by Chelle Bliss
My campaign bus is on its way to Elmhurst now. I’m speaking to a group of high school seniors in the Chicago suburb.
Lexi tosses the dress she got from the bus closet to me, and I go into the bathroom to change. It’s a light, sleeveless navy dress that pairs well with nude heels. Hopefully, it’ll help me stay cool in the blistering late-August heat. I tie my hair back in a ponytail and carefully put on some pale pink lip gloss. I’ve learned this summer that applying makeup on a moving bus can lead to some interesting looks.
When I walk out, Tom eyes me approvingly. “I just got a text that Titan’s coming to this shindig,” he says.
“What?” My tone is sharper than intended. I want to see Jude badly, but not under the campaign-required pretense that I can’t stand him.
“The government teacher said they invited both of you and he couldn’t initially make it, but now he can.” Tom shrugs. “It’s not a problem. Some of these kids are first-time voters, Reagan. Just go after their votes like you would any other voter.”
Lexi speaks up from the other side of the bus. “Yeah, but…”
“What?” Tom asks her.
“I think you need to keep this low-key,” she says to me. “No debating. This should just be you talking to the students and him talking to the students.”
I nod in agreement. Tom’s shaking his head.
“You’ll get shown up again. Mark my words.”
“Well, then I will. I’m not going into a high school and slinging mud at anyone.”
The bus stops, and Roy calls out that we’ve arrived. Lexi and I head for the door of the bus, neither of us in the mood for an argument with Tom.
“How do you feel about seeing him?” she asks under her breath.
“I’m excited and dreading it at the same time.” I cock a brow at her. “How weird is that? He’s been off lately, and I’m wondering if it’s because there’s someone else.”
“You think so?”
I sigh softly. “I’m sure he wants more than I can give him. And sneaking around is dangerous for both of us. Maybe he found some Republican chick who thinks he’s the shit.”
“Stop that,” Lexi says, taking my arm. “If he just wanted a warm body, he never would have gotten involved with you. He found you worth the risk.”
I smile at her. “You always know what to say. You know what to pick out for me to wear and when I need some alone time and how to make me laugh.”
“You know me the same way.”
“Yeah, but…” I stop outside the high school’s main entrance and turn to her. “You’ve given up a lot for me. You could be living in the suburbs, working at a regular job, and you’d have evenings and weekends for yourself. Instead, you spend pretty much every waking moment working with me.”
“I love this work,” she says. “And doing it for my best friend, who I believe in with all my heart, is a huge bonus.”
I take her hand and squeeze it. “I’d be lost without you.”
The high school doors burst open, and an excited woman comes out to greet us.
“Representative Preston,” she says, pumping my hand in a handshake. “I’m Tracy Tyler, the government teacher. We are so honored you accepted our invitation.”
“I’m so happy to be here,” I tell her. “This is my campaign manager, Lexi Grant.” I look over my shoulder. “And that’s my campaign consultant, Tom Harbor.”
She shakes Lexi’s and Tom’s hands and then says, “Mr. Titan just arrived. I’ll take you to the classroom.”
On the way, she rattles off all the units she’ll be teaching this year.
“Oh, local government?” I say, my interest piqued. “That’s a great idea. I wish more teachers would do that.”
Tracy’s beaming as she leads me into a large classroom, its fluorescent lights bringing me back to my own high school days. There’s a low whistle from one of the students as I walk in.
Jude, who stood up from the chair he was sitting on in front of the class, shoots a glare in the direction of the whistle.
My heart is pounding as our eyes lock. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him. He’s wearing a pale blue dress shirt, the top button open, and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. With gray suit pants on and his jacket and tie slung over the back of his chair, he looks casually sexy.
“Representative Preston,” he says in the low tone I fantasize about. “Nice to see you.”
When I shake the hand he’s holding out, the breath escapes my lungs in a whoosh. It’s been so long since we touched.
“Mr. Titan,” I say, my confident tone belying the way my insides are melting. “Nice to see you, too.”
I stand in front of the other chair at the front of the classroom and smooth down my dress and hair. Jude stands in front of his and watches me, waiting until I’m seated to sit down himself.
“Representative Preston,” Tracy says, “Can you tell us about yourself?”
I smile at the gathered students, most of whom look totally disinterested.
“It’s Reagan,” I say. “And a question I often get asked is whether I’m named after President Ronald Reagan. I am. My father has been a senator for twenty-four years, and even though he’s a Democrat, he admired Reagan’s style and integrity. I think our elected officials have to be able to work with and get along with everyone. I’m thirty years old, and I went to law school after college. I only practiced law for a few months before I decided to run for the state house, so if you need legal help…don’t call me.”
That gets a few laughs. When it’s Jude’s turn, he tells the students he went to high school in downstate Illinois, then attended the University of Illinois on a scholarship, and signed up for the Marine Corps. He doesn’t mention any of his military accolades.
“You know how people ask you when you’re a high school senior what you plan to do with your life?” he asks the students. Some of them nod. “I didn’t have a clue. And it’s okay if you don’t know yet, either. Give yourself time to figure it out, but I highly recommend you either attend college or join the military to help make your decision.”
