Dating Washington (Discovering Me Book 2)

by Ann Craven

  “I’ll be at my dad’s for Christmas. He’s pretty down these days, so I don’t want to leave him alone. But I will definitely come here as much as humanly possible.” Kenny turned them so he was the big spoon, pulling Asher back against his chest.

  Asher worried about the long distance thing, but they were both going to college soon. They’d make it work. Somehow.

  “Asher? Did you forget about our meeting with Roxie? She’ll be here soon,” his mother called from the entrance.

  “What meeting?” He sat up in a panic, not prepared to think about his academic future right now. “Is she here now? Today?”

  “Whoa, babe, calm down.” Kenny’s soothing voice brought him out of his initial panic. “It’ll be okay. Who’s Roxie?”

  “Babe? I could get used to that.” Asher smirked. “She’s just the college recruiter I was telling you about earlier.”

  “Did I forget to tell you she asked for a meeting?” His mom crossed the room, a frown wrinkled her brow. “I swear I told you.”

  “Mom, really?” Asher ran a hand over his hair. He was a mess.

  “Sorry, it was last minute. I don’t think it’s an official interview or anything serious you’d need to prepare for. Just take a deep breath, son. We have a few more minutes until she arrives.”

  Asher smoothed his hands over his shirt, tucking it in. Glancing at his hair in the mirror behind his mother, his eyes widened in horror. He was so not ready for this.

  “You look handsome as ever. Don’t worry.” Kenny chuckled. “You’ve got this.”

  Over the last few weeks since his initial chat with Roxie, Asher had grown more and more excited about the prospect of going to Manhattan College of New Arts. He’d spent every waking moment not obsessing over his relationship with Kenny, obsessing over his portfolio. He’d submitted his official application and portfolio for review just two weeks ago.

  Asher’s shoulders slumped. He wanted to spend the rest of the day in a snuggle bubble with his boyfriend. Not stressing over a college interview.

  “Kenny,” his mom said with a kind tone she seemed to reserve just for him. “It’s good to see you again. I didn’t think you’d make it back until this afternoon.”

  “Sorry, Madam President, I got in late last night and headed over first thing this morning.” Kenny gave her his best smile, but she was already putty in his hands.

  “Enough with the madams, Kenny. I’ve known you since you were in diapers, call me Nora.” She pulled him into a hug. “I’m so sorry about your mother, honey. How’s your father doing?”

  “He’s doing okay. He does think you’ll never let him forget this, though.” He grabbed Asher’s hand with a smirk.

  “Pfft. Your father and I might spar on a regular basis when it comes to politics. Lord knows, this town is nothing more than a big boxing ring full of angry opinionated toddlers. But when our kids are involved, the gloves come off. He needn’t worry. It’s no secret I get a kick out of needling the Ohio senator, but you kids are off-limits. Besides, I quite like the goofy smile you put on my son’s face.”

  “Mom,” Asher groaned, but said smile was still plastered on his face. He couldn't seem to stop it when Kenny was around.

  “Well, it’s true.” His mother wrapped an arm around each of them. “And, Kenny, you’re welcome here anytime. Come for Christmas if you can.”

  “Thank you, Ma’am. Er, Nora.” Kenny was adorable when he was flustered.

  “Madam President, Asher’s visitor is here,” Danny announced.

  “I’ll let you meet with your advisor.” Kenny turned to leave.

  “Stay,” Asher said. “I’d like your opinion on this weird non-traditional school.”

  “We’ll just meet in here, then. Danny please have secret service escort her up here, and if you can find my husband, that’d be great. Seems I forgot to tell him too.”

  “Will do, ma’am.”

  “Do you know what she wants?” Asher turned pleading eyes on his mother.

  She winced, throwing her hands up. “I can’t remember. Sorry.”

  “Oh my God, Mom. After this, Dad is in charge of all college related parent phone calls. He’s busy but not as much as you are.”

  “You know me, I want to be involved.”

