Loverboy (The Company #2) - Sarina Bowen Page 0,110
selfish to take his own child to a baseball game in Shea Stadium? HE’S STILL NEVER BEEN!”
“Posy,” I chuckle. “It’s fine. I could buy a ticket if I wanted to go.”
“It’s not fine! I voted for him! TWICE!” she shouts at my father. “Our beloved mayor. What a load of crap you’ve been spinning.”
A uniformed police officer—probably assigned to my father’s security detail—pokes his head into the room. “Everything okay in here, sir?”
“Everything is NOT OKAY,” Posy yelps.
“I’m fine, Schultz,” the mayor says. He takes off his hat in a gesture of defeat, and without it he looks a couple decades older. “My political successes have always been greater than my personal ones. You aren’t even my only kid who hates me. Everyone I’m close to gets there eventually. And I know I haven’t been a real father to you. But there’s still one thing I can teach you.”
“What’s that?” I ask, because I can’t think of a thing. Except for the stats of every Mets player since I gave up watching baseball.
“Don’t ignore the people who matter in your life, because you’ll miss them when they’re gone. You even took a bullet to turn your woman’s electricity back on.”
“Not intentionally,” I mutter.
“I’ve heard worse reasons. And in my lifetime, I’ve taken a lot more risks for my constituents than I ever did for my family.” He sighs. “I regret that sometimes. And, sure, I’m a little relieved that you don’t need a kidney. My organs are probably too pickled with gin at this point to do you any good.”
“But what happens when you need a kidney?” Posy pipes up. “Did you ever think of that?”
“Good question!” calls Scout from the hallway. “Men never think this shit through.”
I want to laugh. But instead I reach out and hook my uninjured pinky around Posy’s, just to let her know that her loyalty moves me.
“Guess I’d better hope I never need one,” the mayor says. He replaces his hat on his head. “Be well, Son. I’m glad to see you have so many people who’ve got your back.”
“We do, sir,” Carl says.
He turns to go. “If you need anything, though, go ahead and call me. I’ll answer.”
Oh, like that will ever happen. “Thanks,” I grunt.
My nurse struts back in just then. “The mayor of New York was here to see you?” Her eyebrows practically disappear into her silver hair. “Aren’t we fancy. But now I need everyone to clear out of here. You can have one more minute with your wife before we send you down for a couple of tests.”
“I’m not his—” Posy says, but it’s too late. The nurse has marched out again.
“Well then. Take care,” Carl says.
“Thank you.” I lean back against the pillow and take another sip of my new best friend. “This is really invigorating,” I say, swirling it around in the travel mug. “Who knew?”
“Literally everyone,” Max says. Obviously now that I’m not dead, he’s back to being his usual know-it-all self. “I’ll be back tonight to check in on you. Got a lead to chase down, first.”
“What is it?” I ask, because I can’t help myself.
“I heard that Xian Smith was detained at the border. He was in a limo headed to Canada.”
“Really. That’s interesting.”
“Only if it’s true. See you soon. Duff is stationed right outside, if you need anything.” He gives me a wave and slips out the door.
I’m alone again with Posy, which is a nice way to be. “Is there anything I can do for you?” she asks.
“Just come here a minute.” I beckon to her. “That’s all I ever needed from you.”
Smiling, she steps closer.
“I mean, it would be great if you could get me out of here.”
“That’s going to have to wait,” she says, carefully draping an arm around me. “But as soon as they let me, I’ll take you home and make a fuss over you.”
“Aw, that sounds nice. Will there be pie?”
“There will. And I hate to point this out, but it seems like you’re stuck in your least favorite city until you heal up.”
“That’s okay with me, so long as I can get more of your attention. I’ll try not to hate New York as much as I used to.”
She kisses me on an unbandaged part of my face. “Well, your disdain for my city makes more sense now. When is the jerk’s term up, anyway?”
“At the end of the year.” That’s when his influence over the city will wane. It’s a shame I let his influence