Incumbent

by Joanne Schwehm

  And now, here we were talking about it.

  Mason pushed his plate to the side. “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’m remembering the night I told you.”

  He sobered, his eyes incredibly sad. “I’ll never forget that as long as I live.”

  Tears pricked my eyes. “I’d be lost without you, Mace.”

  When a single drop fell to slide down my cheek, Mason stood up and came around to my side of the table to pull me into a hug.

  “You have me forever. I promise you that. I love you, Lucy.” His strong hand rubbed my back.

  “I love you too.”

  “Hi. Am I interrupting?”

  Even with my back to him, I knew who that was. I released Mason, straightened my spine, and wiped my tears. Slowly I turned toward Drake, but I didn’t say anything. Instead, I reached out and hugged him.

  He held on to me and stroked my hair. “Are you okay, Lucy?” He pulled back and cupped my cheeks, wiping away my slow-flowing tears with the pads of his thumbs. My hands were still gripping the back of his shirt.

  “Yes. I’m fine.” I sniffed. “Mace and I were reminiscing, and I got a bit nostalgic.”

  Then it hit me. Why was Drake here? Did Ben call him?

  Drake reached around me and shook Mason’s hand. “Good to see you, Mason.”

  “You too, Drake. What brings you to Reston?”

  Thank God he asked the question I was wondering.

  “Ben called and asked me to meet him for a drink, and since I didn’t have anything planned tonight, I agreed. Did you guys see him?”

  My blood was boiling. “Yes. We saw him. He came up to our table earlier.” I couldn’t help the sharpness in my tone. I was furious. What the hell was with that guy?

  Drake’s brows lowered and he looked toward the bar, where Ben was talking to another man in a suit. “He did, did he?”

  “Yes. Didn’t he tell you that I was here having dinner with another man? Maybe wanting me to get caught in the act?”

  Drake shook his head. “Lucy, I really don’t think that was his intention.”

  I bit my lip, frustrated with Drake. As smart as he was, he was blind when it came to Ben.

  Mason went back to his side of the table and offered an empty chair. “Have a seat, Drake.”

  Once we were all seated, I told Drake, “I’m sorry, but I don’t like him, and I know he doesn’t like me.”

  “Babe, I’m sorry. I’ll talk to him.” He looked to Mason and then back to me. “I really didn’t mean to interrupt you two. It seemed pretty . . . intense.”

  When Mason excused himself to go to the men’s room, Bless him for being so astute, I turned to Drake. “What did you hear?”

  He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I heard you tell Mason you loved him. Then I heard him tell you the same.”

  “I do love Mason. But I’m not in love with him, nor is he in love with me. There was a time in my life when I was alone and he was there for me. We’ve been inseparable ever since.” I licked my lips, which tasted salty thanks to my tears. “Do you understand?”

  He nodded. “Yes. He’s your family.”

  My lips curved into a smile. “Yes, he is.”

  “I don’t want to barge in on your night, so I’m going to go have a word or two with my headstrong campaign manager.” Drake stood and then knelt next to my chair. “I’m falling for you, Lucy, and all I can wish for is that you’re feeling the same way. I’ll never want to take Mason’s place. He holds a special spot in your heart, and I get that. I just hope your heart will make room for me.”

  Our eyes locked, and the rest of the room seemed to fade away until it was just the two of us.

  “It doesn’t need to make room for you,” I said softly, “because you already occupy a large piece of it.”

  He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on my lips as Mason came back to the table. Drake stood, and they shook hands. He leaned close to say something to Mason privately, and then left.

  My curiosity was killing me. Leaning over the table, I whispered, “What did he say?”

  Mason grinned. “He told me he was glad you had me.”

  We both looked over at Drake, who appeared to be scolding Ben. Then Drake turned to me, winked, and walked out of the restaurant with Ben.

  “He’s a good guy, Luce.”

  “Yeah. He is.”