  “You are, Mom.” Asher gave his mom an indulgent smile. “Don’t ever think you’re not. Honestly, you could probably take a smidge of a step back and still be involved plenty.”

  “You’re impossible.”

  “And you two are too cute together,” Roxie said at the entrance. “Oh, sorry.” She glanced up at an annoyed Danny. “Was I supposed to wait for you to announce me? I don’t really do formal, so I hope you’ll forgive me, Nora.” She held her hand out for the president, totally not intimidated.

  “Lovely to see you again, Roxie. Please have a seat. You’ll have to forgive us. It seems I forgot to tell Asher you were coming.”

  “Nearly gave me a stroke too.” Asher stepped forward to shake her hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you in person. I’m so sorry, I’m not prepared for your visit.”

  “Relax, kid, this is my favorite kind of visit. You got all the hard stuff behind you with the essays, forms, and portfolio review. Now, for the fun stuff. But first, I have a really important question to ask.”

  Asher took his seat next to Kenny, not at all in the frame of mind to answer any important questions.

  But Roxie turned to Kenny instead. “Kenny Montgomery, centerman for the Defiance Academy Knights, right? I have to ask what team you’re hoping to play for after the draft?”

  “Me?” Kenny sat up straight.

  “Hockey’s kind of my jam, and the draft this year is going to be amazing. You know we have some great teams in New York.”

  “Well, I don’t really know,” Kenny said, his ears turning pink. “I’ll pretty much play for anyone who wants me. It’s the draft, we don’t get a choice. Really, I just want to make it to the NHL.”

  “But you’re going to play in college, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Boston College.”

  “Ooh, that’s a great team.” Roxie’s eyes widened with excitement. “And just a quick train ride from New York. I will definitely come down to see you play sometime.”

  “Thanks.” Kenny fumbled with his hands in lap. “I’m looking forward to playing in Boston.”

  “We’ll all be there for your first game, Kenny,” Asher’s mom promised. “And wherever Asher decides to go to school, hopefully, it won’t be too far.” She smiled.

  “I see what you did there, Nora.” Roxie sat back with a knowing smile. “That’s why I’m here, Asher. You’ll be getting an acceptance letter from Manhattan College of New Arts after the holidays, and I really hope you will accept the offer.”

  “Wow, really?” Asher’s eyebrows shot up. “That was a fast decision.” He hung his head, studying the carpet beneath his feet for a moment. It always came back to this. Did he get in on his own merit or was it simply a no brainer that they would accept the president’s son to the program? The program that only accepted a mere seven percent of their applicants. Did he really even deserve the spot?

  “And that look on your face is exactly the reason I’m here.” Roxie leaned forward to get his attention. “We had hundreds of applicants this year. Yours was one of the last portfolios to come in before the deadlines. We take our portfolio review seriously. But this year, we had several high-profile applicants. Very attractive applicants with wealthy parents—quite the temptation for a brand new college. We had to decide if we wanted to be like every other prestigious art school out there and take tuition payments from anyone who could afford it, regardless of their talent? Or if we wanted to stick with our mission statement to set the bar higher and choose our students based on their raw talent and design skills they can bring to our school? It was an easy decision. We needed to remove the temptation. So this year, and likely every year from now on, we opted for a blind portfolio review.

  “The selecti
on was quick and dirty. From over three hundred candidates, we whittled it down to twenty-two students for the entire incoming freshman class—and your anonymous portfolio was one of our top choices. Asher Brooks, I can tell you with one thousand percent honesty, you got in all on your own. I’m not sure any other school can make that promise.”

  “Wow.” Kenny breathed. “That’s impressive, Ash.”

  Asher gripped his boyfriend’s hand, grateful for his presence.

  “Your work speaks for you, Asher. And you’ve got something important to say with your art. We want to help you say it.”

  “Thank you, Roxie. It means so much that you came here to deliver such good news in person. I-I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Well, don’t say anything yet. We want you to take all the time you need to make this decision with your family and your boyfriend.” Roxie shot a wink at Kenny. “We know you’re going to be hearing from a bunch of schools who will want you just as badly as we do. We hope you choose us, but we know it’s a big decision for any high school senior. But I also have a financial offer to go over with you.”

