? Besides, I thought I handled myself pretty well the other night,” I say.

“First, to be clear, it’s the other way around. We’re trying to keep
him
away from
you
. But…it’s hard to explain. I’m not really sure how much I should tell you,” she says.

“Please, Aunt Claire?” I softly plead.

Claire breathes a heavy sign and relinquishes what she knows. “I’m sure you noticed that Gregory’s wife, Will’s mother, is much younger than him,” Claire says. I nod, remembering my judgment of her and how badly I felt. “Well, Eliana is Gregory’s fourth wife.”

My jaw drops. I’ve never known anyone who had been married that many times. I had a few friends back in Florida whose parents were divorced and remarried, but that’s almost expected these days. But married
four
times? Wow!

“The first three Mrs. Meyers lasted four, three, and then two years when they were swiftly divorced with a small settlement as agreed to in their pre-nup.
Then they vanished. No one has seen or heard from them since. Eliana and Gregory had been married a year when she got pregnant with Will. Apparently she was about to get her walking papers, too, but Gregory decided to keep her around because he thought the baby would soften his image. The sad part is the rumor at one point was that wife number three was pregnant but Gregory didn’t know.”

“Why did he divorce them?” I ask, still in shock.

“They wanted him to be a husband. You know, surprise lunches on a Wednesday, weekend getaways, flowers and romance, conversation, relationship. That’s more than what Gregory Meyer wants. He wants to do his job, make a ludicrous amount of money, and come home to a trophy wife who shopped, played tennis, and had martinis with her girlfriends in the middle of the day. When important events come around, he wants to waltz in with her on his arm for photo-ops.” Claire’s speech is filled with disgust. I can see why she appreciates Luke the way she does. He’s nothing like that.

“Will said that this
trophy wife
is what his mom had become. She wasn’t always
the
Eliana Meyer?” I ask.

“No, not at all. She was probably the most down to earth, real one of them all…and the most beautiful. Even after Will was born she bucked Greg’s system for a long time, but eventually gave in when he threatened to take Will from her,” Claire says speaking in a hushed tone.

“So Will’s dad really just kept her around because of him? And he kept Will around because he thought it would be good PR?” I’ve transitioned from shock to disgust.

“Yes
, and I think Will knows the whole story, which is why he works so hard to not be like his dad. It’s one of the reasons Luke and I like him so much. Will loves his mom a lot and would do anything for her. I think it makes him sad to know that she compromised herself for him.” Claire’s tone is sad and filled with compassion for Will.

My discussion with Will on the patio after the bar-b-q is making more sense, but there are still some gaps. Had I not witnessed an instance of what Gregory Meyer will do to prove a point, the main gap might be why they haven’t pried themselves free from underneath his thumb. I have a feeling there are gaps I’m not even aware of yet. My initial instinct is to want to try and reason with Mr. Meyer
, but I quickly nix that as an option as I realize that both Luke and Will are proficiently reasonable people and still can’t seem to do it.

“Luke and I are still concerned about you seeing Will. We
really like him, Layla – the Will we all know now, but he’s young and Gregory still has time to manipulate him into who he wants him to be. Gregory is incredibly persuasive and not to be underestimated,” Claire says. “Luke and I almost didn’t break free ourselves, and we nearly lost everything,” she continues, closing her eyes tightly as she recalls the pain associated with this memory.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Luke and I were at the peak of our careers. Luke was up for partner and I was being considered for a junior partner position. We were both working day and night so that we could grab the brass ring Gregory Meyer held out for us. He flashed dollar signs and bonuses and perks in front of us and we got completely sucked in. We hardly saw each other and barely spoke when we did. We didn’t plan for it to happen. When Luke and I met we were both starry-eyed law students who wanted to change the world. We were focused on right and wrong and upholding justice even when everyone didn’t agree with us. Everything just happened so fast after the promotions were proposed. We were the youngest attorneys to ever be considered in the history of the firm.

“Obsessed, we closed ourselves off to anything that didn’t have to do with the firm. We didn’t even answer the phone if it wasn’t from an associate,” Claire pauses and takes a deep breath. “Then your grandmother died
, and, Layla, I am so ashamed to admit this…but…we weren’t at Carol’s funeral because we didn’t receive the message that she had passed until three days after the service.” There’s the answer I’d been looking for, and it’s sadder than I ever imagined it would be. “Luke was devastated and vowed then and there that his relationship with his family was more important. He had already lost your parents and his mother, so we withdrew our names from the partnership committee. Luke was bound and determined not to let another day go by without reconnecting with his father and he wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way.”

“What? How? I was there! Gramps never said anything about Luke ever.” I’m perplexed. If Luke had been reaching out to Gramps, why didn’t he tell me?

“He talked to Jack a few times a month, usually during the day while you were at school. Jack asked that if Luke was going to call, to call then. They were typically short calls. They talked about the weather and sometimes about Jack’s health,” Claire tells me, sounding sadder with every word. “Luke wanted to come down, help Jack get some things fixed around the house, spend some time with him, with you, but Jack wouldn’t have it.”

“Luke…ask
ed about me?” I ask hesitantly.

“He did
, and Jack would brag about your grades and what great care you were giving him,” Claire answers hesitantly. “But, I really think you should talk about that with Luke. I think he’d rather explain.”