  CHAPTER 12

  ~ Drake ~

  Fumes. That was what was coming out of my ears when I dragged Ben out of the restaurant. “Are you kidding me, Ben? Please tell me you didn’t call me down here because of Lucy.”

  He put up his hands in defense. “Look, I thought I was doing you a favor.”

  “A favor?” I spun around, ready to pull my hair out, but instead I rested my hands on my hips and dropped my head. “Did you honestly say a favor?”

  My fingers gripped my hips, preventing me from grabbing him by the shirt collar and hoisting him up against the building. “I’m going to say this once.” I took a step forward, which forced him to look up. “Don’t you ever play these games with me and Lucy again! Do you hear me? NEVER. DO. THIS. AGAIN.”

  Having had my say, I retreated a step, doing my best to calm my temper.

  Ben glared up at me. “Pardon me for caring about your career. You’re losing your edge. Have you seen the poll numbers? Grissett is catching up to you. Get your head back in the game, or we’re both going to be out of a job.”

  Was he fucking serious?

  “You don’t think my head’s in the game?” My hand fisted at my side, and I wanted nothing more than to launch it into his face. “I think you should go. You’ve done enough tonight. I don’t want to ever have this discussion again. Keep in mind, you work for me, and I’ve told you more than once to keep her out of this and stay out of our business. Remember, you can be out of a job, even if I’m not.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Ben’s curt tone irritated the shit out of me. I considered myself a rational man, but he was pushing my limits. He shook his head, turned, and walked away.

  I glanced back to the entrance of the restaurant and found Lucy, Mason, and a few other customers on the steps staring at us. Lucy and Mason walked down the steps and came toward me.

  “I’m sorry if you heard that.” I swallowed hard, embarrassed to be seen losing my temper. I glanced back, and the other customers dispersed. Show’s over, folks.

  Lucy placed her hand on my bicep, which was flexed. “Is everything okay?”

  I relaxed a bit. “Yes, thank you. I’m going to take off.” I kissed her cheek and shook Mason’s hand. “Enjoy the rest of your night. I really hope I didn’t ruin it for you.”

  Adrenaline still flowed, making me tense. Needing to calm down, I turned to walk down the sidewalk toward the parking garage. The light wind tonight did little to cool me off. The tree-lined streets looked ominous, even though the lampposts lit them and people were milling about. Maybe it was just my dark mood.

  “Drake!” Lucy ran ahead of me and turned to face me, forcing me to stop walking. “I wanted to tell you something.”

  I smiled, but it was a nervous one. Possibilities of what she might say darted through my mind at rapid speed, and none of them were pleasant. “Okay. You can tell me anything.”

  That cute little freckle bobbed as she smiled. “I just wanted you to know that I’m falling for you too.” She rolled up on tiptoe and gave me a swift peck on the lips. “I need to go, but call me later.”

  And just like that, she hustled back to Mason. I watched until they walked around the corner and out of sight.

  So she was falling for me too. It wasn’t what I would have guessed she was going to say, and I was so glad I was wrong.

  • • •

  The entire drive home, I thought about what Lucy had told me. First, that she loved Mason but wasn’t in love with him. That I held a special place in her heart, which I thought was great, but the best thing was her telling me she was falling for
me. I knew the first time I laid eyes on her that she was something special, but knowing she felt the same way I did? That just turned this debacle of a night around for me.

  By the time I was nearly home, I’d calmed down a bit, but was still furious with Ben.

  Maybe I should fire Ben and hire Lucy as my campaign manager. She’d be great at it.

  My thoughts were interrupted as the Bluetooth sounded through my car, and my brother Dane’s name flashed across the dash display screen.

  “Hi, stranger.”

  “Hey. Am I catching you at a bad time?”

  “No. I’m driving back from Reston. What’s up?”

  “I just talked to Mom. Heard you have a girlfriend; good for you. It’s about time you got your rocks off by something other than your left hand.”

