Page 17 of The Senator

I gave the only answer I had. “Your mother is a special woman with a forgiving heart. That’s the only way I can explain it. Look, I’m sorry we didn’t have this discussion sooner, but your mother and me? We love you more than anything. I hate that all of this happened, but we can’t turn back time. I should have told you about myself sooner. I’m gay, son. I should have explained it to you before it was on the front page of the fucking paper, and for that, I’m sorry.”

Jay finished his meal without saying anything more. I knew he was thinking that he had the worst parents in the world, so I braced myself for his condemnation.

After finishing his soda, offering the requisite burp, Jay wiped his mouth and placed his trash on the tray. “I guess this apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

I had an idea about what he meant, but I wanted to give him the chance to explain things to me when he was comfortable. I’d been that kid once upon a time.

“So, uh, Cole’s nice. You guys seem to get along well.” Would my comment be the prompt for him to fill in the blanks?

“We started chatting when we found out we’d be roommates. Both of us got early acceptance, and once we were paired, we reached out so we wouldn’t be uncomfortable when we got to school. He’s pretty shy, but once you get to know him, he’s really sweet and kind, Dad. His parents have known he’s gay since he was fifteen, and they support him.”

My heart kicked up a bit. His next words hit their target.

“I didn’t tell you about me, but Mom knows. I told her when I started high school. She kept telling me it was fine to talk to you about it, but I didn’t know how you’d react, especially since you’re a senator, so I didn’t say anything.”

I reached across the table and placed my hand on his broken arm, hoping my gesture of support was welcome. “I love you, Jay, and I’m proud of the man you’ve become. I’ll support you in anything you ever do.” I stood and pulled Jay up with me, hugging him.

“God, Dad. Stop.” He might have protested, but he didn’t let me go. I chuckled because it was the typical teenage response, and I was glad to hear it. We were a normal family, and having the confirmation of it from my son gave me a sense of relief.

I released him and stepped back. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sorry. How does that go?” It was something I’d seen online.

Jay laughed, and I heard Nash chuckle before he coughed, “Dumbass.” Yeah, that one hit home.

I looked up to see the smirk on the handsome man’s face, and I didn’t know what to say. God, he was gorgeous, and I was falling under his spell.

Dumbass as charged.

CHAPTER 8

NASH

I’d tried not to get involved in the conversation between father and son, but hearing the story Spencer was telling about Vanessa struck something inside me unlike anything ever had. Hearing them discuss the kid’s accident, and Spence trying to be as supportive as possible was amazing.

I could see the senator loved his son, and it seemed the kid loved him as well. I wished to hell I’d had that support at Jay’s age.

I watched the two of them as they cleaned their mess and headed toward the cafeteria exit. When Spencer stopped, he said something to his son, who nodded before continuing out the door. Spencer strolled over to where I was seated at the table, dropping into the chair across from me.

He plopped a small yogurt onto the table and smiled. “You still hungry? Vani won’t eat it because it’s sugar-free.”

I picked it up and looked at the label, seeing it was strawberry. “I’m allergic,” I announced, not ready to be checked into the hospital for an epi shot.

It had been a dark day when I found out I was allergic to strawberries as a kid. I was at an adoption fair and had grabbed one of the homemade tarts the social worker offered, eager for any sort of treat.

I ended up in the emergency room because my throat closed due to an unknown allergy, which shot to hell any chance of meeting prospective parents that day. I didn’t get adopted, but I never touched strawberry anything ever again.

“Oh, damn, I’m sorry. I, uh, I can get you something else,” Spencer offered, looking seven kinds of guilt ridden.

I laughed. “I’m fine, Spencer. That was your son?”

“Yeah. He got T-boned at an intersection here in Blacksburg. I need to go find the goddamn police station because there are a lot of unanswered questions. Will you go with me? You might have to keep me out of jail.” I wasn’t sure if he was serious or not, but I was on board.

“Yeah, sure. Do you need to send Vani a text?” I wouldn’t allow myself to forget he was a married man. I could have taken him to a hotel, motel, or a vacant field, and fucked him, but he wasn’t mine. Neither was Vani, and I was still confused about their relationship.

Spencer dug his phone out of his jeans’ pocket, pecking out a quick text. “Done. Let’s go.”

I pulled the large SUV into the parking lot of the Blacksburg Police Department. Spencer reached for the door handle, but I hit the locks to keep him inside. The anger I felt rolling off him would have the two of us sharing a cell in five minutes.

“Don’t go in there half-cocked. You don’t know what they know, and if it happens maybe your son ran a light and the accident was his fault, you don’t want them to investigate it too much. Calm down, Senator. This isn’t the Senate floor.”

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