There’s a girl in the front row of the classroom staring at him with a dreamy expression. When he turns to me with a sheepish smile, I feel the same way she looks.
“So are we ready to cage fight?” he asks me. “You’re definitely gonna win, because I don’t hit women.”
“Fighting in politics is so yesterday, don’t you think?” I say.
“I do. I say maybe you tell them a little bit about a day in the life of a state rep or senator, since you’re the more experienced one.”
His deference touches me. I have to turn away from him, or I know my feelings will show. I tell the students about my life in and out of session with the state house, and then Tracy opens up the floor for questions from the students.
A girl in the back shoots up her hand immediately. “Do you have a girlfriend?” she asks Jude, drawing nervous laughter.
He smiles. “Nothing official, but I do have someone special. My Facebook status would be ‘working on it.’”
When he turns to me, I feel such warmth that I have to cross my legs a little harder.
“What about you?” a male student asks me. “You want to go to homecoming with me?”
“Ah…” I tuck my hair behind my ear and clear my throat. “I’m kind of in the same place Jude is. Every part of my life is so public that I keep that relationship just for me.”
“You’re hot,” a male voice calls out from the back of the room. I open my mouth to respond, but I’ve got nothing, so I just close it again.
Jude sits up straighter in his chair. “So, guys…you may not want to hear this, but just sit tight and give me a minute. When I was growing up, my father took off when I was twelve. That left my mom to raise me alone, and you know what? She did a hell of a job. She always told me not having a father around would never be an excuse for me, and it never has been. Whether you’ve got a good example at home or not, do the right thing
, man. Respect women. If you have sex, use protection. Get good grades. Be a person of integrity.”
The whole room is transfixed on Jude, whose earnest expression is calling out to me. I want to move closer to him, but I force myself to stay still.
“Reputation is what other people think of you,” he says. “Character is who you are deep down inside. Stay focused on your character, and your reputation will take care of itself. That’s the best advice anyone gave me.” He looks over at me. “What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you, Reagan?”
I take a deep breath, trying to get my wits back. Jude has an ability to mesmerize me.
“You only have one life,” I say. “Dream big and chase hard and know that only you get to decide what your dreams are. My mom told me that when I graduated high school.”
“That’s great advice,” Jude says, his eyes locked on mine. “Always fight for what matters to you.”
Tracy clears her throat. “All right, then. If anyone wants to shake hands with Reagan or Jude or get a selfie, this would be a good time.”
The girl in the front row jumps out of her seat and runs to Jude.
“I’ll be eighteen in October,” she says in a breathy tone. “And I’m definitely voting. I want you to be my first.”
Jude laughs lightly, his brow furrowed. “Thanks.”
We both take selfies with the students, and then Carl and Lexi gather everyone for a photo of us with the entire class. Jude and I are in the back row for the group photo, and he slides his palm over my ass and squeezes it just at the moment the photo is being taken.
I take a deep, cleansing breath. I’ve got to keep my head on straight here. But it’s hard with Jude so close I can smell the light scent of his cologne.
I want to be covered in that scent. I want every inch of his skin on every inch of mine. It’s getting harder and harder to resist jumping into bed and working out all this sexual frustration between us.
Tom’s watchful gaze is on me, and I don’t like it.
“Lex, I’m going to the bathroom,” I say. “Meet you on the bus.”
My heels click on the floor of the empty hallway as I make my way to the nearest ladies’ room. Once there, I brace my hands on a sink and look at my reflection in the mirror.
Just the usual Reagan. Nothing to see here. No one can tell I’m an emotional mess over Jude Titan. Only I know, and I can keep it buried inside.
The bathroom door opens, and when I look over, I see Jude striding in. My heart flies into overdrive as I step back from the sink.
His dark, hungry gaze washes over me. I can feel him, just from that look. I’m breathing hard as he backs me against the bathroom wall, out of view from the bathroom entrance.
“This guy you mentioned being involved with,” he says, wrapping his hands around my waist, “he’s a lucky bastard. Anyone I know?”
I run my palms over his chest, enjoying every ridge of muscle beneath my fingers. “He’s rather intoxicating,” I say. “He’s got this tattoo on his forearm that’s so sexy. I fantasize about him every night.”
His hands slide around to my ass and he hikes me up, my legs instinctively winding around his waist. “Is that right? You want him buried inside you?”
“Yes.” I thread my fingers into the back of his short hair, and our mouths collide in a hard, punishing kiss. His erection presses against my belly as we taste each other until I’m breathless.
“Am I the only man in your life?” Jude asks me, our faces still just an inch apart.
“Of course. Why would you ask me that?”
He tenses. “I just need to know. Don’t play me, Reagan.”
“I’m not,” I say in a low, firm tone. “There is no one else. Is there for you?”
He just shakes his head. “I’m out of my fucking mind for you. There’s no one else who does this to me.”
I cup his stubbled cheeks in my hands. “Is it the thrill of the forbidden? Will you still want me once you’ve had me?”
He lowers his brows. “Once I’ve had you? You mean once we’ve fucked?”