  “Did I arrive just in time for the money talk?” Asher’s dad said as he rushed to join them. “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t get the memo. Kenny?” He stopped and shook Kenny’s hand. “Good to see you hanging around this place like you used to.” He clapped Kenny on the back and turned to Roxie. “Did I hear something about a scholarship?”

  “Yes, Mr. er, Former President, sir. I was, um, just getting to that.” She fumbled with the stack of papers in her lap, clearly flustered, like most women were around his charming father.

  “Please, call me Ben.” He sat on the couch beside Asher.

  “I’m sorry, sir.” Roxie hid behind her stack of papers. “I didn’t vote for you.” She winced. “But I did vote for Nora.”

  “Eh, story of my life.” He waved her concerns off with a laugh. “She’s always been more popular than me anyway.”

  “Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.”

  “Scholarship?” Asher tried to steer them back on course.

  “Right. Every year we award a few merit scholarships to our most promising freshmen. This year, during our blind portfolio review, every professor scored each candidate based on certain criteria. Those scores are added to the score your written application received. The scores are averaged and the top five are awarded a financial package. Asher received one of these awards. It will cover your first year at MCNA. If your performance continues to impress your teachers, you can expect to receive additional financial awards next year too.”

  “Asher, I’m so proud of you.” His mother beamed. “But I’m afraid we cannot accept the financial award. We would be happy to pay Asher’s tuition, but the award should go to a student in dire need of it.”

  “Yes, please,” Asher added. “I’d rather use my own college fund my grandparents set up for me.”

  “I thought you might say that.” Roxie pulled another stack of papers from her briefcase. “The award is Asher’s. If refused, it will not go to another student. But perhaps you’d like to sponsor a few students through our financial assistance program instead? Your donation dollars will go much further, and you’ll be able to assist many students who really need the help.”

  “That sounds like a fine idea,” his mother said.

  “I’d like to pay for that with my college fund,” Asher added. “If I’m getting a scholarship, then I’d like to use at least some of my college money as a donation.”

  “You’re such a good kid, Asher.” Roxie beamed at him.

  A warm hand slipped around Asher’s waist, giving him a gentle squeeze.

  “And these two together are too cute for words.”

  Asher placed his hand over Kenny’s. It was tempting to accept the offer simply to be close to Kenny at Boston College, but Asher didn’t want to make such a huge decision based on that alone. “Well.” Asher gave him a look. “What do you think, Mr. Cutie-cute?”

  “I think we need to talk about terms of endearment, babe.” Kenny’s laughter eased some of the tension in Asher’s shoulders. “But this is your decision, Ash. I’ll be in Boston either way. I’d love to have you that close, but I also want you to choose the best school for you and what you want to get out of your education.”

  “How far is a train ride from New York to Boston? I need to look that up.”

  “I already did.” Kenny smiled. “It’s only four hours. Long enough to do homework on the train but short enough to see each other all the time.”

  Asher nodded, secretly thrilled that Kenny was thinking the same thoughts Asher was. “Considering I was pretty sure I wanted to go to MCNA back when I still thought you were an asshole, I think it’s a win-win for all of us.”

  Asher caught his mother looking at her phone. “Need to get back to work, Mom?” His tone was teasing; he knew what she was doing.

  “What, I wanted to know how long the train ride was to New York from here. Sue me.”

  “And how long is it?” Asher’s dad asked.

  “Three and a half hours.” She smiled. “The boys can come home as often as they want. I quite like this arrangement, although I’m terrified of my son living in New York all by himself.”

  “I’ll be fine, Mom. It’s not like Super Danny isn’t coming with me.”

  “I meant the takeout bills. You’re a foodie, Ash, and New York is expensive. We’re going to have to put you on a budget.”

  “So, is that a yes?” Roxie clapped her hands together.

