Page 99 of Bi-Partisan

“What is it?” I blurt out immediately. “What’s the news?”

“Another batch of results is about to be reported, which will make it so they can call it,” Ben explains.

“And?” I ask, hopefully.

“You have a phone call,” he says, holding out his phone.

My hand shakes as I reach out to take it. This is it. This is the phone call I think it is, or the universe really is out to get me today. With a deep breath, I bring Ben’s phone to my ear. “Hello?”

“Congratulations, Mr. Montgomery,” Mitchell’s voice comes through the speaker. “You ran a strong campaign.”

I let out a quiet sigh of relief and squeeze Adrian’s hand still clasped in mine. “Thank you, Senator. You did as well.”

“I wish you the best of luck,” he says, then the line goes dead.

I stare at the “call ended” screen for a second before handing Ben his phone back.

“Well?” my mom asks.

“He conceded,” I say, the news not fully setting in yet.

Before anyone can react, there’s a shout from the ballroom telling everyone to quiet down. “They’re about to call it,” they shout.

We all rush out, and in the chaos, I get momentarily separated from Adrian. But then a chart of the thirteenth district election results appears on the projector screen at the front of the large room, and it’s all I can focus on. Right there, highlighted in democrat blue is my name with 51.3 percent of the reported votes.

I did it.

I won.

Chapter 31

Adrian

Song: Honest Man – Ben Platt

The room is deafening as everyone celebrates Jamie’s win. The volunteers and donors are cheering. There are several loud pops in the corner—most likely the sound of Prosecco being opened. Mina lets out a loud whoop as she high-fives Daniel. Jamie beams as he’s crushed into a hug by both of his parents. Riley’s daughter Julie is throwing confetti in the air, and Jamie’s perpetually grumpy chief of staff doesn’t even seem to mind when some gets in his hair. Everyone seems to be on their own version of cloud nine, and I don’t know how I feel.

Jamie parts from his parents, and he looks at me, a grin plastered on his face. There’s something guarded about it, though. But I smile back and pull him into a hug of my own. Relief courses through me the moment I feel his arms wrap around my waist.

He won. Jamie won. He gets to keep his position in Congress, which means he’ll be staying in DC—at least, he will be for a good portion of the year. He’ll still have to come back here to North Carolina to maintain his relationship with his district. But he’ll have to return to DC. He isn’t leaving.

“Congratulations, baby,” I murmur as I hold him a little tighter.

After a few seconds, he steps back and takes my hand. “Follow me.”

I furrow my brow, but let him lead me toward the stairs. “What’s going on? Where are we going?” I ask once we’re in the silent stairwell. I’m grateful for the reprieve from the overstimulation on the other side of the door we just came through, but he just won the election. He should be celebrating with all of the people that helped him get there, not hiding out with me.

He turns and faces me as he drops my hand and shoves his into his pockets. “I’ve been trying to talk to you all night. I figured now that this is all over and I’ve won, you might finally stop avoiding me.”

I can’t help but wince at his clipped tone.

He blows out a frustrated breath and runs a hand through his hair. “Sorry, that was a little harsh. It’s just—ever since the night of the debate, I feel like you’ve been pulling away, and it’s been driving me kind of insane. I thought I could chalk it up to us being physically separated. But tonight, every time I’ve tried to get you alone, you’ve brushed me off.”

I look down as guilt settles in the pit of my stomach. “I know, I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want you to apologize, Adrian. I want you to talk to me. I want you to look at me,” he says, emphasizing the last words. “Please?”

My breath catches at the vulnerability in his voice, and I lift my gaze to his.

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