A Hidden Truth

Kenny's Investigation Cont.

    “Are you alright, sweetheart?” He asked with a drawl.

    “I almost died.” Kenny said into his shoulder.

    He chuckled. “I’da saved you before that could happen. You should be payin’ more attention. You lookin’ for someone, sugar?”

    Kenny felt heat rise to her face. Normally, she hated men calling her sweetheart and sugar outside of the bedroom, but she didn’t hate the sound as his deep voice manipulated the words. This was it. He was ‘the one’.

    “Please tell me you’re legal, cowboy.” She whispered.

    He laughed again and Kenny pressed herself into him. At that moment, she didn’t entirely care if he was. She looked up and into his gorgeous blue eyes. He was a little beat up, but had a cute sideways smile with a dimple. God, she loved dimples.

    “What’s your name?” She asked.

    “Clayton. You can call me Clay. How ‘bout you, sweetheart?”

    “Kendra. You can call me Kenny, or the love of your life.” Her voice quivered as she uttered the familiar phrase, this time feeling it deeply.

    “We’re gonna draw attention if you don’t let me go, Kenny.” Clay murmured.

    She remembered herself and her mission. Clay would have to wait until later. Kenny needed to find Juni. She reluctantly pulled away and straightened herself up, making sure her hair was tucked in. Kenny found herself wishing her hair was its natural honey blonde, for the first time ever.

    “I’m looking for a girl called Juni. Juniper Fordyce.” She told him.

    “Why’re you lookin’ for Juni?” He asked apprehensively.

    “She’s dating my best friend and I wanted to see what she was like before I meet her. I figured I could come see her after school. When she’s around her friends and acting naturally. You know, get an idea of who she is.” Now she realized how stupid that was. Jaxon would be pissed if he found out.

    “Get behind me and follow close, sweetheart. I’ll help you out. You’re not gonna find out a lot. Jax is the only one, other than Teddy, who knows who she really is. I know I didn’t.” He sighed.

    Kenny wondered what he meant, but got behind him. It wasn’t hard to follow close, his backside was as attractive as his front. She’d never liked the farm and ranch boys back home. This was insane. When he stopped, she nearly bumped into him.

    “Stop gropin’ my ass, Kenny.” He ordered in hushed tones.

    “Sorry.” She breathed into his ear, making him shiver.

    They made their way to a corner of the covered area. Kenny peaked around Clay and saw a group of girls, three brunettes and a blonde. That one had to be her. She was dressed in a flowy, pink sundress with a little white jacket, and strappy heels. Jackie had always favored girly blondes. Clay stopped a few feet away.

    “Hey, Auntie June.” He called out.

    The girls turned, three were laughing and the tall brunette looked peeved. Clay stiffened.

    “Hey, Tammy. I figured I could talk to her again, since we made up and all.” He stammered.

    “I suppose.” The girl huffed. “Come on, babe, I’ll take you home. See you guys tonight.” She held out her hand and the blonde grabbed it and wrapped herself around the taller girl’s arm.

    Kenny made note. It was down to two other girls. They approached, both were dressed comfortably, in jeans. The paler one was all in black, the other in varying shades of blue. The one in black looked slightly annoyed, yet amused. Kenny wasn’t about to make any more assumptions, she hated being wrong.

    “How’s my second favorite nephew today?” The one in blue giggled.

    “Second favorite? I was your favorite on Tuesday!” Clay whined.

    “Yes, but Carson had a point. He is my brother after all, he should be the favorite. What do you need, Clayton? Garrett will be here soon.” She smiled.

    “What are you teachin’ tonight? I was hopin’ to get some more studyin’ in.” He asked.

    “Science at five-thirty and AP mixed classes at eight. They’re usually more organized so I was fine with not having dedicated time for each one. You need more math help?”

    “Yeah, and my science ain’t too great either.” He responded sheepishly.

    “Okay. Come for science and stay through to the second session. Let your mama know you’ll have supper with us again. I’ll text your father and let him know you’re coming over so you don’t get in trouble. When Garrett gets here, I’ll let him know, too.” Juniper said, pulling her phone out and sending the message as she spoke.

    “Thanks, Juni. What’re you up to tonight? I heard your friends were stayin’ over. You gonna have like a movie night or somethin’?”

    “No. We’re heading to The Glimmer at nine. We plan to be home between midnight and one. Garrett isn’t too happy. I told him having Tammy with me was probably good enough, but he says she’ll be too wrapped up in her girlfriend to pay attention.” She laughed.

    Clay tensed. “You probably shouldn’t talk about that stuff while we’re in public, Juni.” He warned.

    “Right. Sorry. Oh, there’s Garrett. Come on, Kel. See you tonight, Clayton!” Juniper called out as she rushed to the student pick-up with Kelly.

    Kenny watched as a tall man got out of a black truck and helped the girls in before driving off. She moved to stand in front of Clay. He was smiling a little as he tugged on the visor of her cap.

    “There. That was Juni. Feel better?” He asked.

    “Why did you call her Auntie June?” Kenny responded wearily.

    “Because that’s her nickname at school… And, I’m Jaxon’s nephew. Clayton Reed.” He blushed.

