“So Jenson helped you out,” Mom says with a knowing smile. “What a gentleman to do his cousin a favor when she’s lonely. Isn’t he so sweet?”
“Oh, isn’t he good?” Veronica agrees. “I’ve only met him a handful of times before, but he stuck out in my mind. So handsome and so kind.”
I nod and quickly excuse myself for the restroom.
I take my time and when I exit the bathroom, I hear low voices coming from the dark part of the hallway behind the stairwell.
“…I took care of Calvin.”
I can’t see who’s talking, and I shift forward until I recognize Glenn’s large form and white head of hair. His back is to me, and he’s blocking his companion, who says—
“How?”
Jenson. Glenn’s talking to Jenson about Calvin?
“Let’s just say I’ve been at the paper a long time. And everyone’s got some skeletons in their closet. I just happen to know what Calvin’s are. And I told him if he breathes—or Christ, if hewrites—so much as a word about you and Olivia, he’ll wish he hadn’t. Because if what I have on him gets out, he’d be fired faster than he could refute it.”
“I appreciate you protecting Olivia like that, Glenn. We’re not planning to keep quiet forever.”
“You sure about this?” Glenn’s tone turns to genuine concern. “Because I wasn’t just protecting Olivia. I was looking out for you too. I hope you realize that if this comes out, your situation will be more precarious than hers.”
Jenson doesn’t say anything in response, but Glenn continues, “Randolph is a tight-knit school, and they pride themselves on a family-oriented community. I don’t know how they’ll react to this. And your mom…she was the outcast in town until the Grahams took her in. I’m worried how people will treat her.”
“I am too,” Jenson admits, and I flinch. “But Olivia’s not my cousin, and you know it.”
“I do, but this town’s got a short memory and is big on gossip.” Glenn puts his hand on Jenson’s arm. “Olivia comes from the golden family. She’d come out of this okay in the long run. Her father may be pushed out as mayor, which I know they’d all take hard, but she shouldn’t be too scathed on a personal level. But you…just think about it. Take your time before you act.”
When he leaves, I step out from the stairwell and head for Jenson.
“J.”
His green eyes widen. “Olive. Did you hear any of that?”
“Most of it.”
“It’s good news about Calvin.” His expression is warm and calm.
“But not about you.” My voice sounds cold to my own ears.
Jenson cocks his head. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying what Glenn just said—you have far more to lose than I do.”
“Your father could lose the election—you don’t think that’s a lot to lose? Glenn’s making no sense. We’re in this together, Olivia, no matter what happens.”
“But…”
“And no matter what happens,” he repeats, “I’m never letting you go again.”
