Chapter Twenty-Four
Colton
“You do realize that we have to schedule a press conference. We keep putting it off so you can play house but time isn’t on our side.” Al reminds me of my impending doom while we sit at the bar at the Continental nursing a Macallan on ice. I just dropped Carter off at home a couple of hours ago. Evie was acting a little strange, but I figured she was nervous about our mystery date tonight. Al called wanting to meet for a quick drink so here I am. I should have known he wanted to meet to discuss the upcoming press conference.
“I know,” I reply, swirling the amber liquid in my glass.
“And?” Al waits expectantly.
“I don’t know,” I answer, feeling like I usually do. I have to concede. I need to do what my father wants. It’s fucking crazy this guilt. It runs through my veins like a poison causing my life to shift in ways I don’t want it to. I laugh sardonically. “I finally cornered my old man about the night of the fire.” Al watches me but doesn’t say a word. “My mother still lived with us at that point. They had a fight. The fire started, and she left. Never looked back. She knew I was hurt that night yet she didn’t even stick around to see if I was okay.”
“Fuck man, I’m sorry.” Al’s voice is filled with sorrow. Only I don’t want his pity there’s a reason I’m telling him this story.
“Don’t fucking pity me. The reason I’m telling you this is because I don’t know how to say no to the man that saved my life? He left his family business to pave a road for himself in politics. We can both understand wanting to pave our own path. My father’s dreams were railroaded the night my mom took off and left me behind.” I huff out a breath, but really I’m trying to release the feeling of defeat that always hangs over me.
“Did you ever wonder why your dad didn’t try to find her? I mean with all his resources, man…why didn’t he haul her ass back from wherever she went?” Al asks, and it’s a legitimate question. I’ve fucking analyzed this situation from all angles in therapy running over every plausible scenario.
“And what would force a woman who didn’t want to be a mother to take care of a five-year-old kid? She left me to burn in that fucking house, Al. Who would want to bring a woman like that back in our lives? My father did the right thing.” I throw back the remnants of the liquid in my glass.
“So that’s it then? Are we doing this? Marking our trail to the White House?” Al asks, his blue eyes filled with an excitement I haven’t seen in a long time. He used to get that look when we worked for the prosecutor’s office and won a big case.
“Yeah, we’re on our way.” I clinked my glass with his then throw back a large gulp because where Al looks enthusiastic, I feel just plain defeated. I hate to think how my decision is going to affect Evie. I’ve seen her and Carter a few times this week, but I didn’t mention my upcoming doom. Maybe because I was cherishing every moment with them and I didn’t want to taint it with the thought of what a presidential race would entail. They are totally not up for it between the media exposure and the opponents digging into Evie’s background to find any dirt that could bring me down. Politics is a dirty game. One I particularly didn’t want to play right now because I was having the time of my life playing house with Evie and her son. Carter took to me today at the baseball game, and we’ve been getting along great. Evie too.
“Anyways, I’m heading out. You hanging around here?” I throw a fifty on the bar.
“Yeah man. I’m meeting a lady for drinks in like…” he pauses to check his Rolex. “Ten minutes.”
“Did I ever tell you that you drink too much?” I shake my head, but the sardonic grin is still plastered to my lips.
“Yeah, has it ever stopped me?” he asks, looking directly at me. He probably wants to tell me to mind my own business, but he knows my concern comes from a good place.
We both answer, “No,” in unison. Then we laugh together. Ever since I met Evie, I’ve realized what a shallow life I used to live. Now I worry that Al is stuck on that path, with no yellow brick road to lead him to the castle where his princess awaits.
“You heading out to see Evie? Again?” he accentuates because he doesn’t understand how I’ve committed to her. A simple conversation won’t explain the logistics of our relationship either. He needs to be knocked on his ass by a woman to understand where my heart lays now.
“Yup,” I nod proudly. “And don’t roll your eyes. You should only be so lucky to find what I have with Evie. I didn’t know this feeling ever existed. It’s like I feel I belong with her,” I say and yes, I sigh.
“Cheers.” Al lifts his glass to me. “I don’t belong, man, I just go with the flow.” His words seem eerie like maybe he’s referring to his family. After so many years I would have thought that he and his dad would have reconciled or even just communicated but there has been nothing.
“You’ll eventually get sick of going with the flow. That or the right woman hasn’t come into your life yet.” I stand from my bar stool and tap his shoulder.
“Maybe I should stand out on the street on a Friday night and see if someone whips an egg at me or something. Isn’t that how you find the right girl?” His lips twist in that wry smile he does so often.
“Hardy har, har.” I shake my head at him. “You have a good night.”
“Later.” He winks and takes a large gulp from his glass. A moment later a brunette comes up to him and places a hot kiss on his lips. She doesn’t care that I’m standing right next to her. I don’t bother to stick around to meet her because knowing Al she won’t be around for long.
Instead, I head back to my apartment in the city to change and shower. I also confirm all the details of my date with Evie tonight. I want to make it a night she will never forget.