Page 7 of Since Always

Sorry, Lil C. I don't love it either, but that's just the way this is going to have to be.

My phone buzzes in my hand, drawing my attention back. It's a friendly name calling and I answer quickly, thankful for the distraction.

"Hey, Dani."

"Hey, Owen," the cheerful voice on the other side says. "Merry late-Christmas."

"Happy early-New Year. How is your break going?"

"Um, it's been pretty productive, I guess. I'm in the office now working on some stuff."

"Dani, take a break. The work will still be there when we get back in session. At least wait until after New Year's."

"I've been taking a break, I promise. I've gotten to hang out with David a lot. I'm good, I swear.

I want to say more, want to make her realize how important it is to step away from it, but that would make me a complete hypocrite. Besides, I remember what it was like to be a freshman in Congress. Dani Rodriguez also has the added pressure of being the youngest Representative, and a Latina woman. I don't imagine she would appreciate me telling her she should chill, so I keep my thoughts to myself.

"Alright, well, I just want to make sure you're taking care of yourself."

"Yes, Dad. I'm fine."

I chuckle at this. The press loves to speculate whether there is anything going on between me and Dani, but this is how it has been since her first day in the House.

"Hey, I actually called to give you a head's up," she says.

"Sounds ominous."

"Yeah, well, because it is. I was at the Smithfield Foundation Christmas party last night and Reynolds was there. He mentioned he was heading up your way today. You're in Aspen, right?"

I groan. "Yeah. I'm in Aspen."

"I think he's only there for a few days. You probably won't see him, but I didn't want you to have an unexpected run-in."

"Thanks for that."

"Yeah, of course. You know I've always got your back, Blaze. Ah, shit. I have a call I have to take."

"No problem. And honestly, thanks again. Enjoy your New Year."

"You too. See you in a couple of weeks. Bye."

I set the phone down and sink into the water, letting it pull up over me. My demons seem to always find me, despite how hard I've tried to run from them.

CHAPTER 3

Cassidy

"We're going to Seth Henson's party tonight, Lil' C. Want to come?" Chris sits down across from me at the counter where I am prepping food for one of our make-your-own-pizza nights.

"Are we 'Seth Hanson Party'-type people?" I crinkle my nose at the thought. Seth went to school with my brother and Owen, and even now, in his mid-30's, he has never worked a day in his life. From what I can discern, he spends his year bouncing from one party location to another. "Haven't you guys outgrown that scene?"

"Ouch," a voice from the doorway says. Owen walks into the room, dressed in jeans and a fitted flannel shirt and looking like the cover model from a GQ Magazine. Which, for the record, he has been. Twice. "Is that another way of calling us old?"

"You guys, you can not be serious. You're a Senator." I wave my hand at Owen, and Chris flinches, his eyes following the knife as it moves through the air. "And you are one of the most visible businessmen in the country. Are you guys really going to go do body shots off random Instagram models?"

They exchange a glance. "There will be body shots?" Chris asks.

I snort.

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