Aced (Blocked #2)

by Jennifer Lane

  “Yes, though not as stridently as your mother.”

  “You have to know Mom’s on the right side of this issue.”

  Dad sighed. “I hear you. I also hear your mother. I can’t help but hear your mother.”

  I laughed.

  “But it’s been tough for Mateo. He’s had so many losses from this disease. He’s been forced to watch you and Lucy shine in sports—watch you follow your dreams—while he stays on the sidelines.”

  I knew that had to be excruciating. It had killed me to watch another TCU pitcher give up a homerun, knowing I could’ve struck out that batter. It would’ve been awful never to get to play at all.

  Dad continued, “He has to be careful about every aspect of his heath. And now with Secret Service, he has someone watching him twenty-four-seven. It’s got to be rough for a seventeen year old.”

  China growled at a driver who cut her off. It’s rough for a twenty-four year old, too.

  “I’m hoping he’ll come around to this pump on his own. I want him to have some choice in the matter. And we’re lucky we have the luxury of medical care readily available until he does.”

  Why did my dad have to sound so reasonable all the time? “But what if Matty never gets the pump?”

  “Hmm. Then you’ll have to develop a cure for diabetes, Dr. Ramirez.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Listen—they’re telling me we’re about to start our descent, and there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

  “You’re on Air Force One?” The connection was crystal clear, without any engine noise.

  “Yes, on our way to deal with the mudslides in Malibu. I hear you’ve discussed Madison Brooks with your mother, but you haven’t talked about her with me.”

  The president wants to discuss my love life? I shook my head. He wasn’t calling as the president—he was calling as my dad. “She’s pretty great.” My lips tingled as I remembered her soft kisses. “I want you to meet her.”

  “I’m not sure I should.”

  What?

  He cleared his throat. “You should know what you’re getting into, son. The FBI briefed me last week.”

  “The FBI?” I caught Brad’s curious glance a moment before China’s eyes flicked up to meet mine in the rearview mirror.

  “They showed me photos of the Glenville police station, in Cleveland. A group of protestors gathered there, yelling and making threats.” He paused. “The main instigator was Braxton Brooks, Madison’s older brother.”

  I exhaled. “Dad, I already know that.”

  “You do?”

  “Braxton was protesting the shooting of a black man by a white officer.”

  “A shooting with no evidence of racial bias. It wasn’t a peaceful protest, Alejandro. Braxton was throwing things, inciting violence. He held a sign that said ‘Black Lives Matter…White Cops Don’t.’ He came this close to being arrested.”

  My breath caught in my throat.

  “You should see his editorials in the Cleveland State University newspaper. He thinks the Republican party is a vast conspiracy to keep black people down.”

  “But, Dad, we all know people say stupid things in college.”

  “Are you defending him?”

  I inhaled. Am I?

  “Abraham Lincoln was a Republican!” Dad added. “The Republicans are the ones trying to ensure equal opportunity for all people—all races. Latinos face racism too, but you don’t see us holding up signs saying ‘Latino Lives Matter.’”

  “Okay, but we haven’t had a history of slavery in America like black people have.”

  “You are defending him. What is up with you? Don’t you believe in individual responsibility? Nothing is given to us—we have to make it happen. We have to earn our way.”

  I sighed. “I do believe that. When minorities work hard and get educated, we can have success like anyone else. We can’t expect others to do it for us. But Dad, Maddie doesn’t want handouts! She works really hard. She goes after what she wants, full throttle. Did you know she plans to go to med school, after she tries out for USA Volleyball?”

  Dad was quiet for a moment. “I know Lucy thinks the world of her. But what I’ve learned about her brother is alarming.”

  “Maddie isn’t her brother. She doesn’t even care about politics.”

  “But does she share his views?”

  “I don’t know. Issues like this aren’t even on her radar right now. She’s struggling with a lot.”

  “Like growing up without a mother.”

  My throat felt tight, and I forced a swallow. The thought of Maddie’s cheek on my chest swelled my heart with longing. I knew she was a good person. I’d have to convince Dad he had the wrong idea about her.

