Page 37 of A Legal Affair

“Right, right,” said Brandon. “Tamia and the nanny are taking the kids with them, so I’ll be on my own that weekend. I’m thinking about flying down for our homecoming game. The Ransom boys invited me and Beau to join them in their suite, said we could bring some buddies.” He was referring to Gunner and Maverick Ransom, twin tech billionaires who ruled Austin’s Silicon Hills. They’d graduated with Beau and had remained good friends, donating generously to Brandon’s Senate campaign.

“It’ll be good to get away from DC for a weekend,” Brandon said. “The fellas can join us—Dre, Evander, Cornel, Justin. Should be fun. You in?”

“I’m in,” Caleb confirmed.

“Awesome.” Brandon grinned. “See you then, bro.”

“Alright. Give my best to Dre and Tamia and the kids.”

“Will do. Later, man.”

The call ended.

Caleb stood motionless, the sounds of the city—a distant siren, the hum of evening traffic—filling the sudden void.

As Daniela’s face flashed through his mind, he scowled and drained the last of his whiskey, then headed inside to track down a cigar.

It was going to be a long fucking semester.

13

“You’re goingwhere?”

“You heard me. I’m going to Houston to visit your aunt Phyllis. Kennedi is treating us to a spa day and dinner.”

Daniela frowned into her phone. “Sounds lovely, Mom, but do you really think that’s a good idea? You’re recovering from the flu. Less than a week ago you were sick as a dog and bed-ridden, and now you’re talking about traveling toHouston?”

“First of all,” came the indignant response, “stop referring to Houston as if it’s on the other side of the country. It’s two and a half hours away. Second of all, you don’t have to keep reminding me how sick I was. I’m all better now, as you’ve seen with your own two eyes. Third, I amnota child, and I would appreciate not being treated like one.”

“Sorry,” Daniela mumbled, suitably chastened. She threw a surreptitious glance around the scenic courtyard bustling with students, then lowered her voice. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do, Mom. I’m just a little worried about you, that’s all. What if you get sick again?”

“Then Phyllis will take care of me,” Pamela said blithely. “Considering she used to look after me when we were growing up, I think she’s got a bit more experience than you do.”

“Be that as it may,” Daniela said, striving for patience, “I still don’t understand the sudden urgency to visit your sister. You didn’t say a thing about this last night over dinner.” She paused, her frown deepening. “Is Aunt Phyllis sick?”

“No, darling, she’s not sick. But when you get to be our age, you don’t take anything for granted, least of all time. I haven’t seen your aunt since Christmas. I miss her, and I’d like to see her again. Is something wrong with that?”

“Of course not. But if you’ll just wait until tomorrow, I can drive you myself.”

“It’s not necessary. Besides, you need to use your weekends to study and get your coursework done. Deacon Hubbard offered to let me catch a ride with him to Houston since he has to be there for a conference. He’ll bring me back with him next Saturday.”

A slow, knowing grin spread across Daniela’s face. “Deacon Hubbard, huh?”

“Don’t you go taking that sly tone with me, young lady. I’m not one of your little chit-chat girlfriends. Deacon Hubbard is taking me to Houston, and that’s all I’m going to say about the matter. We’re leaving in an hour, so I won’t be here when you get back from class. I just wanted to call and let you know.” Her tone softened. “Take care of yourself, you hear? You didn’t seem like yourself last night. I know you’ve got a lot on your mind with law school, but everything’s going to work out just fine, you’ll see.”

Daniela smiled into the phone. “Call me when you arrive in Houston, and give Aunt Phyllis my love.”

“Will do, baby.”

Daniela ended the call and shot off a text to Kennedi.

Take good care of Mom. Don’t let her overexert herself next week.

She assumed she wouldn’t hear back from her cousin until she’d gotten off work. So she was surprised when her phone buzzed with an incoming FaceTime call from Kennedi.

She swiped on the screen to answer. “Hey, girl.”

“Hey.” Kennedi looked flawless as usual. She’d inherited their mothers’ light skin and hazel eyes. Her honey-highlighted hair was perfectly styled, her eyebrows were perfectly sculpted and her makeup was perfectly applied.