Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“Will. Not everything is a campaign tool. Your father just wants to spend some quality time with you.”
I tip my head in challenge. “Really. Did he tell you that?”
“Well, not in so many words, but—”
Another laugh pops out. “Kelse, I love you, but you don’t need to do this anymore. Retire the father-son-bonding matchmaking efforts. It never goes anywhere.”
“It will if you let it.”
I sigh. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I legit have no idea what you see in him.”
Her tone becomes wry. “Your father isn’t all bad. You’re just a bit too biased to see it.”
“Give me one example,” I challenge. “Make me understand it.”
That earns me a shrug. “I can give you plenty. I’m attracted to powerful men. I enjoy our lifestyle. I enjoy the discussions and debates we have—he’s highly intelligent and can carry a stimulating conversation, unlike a lot of other men I know. He’s a problem solver. I was having an issue with a case last month, and he sat in my office for hours talking through it with me. He’s not the most patient or affectionate man, but he has his strengths.”
“And he has his weaknesses,” I counter. “Like the fact that his image matters to him more than his family.”
She doesn’t argue that point.
“Anyway, one of the reasons I wanted to meet up today is to ask for your help,” I admit. “I need you to talk to Dad and tell him to back off.”
Kelsey nods in understanding. “The media stuff?”
“Yep.” I take a sip of coffee, the bitterness matching my mood. “He’s all over me to do these interviews, and he won’t back down. I agreed to the Capitol Magazine piece and that ridiculous TV segment, but that’s it. And suddenly Alessia’s emailing me saying Dad wants to set up a press tour for me in May. Right during finals. What the fuck?”
“He’s up for reelection next fall,” Kelsey reminds me. “And you know the drill, honey. You’ll need to show your face on the campaign trail. We both do. It’s important to him.”
“I get that. But college is important to me,” I say flatly. “I need to pass my final exams if I want to graduate. I won’t have time to be his poster boy. I need you to talk to him, okay? Tell him I’ll make my compulsory campaign appearances but not before graduation.”
She rests her chin on her hand. “You know how your father is. Once he’s set his mind on something…”
“Yeah, but you’ve always been able to get through to him. Please, you’re the only one who can talk him down. He listens to you. I need you to have my back on this.”
Kelsey is quiet for a moment. She’s always been difficult to read, at least when she doesn’t want to be read. Probably a lawyer thing. But when she speaks again, her voice is soft with emotion.
“You know I’ll always support you, Will. I’ve been where you are, trying to balance what you want with what someone else expects from you, so I’ll do what I can to get your dad to ease up, all right? I’ll talk to him.”
“Thanks, Kelse.” I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.
I might not call her “Mom,” but I’ve always viewed her as that, even if we don’t share the same blood. After my mother died, Kelsey stepped in and filled that void without hesitation. I trust her. In fact, I trust her more than my dad, who does share my blood.
She reaches across the table and gives my hand a squeeze. “You focus on school, okay? Let me handle your father.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHARLOTTE
The neighborhood sex fairy
“IT’S CUFFING SEASON,” FAITH WHINES. “AND I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND my cuff.”
“You don’t want a boyfriend,” I remind her. “Every time you have a boyfriend, all you do is complain about him.”
“Yes, in the summer,” she says in a haughty voice. “In the winter, I’m all about it. I get to wear his hoodies. There’s snuggling. Pumpkin spice lattes. Couple’s costumes for Halloween.”
Ugh. That does sound nice. I miss having a boyfriend too. Mitch might be a total dickhead these days, but the two of us could rock a couple’s costume like nobody’s business.
“What was your longest relationship?” Blake asks Faith, twirling the thin straw in her sangria. Since I’m sticking to green tea, Faith had no choice but to twist my Little’s arm into ordering sangrias.
At Faith’s insistence, the three of us are at Malone’s tonight. Tomorrow, we’re all headed to our respective homes for Thanksgiving break, and Faith insisted she needed to get drunk in preparation for the family drama in store for her. I haven’t met Faith’s parents, but I’ve met four of her six siblings—that’s right, six—and I can only imagine how chaotic holidays are at the Grierson house.