Chapter 29 #2
Colton’s future? What does The Red Curtain have to do with Colton? I open my mouth, not sure what I’m going to say but ready to say something when I’m cut off by a simple hand wave, one that says very clearly I’m not finished. And just like that, I fall silent—submissive, just like Mr. Whitaker.
“Despite the monster you likely think I am at this moment, I have some good news for you that I think you’ll be eager to hear.”
Stuck under his piercing gaze, I say nothing.
“You can save your money, Missy, and I’ll give you this building as a gift.”
I narrow my eyes. I know fishy—I’ve been eating fish every day for weeks, and this “gift” he speaks of, it reeks like dead tuna under the hot sun.
“Why?” I ask skeptically, feeling sick with how desperately I want to jump into the palm of his hand and feed off every morsel of hope he’s giving me.
He must sense my desperation, because a budding grin lifts the edge of his lips, revealing the person beneath the passive facade.
“Why? Because you and I are not that different, Missy. We both want what’s best for Colton.
He has the potential to be a promising politician.
He’s living a legacy. One that has been fought for for generations.
And to be frank, it’s a legacy that won’t be tarnished by a girl with an alcoholic mother that’s been detained by local law enforcement three times in as many years. ”
Alcoholic mother?
My teeth clench. “You looked into my mama?”
He doesn’t respond; instead, the silence speaks for him. But there is no apology on his face.
For a moment, I’m unable to hold his stare.
My eyes feel pushed to the ground until I’m looking at Senator Downing’s shiny shoes and the gold-and-red carpet beneath his feet.
I feel as old and worn as the weathered woven threads he stands on.
I’m suddenly all too aware of my inadequacies, my family, my upbringing. I am not enough for Colton’s father.
Colton’s words from our closing interview strike a new chord inside me. One that says “You were never good enough for me, and you never will be.” My bottom lip starts to quiver. The broken record from my nightmares is back, playing its two greatest hits: A Strategic Romance and It Was All for Show.
“My offer is simple, Missy: Leave Colton alone, and the building is yours.”
“No.” The word barely squeaks from my lips.
I don’t know where Colton stands with his feelings for me, but like my mama said, I need to give him the benefit of the doubt. And whether he does or doesn’t feel for me like I do for him, I’m not going to build my dreams off of a bribe from his father.
Senator Downing chuckles as if I am one big joke. “You’re a brave girl—I like that about you. And truth be told, I’ve always liked you. That’s why I’m going to make this decision even easier,” he says, as if I haven’t already given him my answer.
Senator Downing pulls his phone from his pocket, makes a few taps with his finger, then plants a picture right in front of my face. And then the tears flow. I hate myself for crying, giving Senator Downing the satisfaction of this moment.
I bite my lip, anything to stop the added humiliation from pouring out of my eyes when I look at the picture featuring Colton and the brunette in the olive pantsuit from the airport this morning.
Colton has his arm around the beautiful woman as they stand in front of an elegant sign that reads Downing I see it in Colton’s hands on the beach as he explains how he’s treasured it all these years; I see it in the coloring book where we deemed it ours.
It’s one simple glow-in-the-dark star, yet its little light pushes its way into my vision until it’s no longer little.
It’s a big light reminding me to push out the darkness until there’s nothing left.
So that’s what I do. I push. I push out the voices that tell me I am inadequate.
I push out the voices that tell me that I am unwanted.
I push out the voices that tell me that my family is something to be ashamed of.
I push until there’s nothing but light, and I can finally see clearly.
Swiping away my tears, I straighten to my full height, meeting Senator Downing’s piercing eyes with my own.
“If you are so certain of Colton’s relationship with Jane, then why come here?
Why try to push me out of his life? If he is so in love with that girl, there would be no reason for you to come here and dig your claws into my dreams. So, Senator, my answer is no.
And before you act like you never heard my response, let me say it for you again.
No, I will not accept your offer. You can keep this building.
And somehow, I will find a way to move forward with my nonprofit. I don’t know how, but I will.”
Senator Downing’s features harden, his cordial mask peeling off his face. “Fine, don’t accept my offer.” He takes a step in my direction, his finger pointing directly at me. “But stay away from Colton.”
I lift my chin higher, a new determination coursing through my veins. “I will do nothing of the kind. I am in love with your son, Senator Downing. And whether he does or does not feel the same way, then I will hear it from his lips and not yours. Good day.”
Good day? I roll my shoulders back and pivot on my heels, high on adrenaline as I float toward the double glass doors. I give my blonde curls an elaborate toss for good measure. Yes, good day, Senator Downing.
I’m several yards from the entryway, my heart beating wildly, when one of the glass doors flies open. A gust of warm summer air brushes my skin, and my heart speeds up for an entirely different reason.
Colton. Colton, with his neck tie askew and his dark-brown hair sticking out in all different directions, bursts inside.
His chest rises and falls with heavy breaths, as if he’s just run a mile in his tailored gray suit pants and collared shirt.
His eyes connect with mine and his face melts from pure panic to relief.
He scans me from head to toe as if to confirm that I am really here and not just a figment of his imagination. “Missy,” he says breathlessly.
“You’re here … What are you doing here?” I ask, taking a step toward him.
He closes the distance between us in three long strides. But the relief on his face comes to a decided halt the moment he glimpses the man standing behind me.
Colton’s eyes darken, his jaw clenching. “Father.”
But any further conversation is cut short by a pair of winded and harried policemen that storm into the building on Colton’s heels.