Four years we can look forward to and actively take part in, instead of trying to simply keep him alive.
I rub my thumb over my ring. A lot can happen in four years. It only takes seconds to change a life, better or worse.
Maybe in those four years I’ll finally be able to release my own ghosts.
* * * *
I wish I’d thought to have my phone out and the video camera running when I walked through George’s front door that evening after I’ve changed. Dec and George both turn, their jaws dropping when I walk in.
I lookgood, and I know it. After the street party, I spent a couple of hours getting my hair and nails done. I went easy on the makeup tonight, though. No reason to rub it in.
Tonight’s about George, not me.
That’s the way it should be. He’searnedthis, and I don’t begrudge him a second of it. If you ask him, he’ll say it’s due to me. And Declan.
Don’t listen to him. Did we help? Well, duh.
Buthedid this. He won over the voters. He worked his ass off. He didn’t buy his way into office—he shook hands and knocked on doors and put himself on the line publicly.
Because Ellen believed in him, and she believed in me and my ability to get him into office. She was the rising tide that lifted all boats, and I refuse to let them fall until we’re ready to walk away under our terms.
“Um…wow,” George says as I walk in.
I turn, modeling it. “You like?”
I know that’s a stupid question, because I can see the way both his and Dec’s slacks are tented in the front like a couple of high schoolers about to hit prom with a horny girlfriend and a hidden flask of their dad’s vodka.
Oooh, there absolutely will be fun had tonight by the three of us.
Also means George didn’t lock Declan up.
Oh, goodie.
Therewillbe some teasing in the boy’s immediate future.
“You look gorgeous, Aunt Case,” Aussie says as Ashleigh nods.
“Where’s Logan and Ryder?” I ask.
“They’re upstairs,” George says. “Still getting ready.”
“Chase and Tyson?”
“I’m here,” Chase says as he walks into the living room. “Tyson’s still fucking with his bowtie.”
Daaaammmn. If George and Declan didn’t already have my heart, I would give serious consideration to getting that man in bed tonight. Chase is fucking gorgeous. He used to be in better physical shape than his big brother, but ever since George’s return and rehabilitation, Chase has slid to a very close second.
The campaign splurged a little and rented a stretch limo for tonight so we all could ride in one vehicle.
Declan and I hang back and let George, the kids, and his brothers exit the limo first. Declan scoots out before me and offers me his arm to help me.
The rope line is insane, everyone cheering for George.
I’m having a hard time not grinning, knowing what’s about to happen, and Declan is totally clueless.
Once we’re inside and at our tables, the evening begins. There are a couple of short remarks from some guests of honor, including Susa, Carter, and Owen. After them is the first song.
I’ve already briefed Aussie and Ashleigh. As the band starts to play a long intro to the first song, I know Declan thinks he’s going to dance with me, and George is going to dance with Susa. The two survivors, right?