  He laughed, but I didn’t find his comment amusing, no matter how true it was.

  “Did you call for a reason, or just to give your oldest brother a hard time?”

  He cleared his throat. “Sorry, man. Anyway, I talked to Mom and told her I’m in the amateur charity tournament in North Carolina before Memorial Day.”

  “Congratulations.” I paused. “Wait, we usually go to the Outer Banks that weekend.”

  “Yeah, I know, and the course isn’t far from there. So I was thinking if you all wanted to come to the tournament, I’d get you tickets. If not, I’ll see you at the house on Saturday, but this tournament is three days starting on Wednesday. Mom said you have your primary coming up, so I’ll understand if you can’t make it.”

  “Nope. I’ll clear my schedule. Family first, my brother, always. Can you get me two tickets? I’d like to ask Lucy to come.”

  “Ah, so you are getting your rocks off. Good for you.” When I didn’t say anything, he continued. “Yes. I’ll have two tickets for you. It’ll be an event pass, so it will be good for every day.”

  “Thanks for calling, Dane. Is everything else all right?”

  “Yeah, you know. Some political bullshit.” He cleared his throat. “Not your politics; golfing bullshit. I’ll fill you in later.”

  “Okay, thanks again. And I’m looking forward to seeing you, little brother.”

  “Me too.”

  I disconnected the call, eager to get home.

  Once I was settled in at home, changed into shorts and a T-shirt with a beer in hand while watching SportsCenter, I decided to text Lucy.

  DRAKE: Hey, pretty lady.

  LUCY: Hey, gorgeous man.

  I was liking this conversation already.

  DRAKE: What are you doing?

  LUCY: Mace just dropped me off. I was just getting ready for bed.

  DRAKE: Sounds nice.

  A few minutes went by without a reply, so I sent another text.

  DRAKE: Lucy?

  LUCY: Sorry. I was putting my PJs on. I’m back now. What are you doing?

  DRAKE: Watching SportsCenter.

  LUCY: Shouldn’t you be watching C-Span or something?

  DRAKE: No. I’m relaxing. I like my sports and I need to check on my team.

  LUCY: Did the Nats win tonight?

  DRAKE: They’re off tonight.

  LUCY: Oh. So, why are you watching it then?

  DRAKE: Because the Capitals are in contention for the cup.

  LUCY: Oh. Okay.

  She had no idea what I was talking about, but I let it go.

  DRAKE: I have something to ask you. Can I call?

  My phone vibrated in my hand and her name appeared. “Hello, gorgeous.”

  “Hey, that’s my line.” She laughed. “But you can borrow it.”

  “Thanks. So, when I was on my way home, I talked to Dane.”

  “He’s the golfer, right?”

  She remembered. “Yes, he wants to be a pro one day. Anyway, every Memorial Day weekend, we head down to our home on the Outer Banks. I only stay through Sunday, because I always visit the memorials in DC on Monday and try to make it to the veterans’ hospital. But my brother happens to be in a tournament that week, and I’d like to know if you’d like to spend a few days with me. We can leave early Friday morning, go watch Dane play that day, and then head over to the house for the weekend.”

  “Wow, that’s quite the invitation, but I have work that week. It’s a pretty popular time to take off. I can try and get a sub for Friday, but I can’t guarantee it.”

  “See what you can do. I’d love to spend the time with you away from here.”

  “Okay. I’ll check this week and let you know. Thank you, and thank you for tonight too. I heard everything you said to Ben. We didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but a small crowd gathered and when I saw you, I couldn’t turn away. You looked as if you were about to punch him, and I didn’t want anyone getting that on camera. I was a little nervous. Mason was ready to come down there, but he wanted to protect me just in case people recognized us.”

  Shit. She was right. I didn’t even think of that.

  “I’ll always protect you, Lucy. You don’t just have Mason; you have me too.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What you said to me tonight . . .”

  “Which part?” She yawned. “I’m so sorry. Excuse me.”