I nod once.
A wolfish smile creeps across his face. “That’s not having you, Reagan. To me, having you means you’re mine, body, heart, and soul. It means we belong to each other.”
My eyes fill with tears. “I don’t want to lose you to this election.”
“Reagan?” a male voice calls into the bathroom.
My eyes widen in horror. It’s Tom, and I’m making out with my opponent in here. Jude puts a finger to his lips and nods.
“What?” I call out in an aggravated tone. “I’m peeing.”
“Oh. Why is it taking so long?”
“Tom, go away. There are teenage girls in here.”
I hear the door closing, and Jude lowers my feet to the floor.
“Go get him out of here,” Jude whispers. “I’ll stay here for the next thirty seconds.”
He gives me a quick, soft kiss, and our eyes meet for a second before I rush out of the bathroom.
That was risky. And now Jude’s stuck in a high school girl’s bathroom while I get Tom out of here.
“Tom,” I say, running to catch up with him, “I realized you’re exactly right about those changes to my stump speech. Can I run through the new version with you on the way to our next stop?”
“About time,” he mutters.
We’re walking out the front doors of the school when I turn to look at the bathroom door we came out of. Jude walks out, his head down. I exhale with relief.
It’s only a matter of time before we get caught. Lexi will keep my secret, but the next person to bust us might not be so loyal. We should stop this madness until after the election.
But I can’t. Jude means too much to me. I’ll have to keep risking my career for these stolen moments which aren’t nearly enough, but for now, are all we have.
Chapter 21
Campaigning is lonely.
It’s hard to imagine that’s reality when you’re surrounded by thousands of people every day. But even in the biggest crowds, there’s emptiness.
Seeing Reagan yesterday stirred up so many feelings. I couldn’t let her walk out of the high school without getting her alone. It had been too long since I’d seen her, and since Tom entered the picture, there’s been distance between us.
He watched her like a hawk as she sat by my side. Carl always keeps his eyes on me, but not with the same intensity. Tom wasn’t staring at her out of duty, but with want in his mind. It’s the same look I have when I’m with her.
Sitting in my bunk and staring at the ceiling, I can’t get the image of Reagan and Tom together out of my mind. They have a past—no matter how sordid—and I wonder how much of what brought them together in the first place may be pulling them back together now.
Carl pulls back the curtain and sticks his face in my personal space. “Let’s go over the schedule for this week.”
I turn my head and glare at him. “I could’ve been sleeping,” I say before rolling out of the bunk.
He laughs while he spreads out papers across the table. “I knew you weren’t. There’s too much going on to nap.”
I slide into the booth, set my phone facedown, and glance out the windows, watching the rows upon rows of corn sweep by. “Maybe I’m exhausted.”
He ignores me and shoves a piece of paper in front of me, tapping his finger against it. “We have a debate in three days in Peoria,” he reminds me, like I could forget. “I think this will be the one that puts the nail in Ms. Preston’s coffin.”
I push the paper toward him. “I’m ready.”
“The appearance in the school went viral. You’re riding high right now in the polls, especially among young voters.”
“That’s always good to hear.” My phone beeps and I pick it up, glancing down at the screen.
Boo: You’re a celebrity.
“Something good?” Carl asks. I peer up at him over my phone, and he’s quirking an eyebrow in curiosity.
&
nbsp; “Just a message from a constituent.”
He’s pacified and returns to his paperwork. “They can’t get enough of you.”
“Yep.” I unlock my phone to send her a quick reply.
Me: I’ve already been informed.
Boo: I think you almost need a fan club.
Me: Want to be the president?
Boo: I’m your biggest fan.
No matter what’s going on around me, and how crazy the chaos becomes, she gives me a reason to smile. I chuckle softly, forgetting all about Carl.
“Is there something going on I should know about?”
I switch my phone off and place it facedown again. “Nothing at all. Just checking out some of the social media posts.”
Carl slams his fist down on the table and grunts. “Goddamn it. Who’s in charge of the travel accommodations?” he yells toward the back of the bus.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, stretching my arms across the back of the booth cushion.
“Someone’s getting fired over this shit.” The vein near his temple is protruding, and I can almost see it pulsate. “They booked us at Preston’s hotel again.”
It’s like the clouds have parted. I need to tell the travel assistant to keep up the good work. “It’s not a big deal.”
Jonathan, a newbie to the campaign, walks toward the front with his face hung in shame. “I did, sir. Is there a problem?”
“You booked us in the same hotel as the Preston campaign. Mr. Titan cannot work under these circumstances. You need to find us new rooms as soon as possible, or you’re fired.”
Jonathan peers at me, but he doesn’t lift his head. “Everything else is booked,” he says in a shaky voice.
“Cancel it, we’ll stay on the bus.”
“Jonathan,” I say and stare Carl down. “Leave the hotel rooms. It’s not the end of the world to be at the same hotel. We’ve done it before and survived. We can do it again. Keep up the good work.”
Jonathan’s head rises, and I can see the surprise on his face. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let it happen again.”
“Thank you,” I tell him with a smile. “You’re doing a good job.”
