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I can’t be backseat to your career. I’ll be back for my things tomorrow while you’re at work.
He cursed again, crumpling the hand-written note in his fist.
38
“I just can’t believe he would do this, Michael.” Darci’s face was red and puffy from crying too many tears. Michael looked uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be crying on your shoulder. I’ll be OK.”
“It’s fine, Darci. I just want you to be happy. I can find a reason to arrest him if you want me to, but I really think you need to talk to him.”
“I never want to see him again, but I have to do this event with his dad Friday night. I’m dreading it.”
“You’ll be fine, Darci. It’s not like Bradley will show up.”
“I’m sure you’re right. I just really liked his family. It will be awkward being with them now.” Darci yawned.
“I think I’m going to try to sleep now.” She stood and gave her friend a big hug. “Tell Peter I went to bed when he gets back. Let him crash on your couch. Otherwise, he’ll sleep on your front porch.”
He chuckled and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Look, I didn’t know this would happen, so I need to warn you about something.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“What is it?”
“Adara is on her way over. We made plans to… hang out.” If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn he was blushing.
“Oh, Michael. I’m so sorry. I’m just messing up your night. I’ll stay in my room. You can make Peter leave if you want privacy.”
“It’s fine, I just didn’t want it to be awkward. Especially if she’s still here in the morning, her working for Bradley and all.”
“It will be fine. Goodnight.”
Darci made her way to Michael’s guest bedroom and sank to the floor after she closed the door behind her. It was going to be a long, sleepless night.
• • •
“Darci, please answer my calls. I swear I had nothing to do with Atleigh’s little press conference. I had no idea that was even happening. Please, baby. Call me back.”
Bradley disconnected for what must have been the fifteenth time. Michael wasn’t taking his calls either. She had been gone for almost twenty-four hours and he was about to go crazy. The only thing he knew for sure was that she still had the protection of Peter. She had insisted on cutting the rest of the detail. It made him angry but at least she was still protected. Peter was giving him sparse updates, and he knew she was attending an event with his father later in the week. It had occurred to him that he could crash the fundraiser but that felt stalker like. He just needed to give her time.
Bradley had taken the day off and was contemplating not going back at all after the stunt Atleigh had pulled. Yes, his dream had always been to put a man in the White House, but those dreams paled in comparison to his feelings for Darci. Somehow, he had to make her see that.
He needed to talk to his parents. They didn’t always see eye to eye, but when it came to matters of the heart, they usually gave good advice. They might also have insight on what he should do with the mess he was in. He had been dodging calls from reporters all day, and Adara was not happy with the call volume they were getting at the office from constituents calling to demand that Atleigh fire “the deviant.”
He picked up his phone and called his dad.
“Hi, son. I'm glad you called.”
“Hey, pops. I heard a rumor you’re going to be in the city for a few days. Are you bringing Mom with you?”
“I am, and she’s dying to see you. Listen, Darci told me the two of you broke up. You've probably heard we are attending one of her events. I hope that won’t be too awkward for you.”
He sighed. “No, Dad. It will be fine. I’m glad you’re going. I didn’t want the breakup and I’m hoping I can fix it. Can we have dinner when you get to town? I could use some advice.”
They arranged to have dinner and ended their call. He flipped back to his call log and tapped Darci’s name again.
Still no answer. Maybe he needed to crash her event after all.
• • •
The luncheon with Governor Givens was successful. He spoke kindly of the work the ACSL was doing in the honor of the dead women and in the name of liberty, and the ACSL proudly endorsed him for president. But Darci had to plaster a smile on her face.