  “Go to sleep, and we’ll catch up tomorrow.”

  “No, wait.” Her voice perked up and tightened. “When I said what?”

  “You were falling for me.”

  “Oh, that.”

  Even though I couldn’t see her, I could tell she was smiling.

  “Yes, that.” Knowing she’d never lie, I couldn’t help but ask, “Did you mean it?”

  “Every word. I’ll never say something I don’t mean.”

  “Me either.” When she yawned again, I said, “Go to sleep.”

  “Okay. Good night.”

  “Sweet dreams, Lucy.”

  “Sweet dreams, Drake.”

  • • •

  A few days later, I was sitting in my office on Capitol Hill, staring out the window at passing cars. I had a few committee meetings today, and then last on my schedule was a meeting with Ben to go over the final details of the convention prior to the primary.

  The last thing I wanted to do was see him. He’d decided to take a short vacation, which I thought was a banner idea.

  Our country’s flag was waving in the breeze outside. Anytime I saw our flag or heard our anthem, I was extremely proud. There wasn’t anything I loved more than this country. I glanced around my office, which had been occupied by wise men who came before me. Some had moved back into the private sector, but others had transitioned elsewhere in government after their Senate term ended.

  All I wanted was make a difference. That was how I wanted to be remembered—as a politician who ran a clean campaign, a smart race, and who used whatever office I held to benefit others.

  There wasn’t anyone who would stop me from reaching my goals. That was why I was thankful for Lucy. She was kind and honest, exactly the type of person I wanted in my life.

  When she told me she’d be tied up for the rest of the week in end-of-year meetings, I decided to get as much work done as I could so when she was free, we’d be able to spend time together.

  I was going to my parents’ house for dinner tonight. When I talked to my mother earlier and told her Lucy was unavailable, I think she felt sorry for me. But who was I to turn down a meal with my family?

  When I pulled up at my parents’ house that night, Gretchen was sitting on the front porch with a glass of wine.

  “Hey, sis.”

  “Hey, yourself.”

  She looked sad, and I swore to myself that if her asshole boyfriend did anything to her, there would be hell to pay.

  “What’s wrong?” I took the seat next to her.

  “Scott is taking a job in Minnesota for a month.”

  “Oh. I thought he did something to you.”

  Her eyes practically bugged out of her head. “He did! He’s taking a job halfway across the country away from me and never asked me to come with him. I really
don’t think it crossed his mind.” Her voice cracked. “Do you think he has someone else?”

  I’ll kill the bastard. “Have you asked him?”

  “No, I haven’t. Have you asked Lucy if she’s hooking up on the side?” She brought the glass to her mouth and drained it as if it were Kool-Aid rather than wine.

  I took the glass from her hand and set it down on the small table between us. “Yes, I did ask her. Actually, it was one of the first things I asked. The only man she hangs out with is Mason, and he’s more like her brother.”

  “I like Mason. He’s a great guy.”

  Her eyes glistened, and I was ready to hop in my car and hightail it to Minnesota to kick Scott’s ass if he was two-timing my sister.

  “It’s not like Scott isn’t,” she said quickly. “You know how much I care about him. We’ve been together since senior year in college. I just wish he was around more.”

  Before she could say any more, Mom called us for dinner. We both stood, and she wiped a tear from her cheek as I grabbed her glass.

  “You’re a great woman, Gretchen, and if Scott doesn’t make you happy, then do something about it.” I handed her glass back to her.

  “Thank you. Are you happy?” She looked at me with hopeful eyes. “I mean with Lucy. She makes you happy, doesn’t she?”

  “She does. Very much so.”

  She tilted her head, examining me. “You love her.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve only known each other a few weeks.” But did I?

  Gretchen gave me a sad smile. “Just remember, our hearts don’t come with a clock or calendar. Love isn’t a planned event. It just shows up unannounced, even when you don’t want it to.”