Page 60 of Where There's Smoke

“And even with the divorce looming,” I said, making sure my voice was gentle and didn’t sound accusatory, “you both still thought this campaign was a good idea?”

Jesse scowled. “I knew it wasn’t. Deep down, I knew. And I was going to hold off on running for office for a while, but then Casey started making noise about running. Simone suggested getting Roger’s advice about the election in light of the two of us divorcing. Neither of us were thrilled about his suggestion but couldn’t very well argue with it either.”

“Pity Roger didn’t come to me before offering advice.”

“What would you have suggested?”

“Divorce your wife, then run for office. Don’t address your personal life, don’t draw any attention to it, and by all means, don’t try to mislead the public. As it is, if you come out after you’re elected, you could wind up getting impeached. Legally it doesn’t matter what you do in private, but it does matter if you lie to the public about it.”

Jesse groaned and rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand. “Why the fuck would Roger have me do things this way, then?”

Oh, I could think of a few reasons, I wanted to mutter. Instead I just said, “Because when it comes to campaign strategies, your uncle is an idiot.”

Jesse laughed. “And here I always thought he was good at it.”

“Oh, he’s good at campaigning. He’s just a moron when it comes to campaignstrategies. He’s got charisma. I mean, the man could sell shit to pig farmers while convincing the unemployed that the economy is booming. But believe me, when he’s campaigning, he doesn’t say anything about anything unless he’s run it by me first. Policies and crisis solutions? That’s all him. But who to talk to and what to say to woo the voters? Not a word without my say-so. Which is why I was so fucking pissed he’d put your marriage front and center before he brought me on board.”

Jesse cocked his head. “But you didn’t know my marriage was…well…”

“No, I didn’t. But even if you had the marriage he’s insisted you portray, it shouldn’t have been part of the campaign strategy until I’d gotten involved. And most likely I wouldn’t have put a spotlight on it. Had the two of you show up at events, yeah, but it isn’t something that needs to be shoved down the public’s throat. Especially when there are problems behind the scenes.” I pursed my lips. “And if I’d known this would be detrimental to Simone’s health…”

“Yeah, I know,” he whispered. “And once the cat’s out of the bag, why do I get the feeling that once I’m elected, I could single-handedly reverse the state’s economic problems overnight and this couldstillkill my career?”

“Because that’s exactly the case.”

“Lovely,” he muttered.

“Once you and Simone divorce, you’ll be under some scrutiny for a while. Are you going to come out then?”

“I don’t know. The public will probably flip out.”

“They’ll flip out if you come out then; they’ll flip out if you come out later.”

“So I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t.”

I nodded. “Welcome to politics. Whatever the case, we’ll need to be careful.” I trailed my fingers down the side of his neck. “Extra careful.”

“I don’t imagine this will get any easier after the election,” he said. “Seeing each other, I mean.”

“Not if you get elected, no.”

Jesse smirked. “Well, I could lose, so then we—”

“Thefuckyou will.” I laughed.

He chuckled, but it didn’t last. “All joking aside, I’m scared to death of coming out publicly, but it’s not just because of what it’ll do to my political career.”

I laced my fingers between his on his chest. “What do you mean?”

“I’m really afraid of how things will affect Simone,” he said softly. “As she puts it, the media’s like a bunch of teenage girls in a high school bathroom, and they’ll find the cruelest way to twist the story around. Saying she turned me or that she was a beard all along or just gossiping about it nonstop. The divorce and everything are stressful enough for her. I just, I don’t want it to be worse for her than it has to be. She’s been humiliated enough.”

“Yeah, she has. Poor girl. I don’t know how you two live with that, to be honest. In a fishbowl, having people not only know about but criticize your everyday life…” I shook my head.

“Yeah, well, when your parents are famous for everything they’ve ever done,” he muttered, “it’s the only life you ever know.” He paused. “I’m surprised no one’s ever tried to put your personal life out there.”

I shrugged. “I’m just a campaign manager, not a candidate. Most people couldn’t care less what I do as long as it’s legal.”

“Yeah, but being so close to the political world, and with as scandal hungry as everyone is…”

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