    “So, when we get married, I’ll be Jackie’s niece.” Kenny giggled.

    “Married!?” Clay squeaked.

    “Kidding, cowboy. Thanks for helping me out. She seems pretty nice. I hope she doesn’t hate me.”

    “Juni don’t hate anyone without reason.” Clay told her.

    “There you are.” Morgan said, poking Kenny’s back.

    “Sorry, Morgan. I found her. Clay here helped me get close. I couldn’t risk you drawing her attention.” She turned and explained.

    “This your boyfriend?” Clay asked, solemnly.

    Kenny and Morgan started laughing. No one had ever assumed that about them. Everyone always guessed them as friends or even siblings.

    “Hell, no.” Morgan snorted. “She only just broke up with Jaxon a couple weeks ago.”

    Kenny stopped laughing and hit Morgan.

    “You said you were his best friend. Not his ex-girlfriend. What the hell’s goin’ on? You better not be here to try and break ‘em up.” Clay growled.

    She turned back to him. “No. I mean, if she wasn’t good enough, I would because he’s my friend. But we weren’t serious. We were just friends with benefits and a title for the times we needed it. Honestly, he’s only my friend!”

    Clay stepped away. That was just too weird for him to countenance. He turned and walked away. He needed to think and gather his work for tutoring. If she really was Jax’s friend, he’d see her again. If not, then she was lying and worth as much as Becca.

    Kenny watched as he walked to the parking lot on the side of the building.

    “Damn, that is one fine ass.” She murmured.

    “Truth.” Morgan said.  

    “I can’t believe you told him I used to date Jaxon. Bastard.” She groaned.

    “Hey! Slut!” A voice drawled from behind them.

    Morgan and Kenny turned around to see a curvy blonde girl fuming behind them. She was most definitely talking to Kenny. If looks could kill, Kenny would’ve been dead five times over.

    “You gonna let her talk to you like that, Morgan?” Kenny snickered.

    “I can’t help if I got urges.” He chuckled.

    “I’m talkin’ to you, b***h! You keep your damned hands off my boyfriend!” The girl snarled.

    Kenny felt her heart drop. He was dating someone. That seemed about right, it was what she deserved for thinking badly of Jaxon because he was dating a high schooler. They couldn’t have been too serious, though, Clay hadn’t told her he was dating someone. Her introduction usually made people admit relationships, like when Beau told her he was married.

    “Who are you?” Kenny asked with disdain.

    “Becca Shaw. Remember that name, ‘cause I’m gonna tan it into your hide if I see you tryin’ to mess around with my boyfriend again!” Becca threatened.

    “He’s not your boyfriend anymore, Becca. Shouldn’t you be running along home?” Jaxon said as he approached. “Or are you meeting that Thompson boy?”

    Kenny and Morgan blanched. Busted.

    “You lookin’ for more high school girls to knock up and run out on, Jaxon Boone?” She sneered.

    “No, seems like your cousin Warren has that market pretty well cornered. I can’t believe three of your little friends believed his ‘you can’t get pregnant the first time’ line. How much child support do you think he’ll be able to pay from prison? Trace just arrested him for drug possession yesterday, for the second time.” Jaxon scoffed.

    Becca turned purple. No one ever talked to her that way. She was the most popular girl in school. Homecoming queen. Admired and desired. Or she had been until Juni Fordyce messed everything up.

    “Clayton’s gonna forgive me. We’ll be back together before the summer is even half over. You’ll see! Clayton loves me! He’s loved me for three damned years! You and that homewrecker aren’t gonna keep us apart!” Becca thrust a finger into his chest.

    “My nephew doesn’t date cheaters or liars. You’re both. There is no one to blame but yourself. You are the one who messed up and you are the one who is paying for it. Now, get out of here before I get you banned from your own graduation.” Jaxon warned.

    Becca pushed past them and walked off in a huff. Kendra had never seen Jaxon tell someone off before. It was impressive. Normally, he thought things like that weren’t worth his time and just ignored people and moved on.

    “This isn’t my sister’s house, Kenny.” Jaxon said coolly.

    “You gave her one hell of a dressing down, Jackie. So, should we go then?” She smiled.

    “Why does Becca think you’re moving in on her ex, Kenny? Why are you even here… no… I know. You came to see Juniper. What the hell?” He asked.

    “I just wanted to see if she really was what you said or if it was an act to get you.” She looked down. Kenny felt nervous for the first time ever when speaking with Jaxon. He’d never been angry with her before.

    “Go to my sister’s house. Now.” Jaxon ordered.

    Morgan and Kenny quickly headed to the rental and pulled up the address on the GPS. They pulled out of the parking spot and headed for the house.

    “He’s really mad. I thought I’d seen him mad before. That was just plain pissed. I didn’t think he would’ve changed that much.” Morgan muttered.

    “Didn’t he always say his sisters had terrible tempers, but it took a while to make them mad? I think he has the same temper and we never noticed before. He never had a reason to be mad. He must really like this girl.” Kenny replied.

    “It looked like that Becca girl was gonna cry.” Morgan snorted.

    “Let’s just do this and hope he doesn’t send us packing.” Kenny sighed.