Chapter Twenty-Four
Jaxon
“And if I’m elected, I promise to make sure that the law is upheld in strict scrutiny.
You’ll know where I stand,” George Winston said, standing at his lectern at our debate.
Normally, a judge’s race wouldn’t draw this much attention, but pitting a young, gay district attorney against someone who preached family values made for juicy sound bites, so here we stood, under the hot lights of our local news station, to plead our case as to why we deserved the public’s vote.
I sipped from my water glass and listened while I made notes on George’s speech, which was straight out of the good old boy’s playbook.
My campaign director, Blair Harmon, was furiously typing into his tablet.
He’d helped with the last three judges who’d won their elections, was no-nonsense and a whiz at organization and scheduling.
His partner had been an agent for the FBI who was murdered in a raid several years earlier, and Blair threw himself into his work with single-minded devotion.
“People—judges especially—have no right to interpret what our great legal minds declared as precedent. The Constitution states the law, and we’re required to follow it. If I’m lucky enough to be elected as your judge, I promise that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
“Thank you, Mr. Winston.” The moderator turned to me. “We’ll now hear from District Attorney Jaxon Polaris.”
“Thank you, Alexandra. Good evening.” I gazed straight at the camera, but I knew Theo was in the audience.
It was a busy night at Sweeny’s with the Blades deep in the Stanley Cup playoff race and baseball season in full swing again, but he told me he was coming to watch my debate, and that was that.
Feisty Theo got whatever he wanted. I was incapable of saying no to him. I settled my slightly shaky hands and made my case to the people.
“I agree with my esteemed colleague that we need to follow precedent. But precedent is only achieved by understanding that the law isn’t stagnant.
It’s a living, breathing entity. When our constitution was written, there was no electricity, no cars, airplanes, etcetera.
Does that mean we shouldn’t have laws regarding airline safety or automobiles?
That women shouldn’t have the right to vote?
What about laws protecting clean air and water? ”
I found Theo in the audience, and he gave me a smile so bright, I felt waves of love flowing from him to me.
“That’s not to say I’d be soft on crime.
I’ve prosecuted and convicted the most heinous criminals in the state and pushed for the toughest sentencing.
I’m not about to stop that. Criminals like Michael Starr and those around him need to be in jail forever.
I’m interested in revisiting sentencing guidelines and strengthening our laws so they work—not, as my opponent has falsely stated in his campaign ads, watering them down.
I also want to make one thing clear. I reject all attempts to bring a candidate’s personal life into the public forum of a political race.
This election is about my work and who I am as a prosecutor.
That’s the Jaxon Polaris you’re voting for to be given the honor of a judgeship. ”
Theo’s face beamed bright, and I soaked in that positivity for the rest of the debate. I refused to allow Winston to draw me into petty attacks and become defensive, and I needed to let the voters know exactly where I stood.
“In closing, let me state for the record that I am proud to be a gay man, and I’ve never hidden that fact.
I believe that people have a right to love who they want.
I promise to stand up for victims of all hate crimes and to strengthen the laws and penalties for those who think it’s okay to hurt others based on race, religion, gender, national origin, and all other protected statuses.
I would never write a decision denying people their rights because of their sexuality, including the right to live where they want and marry whom they want.
That is the law of our state and one I fervently believe in.
I want to thank all my supporters and the people who have confidence in me.
” Once again, I found Theo and felt his warmth and love reaching up to me from the audience.
“Most of all, I want to thank my boyfriend, Theo Sweeny, for taking a chance on me, loving me, and always knowing the right thing to say.”
Then it was finally over, and I crossed the stage to shake George Winston’s hand.
We smiled as the cameras remained focused on us, but once the lights turned off, his good nature faded.
Aware there were still people waiting to speak to us, he maintained a pleasant expression, but I could see the anger in his narrowed eyes.
“Good debate, George.”
“I agree. But if you think you’ll be able to sweep away and hide your past and that of your boyfriend, you’re mistaken. The public has the right to know.”