Explain? What is he going to explain? Why would Gramps keep me from Luke? Is it because of the rift between him and
Dad? Dad had been dead for over two years by then! Why are all the men in this family determined to keep me from knowing the truth?
I’m screaming in my head, calling out for someone to answer me, but there is no answer. There isn’t going to be an opportunity to talk with Luke anytime soon. My sentence at Heyward starts in a few days and I have to survive that first. I’ve waited this long, I can wait another week. Besides, I have plenty to navigate through with Will and his family.

“What did Mr. Meyer say when you turned down the promotions?” At this point I’m surprised they’re still alive.

“Well, that’s where things get interesting. He wasn’t happy. The golden rule around here is
don’t cross Gregory Meyer
, but Luke has worked very closely with Gregory since his internship during law school. He had Luke working on some things that were a little hazy in the legal department, and while there’s a confidentiality agreement in place, Luke still knows enough to make things very messy for Gregory. Greg knows that, so he leaves Luke and me to do our jobs. Plus, Luke is an excellent attorney so Gregory keeps him around to keep the firm’s winning ratio up. Gregory would have gotten rid of me had Luke not told him we were a package deal. If not for the cards that Luke holds, he would have fired us when we turned down the promotion. You don’t say ‘no’ to Gregory Meyer.”

After what I witnessed outside the firm, and every creepy meeting I’ve had with Gregory Meyer, I believe every word Claire has just told me. The only reason Gregory Meyer keeps anyone in his life is if they’re of use to him. Will already made that clear. “Wow,” I say still in shock from the entire conversation.

“As for Will,” Claire says, bringing the subject back around. “We’re happy for you to see him. We know how much he means to you, and Luke certainly has gotten an earful from Will about you. You need to know that if we see any signs of Gregory Meyer manifesting in him, we’re going to pull the plug on the relationship. We love you, Layla, and we won’t stand by and watch you get hurt.”

“Aunt Claire
…I appreciate your concern but Will isn’t…” I’ve softened my tone so as not to sound like a belligerent teen, but Claire isn’t falling for it and cuts me off.

“Layla
, I agree with you that today, right now, Will is
not
like his father. He’s every parent’s dream boyfriend, but we can’t see the future. I’m telling you that as much as Luke and I like Will, we are watching him closely. We know Gregory Meyer and know what we’re looking for. If we see it in Will, it’s over. I pray to God that Will never changes, but we have no guarantees,” she says. “Now that I’ve said all that…please,
please
don’t keep anything from us. We can’t protect you if you don’t tell us what’s going on. Promise me that you’ll tell us if anything ever happens with Will that worries you,” Claire says, looking at me with the same deep, penetrating love Luke gave me when he made me promise to tell him if things got serious with Will, only this time I’m reminded of my mother.

“I promise,” I tell her, and mean it.

After a few long moments we silently agree that everything had been said that needed to be said and go back to our dinner. We review our purchases and Claire decides that now we need new shoes. I’m not sure if I’m up to more shopping, but I know it’ll make Claire feel better after laying such heavy information on me that I agree without hesitation.

We get home around eight and Luke is just emerging from his office. He wouldn’t have known we hadn’t been home all day if we weren’t carrying a dozen bags.

“I see you two have had quite a day!” he says, chuckling at the sight of the two of us totting in like two pack mules.

“Layla and I needed new clothes for school,” Claire says cozying up to Luke, pretending to need to butter him up about our purchases when in reality Luke would give Claire the moon if he could. He kisses her on the cheek and relieves her from the burden of her heavy bags.

“
You
needed new school clothes?” he asks Claire with a wink “Did you have fun? I’m assuming you’ve had dinner.”

“Yes, but I can heat up some leftovers if you’d like
,” I offer, but Luke opts for peanut butter and jelly. “Ok, I’m just going to take my things upstairs. Thanks, Aunt Claire. I had a lot of fun today.” I search for something meaningful to say. “You’re…bringing out the girl in me,” I say smiling. It’s the biggest smile I’ve given them since I moved here. It wasn’t forced, but real and honest. It’s the best indication I can give her that despite the intensity of our conversation earlier, I am really and truly happy.

I lay my new clothes out on my bed and line up my new shoes on the floor in front of my dresser. I pull a few of my old clothes out but just can’t seem to make the old and new coordinate. I throw in the towel and decide I’ll wear only new clothes to school. After all, that was the point of today, wasn’t it, to make me blend in, at least exteriorly, with the flock at school? To make it so I don’t stick out like the sore thumb I am.

I look at my old clothes lying messily next to my new ones.
That’s me,
I think. I’m something old and used and disheveled next to Will like a mismatched pair of socks to his tuxedo looks and charm and character.

My conversation with Claire is ringing in my head. Visions of Gregory Meyer having bodyguards carry bride after crying bride away are floating through my mind; them begging and pleading for his love and attention.

I shake my head to rid myself of the unnerving daydream and begin gathering my clothes when I see it: my favorite blue shirt and a pair of my new jeans, both simple pieces. This modest shirt is the nicest one I brought with me when I came to live here. It’s nothing special but is my go-to piece because of how accommodating it can be to coordinate with almost anything. The jeans are new and sturdy. They’re built to last. When I lay the shirt with them, they make the shirt something a little special. The jeans…bring out the best of it and make it more than just a t-shirt. The blue is brighter and its structure more pronounced. Separate them and it’s just a shirt…just a pair of jeans. But together…they make something so much more.