“What time is Colton dropping Carter off?” Veronica’s voice breaks the haze in my head.
“Shit.” I look down at my cell phone. It’s already five o’clock. “I should go. Colton said he would have Carter home by six and I promised him spaghetti and meatballs tonight for dinner.”
“You’re a good mother, Evie. Please don’t hate me and please understand that I did the best I could under the circumstances.” She looks to me, and now I see the guilt in her eyes from years of pain that I thought was there because she had a hard time raising a son as a single mother on a low salary.
“I know.” I lean forward and give her a hug my mind still spinning in circles. “I should call an Uber.”
She nods. “Okay, but please promise me,” she says, and I see the pleading look in her eyes. I still can’t believe she’s Colton’s mother too. Although now that I truly look at her, I see that he has her eyes. Eyes I’ve been looking into for the last number of weeks. There was no way I would have made the connection.
“Okay.” I nod trying to get my bearings about me. I just don’t know how long I can keep that secret. Not with Colton and me getting more serious as the days pass.
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.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Evie
It’s been so hard seeing Colton and not telling him the truth. When he dropped Carter off this afternoon, I still felt traumatized from the story Veronica told me. I didn’t know how to look at the man I was falling for in the eyes, eyes that I now knew were so similar to my son’s and not be honest with him after he specifically told me that that’s what he needed from me. I felt like a complete hypocrite because here Colton was learning how to sign so we could communicate easier, he was putting an effort in with my son, and he asked me for only one thing, honesty. Now after learning the truth, I couldn’t even give him that. I didn’t know what to do. I still feel like crawling out of my skin as Veronica’s words replay in my mind.
It doesn’t help that when he dropped Carter off, he told me about the talk he and his father had the other day. His father told him his mother left him in a fire and didn’t look back. If there was one thing I was sure of, James Mathis was the devil in disguise. It sickened me that he would want Colton to believe his lies probably knowing ho
w hurt Colton would feel about his mother leaving him and not looking back. It just about gutted me when he told me because Veronica is a good woman. A woman who would never have left a child behind if she didn’t fear for their lives. What I don’t understand is how Colton doesn’t remember having a younger brother. Jake was two when he and Veronica left. Colton was five. I guess I don’t remember much about being five, but I would have thought he would remember a sibling. I think the whole trauma has made him block things out.
Now I’m getting ready for our mystery date. He said he’s taking me out but not to a public place. I’m not sure what that even means but I’ve spent the last hour blowing out my long red hair and adding loose curls. I’ve also put on some eyeliner and mascara to accentuate my blue eyes. I don’t think Colton has ever seen me with makeup since I don’t wear it often. I didn’t even wear makeup the night of the Veterans gala. I finally add a pinkish color lip gloss, and smooth my hands down my form-fitting black dress. My ensemble is a little sexier than what I usually wear out on a date but this is Colton. I want to be beautiful for him even though I know he’s attracted to me when I’m in simple sweats. I want him to feel goosebumps run down his body the way they run down my body when I first see him. I spray a light mist of vanilla body spray over my body and run to the door since the red lights began to flash, indicating Colton is here to pick me up. I run for the door in my stilettos since my excitement is running high. My red curls bounce as I make my way to the door.
I open the door, and my heart picks up pace. He looks so handsome, no, drop dead gorgeous in a black dress shirt and black dress pants. His blue eyes glisten as he takes me in and I watch how he completely stills as his gaze runs over every inch of my body leaving a trail of heat in its tracks.
“You look beautiful,” he signs, and my eyes widen as warmth spreads down my chest.
I sign back, “Thank you.” Then I begin to speak, “Where did you learn to do that?”
He smiles and enters my apartment. “Carter helped me out this afternoon,” he says. Then he signs, “You take my breath away.” He motions and the heat in his eyes makes me feel airy, but most of all I love the effort he’s making to learn sign. My earlier doubts about our relationship being difficult begin to fade away.
“Thank you,” I smile breathlessly. “You have no idea how much it means to me that you are learning.” I hold my hands together interlaced in front of my heart.
“I think I know what it means and now that I see your reaction, I’m committing to learning until I’m fluent. You mark my words.” His grin is salacious. He leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips. He smells freshly showered, his dark hair is still wet and brushed back. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him with every part of me. We begin to make out as our bodies are pressed together, his hands running up and down my behind.
He breaks the kiss and pulls his head back. “I should have told you to wear sweats, even though you’re hot in sweats too. Just this dress, Evie is gorgeous the way it hugs your body…” he bites his lip, “we better get out of here, before we spend another evening in this apartment.”
“That wouldn’t be so bad,” I protest.
“No, but I have a place I want to take you,” he responds. “Ready?”
“One second.” I grab my purse and my cell phone. Colton takes my hand and doesn’t let go leaving me to lock my front door with one hand. He’s got a silly grin on his face like he’s excited about something.
