Page 100 of Tips and Trysts

Finally, I place my hand on my cheek. My fingers are cold, but my skin burns. “I’m fine, Bev,” I assure her, even though she didn’t ask.

“How is Cora?”

Surprised, I look at her. Her brows are high, and her face is placid like she actually cares. Raising a shoulder, I give her the honest answer: “She’s fine.”

Beverly nods again. “Your father mentioned you two were…” She trails off. “Well, congratulations, Everett. She’s lovely.”

I’ve known Beverly for six years now—long enough to know when she’s being sincere. This is one of those moments.

“She is. Thanks, Beverly.”

She doesn’t say anything else. She merely waves and gives me a half smile before she leaves. And as my father’s closest confidant departs, I sincerely wish Cora (and her unparalleled powers of perception) were here. Maybe she would be able to tell me why Beverly’s smile almost seemed…sad.

***

24N is the preeminent cable news network in the country, and more than a couple political careers have been made and broken on its airwaves. Luckily, I’ve had media training for two decades and endured countless hours of Lander ‘Recently Unemployed’ Dawson drilling me on talking points. Plus, the interview is a fluff piece. I don’t really care either way.

The media fascination with my father and me, beyond the novelty of us running for Congress in the same election cycle, is that I—objectively—am hot. So, I smile. I nod. I think about Cora watching the live broadcast on her laptop and pretend to scratchmy chin with my middle finger while actually flipping her off. I know she’ll love it.

For me, the most interesting part of the interview is Regina Rutherson. The Rutherson Report has held 24N’s weeknight primetime slot for the last decade, and Regina is the best kind of asshole. She’s in the center chair on election night and gets the first interview with anyone making headlines. As someone in government and politics, I’ve always respected her and her provocative interview style, which is how I know something is wrong fifteen minutes in.

She keeps touching her earpiece.

She presses her finger against it every time she’s not speaking, and her eyes keep flicking over to me.

I give her another close-lipped smile, but I’m racking my brain to figure out why Regina Rutherson, one of the most influential people at the network, would fixate on me when the Governor of Virginia—a candidate for senator in a battleground state—is seated next to me.

And speaking of my father, he’s having the time of his life, chuckling and blabbering and being an altogether charming asshole. The guy has always loved the limelight, and I’m happy to let him take it. Frankly, he needs it more than I do.

Regina does it again—touches her earpiece—before she faces my father and says, “It’s noteworthy that the Logan family has had a long history in politics, especially when you, Governor, have always positioned yourself as a traditionalist and a family man.”

My father grins like his dental hygiene is being graded on a curve. “Thank you for mentioning that, Regina, because I’m proud that family values are core to my platform and my philosophy.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “And obviously, I’m so proud of my son. He’s everything I hoped he would be.”

I give my father a kindly smile, and the only thing faker is the veiny silicone cock back at my house.

Regina turns to me. “Everett, what about you? You’re young. Unmarried. Single, is my understanding. How do family values intersect with your ideologies?”

The questions are more transparent than Cora’s slutty underwear. They make me want to rip off my mic, but I’m still here to win. While I may not relish the game like Warren does, I’m good at it.

Determined not to lie, I say, “Well, obviously family is the most important thing to me. I’m simply a firm believer in unconditional love, respect, and honesty in any family.”

My father squeezes my shoulder gently, and it almost feels real. He’s so convincing.I’mso convincing. And I imagine a world where someone could be proud of me like this, because ofme—not because I’m a goddamn thoroughbred.

“Interesting,” Regina comments, before she presses her fingertip to her ear once more. “Respect and honesty. You know, that’s quite a statement given the company you keep, Everett. Can you comment on the allegations that the woman who saved your life—a dear friend, you’ve called her—calumniously and unsuccessfully attempted to blackmail Felix J. Worthington when she was a doctoral candidate at Harvard?”

Thirty-Five

CORA

It’s two in themorning when Everett shows up at my door. By then, I’ve been waiting hours to apologize. He doesn’t let me.

The moment I let him in, he kisses me, layering them on my mouth, my cheeks, my neck—and he refuses to stop.

“Shower,” he orders, and I’m not surprised. Everett is most comfortable when he doesn’t feel confined. Outdoors is best, but water helps.

In the shower, he fucks me slowly, thoroughly, with my cheek pressed against the slick white tiles and his firm hand wrapped around my neck. Taking his time, he talks me through the entire thing:I can’t believe I get to fuck this pussy. The tightest, prettiest cunt I’ve ever seen. Can you make it tighter for me? I knew you could. You’ve always been a slut. Soaked, even in the shower. You’ll take my cum, won’t you? You’ll beg for it because you like it deep. You’re such a whore that you can’t stand to have an empty pussy, can you? You always want my cock or my cum in it, don’t you, princess?

His other hand clutches my hip in a crushing grasp, keeping me steady while I go boneless from a rolling wave of an orgasm.

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