“My dad believes that.”
“You could be mayor of San Francisco and run for governor or even the U.S. Senate. And if you ever wanted to run for president it would better having been a governor than being in Congress.”
“You’re right. There are other options,” he said with a smile, though his voice seemed reluctant to agree.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The following afternoon in an empty dive bar, Jack took a sip of beer as he waited for his latest fundraising numbers.
Bill pulled the important papers out of his bag and placed them on table. “Here you go. It’s all good.”
“Let’s see,” Jack murmured, holding the sheets up to the light. The lighting in the bar was bad, but it was still their favorite place to do business.
“Just look at the bottom row,” said Bill, pointing to the last line.
The large numbers jumped out at once, causing Jack to take a deep breath. “Damn. This has been a great few weeks.”
“We’ve done really, really well.” Bill nodded with pride. “Good work.”
“It’s your work. I just close the deal.” Jack raised his bottle to his best friend. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Yeah…” Bill laughed and was cocky. “I know.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” Jack smiled. “This is going to be a long haul.”
“Indeed. So tell me, how are things going? How was the trip to Mendocino?”
“Good. Good. I … uh … I” Jack hesitated, though he knew this was the perfect opportunity to let Bill know about Lily. The first time he went on a run with Lily he didn’t tell Bill about it because he thought it might end there. The second time he saw her, Jack kept quiet about it because he thought he might not see her again. But since their run yesterday, he knew he had to let Bill in on what he was doing.
“Jack…,” Bill said warily. “What’s going on?”
“I went for a run with Lily,” Jack blurted out.
“Lily? You mean Ursula Robles?”
“Yes, Lily. I mean Ursula.” He waved his hand in frustration. “Whatever you want to call her.”
“Why?” Bill asked, dumbfounded.
“Because I like her. We’ve gotten to be friends.”
“When?”
“Over the last few weeks.”
“Whoa.” Bill took a drink and looked around the empty bar. It was a dive in the Inner Sunset with only a few old Chinese gentlemen engrossed in a game of pai gow poker. Despite the apolitical company, Bill lowered his voice and leaned forward. “I thought you told me she turned out to be a bitch.”
“She was … a real bitch … but then we started talking again.” Jack shrugged. “We’ve just gone on a couple of runs.”
“Who asked who to go on a run?”
“I asked her.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to get to know her better.”
Bill’s eyes widened. “You want to sleep with her?”
“No,” Jack said emphatically, but only seconds passed before he admitted the truth. “Well … actually yes, but you know … that’s not going to happen right now.”
“And it better not.” Bill picked up the papers and waved them in front of Jack’s face. “You’ve got a lot of people counting on you. You see these names? These are names of people who have donated money to your congressional campaign because they believe in you. You can’t let them down just because you’ve got the hots for another candidate.”
Jack held up his hands to calm Bill down. “I know. I promise I know. I’m not going to fuck anything up.”
“So tell me about Lily. Is she into you? What’s the vibe?”
“I don’t know. She’s complicated. She’s not like any other woman I’ve ever been with.”
“How so?”
“She’s this savvy politician and a widow and a single mother. She seems a little skeptical of me.”
“Smart woman.”
“But there are other times when she flirts with me. There’s this side to her when she’s just a cute girl who’s really funny.” Jack raised his eyebrows. “With a nice ass.”
“I bet with all that running.” Bill laughed. His smile remained as he began peeling the label off his bottle. “So she’s ‘different,’ is she?”
“Exactly.”
“I gotta say. Different is dangerous.”
Jack was defensive. “She’s not a bad person if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“No, I don’t think that at all. She sounds great. I mean she’s different in a good way.”
“She is.” Jack smiled.
“But Jack, she’s still your opponent.” Bill’s expression issued a warning.
“She is,” Jack said again, though this time his smile faded.
“What happens if you need to go negative on her in the campaign?”
“I really don’t think that’s going to be a problem, given Kingsley’s lead in the polls.” Jack sniggered. “Besides. I said I was going to run a positive campaign.”
“And does she say the same thing?”
“We haven’t really talked about it.”
Bill rolled his eyes. “Why do I want to bang my head against a wall?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“Oh, I know!” Bill said as he pretended to hit his forehead in realization. “Because my candidate has gone loco on me.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m crazy simply because I’ve become friendly with another candidate.”
“Friendly ….” Bill muttered.
“Come on. Nothing is going to happen.”
Bill wagged his finger. “If nothing happens, it will be because of her—not you. That’s the only reason why I’ll let you continue on these little outings of yours.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because she seems smart and knows what she has to lose. She’s not going to get involved with you. Guys like you are the ones who get in trouble.”
“Are you saying I’m stupid?”
“No. I’m saying you’re a typical guy who has it all and can have even more and so he has enough hubris to fuck everything up for himself.”
“That’s harsh.” Jack scowled.
“Sorry. I just wanted to get it out there.”
“Okay. I’ve heard it, and I told you I’m not going to fuck this up.”
“Good because …” Bill shook his head in thought and began to chuckle. “Because it would really suck. You’re my best friend. I’ll stand by you, man, whatever you do, but damn … that would be a mess.”
