Page 38 of Dirty Secret

"Here, have a drink." I briskly maneuvered over to the table lined with liquor bottles and pointed to the first one I saw. "Two glasses and make them big." I widened my eyes at the bartender to drive home my point.

Max and I required plenty of lubrication for this evening, and not the sexy kind, either.

Once the vodkas were in my hand, I took a hefty gulp before handing Max his glass. The full effect of the hard liquor seized my throat causing me to choke on air, and Max to retrieve his drink before it spilled all over him.

My eyes watered but I still noticed Max doing his best to hold back a laugh. For that moment, we weren't in my parents' torture chamber, but back at his place or mine, or anywhere else but here. Somewhere that we could be happy and enjoy ourselves without judging eyes watching our movements.

"Heidi, my dear, you're supposed to sip the drink, not inhale it." My father made his usual obnoxious observation before a large rumble of laughter escaped his lips.

At one time I looked up to my dad, and my mom, when I was little and didn't know any better. They were strong, smart, and when they wanted something, they made it happen. But as I got older, I found out what they desired wasn't always in the best interest of those they represented or the country. They said anything to their constituents, especially if it fed into the voters' fear or anger, to get the votes.

My father told me one day, "Heidi, most people are beaten down in life, in one way or another. They're tired of trying and failing. They just want to be listened to. I listen. They vote."

When I asked him if once he's elected, would he work on their problems, he explained further, "I do what I can. But you have to understand, the voters don't have money. They can't pay me. Sure, their taxes help pay my salary, but who could live in this town on that? The real influence is the money. Besides, the people with the money are educated. They know what's best."

I reminded my father that he makes a six-figure salary and could live quite comfortably in DC on that. But, by that point, he waved me off. Reality wasn't something my father showed much interest in.

With an arm extended. "You must be Max Brighton, plumber extraordinaire."

Max shook the hand of my father, who happened to be the spitting image of JP Morgan.

"Yes, and you must be Senator White." Max's jaw ticked for a moment before he produced a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Come, come, you are in my home. None of that senator nonsense. Call me John."

"All right, John. Please, call me Max."

They were still shaking hands and staring at each other. As much as I feared Max falling for my mother's charms, I was more scared an old-timey duel would break out and my father would announce pistols at dawn. My eyes slid to the bartender, and I wondered if his gloves would be used by the men for the purpose of slapping a challenge.

"Now that we got the names out of the way, I hear Dashiell Fitzwilliam is here, Dad. Haven't seen him, or his son, since I was in high school. I'd love to say hi."

I wouldn't love it at all, but I needed to break up the testosterone battle before it turned deadly.

My father finally released Max's hand as he cleared his throat. It felt as if a fog had lifted and I could breathe again.

"Of course, Heidi. There's a work matter I needed to get his opinion on, so I invited him. Dashiell mentioned that his son, Astor, asked about you." My father's gaze flickered up to Max at the mention of Astor.

Having Astor as my date instead of Max or even Felipe would be a dream come true for my father. I bet my dad had a ring set aside at Tiffany's for the "right" man who would bend his knee for the senator's daughter.

My father brought us over to the attorney general, who was currently speaking to my mother and another gentleman I didn't recognize. My dad did his best to turn the conversation toward him. I noticed Max's arm tensed as he held mine.

"Fitzwilliam, you remember my daughter, don't you?"

The tall, thin man with a wisp of white hair falling over the top of his head smiled awkwardly. I suspect he wasn't used to being interrupted. He must not spend much time with my father. Senator White never waited for a person to finish their words if he had anything to say.

"Yes, little Heidi. I guess not so little anymore. I heard you had gone to pastry school. If you ever open a bakery, you must let me know. I'll make sure to frequent it." He patted his stomach. "I do have a weakness for Danishes."

Everyone laughed except for my mother and father. I knew what my dad was thinking . . . How did the attorney general know this about his own daughter and not him? There was a lecture coming, I could feel my father preparing it based on the level of heat rolling off him.

A change of subject was in order.

"Yes, well, my latest project is my home I bought recently. Being a homeowner comes with its share of problems. My pipe burst a month and a half ago, but luckily, I had a neighbor who could save the day. This is Max Brighton, my neighbor, and hero of my pipes."

I cringed at the words that slipped through my lips. Hero of my pipes? Where's Felipe when I needed him? He would've known how to fix my disaster of a mouth.

"Pipes?" Dashiell said gazing at Max with utter confusion.

"I'm a plumber. I own—"

"Brighton Plumbing," the man who I didn't recognize added.

Based on how the man was glaring at Max, I suspected he was an unhappy client. Max was good at what he did and based on what his customers wrote online about his business, he got great reviews. But there was always an occasional unsatisfied client. I never thought that person would be at my parents' dinner party. Leave it to my dad to find the one person in the city who hated Max.

"Yes, Brighton Plumbing. Mr. Willis is correct."

"You two know each other?" my father asked with an inflection I knew all too well.

I stared at my dad with the full understanding that he knew Max recognized Mr. Willis. He probably invited Mr. Willis just to scare Max away. That's why Max tensed as we made our way toward Dashiell and my mom.

"Yes. He is my ex-wife's father," Max said as his nose flared.

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