Nick shook away my question. “Let’s go home.”
The agents drove us to Nick’s place because mine was “less secure.” That was something I had never considered when picking a place to live. Nick’s condo was in a high rise that required guests to make it past a doorman and two different secured doors just to get to the elevators. The agents left us at the door after giving Nick strict orders not to leave without contacting them. They handed Nick a card with the necessary numbers and information and then we were finally alone.
“So this is your place?” I waited for Nick to take the lead, but his mind was far away.
He didn’t even notice me walking past him, so I headed to the kitchen and found a nearly full bottle of whiskey and two glasses. I poured them half-full and handed one to Nick who was now seated stiffly on the couch. I sat next to him and when my knee brushed against his leg, his head snapped in my direction.
“Is it true? Does he want you to be his vice President?” I could tell Nick was having trouble finding words, so I figured I’d make it easier on him.
“Yes,” he said vacantly.
“Are you even old enough to be Vice President?” I felt a little bad about not even knowing Nick’s age. It seemed like something you should know about the guy with whom you were having regular sex.
Nick managed a tight smile. “Just old enough. I’m 36, Charley.”
He was almost a decade older than me. How had that not come up yet?
“What did you tell him? Are you going to do it?”
I felt like a petulant child bombarding him with questions, but I was dying to know what he had decided. If he had said yes, I was fairly certain our relationship was going to end before it had even really started. A newly appointed Vice President probably wasn’t going to have a lot of time for sexcapades with his new girlfriend.
“I told him I needed to think about it.” Nick remembered he was holding a glass of whiskey and took a slow drink. “He said he will give me 48 hours.”
“That’s not a lot of time to decide something as huge as this.” What I really meant was, it wasn’t a lot of time to decide to say yes. If Nick’s answer was no, he probably would’ve already said so. I glanced at him, but Nick was still long-gone. He stared down into his drink with glassy eyes. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking, I don’t want this.”
“The vice presidency?”
“No. I don’t want the responsibility of making such an important decision.” He looked at me for the first time and gave me a half-smile. “Will you do it for me?”
“No way.” I leaned to the side, bumping him gently. “You’re on your own for this one, Moore.”
“I have to say, I didn’t see this coming.” Nick leaned back against the couch cushions until he was staring at the ceiling. “I thought I would have a few more years before I was making a decision like this.”
“First-world problems,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Nick laughed and poked me in the side. “I’m glad this is so enjoyable for you.”
“Every second with you is enjoyable for me,” I confessed. “Even your apparent misery.”
“Is that why they say misery loves company?”
I took Nick’s glass from his hand and set it down next to mine on the coffee table. Then I carefully climbed over his lap until I was straddling him.
“Look at me, Nick.” I placed a hand on each of his shoulders, forcing him to look me squarely in the eye. “You’re a good man. You will be an amazing Vice President, if that’s what you decide to do. Or if you decide to run away from it all and join the circus, I have no doubt you will make a wonderful clown.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “You are a ridiculous human being.”
“You’re just now figuring that out?”
“I had my suspicions, but you are definitely confirming them right now.” Nick’s hands moved up and down my thighs. “What do you think? Would you still want to be with me if I was Vice President?”
“Good question. Typically, I picture pudgy old dudes as Vice Presidents, so I can’t say I’ve given much thought to banging one.” I tapped a thoughtful finger to my chin. “But you’re a lot better looking, and much younger than my mental image so… maybe.”
“Maybe?” Nick pretended to be hurt. “Seriously, though. It’s a big change. Not just for me, but it would be for you, too. Do you think you could handle it?”
I put my hand on Nick’s chest, just over his heart. “I’m only going to say this one time, Nick. I don’t care if you’re a Senator, a Vice President, or a janitor. None of that matters to me. If it’s what you want, then I’ll support you as long as you want me around.”
“I can’t imagine there ever being a time when I don’t want you around.” Nick’s arms wrapped around my waist.
“Oh, don’t worry. That time will come. Most likely it will be the first time you see me when I’m hit by the flu. I’m a nasty flu patient. We’re talking sneezing, coughing, vomiting, snarky attitude–” I squealed as Nick began tickling me, his fingers poking into the tender area around my ribs.
I struggled against him, twisting and turning to get away but Nick got a good grip on me. He flipped me onto the couch and held me down, sitting on my pelvis and pinning my hands above my head.
“No fair. You’re bigger than me.”
“Damn right,” Nick said, leaning down to kiss me.
“Are you going to let me go?” I asked even though I wasn’t fighting against him any longer. Being pinned beneath Nick wasn’t a bad thing as far as I was concerned.
“I’m never letting you go,” he said with a sudden intensity. “Not unless you want me to.”
“I don’t,” I replied confidently. “I don’t want you to let me go.”
“Are you sure?” he said, sounding hopeful.