“I swear. Lily and I are just friends.”
“Friends?” Bill snorted. “Does Bev know?”
“What does Bev need to know?”
“Well, you just answered my two questions with your one question.”
“What do you mean?”
“If Bev doesn’t know, that means that in some way you already consider yourself more than friends with Lily.”
“Why do you say that?” As the words came out of his mouth, Jack heard their stupidity, and Bill was quick to point it out.
“Huh?” Bill said like he misunderstood. “Aren’t you the one who prides himself on telling Bev about every other woman you date? You always say that’s what has kept things going between you two even if you’re dating other people. And here you haven’t even told Bev anything about your little runs with Lily.”
“That’s right,” Jack said sheepishly. “I suppose I should say something to Bev.”
Bill’s brow furrowed, and he shook his head furiously. “No fucking way.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ve always been able to tell Bev about other women only because you weren’t that into them.”
“And?”
“I can tell you’re really into Lily. You say she’s ‘different.’ Bev will figure that out. If she gets pissed, I don’t want her screwing the campaign. She knows enough people she could do that with just a little gossip.”
Jack was
quiet until a small smile appeared on his face. “You know Bev well, and you know me even better.”
“That’s why you pay me the big bucks.” Bill laughed.
“I don’t pay you a dime.”
“That’s right!” Bill pointed a finger at him. “I deserve a raise.”
“You do.”
“Now, I can’t wait to meet Lily. I guess I’ll get to meet her at the state convention.” Bill’s eyes widened. “Uh oh. You’re taking Bev to that. What are you going to do when these two meet? It’s bound to happen.”
“Luckily, Lily isn’t going.”
“Why not? She needs to be there.”
“She’s got to work at the hospital that night and can’t get out of it.”
“You dodged a bullet.”
“I have.” He looked down at his fundraising numbers again and tried to reassure himself. “But maybe it wouldn’t be a big deal. Actually, I bet it would be fine. Lily knows I’m dating Bev, and she’s too smart a politician to tell Bev we’ve been out.”
***
A week later, Lily peered out the window of the Eureka community center. It had been a long day of campaign events, only to end in a November pelting rain. Jordan had already left with a friend, and her hand immediately moved to her bag in desperate hope she remembered an umbrella. She didn’t have a long walk to her hotel, but the intense storm would drench her in a matter of seconds. When she came up short, she looked again at the sheets of rain and decided even an umbrella would’ve only helped so much.
“Charles and I have umbrellas.”
She recognized Jack’s voice at once and turned to see him standing with Charles Kingsley. They both held large golf umbrellas, offering at least some protection from the rain. She smiled. “Are we going to the same place?”
“We’re at the Doubletree. Everyone else seems to be at the Holiday Inn. What about you?” said Charles returning the smile.
“I’m also at the Doubletree, and I’d love an umbrella.”
Jack nodded toward the door. “Walk between us, and we’ll see if we can keep you dry.”
“What gentlemen.” She laughed.
“It’s the least I can do for my favorite opponent,” said Charles. He turned to Jack. “No offense, of course. Lily’s just nicer to look at during all these boring panels.”
“No offense taken.” Jack chuckled. “I’d have to agree.”
Lily took both compliments in, but Jack’s was the one which had the effect on her. She caught his eye which seemed to twinkle, and she quickly looked away. “Aw, thanks, guys.”
The three battled the downpour as they walked the few blocks to their hotel. In true, North Coast weather, the rain came at an angle that made the umbrellas obsolete. By the time they entered the hotel, they were all soaked.
“There’s no way I’m going back out in that,” said Lily as she felt a chill to her core.
“Me either,” said Jack. “I’m ordering room service.”
“Unfortunately, I have to,” said Charles, swatting the water on his pants.
“Do you have an event?” asked Lily.
“Yes, a little donor reception.”
Lily looked at Jack, and it was obvious they shared the same thought. Unlike them, Charles had support up and down the coast.
Jack patted Charles on the back. “Good for you. Let’s go get dry.”
Later that night, Lily sat in bed flipping channels on the television. She tried to ignore the numb feeling in her feet. Despite covering herself in every blanket in the room, she’d never warmed up from the drenching. She frowned when a commercial came on for a Hawaii vacation. Everyone looked warm and happy at the beach.
Her eyes brightened when she got an idea. Moving aside the plate of room service leftovers, she found the hotel directory. She flipped to the fitness section and smiled when she saw the hotel had exactly what she was looking for—a hot tub. The directory said it was only open until ten o’clock. She checked the time, and with less than half an hour to enjoy the hot tub, she scrambled to her suitcase.
Deep in an often ignored pocket, she found the Speedo swimsuit she carried everywhere. She believed you never knew when you might need a swimsuit, and Speedos covered enough of your body, so you’d be comfortable even in a crowd of specious old men who tended to congregate at hotel pools.
A few minutes later, Lily swiped her keycard at the door to the pool. When she walked in, she noted the pool was busy with three swimmers in the middle of their laps, while the hot tub was blissfully empty. Ignoring the swimmers, she headed straight for the tub.
