“No, I’m done.”
He scoffs. “Because no one wants to talk to the loser.”
“Did you just call me a loser?”
“You lost that debate, Reagan,” he says sharply. “You went down in spectacular flames.”
I close my eyes and remind myself fighting with him won’t help anything. “It definitely wasn’t my best night.”
“Your poll numbers were starting to slip before tonight.”
“I’m still leading,” I remind him.
“Not for long. Not after that disaster.”
I sigh with exasperation. “What do you want me to say? I sucked, and I know it. All I can do is work harder tomorrow.”
“I called in a favor from Tom.”
I narrow my eyes. “Tom Harbor?”
“No, TomCruise,” he says with sarcasm. “Of course, Tom Harbor. He’s the only one who can save you at this point.”
“I don’t want him on my campaign.”
“Too late, Reagan. It’s that or lose, and you need to win this race.”
“I need to, oryouneed me to?”
Another scoff. “Yes, I’ll admit that after all my undefeated Senate elections, it will be a major embarrassment to me if my own daughter can’t pull this off. I’m leaving with record-high approval ratings.”
“That’syou, Dad. I’m me. Jude Titan is no lightweight opponent.”
“He has weaknesses. Everyone does. Just watch Tom in action, and you’ll see.”
I blow out an exasperated breath.
“Reagan, trust me,” my father says. “I know how to help you. I’ve been there.”
I can’t argue with that. He has. And since I won’t tell him why I’m so opposed to Tom joining my campaign, I know he believes this will help.
Hell, maybe it will. I’m certainly not killing itwithoutTom on board.
“Okay,” I say, sounding as weary as I feel. The pre-debate adrenaline high has come crashing down.
“Tom will join you in Chicago tomorrow.”
“He can just work from the Chicago office,” I say.
“No, he’ll be on the trail with you.”
I shake my head and close my eyes. Why even bother? My dad doesn’t see me as capable of anything. And after tonight, my confidence in my ability to win this election on my own is shaken.
“Fine. Have him text Lexi about it.”
“We can still pull this together, Reagan. I have a lead on a soldier who served with Titan who may be willing to discredit him.”
I lower my brows skeptically. “That can’t be legit.”
