Page 194 of Choosing You

“You dated his daughter! You have to know something!”

“We didn’t sit around talking about her dad!”

I’m trying hard not to think about Garret and Sadie together, but my mind keeps doing it anyway. I wonder how far that relationship went. There’s no way I’m asking. Then again, they dated for two months. I don’t need to ask. I’m sure it went where I was hoping it didn’t.

“What’s his background?” I ask, trying to wipe Sadie’s image out of my head. “Why is he so powerful?”

“The family owns a big pharmaceutical company. The company’s been around forever. Sadie’s uncle runs it. Her dad didn’t want to. He was more interested in politics. That’s all I know. But my dad knows more about him.”

“I don’t know what to do, Garret.”

“Let’s just put this stuff away and go back to the hotel.”

When we get to his room, I look out the window at all the national news trucks along Grand Avenue. Even international news agencies are here.

Garret turns on the TV, flipping to one of the news channels. A reporter is standing outside. They’re live in Des Moines, just a block from our hotel.

We listen as the reporter talks. “…visiting the state once again before the holidays. The latest polls show Royce Sinclair taking the lead, but by a slim margin. There’s still plenty of time left for a new frontrunner to take his place. Sinclair has said he’ll be staying in Iowa over the holidays to secure his frontrunner status. Kent Gleason is also remaining here, although he’s currently a distant fourth.”

“Turn it off,” I tell Garret. “I can’t watch it. It’s making me feel sick. He’s probably down in that building next to all the news trucks. What if he’s staying in this hotel?” The thought makes me panic even more. “He probably is! It’s the nicest hotel in town!”

Garret comes over and forces me sit to down. “The candidates usually don’t stay at hotels. They usually rent a house because they’re here for so long.” He gets out his phone. “I’ll look it up quick.”

Within a minute, Garret’s already found it. “Just like I said. He’s renting a house in the suburbs. Some place called Clive.”

“Yeah. It’s out west. Fine. But he’s still here in town.”

My cell phone rings. It’s Ryan calling. “Ryan. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Relax, Jade. Dad’s starting to improve. He’s being moved to a regular hospital room later this afternoon.”

“That’s great! Should I get over there?”

“He’s still sleeping. But stop by around 3. Or come here earlier and we’ll have lunch. I’ll be done in the lab at 2 so you could come by then.”

“Okay. Sounds good. See ya soon.” I hang up and turn to Garret. “We’re meeting Ryan for a late lunch. Frank’s getting better and they’re moving him to a regular room.”

“That’s good news.”

“Yeah, but I’m a little worried about seeing him again. Do you think he remembers what he told us?”

“No. I think he was totally out of it when he said it.”

“I think so, too, but I have to ask him about it. I need to know for sure if this is true and find out what else he knows.”

“So what do you want to do until we go to the hospital? Do you want to get out of here?”

“No, I want to stay here. I want to get into bed and pull the covers over me and just feel safe for a minute. And I want you beside me.”

He smiles at that last part. It’s one of the few times I’ve ever come out and actually asked him to be there for me. “I can do that.”

I take off my jeans and climb into bed in my t-shirt. Garret joins me, lying on his back. I scoot closer to him and he kisses the top of my head as he secures his arm over me. “It’ll be okay, Jade.”

He says it, but I don’t think he believes it.

CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE

When we’re backat the hospital we meet Ryan at the lab where he works.

---