“She won’t stop loving you because of your eyes, kiddo.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“But—“
“It’s one of those things you’re gonna have to trust your old man about.” He said as he patted his son on his shoulder.
Chapter 14
Madeline straightened her red suit and checked to make sure she didn’t have lipstick on her teeth. The cameras would be there in all their glory to capture every flaw and defect. If it had been up to her, she’d have worn her black suit and blended into the background, but she’d been instructed to wear red and it seemed easier to give in rather than buck the authority.
She gave her shoulder length hair a final brush and was pleased that the ends were even and smooth. It’d been a good decision to cut her long hair. Long hair, unless tied back, looked wild and unruly on camera and we couldn’t have that; not today. Today was the big day; her father was announcing his candidacy for the position of Governor of the state of New York.
“Ready Madeline?” Her father’s assistant stuck his head in the door of the office.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She answered nervously as she followed him out the door and down the hallway toward her father’s office.
“Just stick to the script and you’ll be fine.” The man said as he opened the door to James Roberts’s office. Madeline entered the room and immediately felt the energy swirling around her. There was a bevy of activity and everyone seemed to be in motion. She stepped forward and saw her father bent over some paperwork on his desk with his press secretary at his elbow.
She remained still and waited. She knew better than to interrupt him. Instead, she waited patiently until his eyes flicked up from his desk and landed squarely on her.
“You’re wearing the red, I see.”
Madeline fought the urge to flinch, hard. “Your image consultant instructed me to wear red.”
“It draws attention, that’s for sure. If that’s what you want, then by all means…” he trailed off and now Madeline allowed herself to tug at her jacket and check her hair—again.
“James, the red is fabulous.” Marie Edelstein purred from the opposite corner. Madeline had to hand it to the woman; she could manipulate her father like no one she’d ever seen. “It says subtle power and confidence.”
Madeline’s eyes flicked back to her father just in time to catch a smirk cross his lips. It burned her.
“If you’d like me to change my suit, I’d be happy to.” She said with as much disinterest as she could feign.
“It’s fine.” He dismissed her with a wave of the hand as he refocused on whatever task he’d been working on before she’d entered.
Madeline walked back into the hallway and sat down on an antique wooden bench in an attempt to calm her racing heart. She’d been such a fool; her father had only pretended to love her and wanted her to come home. She’d relished in his affection after having been starved for it her entire life. She’d fallen for his act, hook, line and sinker and now she was exactly where she’d been the first time she’d left.
No. That wasn’t quite true. This time, she’d managed to hurt more people than just herself. She’d hurt Kayla, the only real friend she’d ever had, and she’d hurt Knox. Even now, almost six months later, she could barely think of his name without feeling like someone had knocked the wind out of her lungs.
After she’d climbed out of Ed’s truck and said goodbye to Knox at the airport, she’d been hell-bent and determined to tie up loose ends in New York and get back to Colorado. She’d lasted exactly two days. In a Machiavellian twist, her father told her that he needed to sue her for her inheritance to protect her. After all, she was still so young; so naïve. It was all for her own good. She’d understand one day.
James Roberts had even gone as far as to apologize for not acting like a loving father to her. She needed to understand that he came from strict parents that pushed him to excel. That was his way, he said. He’d asked her to give him a chance to be a loving father and she’d eagerly chosen to give it to him.
She’d called Knox to explain. He’d tried to warn her. He’d said don’t be fooled. A tiger doesn’t change its stripes. She’s accused him of trying to sabotage her relationship with her father.
She’d been a total and complete fool. When she’d promised Knox she’d come ‘home’, she’d actually believed in her own words. She’d felt powerful in that moment and in his arms. But, as usual, she’d succumbed to her father’s pressure. He’d needed her, he said. They’d be a team, he promised. Knox had said he hoped she found what she was looking for, and hung up.
“Madeline! You’ll wrinkle!” Marie barked from the doorway. Madeline stood up automatically.
“Don’t worry sweetheart, you look fabulous. Your father’s just nervous.”
Madeline snorted. “I don’t think so. He lives for this stuff.”
“He’s good at it, that’s for sure. He’s going to make a fabulous governor.”
Madeline turned to look away, unable to agree with the ever upbeat Marie.
“Showtime in fifteen minutes, so stand-by.” She announced as she clomped her way down the hallway in her sky high heels. She’d attempted to get Madeline to wear a pair that high, but she’d firmly drawn the line at three inches, no more. Finally, Marie had acquiesced and mumbled something about being too tall anyway. Madeline had smirked at that comment. She knew it was irritating to both her father and brother that she was taller than they were and she took a small amount of pleasure in that.
xXx
Knox was finishing up for the day; cleaning his tools and sweeping the floor of his workshop when he heard a car pull into his driveway. It wasn’t the smooth, throaty hum of Kayla’s BMW, but instead the roar of an older engine driven by someone with a rough hand on a manual transmission. Knox smiled immediately. Dave.