We head out to his car, a black sports car parked at my curb. It looks expensive. He holds the door open for me, and I get in. Then he closes the door and comes around, my nerves from earlier have dissipated as an exciting thrill washes over me. His car has a new car leather smell mixed with the scent of his cologne, and it’s delicious. He starts the car, and we head out into traffic.
“Where are we going?” I ask, realizing it will be hard for him to look at me and drive. We stop at a red light, and he turns to look at me.
He signs, “Trust me?” My stomach flips that he’s signing again.
“I do,” I answer and sign thinking it’s a good way for him to learn. The problem is, I feel like an imposter because he can’t trust me and I hate every minute of it.
He turns the knob on the radio, and we head out to the highway. I just look out the window wondering where on earth he’s taking me. We finally pull into a local airport strip. My eyes turn wide.
“You know I need to be back for Carter tomorrow afternoon, and I don’t have a passport on me.” I must be speaking fast because my excitement has quickly melted into nerves as I’m reminded that Colton isn’t just a regular guy.
“I know. Where we’re going we don’t need a passport,” he says, and his smile stretches from cheek to cheek.
“Okay.” He parks the car and we both exit the car. He walks hand in hand with me even though he’s guiding us toward a row of planes.
I point. “Are we going on one of those?” I ask nervously.
His grin grows wide. “We are.” He nods. “I’ll be flying us to my lake house on Lake Michigan. Have you ever been to Evanston?”
My jaw drops. “I’m sorry did I read your lips, right? You will be flying as in you will have control of the plane.”
He chuckles and throws his head back slightly. The sun is still up, and a warm breeze rustles his hair. “Don’t be so surprised. The one thing my father did let me do that was fun was take flying lessons. He bribed me since I had spent my first semester of college partying and got shitty grades. Once I started flying, I kept my end of the bargain and got straight A’s.” He looks to me like he’s proud of that accomplishment. Only hearing that story makes me so angry as I think of what an asshole his father truly is. “Don’t worry. I’ve been flying for years now. I’m quite good. You’re completely safe with me.”
As he says those words, I feel my gaze soften. “I know,” I say, but I feel like I spoke those words too softly. Truth is I felt safe with Colton.
“Good.” He rubs his hands together and guides us toward the plane where a man is waiting with a clipboard in his hand.
“Hey, Trip.” Colton shakes his hand.
“Hey Colton,” the man says back. “You guys are scheduled for an eight fifteen take off. Should be perfect timing to watch the sun setting,” the old guy says, looking at Colton with a friendly stare. I liked that Colton didn’t require people to call him Mr. Governor for respect. It showed just how down to earth he truly was.
“That sounds perfect. You have yourself a good night.” Colton shakes Trip’s hand again. And we boarded the small plane. I had been on a plane before with Jake but nothing this small. Colton prepared us for takeoff going over all the safety procedures required in case of a crash. I swallowed hard as he mentioned the parachutes and where to pull the string. He noticed my nerves and brushed the back of his hand on my cheek. “Don’t worry beautiful. This is going to be fun.”
I took the back of his hand and gave him a small kiss there, and his aquamarine eyes warmed. It made my heart flutter.
“Okay let’s do this.” Colton turns his attention to the plane. We get ready for takeoff. Colton’s expression becomes serious as he plays with the buttons on the dashboard of the plane. Then he speaks something into his mouthpiece, and we are reversing, then driving straight toward the runway. Nervous butterflies float in my stomach, but the excitement and surge of adrenaline win out. I am enjoying myself. I can’t contain my smile if I wanted to. Colton gives me a sidelong glance and his smile grows just as wide. The plane picks up speed, and it is exhilarating. And then we are airborne. My stomach dips momentarily as I watch the ground moving further and further away from us. The sun is setting, and the view is beautiful.
Colton turns his head to look at me and waits until I return his stare. “What do you think?”
I feel speechless, but one word comes to mind. “It’s perfect.”
“So are you,” he says, and I love the way those words look on his mouth. He was doing something t
o my insides. Putting together pieces that had been broken for so long. It felt like we had just been up in the air for a short time when Colton spoke into the mouthpiece telling someone we were preparing for landing.
The way he commanded the plane was a sight to see. He was sure of himself. Confident. It’s the way he was viewed in the media. Looking at him you wouldn’t think he had such a broken past, or more so that there were parts of him that were broken. I hated how his father controlled him and now that I knew the truth from Veronica, I hated it even more.
We come to a soft landing on what Colton said was his personal runway. I wasn’t sure what that meant until we exited the plane and I took in the grounds of what Colton said was his lake house. This wasn’t a lake house. It was an estate settled on acres of land. The grass was so green and perfectly manicured.
“Colton this is…” I was out of words.
“From all my homes this is my favorite one. I love being close to the water here. Lake Michigan just feels different,” he begins to explain.
Mr. All Wrong Page 16
