Incumbent(68)

Lucy looked at my mom and dad. “They weren’t like you; they were extremely judgmental and superficial.” Then she focused on my siblings before her gaze slid to me. “You all have no idea how lucky you are.”

Gretchen sniffed as a tear slid down her face, and she didn’t bother to wipe it away.

Lucy held her hand out to me, and when I took it, she mouthed, I’m sorry. I gave her a small nod, encouraging her to continue.

“When I was in high school, I fell for a boy, but he wasn’t what my parents had in mind for me. My mom would tell me he wasn’t up to par.” She let out a shaky breath. “His name was Greg, and I thought the sun rose and set because of him. The night before my sixteenth birthday, we had sex. He had already graduated and enlisted in the Army, so I wasn’t sure when I’d see him again, but I wanted him to be my first. We used protection, but I got pregnant. Naturally, my mom flipped out when she found out. When she realized I wasn’t yet sixteen and Greg had just turned nineteen when we had sex, she threatened to have him arrested unless I aborted the baby.”

“Oh, Lucy.” My mom jumped up to hug her. This time Lucy reciprocated her embrace, and brought her arms around my mom. When Lucy began to sob, my heart broke for her.

I stood and continued her story. I told them all about Greg and the fact that she thought he had died, but he was actually alive and well and that they saw each other. She finally had closure.

Lucy stepped out of my mom’s arms and sat down, so Mom and I followed suit and took our seats. “My parents don’t know where I am, or at least they didn’t. But I’m sure they do now. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for having embarrassed your family.”

“Don’t be silly, Lucy,” Dad said with conviction. “You’re the victim here, not us.”

Lucy nodded, but I knew she didn’t agree with him. “Maybe so, but I still feel horrible.”

Jack leaned forward. “How did the press find out?”

“That would be my fault.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Gretch and I were at an event, and I told her a little bit of Lucy’s story. Emily overheard.”

“Your ex-slut, Emily?” Josh shrugged. “Sorry, man, but she was the worst thing to happen to you.”

“She still is, and yes, I believe she’s to blame.” I went on to explain the rest of the story. As I did, Lucy dropped her head into her hands and rubbed her temples.

“Lucy.” My dad got up and walked toward her. “Why don’t you go lie down? You’re very pale.”

He picked up her wrist and held it with two fingers while he looked at his watch.

“Your blood pressure is high, my dear. You need to try and relax. We won’t leave. And if you need a sleep aid, I can prescribe something for you, but rest is what you need right now.”

Lucy nodded obediently, and I took her hand and led her to one of Jack’s spare bedrooms. I pulled back the plaid bedspread, and she toed off her shoes before she slid in under it. Once she was tucked in, I kissed her on the cheek.

“Everything will be okay,” I told her as I stroked her hair. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“I don’t know how you’re going to do that,” she said, and her eyelids looked heavy.

“Go to sleep and don’t worry about how; just know I will.”

I was pretty sure she was asleep in the seconds it took me to exit the room.

When I walked back in the living room, my entire family looked at me as one. “I know,” I said, frowning. “It’s a horrible situation.”

We all went into Prescott mode. Jack said he’d contact his PR department and make sure they quashed any stories that were scheduled to be published. His company was one of the best public relations firms in the state. If anyone could shut down the media, it was them.

Mom told Jack she and her firm would take care of any legal issues.

Gretchen, being true to form, said she’d be Lucy’s shoulder and would kick anyone’s ass who came near her, and Josh echoed her sentiments.

And Dane, well, we knew how he felt.

As for me, I’d already made my decision as to what I was going to do. Now I just needed to tell my family. But first, I had to make a few calls.

I excused myself and went into Jack’s home office to call Ben.

“Okay,” I said without preamble when he answered. “Tell me how bad it really is.”

“Grissett is all over it like white on rice. He’s foaming at the mouth, and from what I understand, television ads are being produced as we speak.”

Fuck. “Ads stating what?”

“They’re questioning your character and choices. The * is going to trash you and your reputation.” He paused, but I stayed silent. “I don’t need to tell you the ramifications this could have in the long run. Being the incumbent, you don’t have an opponent in the primary, but he’s looking at November and is ready to discredit you any chance he gets. He’s like a dog in heat right now. I don’t need to remind you, the primary is just around the corner.”

“No, you don’t. Ben, I’m thinking of renouncing my candidacy. The party needs twelve days’ notice, and they need to get someone to run against this *. I know Smythe is ready to go. Maybe you can get a job with him.”