Page 34 of Miles Apart
Therein lies the problem. I want to help Em, but I can’t allow myself to care beyond the facade we’re creating for her family. I thought we could fuck a few times and be done with it, but it would be more than that, becauseshe’smore than that.
Emma is becoming an addiction, and it’s getting harder to fight the cravings.
“To answer your question, Mrs. Douglass, I’m from Newark.” I say it how we say it back home:Nork. I’m not about to play with these people.
“Newark.” Carter washes the word down with merlot. Shit is as bitter as he is. “Kinda far from the block, aren’t you?”
I rub my goatee and crack a smile. “You learn that word from JLo, Crispin?”
“Carter.”
I shrug. “Brick City is my home. I still visit when I’m not traveling, but my block these days is the one in Jersey City with properties I own, and the house I have in Virginia.” I have houses elsewhere, too, but that’s none of his business.
Juliette’s brow arches. “Impressive, Miles. Did you attend one of the Ivy Leagues?”
“I went to Bodie University, same as Emma. Got my undergrad in intelligence and cyber ops and mostly hop between New York City and DC when I’m not out of the country.” I smirk at Carter and reach for my wineglass. “Not bad for a kid from theblock.” I take in his sour face with an amused chuckle. Bro is trying hard not to pout.
I came a long way from life in South Newark. My mama did her best to keep me out the street but had to focus on holding down the house after GG died when I was ten. That woman was my heart. She kept me glued to her hip after school, watching herstories. By eleven, my mama was working a part-time job on top of double shifts at the hospital to keep a roof over our heads once the rent went up. I stayed away from the dope block around the corner from us but ran errands for Shine, which turned into fast money boosting cars once I hit middle school.
I was always over at Terrence’s abuela’s house after his mom moved in with him and his sisters. Had it not been for them, and Professor Jelks snatching my ass up, who knows where I’d be. Not here in a $6,000 custom tux in a fishbowl for snobs who’ve had life handed to them and turn their noses up at someone who did what was necessary to save himself and his mother. They hear Newark, see me, and think I’m an exception and not one of many who’d run circles around them, especially if they had a leg up from generational wealth and not the constant need to operate on survival mode.
This shit—the fancy dinners, ego stroking, and women like Blair salivating over my dick because of my hood—ain’t real, and it doesn’t impress me.
The band starts up as servers move around white linen tables to drop off dessert. Senator Douglass already gave his speech in front of the podium. We’ve yet to meet, and I don’t know if he prefers “John,” “Senator,” or what. Politicians get real uptight about their titles. At least introducing myself will end this round of LinkedIn questions borderingFamily Feud.
Emma’s dad and I share the same mocha complexion, only he has thick brows and full lips that now spread into a smile like he’s campaigning for our vote. “Miles, is it? Carrillo told me a lot about you.” He stretches out his hand and nods to the congressperson beside him. “I had no idea you two worked together.”
All it took for this table to perk up was a fellow member of Congress to validate my existence. The only people unfazed are Emma, who’s on her phone, and her aunt, who’s still knockedout. Unlike Carter, I don’t kiss anyone’s ass. Unless it’s in the bedroom. My work speaks for itself.
Lorenzo’s smile is easy. I’ve seen it countless times on video calls these last nine months. It’s a throwaway that comes with a flash of gray eyes that used to sear through my damn soul if I rolled up late to his class.
“This young man is the reason I introduced my last bill,” he says, like he didn’t school me in data analysis throughout college. “His knowledge of cybersecurity and technology are exceptional. I’ve tried to get Miles into our Los Angeles office, but he is a hard man to lock down.”
“You’ve done alright without me.” I’ll save theold manfor when we’re not in mixed company. It might look like we just linked up, but Zo and I go way back.
Professor Jelks taught information systems at a college in Newark when I was coming up, and he introduced me to Lorenzo my freshman year at Bodie. Zo was an adjunct professor when he wasn’t raising hell in City Council. He got his start in East LA and translated his hustle into serving his community through policy that reflects their needs and not the shit lawmakers pass off as effective change.
I don’t fuck with many people, but Lorenzo Carrillo is a real one. How many elected officials do you know who handle their business and still get respect where they’re from?
“Such high praise coming from you, Carrillo. Since my daughter and Miles appear to be an item, maybe she’ll convince him to visit.” Senator Douglass stands to shake hands with a couple passing by the table. Judging by the size of the dead carcass adorning the woman’s shoulder, they’re campaign donors. When he returns to his seat, he asks, “How long would you need him out there?” like I’m not here.
My traitor of a mentor lifts a shoulder, tempting the tattoo on his neck to peek out from his collar. He strokes his beard, whichhas more salt than pepper these days. “Only a few weeks—a month, ideally—to bring new members of my team up to speed.”
“Nah, that ain’t—”
“Emma has plenty of room in her home,” the senator offers. “I was never comfortable with her living alone. Wish she’d settle down.”
Her head finally snaps up from whatever had her attention on her phone. I suck my teeth at the poker game on Emma’s screen and nudge her with my knee to focus. She really does zone out at these fundraisers, but now ain’t the time for games. She better get us out of this shit before I turn off the lights.
Em looks between her father, who’s trying to pawn me off as the boyfriend expected to live with her, and me. Said boyfriend. “Dad. Miles travels plenty for work, and so do I. Living together is a big step in any relationship.” She shakes her head and looks to me for help.You and this scheme are on your own. “I—we’re not ready for that yet.”
“Consider it a test run,” Carter says with a calculated stare. “If you’re not a casual fling, this would be a great chance for John to support more data security initiatives.” His mouth untwists from a scowl and shifts into a sly smile. “I don’t mind representing our office. Plus”—he straightens in his seat and tips his head at Emma’s dad—“increasing our bicoastal presence will help with the exploration.”
“Exploration?” Emma frowns.
“Your father is considering a run for the presidency,” Juliette reveals.
“Not this year,” the senator clarifies. “Possibly next term. I’ve held my position for three decades and am grateful for the partnerships around the country.” He nods to Zo. “If things continue the way they are, I’ll start an exploration committee and throw my hat in the race.”