Her numb feet felt a burn as she dipped them into the water, but by the time she was fully immersed she thought she was in heaven. Leaning her head back onto the edge of the tub, she closed her eyes while the bubbles and warmth soothed her long day away.
As she enjoyed the relaxation, she heard the door to the pool area slam shut a few times, but she paid it no heed. It was only a voice that caused her to open her eyes.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” said the voice.
Her eyes opened to see a young guy in a hotel employee uniform looking down at her. She knew her time was up. “Are you closing up the pool?”
“Yes, ma’am, but you can stay as long as you want. I’ll lock the door so no one else comes in though, in case you were waiting on someone.”
“Oh no. I’m alone.”
“Okay. There’s another guest left in the pool, just so you know.”
“Thanks for letting me stay,” she said, as she looked at the red swim cap bobbing in the pool.
“No problem,” he said and walked toward the door.
Lily closed her eyes as she heard the door slam, but a moment later, they opened again when the bubbles to the tub abruptly ended. The giant room fell silent, but for the rhythmic splash of the swimmer. Looking down at her wrinkled palms, she decided it was time to leave.
She grabbed her robe and headed over to a stack of towels when she heard a familiar voice say, “Fancy meeting you here.”
She turned around and saw Jack climbing out of the pool. The first thing she noticed was the goofy swim cap covering his hair which made her smile, and she kept smiling as her eyes traveled down his all but naked body. But when he turned to her and she caught full sight of his tiny Speedo, barely covering a large bulge, she lost her grin.
The nurse in her took over at once, and she immediately averted her eyes, though really she wanted to stare. She checked herself for a moment. In her years of nursing she’d seen hundreds of men up close and personal; a guy in a Speedo shouldn’t have any effect on her. Yet Jack, fully on display, made her want to gawk. Instead, she looked straight at his face. “Hey. I didn’t know you were here.”
“I’m training for a triathlon. I hope to do one next summer after the primary.”
As he walked over to her, she strained to keep her head high so as not to look. In the back of her mind, though, she could already hear Jordan screaming in delight, “You saw John Bengston’s package!”
Realizing she too was only in a swimsuit, she asked, “Want me to get you a towel? I was getting one for myself.”
“Thanks,” he looked down at his swimsuit with a chuckle. “Sorry I’m a little underdressed.”
She smirked. “I can say I didn’t expect to see a fellow candidate so exposed today.”
“Oh, yeah?” he said, arching a brow. “You think I’m exposed?”
She turned on her heel and flipped her ponytail. “No need to show off for me. I’m a nurse. I’ve seen it all before in every shape and size.”
“I guess that’s right.”
She grabbed two towels and handed one to him. As they dried off, he said, “You know you’re showing off a little skin yourself.”
“I’m covered up to my neck in this suit,” she said clutching the material over her chest.
“I’m still getting a pretty good idea.” His face held all the swagger of a man in full flirt.
“You’re not supposed to be looking
,” she said with exaggerated shock and a smile.
“You’re right.” He stared and winked. “It’s just hard to stop.”
“Avert your eyes. That’s what I do.” She wrapped the towel a little tighter around her body.
“I knew you were checking me out.”
“I’m a nurse. I avoid looking as a rule.” She rolled her eyes. “I have to. Every man is so proud of himself. It’s your favorite body part.”
“You know, I had no idea today I’d be talking with another candidate about my junk.” He raised his eyebrows as if he was upping the ante.
“I am not talking about your penis,” she said as her cheeks started to flame. She’d chosen the anatomic term, but somehow it sounded naughty.
“Oh yes, you are,” he said taking a step toward her.
The same twinkle was in his eye that she’d seen earlier in the evening. His mind was up to something, but she didn’t know what. She clutched the towel and giggled. “No, I’m talking about men in general.”
He touched her arm. “You’re such a liar. You deserve to be punished.” With one swoop, he swiftly picked her up, and as she yelped in surprise, he dumped her in the pool.
The crash of the water around her filled her ears, and she heard another splash after her own. She squinted under water as she watched her towel float away and soon saw him right next to her. At that moment, she had no thought as to their respective stations in life. Childhood instinct told her what to do. When someone threw you in a pool, you tackled them.
She came up for air and saw him treading water with an evil grin. “You bastard!” She laughed and threw herself at him. Trying to pull him under, she clung on to him.
“You deserved it,” he said, restraining her. “You’re not going to get me under, so don’t even try.”
“Oh, yes I am.” She climbed on his shoulders, and forcing her weight against him, they tumbled into the water laughing. She tried to break free, but he wouldn’t let her go, so she climbed up his torso, willing him under. He retaliated by grabbing her waist and tossing her back into the water.
“Not fair!” she cried when she came up for air.
“Sorry. It was too tempting.”
She pounced on him again, this time hitting his shoulders and knocking him over. The horseplay continued, and for a minute or so, she concentrated on the battle. After a while, her body diverted her thoughts to the fact she was touching a man who was practically naked. Slick skin on skin felt good, and brushing against his manly chest and leg hair felt even better. She’d been with other men since David died, but this felt different. It was Jack. Fantasy and reality were merging.
More Than Rivals Page 9