  I respected my father. Such respect made it difficult to say the next words. “You’re not supposed to know about her mother leaving. Nobody’s supposed to know that, and it’s so unfair that you do. You realize why they violated her privacy, right? Because we’re in the public eye. Because you ran for president. I feel awful about that.”

  “I feel awful, too.” Dad’s voice had lost its edge of anger. “I never meant to make your lives harder with all of this.”

  “I know. But really, how many fathers find out dirt about their in-laws through FBI briefings?”

  Dad actually laughed. “Not many.” Then he gasped. “Did you say in-laws? Is there something you need to tell me?”

  “No, I haven’t run off to marry Maddie.” As I chuckled, I noticed Brad’s eyebrows almost hit the roof of the car. The next thought that popped into my head shocked me. How would Dad react if I said it out loud? I bit my lip, then blurted, “But someday I want to.”

  Silence. “I had no idea it was that serious, Alejandro.”

  “It’s kind of knocking me off my feet, too.”

  “Well, now I definitely have to meet her.”

  What? “I know you’re busy…maybe it can wait…”

  “In my short tenure in this job, I’ve learned one thing: communication is the way to resolve conflict. I want to talk to this young woman. If she’s knocked you off your feet, she’s someone I want to meet.”

  My mouth hung open.

  “I’ll have my people arrange it with Lucy’s agents. Okay, I need to run. Keep up the good work in school.”

  “Adiós,” I said, but the line had gone dead. I blinked a few times.

  I looked out the window and noticed we were less than a mile from the condo. My agents were quiet, and it seemed rather awkward inside the vehicle. “I guess you hear all kinds of things when you’re on duty, ¿sí?”

  “We keep it private,” Brad said. “Part of the job.”

  China piped up from the front seat. “Especially if we like the protectee.” One eyebrow slanted up with the hint of a challenge.

  Hmm. Did she like me? She sure didn’t seem to approve of me most of the time. Did that mean she would keep my secrets?

  “Don’t worry—your father’s treated us well for the most part,” she said. “Better than some prior administrations have, from what I’ve heard.”

  Brad laughed. “Broomstick One?”

  China joined his laugh—it was a rare smile from her.

  “That’s what they called Air Force One when a certain previous first lady was on board,” Brad explained.

  “Ah.” I nodded.

  “That’s Shandy’s car, isn’t it?” China said as we pulled into the driveway.

  “Yeah.” Brad leaned back in his seat. “Probably just checking in.”

  I tensed. The last time their boss’s boss visited, they’d huddled in my condo’s office and hadn’t let me listen in. After he’d left, both my agents seemed jumpy.

  “Someone threatened my father?” I asked as the car came to a stop.

  China stepped out and slammed the door.

  Brad shrugged. “There’re always threats to your family, Alex. That’s why you’ve got us.”

  China opened my door, and I walked inside in an ag
ent sandwich.

  “Mr. Ramirez,” Captain Shandy said as he shook my hand in the foyer of my condo. “How’re things going for you?”

  “Good.” I set my laptop case on the table near the front door.

  “I need to borrow officers Hallowell and Jansen for a few.” He cocked his head toward the office, and my agents sped in that direction. He turned to follow them, then turned back. “Oh, and FLOTUS, er, the first lady sent some food up with me. It’s in the fridge, sir.”

  Hot tamales! I was starved. Sometimes Secret Service wasn’t all that bad. I flipped on Fox News, inhaled Mamá’s cooking, then opened my laptop. Dr. Moore had given us a week to read the entire diagnostic manual for mental disorders, so I pulled up the ebook and got busy. Though the door to the office was closed, a few times I heard raised voices. The loudest voice was the captain’s.

  Bipolar Disorder has a higher prevalence rate in artists, I read. Creativity, high energy, and confidence coincide with mania and hypomania. That was interesting. Dane’s father was a painter—did he have Bipolar Disorder? What about Dane? He sure seemed to have high energy. I grinned. Dr. Moore had warned us not to diagnose people upon learning the symptoms of mental disorders. Yet here I went with the med student syndrome.

