Page 185 of Indiscretion

Igetit, I wasn’t happy about it, either. Here’s the thing—when you take the oath to become a Secret Service agent, it’s not a partisan oath. You have to be willing to take a bullet for whoever your protectee is, even if you hate their guts and disagree with everything they stand for politically.

Mom scolded Dad for his “joke” but it left a silent rift between us. One of the main reasons I decided to return to DC and go to work for a private security company instead of remaining in California was Dad’s little “joke.”

Men died, and here my supposedly bleeding-heart liberal father was turning it into a partisan issue, all because he wasn’t fond of my career, or the man I happened to be working on behalf of at that time.

I’ve avoided extended trips to California since. There have been times where I’ve lied and said I was overseas on an assignment and couldn’t leave, getting me out of family holidays.

I love my family but, once I had Elliot in my life, that was too much emotional stress on me to put myself through their “loving advice” for days on end. Lying about my job or whereabouts is one thing.

Lying—worse,denyingthe love of my life?

That’s a line I can’t bring myself to cross. Not with them.

Ironically, my parents never had a problem with me being gay. Yet I’m not sure how they’re going to react to me bringing Jordan home to meet them this Christmas.

Mostly because I haven’t brought someone home to meet them since I left after college.

Don’t know how they’ll react to our age difference. That Jordan’s from the political world might not go over so well with them, either, but who knows?

If I could, I’d bring Elliot home, too. Introduce both of them as being mine. Though I’m relatively certain that’s something that will never happen. Once I introduce Jordan to them, explaining Elliot’s role in my life as anything other than my best friend will get…sticky.

I mean, sure, if Elliot de-asses his head, I’ll nut up and lay it out to my parents that we’re poly.

Until then…

It’s not something I’m going to worry about.

Elliot stayed in DC for the holiday, but his parents are flying in tonight and staying with him in the spare bedroom.

Yes, that’s pissed off his sister, but she’s been put up at Blair House.

Also, a “guest” she wanted to bring with her was denied access by Secret Service.

Meaning Elliot told me he didn’t want to meet the guy, I talked to Kev, who then talked to Secret Service so Elliot didn’t have to look like the bad guy to his family.

The guy she wanted to bring is a big-time dark-money contributor to several conservative religious PACs.

Fuck, no, she can’t bring him home to meet her brother as a freebie. Let him pay money for a rubber chicken dinner at a DNC-sponsored event like everyone else trying to snag a moment of Elliot’s time.

Today, it’s bitterly cold in DC, barely warm enough the rain shouldn’t turn to sleet or ice, but we’re getting out just in time. A front is supposed to move through tomorrow and possibly shut down the airports.

It’s 72 and sunny in Laguna Beach.

I spent last night with Elliot. He hasn’t yet taken advantage of the standing invite to use Jordan, although we have had three more nights since the inauguration where Jordan participated from the sidelines.

I won’t rush things.

Elliot also hasn’t used Jordan as his body man on any overnight trips, although he does use him several times a month for local events, and twice now has taken Jordan with him on day-trip events requiring flying out onAir Force Two.

While it’s not a secret that Jordan and I are roommates, we don’t make a “thing” about it at work. Most people think we’re nothing more than good friends with each other and Elliot. Especially people who don’t realize I have a one-bedroom apartment.

That’s less aggravation for all three of us.

Jordan is officially permanent staff in the East Wing. He’s a deputy assistant to the First Spouse’s chief of staff.

Yeah, that’s a mouthful. But Jordan’s well liked and a hard worker. He’s even acted as Chris’ body man for a few events.

Our flight out is uneventful and it’s a relief to be away from the DC fishbowl. I rent us a car and we take the slower but more scenic drive down the coast so Jordan can see the Pacific.