Cocky Senator's Daughter: Hannah Cocker (Cocker Brothers of Atlanta Book 8)

by Faleena Hopkins

  Suddenly she’s no longer hiding. “Yes!”

  He grins at her, looking more like the kid I used to know. “Anytime you want, gorgeous. He’s a big dog, but he’s very friendly.” Jeremy walks away and I lock eyes with Mom. She’s staring at me with a look I don’t like.

  Jaimie

  I’ve done a whole lot of nothing today, other than voting. So strange to not see Justin’s name on the ballot. Then I just walked around my neighborhood and found a cute coffee shop called Inman Perk where every flat surface was taken up by a local, some working on laptops and tablets with ferocious focus, others chatting happily with friends. It was a little chilly this morning. I wasn’t the only one in a scarf and boots.

  After that I caught up on some reading and walked aimlessly around my house. Justin must be having a hard time with this election. He hasn’t called me since the other night. To go from seeing him every day to silence has been difficult.

  My phone is ringing!

  Where is it?

  Oh God, where did I leave it?!

  Running around my house I find it on top of the toilet tank in the downstairs bathroom and frown at the name on the screen. “Dad? Did I catch you before you went to voicemail?”

  “I’m here. I’m here. Were you jogging?”

  “Something like that.” Frowning with disappointment I lean against the counter, eyes locked on a picture-less wall. “Are you excited, Dad? Today’s your big day.”

  “Somewhat.”

  “Only somewhat?”

  “How come you haven’t called me back? We’re having friends over to watch the results tonight. You need to be here since you were such a big part of this happening for me.”

  That’s a quieting thought.

  I was?

  I certainly don’t feel responsible.

  Justin’s backing out of the campaign is what made this possible. Or more accurately, inevitable. “That sounds fun, Dad. I’ll come. What time? And what do you mean by we?”

  “Well, that’s an interesting story. I’ll explain when you get here.”

  A confused smile grows as I coax it out of him. “Dad, that sounds very mysterious. Do you have a new woman?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “The one I’ve seen you whispering with??”

  “No, not that one.”

  “You’re incredible. Who is it?”

  “You don’t know her. Well, you may have met her. I’m not sure.”

  “Tell me! This is intriguing.”

  His deep laugh comes through. “When you come over, I will. I have to go. Love you.”

  Blinking in surprise I hear him hang up. “I love you, too,” I whisper. He hasn’t said that to me in a long time. In fact, I can’t remember when he did. How odd.

  Glancing at myself in the bathroom mirror I smooth a little running mascara from under my lower eyelashes, saying under my breath, “When am I going to find a brand that stays put? What the hell.”

  The phone rings again and I answer it without looking, “Hey Dad.”

  “You can call me Daddy, but never Dad,” Justin says.

  My spine straightens in surprise and I walk out with my knuckles happily clasping the phone to my ear. “Hey you. Good to hear your voice.”

  “You too.” I can hear a smile in his. “Come outside.”

  Stopping in the middle of my hallway I blink. “Excuse me?”

  “Come check out your hammock.”

  I rush over and swing open my front door. In the hammock are Justin and Hannah, waving at me, both in t-shirts, colored jeans – not blue – and Converse sneakers. He and I both hang up at the same time. “Aren’t you guys cute.”

  Hannah holds up Lou and tells me, “We had frozen yogurt today!”

  “You did? What kind?”

  “Strawberry and vanilla.”

  Justin explains, “Fresh strawberries over vanilla.”

  “That’s what I said!” Hannah tells him.

  He chuckles, “Totally,” lifting her off him so he can climb out. “You want to stay here?” She nods and he lays her down, turning to me and taking my hand to lead me inside. “We’ll be right here, Hannah. I can see the top of your head so don’t try running away.” He points at her with mock-authority. She squishes her cute face at him like he’s dumb.

  “I don’t want to run away.”

  “Good girl. Stay put.”

  “I’m not a dog,” she whispers.

