Page 53 of Where There's Smoke

“What happened? I mean, have you guys always been this way?”

“We’ve always been this way. I don’t think Dad ever wanted kids with Mom, so…” He stared out at the night sky. “I think he always resented the fact that I tied him to her.”

“Nice guy,” I muttered.

“Tell me about it.” He sighed. “Then of course it got around that he wasn’t interested in his kid, and after Mom died, he got custody, and I guess he didn’t want people thinking he was a complete deadbeat. So he ‘got involved’”—Jesse made air quotes—“in my life and tried to at least look like a father.”

“That why he got you started acting?”

Jesse nodded. “I guess he thought it was something we could do together. Some sort of father-son bonding bullshit.” He laughed humorlessly. “Thatworked well. My brothers are cut out for it. Me?” He whistled and shook his head. “No.Not even a little.”

I laughed softly and smothered my cigarette. I’d seen one of Jesse’s movies and heard about the other two. No sense making any comments; there was nothing I could say that the critics hadn’t already said with considerably less tact.

I put another cigarette between my lips. “I’m guessing he didn’t like the fact that you ditched Hollywood for politics?” As I cupped my lighter and flicked it, I didn’t miss the subtle shiver.

Jesse recovered quickly, though. “Probably just because he can’t take credit for any success I have in this arena. As far as he’s concerned, his name is on Chris’s Oscar and both of Nate’s Golden Globe awards. No one would believe for a second that he did a damned thing to help me get into politics.” He glanced at me, a hint of a smirk tugging up the corners of his mouth. “Besides, I think he’d bail after a week of these campaign events. He hates promo tours for his films, and those have nothing on this.”

I exhaled some more smoke. “No, those aren’t even close.” I brought my cigarette back up but paused with it an inch or so from my mouth. “And if you think the campaign’s been intense so far, all I can say is, shit just got real.”

Jesse laughed. “Great.”

“Sorry.” I shrugged. “It’s going to be more traveling, more debating, and a hell of a lot less sleep.”

He groaned. “Less sleep? Fucking hooray.”

“Par for the course.” I took another slow, deep drag and turned my head to blow out the smoke without getting it in his face.

“At least tonight’s a fairly early night.” He pulled up his sleeve and looked at his watch. “Eight fifteen, and the party’s already wrapping up. Maybe I’ll actually get some sleep for a change.”

I once again paused with my cigarette almost touching my lips.

Jesse looked at me, and his eyebrows rose. “What?”

I chewed the inside of my cheek and lowered my cigarette. “Yeah, it’s an early night, but…”

His eyebrows crept up a little more.

We both needed to get some sleep at some point, and anyone on a campaign trail knew better than to let an opportunity pass him by for an early night, but there was something on my mind that trumped even my need for sleep.

Now or never, Anthony.

I glanced around the terrace. It was mostly empty, but enough people milled around that we had to be discreet.

“Things are about to get chaotic and insane like you won’t even believe.” I smothered my barely smoked cigarette in the ashtray and met Jesse’s eyes. “There won’t be a lot of downtime.”

He gave a half a breath’s worth of nervous laughter. “There hasn’t been much anyway.”

“There will be even less now.” I hooked my thumb in the pocket of my slacks. “Anything you want to accomplish during that downtime, this is your last chance.” I paused. More for the benefit of those around us than him, I added, “We need to discuss the next steps in your campaign. We might as well do that tonight.”

Jesse gulped, and I didn’t have to ask if he read between the lines.

Chapter 12

Jesse

Anthony closedhis front door behind him. Holding my gaze, he turned the deadbolt like it was a volume knob controlling my heartbeat, cranking it up higher and higher until it clicked into place.

He started toward me, and he didn’t have to say a word. The look in his eyes confirmed every suspicion—hope—I’d had all the way over here: we weren’t working on any speeches or debate tactics tonight.

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