Knox quickly walked to the door of his workshop and watched his friend leap out of his mud spattered jeep.
“Hey man. Long time, no see.” Dave said as he grabbed Knox in a bear hug and squeezed him until his lungs hurt.
“That supposed to be funny?” Knox tried for humor, but it fell a little flat considering he could barely get any oxygen into his body.
Dave released him. “Whatever.” He punched Knox in the arm. “You can’t be hard on me for stuff I say. I’ve never been known for my…” he looked skyward for inspiration, “tact.”
Knox snorted. “True.”
“So listen. I know this is last minute, but I snagged a party invite from Elin.” Dave smiled a huge and toothy grin when he thought about his latest obsession; the lovely Norwegian barmaid at the tavern.
“She finally agreed to go out with you?” Knox asked.
“Well, it’s not like a date, or anything. It’s friends having a casual party.”
Knox felt a ball of dread begin to grow in his gut. He knew what was coming next.
“So anyway, I thought you might like to come too…you know, get your mind of Maddie.”
Knox wasn’t sure which fact repelled him more; the thought of going to a party or the thought of getting over Maddie.
“Dave, I don’t—“
“C’mon man. It’ll be fine.”
“Famous last words.” Knox rolled his eyes, but smiled good-naturedly. Dave’s enthusiasm was infectious.
“Alright! I’ll pick you up at nine.” Dave shouted as he jumped back into his jeep and spun the gravel of Knox’s driveway on the way out.
xXx
Knox had to admit, it wasn’t bad, as far as parties were concerned. In fact, it was really nice to hang out with his friend and relax. So far, they’d been sitting by the firepit, swapping stories with a few other army grunts that had been at the party. The roaring fire was giving off plenty of light for Knox to see the faces of those immediately near him, and besides he knew Dave always had his back.
Of course, now that Elin had arrived, his loyal, stalwart friend had turned into a tongue-tied idiot. Knox hadn’t been bothered by it. In fact, it was amusing listening to his friend attempt to flirt with her. Knox stood up and stretched, realizing his beer was empty.
“Knox, man…want me to get you another?” Dave was suddenly by his side.
“No, I got it.” Knox patted him on the shoulder and walked the short distance to the deck where the keg was surrounded by another group of party goers. Knox maneuvered himself fairly well, and he was just about patting himself on the back for not tripping or stepping on toes when he heard his name. He swung around, looking for the face that matched that voice.
“Knox?” She repeated.
Knox swung back to the left and saw the outline of her head and body in silhouette against the light that spilled out from the house.
“Hannah?” He asked; stunned. He watched as the curly headed figure moved toward him.
“Hi stranger.” She said as she reached up on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.
“Hi.” He responded, still stunned. “What are you doing here?”
“This is my college roommate’s boyfriend’s house.” She stepped back from him. “What about you? How’d you get dragged out?” She smiled.
“Oh, um…Dave.” Knox replied and jerked his thumb back over his shoulder and toward the firepit.
“I thought that was him.” Hannah responded softly. “I guess you two stayed close.”
“Yeah.” Knox shoved his hands deep in his pockets.
“How are you? How you’ve been?”
“Good. Okay.”
“You look good.”
“Thanks. So do you.” He replied and realized he meant it. Her long curly hair had been cut into a stylish bob and her dark brown eyes were as lively as ever.
“I’m sorry we didn’t stay in touch…after everything.”
Knox shrugged. “Yeah.”
Hannah leaned back on the railing of the deck. “We were so young.” She let out a small laugh. “I thought I was so mature back then. In a way, I’m really grateful to you.”
“How’s that?” Knox asked as he moved to sit beside her.
“I’m glad you didn’t want to get married.”
“Hannah, it wasn’t that I never wanted to marry you—“
“I know.” She interrupted with a hand on his bicep. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just think that we were too young.”
Knox nodded and covered her hand with his and squeezed. “What about now? Are you married?”
“God no.” She let out a laugh. “I still feel like I’m too young to settle down.”
“That’s a switch.” Knox smiled and pulled his hand away from her soft skin and dropped it in his lap.
“I heard. About you…about what happened to you.”
“Yeah.” Knox responded stoically.
“I’m sorry, Knox.” She paused, waiting for him to turn his head and look at her. Finally, he did. “I really am.”
“Thanks.” He mumbled.
“How are you dealing with…things?”
“Fine. I’m fine, really.” He stood up and turned to look at Dave. “I’d better get back to my friend.”
Hannah reached out and put her hand on his arm. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Knox released a breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding. “It’s okay. I’m okay. Really.” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Hannah returned his smile. “I believe you.”
Knox laughed. “It was good to see you, Hannah.”
He was surprised to suddenly find her arms wrapped around his neck. His hands automatically came around her back and held her close. Finally, she pulled back with tears in her eyes.
“It’s good to see you too. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
Knox nodded, confused by the swell of emotion in his own chest. He’d thought he’d shut and locked the door on his time with Hannah Kingston. He turned and made his way back to the firepit to find Dave watching him with wide eyes.
