Page 13 of Accepted Precedent
“Because I’ve wanted you for years, and now that I’ve had you, I’m sure as fuck not going to let you go without a fight.”
Chapter 6
Andrew
Mickey and I have shared men and women dozens of times, and I’ve never felt insecure or jealous. This is different. Mickey can have Evelyn—I don’t want her, at least not the same way he does. I don’t want to lose my best friend because of a few orgasms. It’s not worth it, and there’s no sexual attraction or tension between us. I love Evie more than I’ve loved anyone in my life, but it’s the love of two friends. Nothing more. Even with as much as I love Mickey, if I ever have to choose between him and Evelyn, I’ll choose her happiness every time.
Kissing her was fun, but it didn’t have the same fire I’m used to with Mick—or anyone else I’ve been romantically involved with. How are we going to make the world believe we’re in love? We’ll be trapped in a contract marriage, and I’ll hate every minute of it. So will she. The moment we’re able to, I need to divorce her… even if my career suffers.
The past twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind we’ve all been swept up in. To be elected, I hate that I’ll make three people’s lives miserable. Mick and I may only have stolen kisses,sneaking around like horny teenagers while I’m campaigning. Evelyn won’t be able to openly date anyone; I’m stealing years from her. Sure, she can sleep with Mickey, but will it be enough for her?
There’s also the matter of President Taylor wanting Mickey to marry his daughter, Jaclyn. If he does, hiding an affair from the Washington darling will be impossible, and wouldn’t be fair to her. I may have to give him up completely.
After checking in with Aisling about breakfast, I take a seat at the kitchen table with my laptop and comb through the research report. The political issues I support aren’t a problem; voters are turned off by the fact that I’m single. Alexander Blake is running for a seat in Texas but doesn’t have this problem—and he's running as an Independent in a red state. I’ve been painted as a young playboy, out of touch with the needs of Maryland families, all because my opponent has a wife and kids. It’s absolute bullshit.
I scroll my contacts until I find Alex’s number and presscall. “Hey, buddy,” he answers on the third ring.
“Hey. I got the report. It’s… not looking good.”
“Shit,” he sighs. “What do you need to adjust?”
“I need to get married.”
“What?” He sputters a cough. “You’re fucking with me.”
I rake a hand through my hair and blow out a long, steady breath. “I told you about my opponent’s smear campaign. If I don’t get married, I’ll lose.”
“You haven’t been with Mickey for very long. Is it too soon to propose?”
“Yes, but also… One sec, let me send it to you.” I take a picture of my approval rating based on hypothetical spouses and send it to him. “There.”
“Fuck, Andy, this is… Wow. I’m so sorry, Andy. White, female, liberal, educated, unemployed. You need a fucking housewife with a master’s degree—a unicorn!”
“Yeah,” I chuckle. “Last time I checked, Mick works and doesn’t have a pussy.”
“So, what are you going to do? Jump on the dating apps to find some rich woman with nothing better to do than marry you in the next two months?”
“Evie,” I admit, hating that I’m subjecting her to this—even if she insists she’s on board. “I’m going to marry Evelyn.”
“Are… are you serious? Don’t get me wrong, she’s gorgeous and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, but you can’t marry her. She’s a lobbyist.”
“Hey, baby,” Mick whispers beside my ear. He kisses my cheek and takes a seat next to me with his tablet. “Breakfast should be ready soon, but can you check on Evie first?”
“Sorry, Alex, can I call you back?”
“You drop a bomb on me that you’re going to marry your best friend and then bail?” he deadpans with a groan. “Fine. Yes. Call me later.”
We hang up, and I snap at Mick, “What happened? Did you take it too far?”
He nods, and I’m out of my seat in an instant, rushing to the spare bedroom, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart is thumping loudly in my chest; I could be walking in on anything.
“Evie?” I cautiously open the door and make my way to her. Evelyn is under the covers; I slide in beside her. “Hey, what do you need?”
She tucks into my side like she did last night. “I’m okay.”
“What did he do?” A growl is stuck in my throat—I’ll never forgive Mick for hurting her.
“I just had the best sex of my life,” she whines through choked sobs. “That’s what he did.”