I dropped his hand. “You know what? I feel sorry for you.”
I turned, leaving him standing there, needing to find Theo. He stood behind the reporters, waiting behind Blair, and several of the press made an attempt to stop me.
“Please give me a moment,” I told them. “I’ll be back to answer any questions. Thanks.” Reaching Blair, I asked, “It went pretty well, don’t you think?”
“Yes, definitely. You were concise but passionate making your points. I made some notes—I’ll email them to you tonight.”
“Come on, take the rest of the night off. Better yet, come to Sweeny’s and have a celebratory drink with us.”
It was an invitation I made after every event I’d had since we’d started working together. And, as he did each time, he refused, with a quick but tight smile.
“Thanks, but I have a bunch of stuff to work on. Talk to you tomorrow.”
I shook my head with sadness, watching him hurry off.
“Jaxon?” Eyes shining, Theo put his hand on my arm. “You were incredible. I was on the edge of my seat as you spoke.”
I pulled him to me by his elbows and slipped my arms around his waist. My nerves settled. Simply holding him was enough to set my world right.
“Let’s go to Sweeny’s.” I took his hand. “I just have to answer a few questions, and then we can leave.”
“Are you sure that’s where you want to celebrate? I thought you’d want something fancier, like The Cutting Edge.”
I kissed his cheek. “It’s not the place, it’s the people. It’s where we met. Now, I’ve got to talk to these people for a bit.” He made to release my hand, but I held on to him. “Come with me. I’d love to have you by my side.” At his hesitancy, I leaned in to whisper, “I need you. Please.”
His beautiful eyes grew soft. “Okay.”
We joined the group of reporters who’d remained, and they thrust their microphones in my face, calling out questions. I held up one hand while keeping the other firmly in Theo’s.
“I have to leave, but I can answer a couple of questions.” I pointed to Casey Stokes from a popular morning news show. I’d seen him at numerous Pride events.
“What do you think of District Attorney Winston’s accusation that your personal life will bleed into your professional one and color your work as a judge who will favor queer people?”
I couldn’t hide my grimace. “Why does that sound like a negative thing? I wonder…have you asked any female candidate in a political race if her gender affects her opinion as to women’s issues?
Or if a straight person’s opinions influence their professional work?
It’s impossible to remain objectively neutral when it comes to basic human rights.
But that doesn’t mean I’ll ignore one side in favor of the other. ”
“How long have you and your boyfriend been together? How does he feel about you being a judge and moving away?”
“We’ve been together more than six months now, and why would you assume I’d move? Now, we really have to go, but you have my schedule.”
Ignoring the questions they called after me, Theo and I left. He didn’t say anything until we were on the road home.
“Why didn’t you tell me it would be better for you to move?”
“Because it wouldn’t be. I will have to be away for extended periods of time, but I don’t think that’s a big deal. Do you?”
“It could be. I mean, you might get tired of the commute, especially in the winter. And I wouldn’t blame you.”
I pulled into Sweeny’s parking lot and cut the engine. “I will never, ever get tired of the road that brings me home to you.” I leaned over to kiss him. “Let’s go inside.”
From Theo’s expression, I sensed he wasn’t fully convinced, but there was enough time to change his mind. I had plans, and I’d talk to him about it if I won the election. If I didn’t, the whole point would become moot.
When we opened the door, a majority of the customers cheered and clapped.
Behind the bar, Tony pulled out the bottle of Grey Goose, and I saw him pouring me a hefty one as I greeted Jet, Harte, Emerson, and Dominic.
I also spotted David and Joyce at a table, enjoying a bottle of wine.
Joyce saw me and they both left their seats to join the crowd gathering around Theo and me.
“I know there was a big game tonight, so I appreciate you watching the debate.” Knowing how fanatical these people were about their teams, it gave me a warm feeling in my chest that they chose me.
“Are you kidding?” Emerson called out. “You’re more important.”