As I looked into his eyes, I knew that it wasn’t up to me anymore. Nick had already captured my heart. “Not now. Not ever.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Nate
When Charlie left my place the next morning, my brain kicked into overdrive. I could hardly believe that the events of the last 24 hours had really happened. While my talk with her had mostly been around how our relationship would be impacted, there were still dozens of other things to consider. I needed some advice, and I knew there was one person I could count on to give me an honest opinion.
“A lot has changed since we last talked,” William said as he greeted me in the hotel lobby. Conveniently, he was in town for work and had an hour to catch up before we both needed to run off to meetings.
“You have no idea.” I hadn’t given him details on the phone, only told him that I needed some advice on a career move. Two Secret Service agents stood near the entrance of the hotel as a precaution. “I had an interesting job offer yesterday.”
“We’re just going to skip over this whole Vice President assassination, then?” William was intrigued. “Must be an important job offer.”
“You could say that.” I glanced around the crowded lobby. “Let’s find some place private.”
William eyed the hotel guests that were swarming around us. “Follow me.”
I followed him to the concierge desk where he spoke briefly with a hotel employee, slipping him some cash before following him around the check-in desk. We were led to an empty office where we were left alone.
“Seems secure,” I said, looking around the windowless room.
“You got the call, didn’t you?” William said, cutting right to the heart of the matter.
“Yes.” I appreciated that I didn’t have to break the news myself. I wasn’t sure how I would even begin to tell my brother what the President had asked of me. “I have two days to make my decision.”
William leaned against the desk, gripping the edge of it with his hands. “You want my advice?”
“I do.” In really, I wanted more than that. I wanted him to make the decision for me. I trusted William more than I trusted mysel
f.
“The Vice President was just killed, likely for no other reason than some crazy guy wanting to make a political statement. You’ve just been offered the most dangerous job in America.” He paused, considering his next words. “As your younger brother, I’d be just fine with you staying in the Senate. As your best friend, I think you have to do it, Nicky.”
It was what I had expected him to say. “Why? Why do I have to do it? I’m perfectly happy as a senator. My life is good right now.”
“Is this about the girl?” William said with a knowing smile.
“Charley? No.” I answered without thinking. Then I thought about what he had asked and realized the answer might not be that simple. “Maybe a little. If I do this, it doesn’t just affect me anymore. It would be selfish of me to not at least consider what this means for her.”
“Have you talked to her about it?” William said.
“I did. She’s completely supportive of whatever I decide.”
“The nerve of her,” William joked. He turned serious when he said, “You’re one of the smartest, nicest guys I know. Add in your political intelligence and practicality and I don’t think this country could have a better Vice President. Maybe the timing is a little sooner than you planned and the circumstances aren’t as neat as you would like, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the exact right thing for you to do.”
I left William’s hotel still thinking about his advice. Maybe I was being ridiculous for considering not accepting the position just because it might make my romantic life a little more challenging. Especially since Charley had already told me she would support me.
The hotel wasn’t far from the Capitol, so I took a detour on my walk into work. My journey took me past the White House and I found myself standing in the middle of a group of tourists, staring at my possible future. Because of the shooting, we were kept further back than usual. It was just another reminder of what my future could be like if I said yes.
Up until a day ago, I had thought that all I wanted was to work in that building someday. My career had always been the most important thing in my life, so much so that I had been able to put up with Heidi’s terrible behavior because I spent so much time at work. But that had all changed when I met Charley.
When I was with her, I barely even remembered that I was a Senator. Her wit and intelligence were captivating, as was her beauty. I loved that she was passionate about her job and didn’t care whether I agreed with her on the issues or not. She wasn’t seeking my approval. I loved that she challenged me.
One of the women next to me asked if I would take a picture for her and I was snapped back to reality. She didn’t seem to recognize me at first, but then the man with her said, “Aren’t you our Senator?”
“You’re from New York?” I said, slipping on my politician smile.
“Born and raised.” He shook my hand. “Shouldn’t you be at work instead of playing tourist?”
“I have some business at the White House,” I said, only partially lying.
“It’s so terrible what happened to the Vice President,” the woman said with a slow shake of her head. “Did you know him?”
I nodded. “Yes, I did. He was a good man.”
“Whomever they pick to replace him will have a big job in front of them,” the man said. “This country needs someone that can bring it together. We don’t need any more partisan bullshit.”
When I had run for the senate the first time, I had taken a gamble by running as an independent. It made it harder for me to raise money, but I knew that it was the only way to stay true to myself and my values. Now it seemed like that risk could pay off.
By the time I got to my office, my talk with the President was no longer a secret. People had seen me being escorted to the White House the night before and the media had found sources that confirmed I was at the top of the short list of candidates. President Wilkins had contacted me so soon because he was hoping to make the nomination official before anyone even started to speculate about names. Apparently, Vice President Anderson had already decided not to run for re-election with the President, so Wilkins had already been working on a list of people to replace him. It was news to me that I was his top pick.
My aides were running around the office, answering phones and yelling to each other about messaging. It took almost a minute for them to notice that I had entered the room.