  The door to the office blasted open, and I heard my name called. I set my laptop aside and rounded the corner.

  “Mr. Ramirez, I’d like a word,” Shandy said. “Would that be all right?”

  “Sure.” I shrugged. I walked in the room to find China looking pale and possibly fighting off tears. I’d never seen her come close to crying. Sitting next to her, Brad stared at the floor.

  “I want to talk to Mr. Ramirez alone. Both of you, dismissed.”

  Without meeting my eyes, my agents left, closing the door behind them.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked as we sat, him behind the desk and me in the lounge chair vacated by China.

  “I’m not here about a particular security risk, if that’s what you’re asking. In fact, officers Jansen and Halloway did an excellent job defusing a recent terrorist threat before it had the chance to materialize into anything dangerous.”

  “They did?” I swallowed.

  “Yes, sir. But I’m here to address the officers’ personal behavior.” He leaned forward, his hands folded on the desk. “Have you been dissatisfied by any behavior exhibited by the officers assigned to you?”

  What’s he looking for?

  “Anything bother you? Anything inappropriate? It’s okay; you can tell me.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Brad and China have been fine.”

  He frowned. His fingers tapped on a manila folder I just noticed on the desk. He opened the folder and scooted a blown-up photo in my direction. Though the image was dark, I could make out China and Allison kissing inside the greenhouse.

  “Who took that photo?” I demanded. “Can they see inside the house? Is Lucy safe?” Had they caught me kissing Maddie on camera?

  “We’ve tightened up security around the house already. That’s not your problem. What I want to know is how Officer Halloway’s unprofessional behavior affects you and your sister. You say the word and she’s gone.”

  I sat back, stunned. “You’d fire her over this?”

  “The director may do just that once we gather all the intel. And your input is first on the list. Has her illicit affair with a coworker hurt her job performance?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “She’s been nothing but professional.”

  He stared at me for a long minute, then scooped up the photo and folder as he stood. “Thank you, sir. I won’t take up more of your time.” He strode to the door and opened it. “Officer Jansen!”

  Brad appeared. “Walk me out,” Shandy said.

  China wasn’t in the kitchen or family room. I headed to her bedroom to find her door closed. I slumped against the wall, wondering if I should knock.

  Finally I tapped on her door. “You okay?”

  After a beat, she said, “No.”

  “I can’t believe they want to fire you.”

  She wrenched open the door, her eyes puffy. “I can. It’s called homophobia.” Her mouth trembled, and she laced her arms across her chest. “They suspended my pay for two weeks while they ‘investigate.’”

  “That’s awful—I’m sorry. You think this is about you being gay?”

  “Of course it is. They haven’t shown the president the photo, but they’re scared it’ll leak out. The media will have a field day about a man who’s denounced gay marriage having his two kids protected by lesbians.”

  I took that in. That would be quite a shiny nugget. “But the captain made the issue your relationship interfering with your duty. Which it hasn’t.” I thought for a moment. “Wait a minute. Captain Shandy doesn’t know about Brad and his supervisor getting it on, does he?”

  China’s eyes flared. “You know about that?”

  “It’s kind of obvious.”

  “Right. Brad’s not the king of subtlety. The thing is, I bet Shandy knows. A lot of people know. But because it’s a heterosexual thing, nobody cares.”

  “Even if it’s with a supervisor?”

  Her mouth tightened as she nodded.

  “That’s not right,” I said. “Something has to be done.”

  She unfolded her arms as she looked up at me. “That’s not the reaction I expected from you, Alejandro.”

  It wasn’t the reaction I’d expected either. But there was a clear injustice here.

  I heard the front door open and the beeps of Brad setting the alarm. He came down the hall to find us standing outside China’s room.

  “Well, that was a fucking shitstorm,” he said. “I think I talked him down, though.” He looked at China. “You okay, baby girl?”