“Dude. Was that Hannah?”
“Yup.”
“What did she…are you two…what did she say?”
“I have no idea.” Knox sat down heavily and downed the rest of his beer.
xXx
“As many of you already know, my political accomplishments pale in comparison to the pride and joy of my family.” James Roberts turned to Madeline and Peter and smiled. “After losing my wife last year, my children have become my entire world. If you don’t have family, you have no support on which to build anything.”
The crowd roared as Mayor Roberts gestured to his children. Madeline watched the faces of his supporters. It amazed her how people could so completely support someone they didn’t know—not really. They knew exactly what he wanted them to know, but they thought that was the entire package.
“It is only with their blessing and support I would like to officially announce my candidacy for the position of Governor of the great state of New York.”
Again, the crowd thundered with applause and whistles. Madeline smiled for the thousands of flashbulbs that went off in her face. She tried desperately to keep from fidgeting as she counted down the seconds until she could be away from this circus.
xXx
“Your time in the nuthouse isn’t going to do Dad any favors, you know.” Peter said casually as he poured himself a scotch from a crystal decanter on his desk.
“Excuse me?” Madeline fired back at him.
Now, Peter had the good grace to look sheepish. “I just mean, it might come up and mental health has always been a hot button.”
Madeline crossed her arms and looked at him; long and hard. “I don’t really care how my personal life affects Dad’s political aspirations.”
Peter laughed. “Well, you might want to rethink that position. After all honey, you’re on the payroll.”
“I never asked to be.”
“That’s a childish response.”
“What about you, Pete? Any dark skeletons?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Clean as a whistle.”
“I sincerely doubt that.” She mumbled as she unbuttoned her suit jacket and slid it off.
“And speaking of mental—you’d better not let anyone get a picture of your little self-mutilation there.”
Madeline looked down at her arm and immediately put her jacket back on. She’d sworn to herself that she’d keep that scar to remind herself how close she’d come to giving up on life—and what a mistake that had been. It had been a talisman of sorts for her. Now, she felt branded and shameful. She’d come so far, and somehow had ended up exactly where she’d started.
“Well, I’m not too keen on discussing my personal history, but if I have to, I can talk about what our family was like when we were growing up.” She said casually as she watched a little bit of color drain out of her brother’s face. “I’m sure the press would drool over the words Narcissistic Personality Disorder.”
“You’d better watch your step.” Peter threatened.
“You’d better watch yours.”
xXx
“Knox!” Kayla yelled as she came barreling through his front door.
Knox stumbled out of his bedroom with his hair askew. “Jesus, Kay. It’s six o’clock in the morning!”
“I know. Sorry.” She replied as she zipped past him to the kitchen to start the coffee pot. “My neighbor is watching the kids so I can go running.”
Knox rubbed his face in an attempt to wake himself. He retreated to the bedroom to grab a sweatshirt. “Why aren’t you running then?”
“I was—but then I saw the Sunday paper.”
“What paper?” He sat heavily at the breakfast bar and put his head down on the countertop.
Kayla made a noise of exasperation. “This paper, you idiot.” She l
aid her hand on the newspaper and tapped it several times until he peeked an eye out.
“What the hell has you so stirred up?” He said as he grabbed the paper and brought it close enough to see the headlines.
“What?” He asked as he scanned the headlines of The Denver Post. Finally his eyes landed on a headline at the bottom of the front page.
“ James Roberts wins New York Governor’s race in landslide victory.”
Of course it wasn’t the headline that stole his breath, but the picture below the headline. It was Roberts at the podium and off to the side, Maddie. Knox moved the paper even closer to his face until he could smell the ink. He took in every detail; her shoulder-length hair, her even slimmer figure in an odd, maroon colored suit, and her eyes…
“She looks like shit.” Kayla said.
Knox lowered the paper and looked at his sister. He didn’t need to see her clearly to know she was sad. Despite them both being abandoned by her, they knew it wasn’t for lack of love and friendship. She was caught in a web. Knox and Kayla knew it, but Maddie couldn’t seem to see it.
“She looks different.”
“If it hadn’t been for the headline, I never would’ve guessed that was her.”
“I guess the old man’s a governor now.”
“Go him.” Kayla deadpanned and had Knox chuckling.
Knox looked at the paper again, even though it was now too far away for him to see, he knew she was the third figure to her father’s right. He felt a connection to her; like if he could keep his eyes on that photo, she’d somehow feel him. Finally, he looked back up into Kayla’s face as she poured their coffee.
“Have you talked to her at all?” She asked.
“No.”
“Do you think—“
“She ended it, Kay.”
“But—“
“But what? Am I supposed to chase after someone that dumped me and beg them to take me back? I’m not gonna do that.”
“I normally would agree with you, but it wasn’t a normal break-up, was it?”
“If she wants to talk to me, she knows how to reach me.”
“And if she did, would you talk to her?” She probed, gently.
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