  He laughs and runs over to kiss her head. “No, you are definitely not a dog. Sorry.”

  I’m so happy to see him my throat is closing up. “So you were in the neighborhood?”

  He guides us inside and moves us out of view of my front window, pulling me in for a kiss. My hands slide into his hair, tingles drifting down my body as the kiss deepens. The way he’s holding me feels like he’s missed me, too.

  I want this all the time.

  Every day.

  Every night.

  All the time.

  Our lips separate and he smirks, those ice-green eyes searching me. “I missed kissing you.”

  “Me too,” I smile, kissing his neck while my fingers play with his hair. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “That feels amazing,” he whispers, moving in to nibble my earlobe. “What are you doing tonight?”

  Blinking rapidly I hesitate and meet his eyes. “Oh Justin, my father invited me over.”

  His smile fades, eyes instantly darkening. “Oh. Of course. You did a lot of work for him. You should be there to celebrate.”

  Ouch. “Justin, I…”

  “It’s okay. I was going to ask you to come over and watch it with me and Hannah. The news, I mean.” Separating from me, he rakes a hand through his hair. “Of course you know what I mean.”

  “I’m sorry. Maybe you could watch it with your family?” Wincing I whisper, “Oh, that’s right, they haven’t met Hannah yet. It’d be too big a thing.”

  “No, they did yesterday. I guess I could invite them,” he mumbles, staring off.

  “They met her?”

  He nods with a sort of dismissive quality to his explanation. “Yeah, I had them over for brunch. Went well. Mom won Hannah over, but she really liked Jeremy the most. That was good.”

  “Oh,” I whisper, as punches keep slamming into my heart. “That’s great.” Dazed I walk into my kitchen and open the refrigerator door, staring into an empty fridge.

  He didn’t invite me.

  There was a party at his house and I wasn’t asked to come. He didn’t even mention it when we spoke on the phone that night when I had the fire burning. He told me not to come over. That was why. Because he was having guests in the morning.

  Heart, are you listening?

  You’re not important to him.

  Not as much as he is to you.

  Yes, I heard. Message received.

  “Jaimie?” He’s standing a few feet behind me, his voice deeper and tentative. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I whisper, staring at a lonely jar of mustard. “I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine.”

  “I’m good. Real good.”

  He comes over and takes my fingers off the door, closing it and placing his warm palms on my hips. I don’t want them on me.

  Do I take them off?

  Can’t move.

  Can’t even think.

  Justin cocks his head. “Jaimie, I’ve never seen this expression on you before. You look like you’re in shock.”

  “Kate was right.”

  “About what?”

  “You’re using me.”

  He steps back like I’ve slapped him. Suddenly there is distance between us, but it’s not enough.

  “I’m not using you.” His eyes flash. “I don’t have to tell you everything I do.”

  My voice is distant as puzzle pieces drift together. “You’ve been so worried about introducing them to her, but then when you do it, you oddly don’t tell me. No, holy shit this is going to be hard. Nope.
Just complete silence when you’ve been telling me every detail of your visits with Claire, all the bits and pieces of your days that happen when I leave for a couple hours. You call me every morning, waking me up, acting like you miss me. Telling me you care. But somehow this thing that was so important to you was conspicuously kept from me. If everyone came over for brunch, there must have been some planning involved, but you never mentioned it.”

  “Jaimie…”

  “Because you didn’t want me there.”

  “It’s my family.”

  My throat is closing up. “Yep, you’ve made it very clear I’m on the outside.”

  “Jaimie…”

  “What an idiot I’ve been.”

  “Hey!” He rushes to me and tries to put his hands on my hips again, but this time I back away before he has the chance.

  “I need you to go.”

  “What? Let’s talk about this. You’re being unreasonable. This is my family we’re talking about here.”

  Covering my face in embarrassment, I realize I’ve fallen in love with him.

  “What was I thinking?” I groan.

