Meanwhile, I flat-out told the new Speaker of the Senate, my replacement, and the Speaker of the House, that if they passed any laws that outright restricted abortion, or any laws that would serve to limit rights for anyone, I’d veto it even if it was our fucking state budget. That I’d force them back into session until theyfixed it. And that I would lay it squarely back on their shoulders, personally naming them and the bills’ sponsors in a very loud and embarrassing PR campaign that would make for interesting sound bites for their opponents to use in attack ads when they were up for re-election.
That if either of them wanted to get shit done, they’d better learn to pass clean bills quickly, because I would goon PR campaigns against them if they didn’t.
That quickly saw them slicing shit out of several bills winding their way through committee in both houses.
I had a good bit of power as Speaker. I could herd the fuck out of those cats, but evenIknew when I had to ease up the pressure and let some things go through that I personally didn’t approve of and had no trouble voting against once theywere on the floor. There was always something else in the bill I could point to as my reason for voting no.
As governor, however, I hold the veto power. And as the past Speaker, I know the tricks to use to ensure it’s an override-proof veto, which strings to pull.
The weak points within the State Assembly where I can apply pressure.
And, in a couple of instances, where Casey and Declan canapply barely disguised extortion.
It’s nice being governor and knowing a shit-ton of secrets because my former coworkers made the mistake of thinking I was a really nice guy, and they used to confide in me and ask for off-the-record advice.
* * * *
We head out on foot for lunch. Declan’s done his homework and has located a restaurant only two blocks from the hotel.
When we reach the frontdoor, I step forward and open it for Declan, my hand naturally settling in the small of his back, the way I used to with Ellen, to indicate for him to go first.
His gaze lands on me, those dark brown eyes focused on me, and he smiles.
“Thank you, Sir,” he softly says to me as he passes. My gut clenches as my cock stirs. A familiar sensation I haven’t felt in too damn long.
The way it alwaysused to forher. For my girl.
I love him.
I aminlove with him.
I’m a straight man, but I’minlove withthisman—who also claimed to be straight before Hurricane Casey took over—and I’ll be damned if I’ll let anyone tell me I can’t be with him. Certainty rules my heart and soul the same way it did when I met Ellen.
I amcertainhe is my future.
Iwanthim.
I want him in my bed, I wantmy ring on his finger, and I want my last name on his driver’s license. I want to set tongues wagging. I defy anyone to tell me I haven’t earned this happiness.
I want to dare them to ask me what Ellen would say, because I know Casey and my children will be the first to tell them that Ellen would have cheered us on.
Because…
For the first time since my world exploded and wind screamed throughthe fuselage, I’m truly at peace.
Even more impossibly?
I’mhappy.
I don’t care what I have to do to make him mine—hewillbe mine.
I’m not sure where Casey wants to be in that permutation, but I’m sure she has opinions aboutthat, too. Opinions I’m looking forward to hearing at some point.
Can I share him?
Yes, I can, and I will. But I’mnotletting him go.
Ever.
