Page 70 of The Senator's Secret
Iam a horrible human being.
That’s really my only excuse right now. A couple days with Mable and Angie have made me realize that while Jake was wrong to deceive me like he did, I was also wrong in not hearing him out. I was not the bigger person.
If I really love him like I have claimed to, then I should have given him the chance to explain. I’m going to have to go to him when I get back to New York and talk to him. He may not forgive me, and I may not forgive him either. I can’t tell until I hear what he has to say, and only then will I make my judgement, like I should have done all along.
And I do love him. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t feel like absolute shit. My heart just hurts.
Cody’s German Shepherd and I meander through the property. I’ve been taking walks here and there with the older dog. It makes me miss Sarge and the cats. I hope Jake has taken care of them. Although, I know that he has. Deep down, I know he is a good guy. Jake would never let anything happen to my babies.
In truth, I hope Sarge is looking after him. I was awful. When Steve and I get back to the house, I’m going to call Rick and check the polls. I can’t be the reason Jake loses, and he would make such an amazing president. I just hope it’s not too late. Election day is just a week away. The American people believed in Jake before I came along, and I’ve got a week to show them they were absolutely right.
“Let’s head back, Steve. I’ve got some work to do,” I tell the dog. He just looks at me and groans. “And a new phone to buy. I can’t believe I destroyed a two-thousand-dollar phone.”
Steve just growls.
“Anybody ever tell you that you’re very judgy?”
“All the damn time,” Cody says, making me laugh when we walk up the porch. “There’s someone here to see you. I could beat him up, but his Secret Service agent could kick my ass and is madder than a wet hen at you. So, you decide if I need another back surgery or not.”
“I’m not going to get you beaten up.” I roll my eyes at his drama. Over the last few days, I’ve learned that the giant retired football player is kind of a big girl in a very loveable way.
“So you’re going into the lion’s den then?” he asks me.
“Yeah, I think I am.”
“Atta girl,” he says.
“You don’t rock a football coach vibe at all,” I tell him with my eyes wide and an innocent look on my face before I burst out laughing.
“You’re ridiculous,” he grumbles with a smile on his face.
“Jules is worse,” I tell him as I make my way into the house. “Wait until you meet her!”
But the smile slides off my face when I see Jake sitting on the couch. He jumps up to stand when I walk in the room, ever the gentleman. His clothes are clean and his jaw is shaved, but he looks tired. He’s wearing worn jeans and a T-shirt, with a pair of running shoes on his feet. He’s dressed casually, but he looks as handsome as ever. Actually, Jake looks like I feel. And then I remember I’m not dressed in my usual Chanel and Louboutins either. I’m in leggings and sneakers and a Texas A&M sweatshirt I borrowed from Cody. My hair is in a ponytail, and the Cleveland baseball cap I bought in Ohio is on my head. My face is free of makeup.
“Hi,” I say shyly before brushing a lock of hair behind my ear.
“Hi,” he greets. “Can we talk?”
“Yes.” I make my way over to sit on the opposite end of the sofa from him. Jake sits and bounces his knee. It’s the only outward sign of his agitation.
Steve growls at him.
“Is that dog winking at me?” he asks.
“Shh!” I hush him quickly. “He only has one eye, and he doesn’t like it when people stare.”
“Oh,” he stumbles a bit. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him, and it clearly is, because Steve lies down on his dog bed with a groan.
“He kind of reminds me of Sarge,” Jake says. “He’s not happy with me right now.”
“Oh no, is he okay? He hasn’t fallen back into his depression, has he?” Shit, another life I’ve ruined by being a drama llama, as Jules would say.
“He’s fine,” Jakes says with a smile. “He blames me for you not coming home. Your cat shits in my shoes every day now, by the way.”
I bark out a laugh. “I’m sorry.”