Dad stares down at my ice cream as if he can’t believe that I’m indulging in the treat. I want to shake the man while screaming “on with it.” He interrupted a very important conversation. Carmen hadn’t said if she wanted to pursue this relationship with me. I put myself out there. And it feels like I just jumped and am waiting to see if I make it on the other side of the chasm.
“It’s a lovely day outside, son,” Dad begins.
“What do you want to talk about?” I’m going to force him to get to the point. I need to find Carmen. He straightens and his dark eyes narrow.
“Jake, you’ve screwed up,” he bluntly tells me. “You need to fix things.”
“How?” The consequences aren’t going to be easy to deal with. I already know that. But how can I fix things?
“And?” The question is snapped out like a whip. Dad glares at me.
“Your uncle and I have been talking. We think that it’s best if you spend time on the campaign trail.” I shake my head, knowing that campaigning isn’t my strong suit. He holds up a hand, as if I was going to argue with words. Sometimes body language is more effective. “Jake, I know that you aren’t comfortable around people. So, we’ve decided that you need someone with you at all times. Do you remember Jillian Mace?” he asks. Jillian Mace is what everyone in the acting world nicalls “America’s Darling.” Her father is U.S. Senator Gerald Mace, and he’s a conservative. She’s known for taking movie roles that are family related. I don’t know her well. But we did go to the same middle school. She isn’t terrible company, I suppose.
“So, you want me to do some charity work with Jill?” I ask, thinking that I can serve at a few soup kitchens, no problem. If that’s penance for how I acted at Rhino’s.
“No. We need you to date her.” Now that’s interesting. My father is playing matchmaker.
“No.” Aside from the fact that who I date is none of his business. I have already told Carmen that I’m going to try with her. It is dishonest to have two girlfriends.
“No?”
“I’m not attracted to her.” Dad gives me a look that clearly conveys that he thinks that I’ve lost it.
“This is a political alliance. Once your uncle is reelected as the governor of Connecticut, you can break up.” Carmen isn’t going to accept this, and I can’t ask her to.
“No.”
“Jake, why not? You’re single. You haven’t dated anyone since Adriana.”
“I’m seeing someone.” He sighs.
“Who?”
“Carmen.”
“Carmen who?”
“Carmen Philips.” Dad shakes his head vigorously.
“Jake, she will understand. Trust me. She’ll wait for you.” He doesn’t add the part about how she waited for Dom so she can wait for me. But I can’t ask her to do that. She deserves better than this mess. Even if we happen to date, some people will see it as me dumping America’s Darling for a nobody.” My father isn’t a stupid man. He knows that once I get into a relationship with Jill Mace, people will start taking notice of me. What if Wildflower exposes Alex’s identity. So far, everyone still thinks that I fought over Alex because I had it bad for her. It’s amazing how the media romanticizes everything.
“I can’t put her through that,” I confess.
“Jake, she’ll be fine. If you explain the situation, I’m sure that…”
“What about Jill?” Dad sighs.
“She is okay with it. All you have to do is make a few appearances with her, that’s it.”
“No.”
“Jake, you know that you have to do this. Your uncle can’t lose because of your recklessness. You should have told me about, Alex. You should have told all of us about her. You…”
“Fine, I’ll do it,” I grumble, not wanting to hear my father’s grief. Feelings have always made me feel uncomfortable. And besides, he’s right. Some of this is my doing. I should have told him about Alex. Maybe things would have ended up differently.