“Senator.” My aide, Jackie, ran over. “Is it true?”
“What is the press saying?” I asked, dodging the question.
“That you are going to be the next Vice President.” Her eyes were wide. “Is it true?”
I struggled to keep my face impassive. “That is just a rumor.”
“Oh.” Her face fell.
Jackie had been part of the team since the very beginning and had proved her loyalty. She was my best aide and if I did accept the President’s offer, she would be the first person I would take with me. I couldn’t hold back a smile as I said, “I haven’t accepted the Vice Presidency… yet.”
Her eyes lit up as I walked away and for the first time, I let myself imagine what it would be like to accept the position. It felt almost as good as when I thought about Charley. For the first time in my life, I was so close to having it all and I couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow I was going to ruin everything.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Charley
The next morning, I had to make some decisions of my own. I left Nick’s early to avoid any potential press stalkers and to give Nick time alone to think over the offer. On the long walk back to my place, I made a spontaneous decision to stop for coffee. After spilling the hot coffee all over my hand, I reached for a stack of napkins at the same time as someone else. I looked up and what I saw made me spill my coffee again.
“Kurt!”
The man did a double take and his face froze. “Charley?”
Of all the coffee shops in D.C., I managed to pick the one that led me directly to Kurt Garrison. In addition to being someone with whom I had gone to high school, Kurt had also been best friends with Ben Talbot, the kid that had killed my brother and bunch of other kids my senior year.
“How are you, Kurt?” It was eerie how much he still looked like the 18-year-old boy I remembered from back then.
“Fine.” For a second it looked like he was going to run away, but his manners got the better of him. “You?”
“I’m alright.” I hesitated. “You live in D.C. now?”
“Moved here after college. I do consulting work for the justice department.” Kurt still wouldn’t make eye contact with me.
“That’s nice.” A pregnant, uncomfortable pause followed.
“Sorry. I would ask you the same, but I saw you on the news. I’m all caught up on your life.” He didn’t seem very happy about that.
“Yeah, well.” There wasn’t much to say after that. “I should be going. It was nice running into you.”
“Hey, Charley,” Kurt called after me. I turned around wearily. “I know about you and Ben.”
My heart jumped in my chest. I couldn’t speak, but I moved closer to Kurt to keep everyone else from overhearing whatever he was about to say next.
“I know you guys were a couple. He told me all about you.” Hurt flashed across his face. “I know Ben did a really bad thing, but he was my best friend. He wasn’t always a bad guy.”
I touched Kurt’s arm. “I know. I remember.”
Kurt nodded. “Good. I shouldn’t be the only one that remembers something good about Ben.”
To say that seeing Kurt had shaken me didn’t accurately capture my state when I returned to my apartment. For a good amount of time, I was more or less comatose. Nick called around lunch time and the sound of his voice brought me back. Unfortunately, it brought me a little too far back and I had a minor breakdown on the phone.
Fifteen minutes later, Nick was pounding on my door. I let him in, ignoring the now regular guests that crowded my stoop. With the door shut firmly b
ehind us, Nick surveyed me carefully.
“What happened?” he said once he was certain I hadn’t suffered any physical harm.
I headed back to my spot on the couch without saying a word. All I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and sleep for a week. Nick had other plans. He put on a pot of coffee and brought me a steaming cup. I wrapped my hands around it while Nick took a seat on the opposite end of the couch. The fact that he kept so much distance between us told me that he wasn’t here to comfort me– he was here to make me talk.
“I don’t know where to start.”
“Just start.”
I turned in my seat so that I was facing Nick and I hugged my legs to my chest, taking a long sip of the hot liquid and letting it burn my tongue and throat.
“I want to start by telling the truth, but I’ve been lying for so long I don’t even know what’s true anymore.” Actually, a part of me did know the truth I just didn’t want to admit it. “I ran into someone from my high school this morning.”
“A friend?”
“No, not a friend. At least, not my friend.” Kurt and I had only spoken a handful of times. “Kurt was best friends with Ben.”
“Ben? As in the shooter?”
I nodded. “The part of the story I didn’t tell you, the part I never told anyone, is that Ben wasn’t just the shooter. He was my boyfriend.”
I expected a reaction from Nick, but he didn’t even flinch. “Okay.”
“Ben was a troublemaker. He never went to class, had been arrested a couple of times for underage drinking. He was exactly the kind of guy my parents would never have let me date. Which is probably why I ended up dating him. We kept it a secret so my parents wouldn’t find out.” I remembered all those nights of lying to my parents and sneaking out of the house. At the time it had been a thrill. It was my first act of rebellion and it had been intoxicating.
“After a while, I grew tired of the secret. My parents knew something was going on and they barely let me out of their sight. I was ready to break up with Ben, but then…” There was no denying that this next revelation was going to get a reaction from Nick. “He turned violent.”
Another Vice (Forever Moore Book 2) Page 9
