Why?
I got a few girls who had turned him down. I mean they turned him down, then slept with me, Anita. Think about that.
I did. They turned him down not because he wasnt cute, but because he personally was an asshole.
Yeah, and all his daddys money couldnt buy him the girls who knew whaTHE really was.
Jason got up and went to the mirror, started straightening his tie. I went to college in St. Louis, and he stayed near the state capital. But I heard rumors thaTHE had a couple of date-rape charges. Dropped, never saw court, but Id believe date rape for Keith. He never took no very well.
And his father is making a run to be president on a family conservative ticket, I said.
Thats probably why theyre in such a rush to get him married off.
Marriage doesnt cure you of being a bastard, I said.
He grinned at me. Nothing cures you of being a bastard. He came to me and held his hand out. I took it and let him get me on my feet. Lets go to the hospital.
I thought we might eat first.
He shook his head. If we start taking off more clothes for comfort Im going to want sex, and as you pointed out well get all messy. I desperately dont want to go to see him. So that means go now, get it over with.
I thought I was the jerk-the-bandage-off type, not you.
Maybe years of watching you be brave is rubbing off on me.
I was sort of embarrassed. Im not that brave. I nearly threw up on the plane.
Before I knew you, I thought brave was not being afraid. Youve taught me that bravery is being terrified and doing it anyway. He drew me closer into his arms, and because of the nearly identical height it had that intimacy that Micah could do. When you arent looking up, really, but at a man.
I studied his face, tried to see the fear he was talking about. I see more anger in you than fear, Jason.
Youre going to ignore the compliment and go straight to the business, arent you?
I shrugged, a little awkwardly, with my arms around his waist and his around me.
He closed the almost invisible distance wed been keeping between our bodies, so we touched from chest to groin and thigh. The closeness made me both uncomfortable and more comfortable. It felt good, and bothered me that it felt good. I never said I wasnt conflicted about my sexuality. What helped it not be that sexual was Jasons attitude. Hed gotten closer to comfort himself, not to start foreplay.
Jason gave a smile that was more a baring of teeth. Yeah, Im pissed. Im pissed that the Summerlands ruined my childhood and now are going to ruin my last visit with my dad. Im pissed at my dad. Pissed thaTHE wouldnt let my mom call me sooner. Hell, Im pissed at my mom for not calling me sooner, or my sisters. They could have called me, but they all sat around waiting for the big bully to give them permission.
Is he really a bully, or are you just pissed?
Jason hugged me, burying his face in my hair, as if to breathe me in. Youll meet him in a little bit. Judge for yourself. Ive hated him and tried to love him for so many years I cant see him clearly.
I hugged him back, then said, Let me put the heels back on. Do we call a cab?
Yeah, he said, and reached for the phone.
Chapter Thirteen
THE TAXI COULDNT get out of the drive in front of the hotel unless the driver was willing to run over members of the press. That would probably qualify as some sort of First Amendment violation, and Im all about defending the Constitution. Besides, manslaughter sucks, too.
The driver turned around. I cant get through, Mr. Summerland, Im sorry.
My name isoh hell! Jason stared at the crowd that had descended from the road to surround us. Where were the valets who had been at the road earlier? Cameras were exploding everywhere. Reporters shouting questions. Who is she? Did you break up with Lisa? Is the wedding off?
Shit, he said softly, but with feeling.
The windows were covered by people and cameras. It was suddenly hard to breathe. I forced myself to breathe slow and even, but the press of people around the cab was claustrophobic. Fuck.