There wasan empty seat next to my father and one next to Caro. Grayson read my mind and quirked a brow at me. Already the power play had begun.
I moved to Caro’s side of the table and sat next to her. Grayson gave me a knowing look, and my father pretended that he didn’t notice. And maybe he didn’t. Maybe he left things like that up to Grayson.
Caro smiled warmly at me. “How are you today, Jane? Your Econ quiz go okay?”
I nodded. “Yes. Aced it.”
“Good for you,” she said, placing her hand on mine and giving it a squeeze.
Caro had been very nice to me these past weeks, and we’d talked about a lot of things. I would even say we’d grown quite close. But she wasn’t a toucher. In fact, I think this was the first time she’d touched me.
It did not escape my notice that it happened for the first time in front of my father and Grayson.
They noticed too. My father gave a small smile, like he was happy I’d become so close to his ex-wife.
Grayson eyed Caro suspiciously.
“We’re trying to figure out what might be best for Joe’s campaign as it applies to my…involvement. And yours as well,” she said, ignoring Grayson’s look and giving my hand another squeeze before returning hers to the tablet and pen in front of her.
“Then it’s probably a good thing I’m here,” I said, looking pointedly at Grayson. He and I had not finalized any kind of deal about how much I’d be available for my father’s campaign. Yvette was an opening bid, sure, but there was still negotiating to be done.
I scooted my chair up closer to the table, took off my coat. pulled my laptop, a notebook and pen out of my backpack, and placed them on the table.
“Okay, let’s talk about it,” I said.
“Can I get anyone anything?” Stick said, still in the doorway. “Caro? More tea?”
He made his way around the table, collecting empty plates and mugs.
“Dotty can do that, Stick, you don’t need to.”
“It’s fine. Tea?” He picked up her empty mug.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Sure thing.” He was just about out the doorway when my father said, “More coffee for me, please.” Stick kept walking. I wasn’t sure if he’d heard my father or not. Or, more likely, he’d heard him but pretended not to.
We talked for a bit about my class schedule and how much I’d be available until school got out. It was assumed I would be part of the campaign full-time during the summer break.
“What if I’d wanted to get a job?” I said.
“Is your mother not passing on the money I send her for you? You don’t need a summer job.”
I had no idea how much he was giving my mother, and what percentage of it was being put into my account by her, but no, I didn’t need money, and I said as much.
“Then I don’t understand,” my father said. “Why would you want to get a job?”
I shrugged. “Responsibility, accountability…you know, all that grown-up shit that I’m supposed to be learning.”
Stick was back with Caro’s tea and a bottle of water, which he placed in front of me.
“I was thinking I might stay here for the summer, get a job and take a few extra classes.” I hadn’t thought any such thing until that moment, but it was awesome watching everybody’s reactions.
Stick’s hand stayed on the water bottle in front me, flexing just a tiny bit. He then removed it and stepped back, behind me.
My father looked confused.
Caro and Grayson shared the same look. One that said the bargaining was just beginning.