  “Looks like I’m moving to New York.” Asher’s smile made his cheeks hurt, he was so excited.

  “Excellent.” Roxie shot out of her seat to shake his hand. “I’m thrilled to hear it. You’re going to love our campus. You’ll be receiving all the necessary information in the mail. You can apply for your dorm assignment as early as March, and you can opt for a roommate or a private room.”

  “Private room,” both Asher and Kenny said together.

  “Oh that sounds like the cue for momma to leave.” Asher’s mom stood. “I do need to get back to the West Wing, but thank you so much for everything, Roxie.”

  “My pleasure, Nora.

  “Ben, I take it you’ll handle that conversation.” She pointed to Asher and Kenny. “Private rooms.” She shook her head. “Give him four roommates. Loud ones.”

  “Why do I get all the hard conversations?” His dad looked like a deer caught in headlights.

  “Because I’m the president.” She grinned as she left the room. “Congrats, Asher.” She blew him a kiss from the hall. “And, Kenny, make sure you stay for dinner. We’re going to celebrate.”

  “I want to be her when I grow up.” Roxie beamed. “Okay, where were we? Dorm rooms, right. And security. Our campus security will work with secret service for whatever Asher needs while he’s a school. The fall course schedule will be available in March. That’s when you’ll need to come up to the campus for a few days and meet with your advisors to select your coursework for the semester.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” Asher stood to see her off.

  “I will get out of your hair now and let you get to that important Dad talk.”

  “Or you could just stay for dinner.”

  “Sorry, kiddo, you’re on your own. Kenny, nice meeting you. Good luck at the draft.”

  “Here, let me walk you out.” Asher’s dad was quick to follow Roxie out of the room.

  “Well, that just happened.” Asher fell back on the couch next to Kenny. He couldn’t stop smiling. Just a few months ago, Asher lived in a bubble all on his own, feeling like the White House was a prison he’d never escape. And now, he had this amazing future to look forward to with a great guy.

  “I’m so glad you said yes.” Kenny tackled him, and they fell off the couch in a tumble of arms and legs on the floor. His lips crashed against Asher’s in a rough kiss that chased all thoughts of college and the future out of his mind. This moment was all that mattered.


  Asher’s hands slid through Kenny’s silky brown hair as Kenny’s hands inched slowly up the back of Asher’s shirt. Their kiss slowed, deepening as Asher’s heart tried to pound out of his chest. He finally broke away, taking a deep breath. “I don’t have anything to compare that to, but that has to the most amazing kiss ever.”

  “No contest.” Kenny kissed him again. “Every kiss with you is the best ever.”

  “That’s a good line, keep that one in your repertoire. It’ll work on me every time.”

  “It’s not a line.” Kenny’s teeth grazed along Asher’s neck before he finally pulled away. “I’m serious, Ash. It’s never been like this with anyone else for me. Not even close.”

  “Me either.” Asher grinned, feeling like he got it right the first time.

  “We have college plans.” Kenny draped his arms around Asher, and they quickly returned to the snuggle bubble.

  “We do. That happened so fast I can’t even think. But that’s probably more from all the kissing.” Asher turned to face him. “I’m proud of us. We’re each pursuing our passions and doing our own thing, but we get to keep this too.” He raised his hand for a fist bump. “Go us.”

  Kenny’s laughter vibrated in his chest, but he met Asher’s fist bump. “You’re too adorable, babe. Don’t ever change.”

  “All right, guys. I had to ask Google first, but I think it’s time for that talk.” Asher’s dad stared down at them with an amused smile on his face.

  23

  Kenny

  Six Months Later

  The biggest day of Kenny’s life came, and he couldn’t seem to move his feet. His eyes scanned the arena he’d been in many times before. Fans filled Nationwide Arena to the brim for the NHL draft.

  They crowded into the outer concourse and stood in lines to get their picture with the Stanley Cup.

  Kenny stood near the announcer’s desk right outside his section and focused on the men huddled around tables on the arena floor. Excitement buzzed through the building. On this day, many dreams would come true.