Page 37 (1/2)

"I know you think I was blind to your father’s faults all those years, but I wasn’t I put up with a lot from hihting a lot and I told hih

"After the heart attack, he cried for the first ti that close to death ant fool he had been He told me he had the best life, the best faranted, that he’d put his career first and he’d just assuized to s to me and I told hie counseling He agreed instantly"

"That surprisesif that ever came out it could hurt his career"

His mother nodded "It surprised e was always his priority But he told me he didn’t care He promised me that I would forever and always come first in his life, and since then he hasn’t once backed away fron trips, and his phone and his email are an open book to ain That trust was hard earned, but he has it froiven his past?"

She smiled "He never cheated on me, Gray He was a workaholic and a heavy drinker, and often an arrogant ass, but he never cheated He liked to flirt with young girls I hated that"

Gray gave her a dubious look His ht back at him

"Do I look like a fool, son?"

"No, ma’am, you don’t"

"Trust , and he always gave the ladies the eye, but he would have never cheated on me And if he had, believe me, when they vet soone through his past with a fine-toothed comb"

"Does Cameron know about the heart attack?"

Hisback Ca when I said your father has changed He’s one of the healthiest men in politics now"

That’s why his dad looked so different when Gray saw him at the ranch

"And Cameron believes in him"

His mother nodded "Yes He believes in your father’s policies, too, and his vision for the future"

"And you don’t think it’s going to coed "If it does, we’ll deal with it I don’t think it will matter He is who he is now, not who he once was Ca man, Gray He’s warm and compassionate and he loves his faave her a confused look "But there’s been this Grand Canyon–wide chasm between him and me and I don’t understand why"

Hishi of all your requests--like using the lodge at the country club, or using the plane anytiue with you It’s been you stonewalling the reconciliation"

Gray sat back against the sofa His ht, at least partially He and his father had always had lousy coarding his dad, alanted to see the worst where he was concerned But ns, maybe he refused to see the olive branch his father had been trying to extend all these years

And when he saw his father with his fans and the media today, he had just assumed the worst, because of the painful memories of his childhood

He looked at his uess that’s up to you"

GRAY FOUND HIS FATHER EXITING A MEETING WITH A few other senators He paused when he saw Gray, no doubt expecting some sort of confrontation

Gray approached and his dad excused hiues

"Got a minute?" Gray asked

"For you, all the tio talk somewhere quiet"

"Sure" He led them down the hall One of his aides, a cute brunette in her an, this is an Alberts, one of my aides"

Gray shook her hand "Nice to meet you"

"You, too, Mr Preston" She turned to the senator "Senator, the governor called and needs a few minutes of your time as soon as you’re available He says it’s iht now and I’ll let him know as soon as I’ave a quick nod to Gray and hustled off

"I know you’re busy," Gray said

"I’ve spentbusy I think you and I need to talk" He used his key card and let the to drink?" his father asked

"I’lass of water, if you don’tmakes me thirsty"

Gray waited while his father put solass and poured water from the well-stocked bar He looked out theat the convention center and the city ahead

"You’re daood at what you do, Gray I’m sorry I missed it until now"

He turned to face his father "Well, you’ve been busy"

"I need to be less busy"

Gray’s lips lifted "If you and Caine you’ll be h "You’re probably right Hell of a thing, huh?"

"I guess so" He leaned against the sill "I didn’t know about your heart attack I wasn’t listening when you reached out Are you okay?"

"Healthier than I’ve ever been indoctors and your very pushy s and exercise"

"Good for Mom And I’m sorry"

"I’m the one who’s sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed a father And for the times I was, I was a shitty father I can’t htened within his he wanted to say but had held inside his whole life

"Go ahead," his father said "Say what’s on yourpolitics over a I’ll never be able to ood athlete What you can do with a car-- Jesus, Gray, it’syou drive"