  He starts to say, “Jaimie…”

  But I cut him off, “Stop. I want to shout at you, but there’s an impressionable little girl outside who I don’t want to scare. You warned me. This is my fault. I should’ve reminded myself every day and every night that you aren’t capable of…” I cover my mouth, unable to say the word to him.

  “Of what?” he demands with anger vibrating everything. “What am I not capable of?”

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to see you anymore. Please go now.”

  “Jesus. Don’t do this. You’re killing me. I’ve never seen you cry before.”

  “Please go now.”

  His lips are suspended in silent objection. He slowly walks away, running a hand through his hair before glancing to me over his shoulder. Then he disappears around the wall that separates my kitchen. I hear him telling Hannah it’s time to go. She asks about me. God, this hurts to not say goodbye, but I can’t let her see me weeping.

  “She’s not feeling well,” he tells her. “Come on.”

  I hear the sound of my front door clicking shut. He had the decency to do that for me before he left. I know it’s small, but he did it to keep me safe from people walking by my home. The act is enough to melt me to a puddle on the ground where I can’t stop crying.

  Justin

  My chest is buzzing with a feeling I’m not familiar with. It’s hard to breathe. I’ve cleared my throat twice but it’s just getting worse.

  Strapping Hannah into her seat, my fingers aren’t doing what I tell them to do like I’ve lost brain-to-muscle communication. “Can you click that for me?”

  She nods and snaps the buckle into place without a problem.

  “Could you always do that?”

  Another nod.

  Shaking my head I close the passenger door and head around to get in, but my eyes are trained on Jaimie’s house. Can’t see her in the window. Is she okay? Why does my chest feel like this?

  “Hannah, stay there,” I point at my daughter and head for the house, clicking the key fob and locking the Audi as I go. At the door my fingers hover over the knob and I hear Jaimie crying inside. Closing my eyes I squat down and put my head in my hands. I have to get out of here.

  Unlocking the Audi, I climb in fast. Start the damn thing and taking a deep breath, my eyes never leave her kitchen window. What is wrong with me? Fuck I can’t breathe.

  “Why aren’t we going?”

  “Hang on, Hannah, I need a second.”

  After taking deep breaths for a good five minutes, I safely reverse out and drive like an old lady all the way home, telling myself, You’ve got a little girl in the car who depends on you to keep her safe.

  At my house we go inside and Hannah heads for the couch, setting Lou next to her as she picks up the remote. “You good out here for a while?” She doesn’t answer me so that’s a yes. Locking the security chain out of habit, I head for my room and pace.

  I know what Jaimie wants from me.

  She wants in.

  Well, I can’t let that happen.

  I don’t believe in that shit.

  I can’t. Not after what I saw and what I know.

  Pulling out my phone I call Jason. “Hey, can you come over tonight to watch the news with me?”

  “Sure,” he answers. “Just me?”

  “Yeah, is that okay? Or do you have to bring your wife everywhere?”

  He’s silent. “What the fuck was that about?”

  “I’m just irritated.”

  “That I’m married?”

  “That everything’s changed.”

  Jason exhales. “Well, that doesn’t surprise me. But don’t take that shit out on me. I’m happier than I’ve ever been and I don’t want to defend it.”

  “Right,” I mutter, staring at the art on my wall. A few nights ago when I made them salmon and mashed potatoes, Jaimie said I need color in my home. This piece of shit painting is black and white, and it’s bugging the hell out of me now. “Are you coming?”

  “Yes, with booze.”

  “Lots of booze.”

  “You want Mom to babysit Hannah?”

  I blink a few times. “That’s fucking genius. Yes. I’ll call her.”

  We hang up and in less than an hour Mom’s knocking on my door. I rush to swing it open and hug her as hard as I can. “Thank you!”

  She laughs, separating to look at me. “It wasn’t necessary to try to take this on all by yourself, Justin.”

  “I haven’t been alone. Jaimie’s been helping.” My voice trials off. Mom’s looking at me in that knowing way she does.