  “I’ll live, Brad. But you call me ‘baby girl’ again, I’ll choke you with my dental dam.”

  He guffawed, and though I had only a vague notion of what she was talking about, I laughed too. That was the China I knew.

  Chapter Seventeen

  SO THIS IS HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES. The private jet’s engines were so quiet I barely noticed we were in the air. I couldn’t blame the tremor in my spine on engine rattle. Its source had to be my first trip to meet the president. Who happened to be my boyfriend’s father. Gah!

  Two weeks after Braxton had referred to Alejandro as my boyfriend, I now thought of him the same way. We’d been texting throughout the days and studying together at night over video calls. On study breaks, I’d gotten him to try my favorite TV show, Parenthood, and he’d made me watch The Kelly File on Fox News.

  I heard Lucia giggle and looked behind me to see Dane with a long piece of red licorice draped over his lip like a Fu Manchu moustache. His cheeks scrunched up to clamp Oreo cookies over his eyes. “Wax on, wax off,” he said with an attempted Japanese accent. His hands made circular motions.

  Allison shook her head when I glanced at her across the aisle.

  I turned back around with a pretend glower for Dane, not that he could see it through his cookie lenses. “Why’d you come on this trip again, man-child?”

  “To take the heat off you,” Rez answered, though I’d meant my question to be rhetorical. “Dad will be so busy worrying about me and Dane that he’ll forget to worry about you and Alex.”

  “Yeah, the prez loves me.” When Dane grinned, his licorice fell. He fumbled to catch it, and the cookies tumbled to the floor. “Dammit!”

  Despite her initial objections to my relationship with Alejandro, Lucia had since become our biggest champion. She said Dr. Valentine had pointed out that me dating her brother meant she would get to see me more often, even after I graduated.

  I’d seen Dr. Valentine three times now, and I was feeling better. My performance in class and the gym had improved, too. But on top of all my studying, she’d given me the most difficult homework assignment of my life: write a letter to my mother. I wouldn’t be able to send it, since I had no address for Mom, b
ut writing it was supposed to help “clarify” and “process” my feelings toward her. I had no idea how to begin.

  Lucia tapped my shoulder. “Bet you miss Alex, huh?”

  I patted her hand and nodded.

  “But you’ll see him soon.”

  I grinned. His incisive dark eyes floating down my body, his warm scent…Nothing could take my mind off my complicated feelings for my mother like being around Alejandro.

  One hour and countless security checkpoints later, I was in his arms, his hard, muscular arms. The ornate décor of the White House residence seemed less intimidating once Rez’s agents had shown us to the room where Alejandro waited. Rez had taken Dane’s hand and disappeared into the hallway, chattering about showing him the bowling alley and leaving Alejandro and me alone in a room colored in shades of watermelon and strawberry.

  His hand stroked through my curly hair as he held me, and I breathed in his solid strength.

  “Lucy told me you’ve been killing it on the court.” His deep voice reverberated in his chest.

  I looked up at him. “She’s not doing so bad, either.”

  “How’re you feeling about selection camp?”

  I held my breath. Now that it was March, there was only one month until I went to Colorado Springs to try out for Team USA. “Nervous.”

  “You’ll block like a beast. Hit like a…” He twisted his mouth, searching for a word. “Hamster?”

  I laughed.

  “Humpback whale?”

  My eyes narrowed. “Careful.”

  He grinned. “Want me to come with you?”

  I stilled. He wanted to come to Colorado? I’d traveled there alone the past two summers. I’d never considered asking Jaylon to join me because of his training schedule.

  “Don’t mean to invite myself. If you’d rather go alone…” Alejandro stepped back.

  “Oh. I…I don’t want to put you out. Could you get away from school?”

  “We have a break between modules. But don’t worry if you’re used to doing your own thing.”

  I pictured him pitched over the arena railing, hollering at Coach, and a warm sensation spread through my chest. Alejandro could bolster my confidence, support me when I needed it most. “I actually like the idea of you going.”