Dominic smirked. “He had it playing on his phone.” Emerson glared at him, and I laughed.
“Thank you, everyone. I think I did okay.”
“Okay? You did great,” Dominic reassured me. “That bastard has no other agenda than his family values and protecting the Constitution, as if you want to destroy it.”
During his father’s trial, we’d spent many hours together with me interviewing him for his side of the case and then reviewing his testimony for trial.
Dominic had grown up hard, and it was obvious he loved hard as well.
Behind the icy facade he maintained on the job, he remained fractured and haunted by his past. I believed his relationship with Emerson was what held his pieces together.
Tony handed me a glass. “Guy’s a dick and thinks just ’cause you’re gay that’s what you think with.”
Laughter rose around us, and I raised my glass to him. “I’m glad you’re in my corner, but I’m not taking anything for granted.”
“Does this mean after you win, we have to call you Judge or Your Honor?” Emerson asked. “You’re not going to be just Jaxon anymore?”
“Only you, Deputy Kane.” I raised my glass as Dominic rolled his eyes.
“Great debate, Jaxon. Can we talk for a moment?” Joyce pointed to her vacant table. “I want to run something past you.”
“Of course.” I followed her and David and pulled up a chair for myself. “So what’s up?”
“We want to run a fund raiser for you. With the election only a couple of months away, I know how important it is to have money in the war chest, and I have experience with this.”
“W-wow. Thank you. I’d really appreciate that.”
“We’ve already spoken with Blair. He’s ready to put things in motion as soon as you give the signal.”
“Of course!”
David scrolled through his phone. “We were thinking of a brunch. We’ll have it at our house. We have a large backyard where we can set up tables and chairs. What do you say?”
“I think it’s a great idea. Theo!” I called and waved to him, and he came out from behind the bar where he was speaking with Tony.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just wanted you to hear what they’re planning for me. You’re in the restaurant business. Maybe you have questions.” I ran through everything David had mentioned. “Did we forget anything?”
“It all sounds good. I love that it’s breakfast or brunch—that’s something different. If you need help with staff, I can ask Tony and Freddy if they can help. I’m sure they’d be happy for a chance to make extra money.”
“Yeah, that’d be great.” David made a note. “Please ask them tonight so we can begin staffing. For events where I have to hire out, I contact our local food banks. They have connections with people who live in shelters or public housing who are looking for work.”
As I knew he would, Theo broke out in a huge smile. “I love that.”
“My boyfriend has a heart of gold,” I joked.
“No, I don’t,” Theo countered. “I believe people should have chances. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Hey, I agree with you.” I tugged at his hand. “It’s part of the reason I love you. Your intrinsic goodness.”
“You two have a wonderful dynamic,” Joyce said, her gaze shifting between Theo and me. “Your core beliefs are similar, but there are enough differences to keep the relationship interesting.”
I caught Theo’s eye and grinned. “I agree.”
He blushed before directing a question to Joyce. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“How do you handle the separation when you have to be away from each other for a few days in a row? If you don’t mind me asking,” he rushed to finish.
“Many people have partial long-distance relationships. But the fact is, I don’t have to be away from David that often. We live near the court.” Her brows raised, and her face grew tender. “But I’m sure the adage about absence making the heart grow fonder is totally true.”
**
Later that evening, we were getting ready for bed. I crept up behind Theo after he’d undressed, and tackled him to the mattress.
“Are we all right about everything?”
“Like what?”
“Me maybe having to spend extended time away from you due to a full calendar.”
I kissed the smattering of freckles slowly darkening as the days filled with sunshine increased in number. I could spend eternity mapping their design on his skin.
He held me around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss—long, deep, and slow.
“Yeah,” he murmured when we stopped to come up for air. “I figured I can leave Tony and Freddy in charge and come to you.”
“I like the way you think.”
Theo placed his hand on my stiff dick. “Oh, really? Guess what I’m thinking right now?”