  She glances over to the couch. “Hi Hannah!”

  “Hi!”

  Mom mumbles, shaking her head, “The invention of the television. She didn’t even look over. Now tell me about Jaimie.”

  “Nothing to tell.”

  She laughs under her breath, warm brown eyes refusing to accept that as an answer. “What’s she like?”

  “She’s a lady. Very smart. Kind. Great with Hannah.”

  “But it’s not serious?”

  “Nope.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s not.”

  In thought Mom bites her lips. “Do you care for this woman?”

  I want to say no. I’m trying to deny it. “Yeah, I do. But it doesn’t matter.”

  Frowning, she says, “I don’t understand you, Justin. Why doesn’t it matter? It’s the only thing that matters.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. Being a Senator is what matters to me. Serving the people of Georgia and making changes we’ve needed for a long time, that’s what matters, Mom.” I jog my chin toward Hannah. “And now being a father matters to me. But I don’t want a wife.”

  “If you did, would she be the one you’d want?”

  “Fuck,” I mutter, grabbing my chest.

  She rushes forward. “What is it? Are you in pain? Is your left arm numb?”

  “No, my chest feels heavy today. I just…I don’t know what it is.”

  Her frown relaxes and she sighs. “Oh, Justin. What happened to you, honey?”

  “Mom, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m just under a lot of stress.”

  Shaking her head like I’m a lost cause she says, “Well, if you’re going to choose career over spending your life with someone, then I guess I can find solace in the fact that your career helps a lot of people.” She touches my cheek. “I’m so sorry about your having to wait until the next election for your turn. But I’m very proud of you. Don’t think I’m not.” I follow Mom to the couch where she asks my daughter, “Hannah, would you like to play in a yard today with real grass and everything?”

  My daughter’s face lights up. “Yes!”

  “Good. Come with me. We’re going to have some fun together.” She shoots me a look. “This Penthouse isn’t good for children.”

&n
bsp; “Mom, don’t make me sorry I called you.” I grab the remote and click off the Disney channel.

  “Oooooh, can I take her shopping?” Mom claps excitedly. “I always wanted daughters and now I’ve got three grand-daughters! I’m so lucky!!!” She holds her hand out and Hannah takes it, grabbing Lou on the way. Mom winks at me and whispers, “Thank you for calling me. I’m going to love this.”

  “I’ll see you tonight, Hannah.”

  “Okay,” she says in her twinkly voice as they head off together.

  Mom calls back, “Do you have to watch the news? Can’t you just avoid it?”

  “I’m not sticking my head in the sand.”

  “Oh, alright,” she shrugs. “I’ll be sending you light, honey. I’m glad Jason will be with you.” Under her breath, she mutters, “Someone’s gotta be.”

  “I heard that!”

  She waves without looking back, closing the front door behind them.

  Silence follows.

  Grabbing my chest I clear my throat, wincing.

  This is the first time I’ve been alone in my penthouse since I went to give that final speech in Savannah. I blink against the pain in my chest and yank my phone from my pocket, thumb hovering.

  I have to call her. My hand is shaking as I dial. Seconds snail by. Her voicemail comes on and I realize it’s the first time I’ve ever heard it. She’s always answered, every time I’ve called. I’m not dumb enough to think she didn’t hear the phone. She doesn’t want to talk to me.

  It will be hours before Jason gets here. Leaning against one of the metal frames I stay right here without moving as time slowly steals the sun.

  Jaimie

  “In a giant upset, Justin Cocker has been elected the new Senator of Georgia,” the local news reporter announces, mic in hand outside of Hal’s restaurant, a high-end, notoriously right-wing establishment in Buckhead.

  Dad’s living room is silent as twenty-six people stare in disbelief at the television set.

  “The incumbent Senator Rothdale will be stepping down at the start of the new year after thirty long years in Washington.”

  The station’s news anchor appears on the screen and the field reporter moves to a small corner as he asks, “What is the reaction there?”