Politically Incorrect (20 page)

Liam stood up and dropped my tablet back onto the cushion. He marched toward Harper and me. I could see the fury burning bright behind those chocolate orbs. My hackles were up, ready to take him on, and this time I wouldn’t back down. I’d win.

“You know she’s not my girlfriend, and if you think…” Liam was cut off by the sound of the phone ringing.

“It’s the station. It’s time,” Scout announced.

Damn. I was looking forward to his outrage. It meant I had control.

Liam stepped back, his face and neck red with rage and a vein pulsed in his forehead.

Liam adjusted his hideous purple paisley tie, and I decided that was the moment to go for the kill.

“And I also think you should lose that tie for the rally. Maybe go with something more suitable, like a nice blue tie.” I pursed my lips, daring him to challenge me, but he couldn’t. Scout thrust the phone into his hand and he had no choice but to answer.

As he made his greeting, I marched back to my seat and collected my tablet. Everything looked the same as how I’d left it, making me feel a little more at ease.

Liam paced the floor, burning the tension coiled inside him. I couldn’t help but revel in my achievement. I was closing in on his lead now.

Elizabeth 34 - Liam 37.

Harper cocked his head toward the bedroom. I glanced in the direction of the room, my tablet clutched to my chest. Lord only knew what Harper wanted to talk about. “I’ll be right back,” I told Aaron and Scout. As I was about to say something to Kristin, I discovered she’d actually disappeared. The devil on my shoulder bounced with hope that she was in the bathroom puking her guts up at the thought of being on stage in front of thousands of people. I guessed the devil tied the angel on my shoulder up, because that bitch was silent.

I strolled toward Harper, but instead found myself face to face with Liam. The enormity of my emotions hit me straight in the chest as I met his eyes. His voice held a practiced joviality. The skilled tone of a true politician. But his face was marred with anger. Or was it jealousy? I rolled my eyes, pushing that thought aside, but my intuition refused to let it go. I wasn’t a fool. I knew the man was interested in me, as I was him. That didn’t change our circumstances, though.

I stepped to the side, bypassing Liam and headed to the bedroom. The instant the door closed behind us, Harper exploded. “Mind tellin’ me what the hell is going on out there?”

I raised my hands in defense. “Whoa! What are you talking about?”

Harper swung his arm back and forth between me and the door. “I’m talking about this crap between you and Baxter. The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. We can’t afford the two of you at each other’s throats. It’s bad business.”

I wandered to the bed and sat down. “It’s nothing to worry about, Harper. We simply had a misunderstanding. These things happen.” I dropped my tablet beside me, this time checking to make sure my screen was locked.

Harper crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head. “Not to you, Bet. You’re always in control. But right now you’re not, and I want to know why.”

Liam Baxter might get me rattled, but I knew how to handle Guy Harper. I rose from the mattress, leaving my tablet, and approached Harper, slow and steady. “I assure you, I’m very much in control.”

“Are you fucking him?” The tone of his voice was soulless, lifeless, so much that at first the question didn’t register in my mind. When it did, I took a step back, shocked, but maintained my composure.

“I beg your pardon?”

Harper lifted his hat, running his fingers through his graying hair. “Fucked. As in had sex. Engaged in coitus.” Still, no modulation in his voice. His stance, his mannerisms screamed defensive to me, but the forced way he managed his emotions felt wrong. I was missing something, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was.

“Why would you even ask me such a thing?”

“Answer the question, Bet.”

I was stunned. This wasn’t the Harper I knew. It was like someone had replaced my friend and left me to face off against a madman. We’d had confrontations before, but never had I seen him so callous. So disconnected.

My breathing accelerated. Fury burned through me. “How dare you question my ethics. Of course I’m not sleeping with the
kid
. I thought you knew me better than that.”

Just saying those things left me feeling nauseous. If I’d had the opportunity the other night I would’ve slept with Liam. I would’ve crossed that line. Now it was evident to everyone, including Harper, that I harbored feelings for Liam, all because I lost control of my emotions.

That was bad business.

Damn Liam and his stupid kiss.

Harper’s shoulders slumped in relief. The old Harper I knew seemed to reappear almost instantly. The ever southern gentleman emerged ─ smile, swagger, and all. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m sorry, Bet. You’re right. It was a stupid question.”

I waved him off, chuckling. “It’s okay. You were right in questioning. You have a lot of money invested in him. No harm done.”

Harper gave me a quick wink and produced an endearing grin. “I see this man going places. I really do. I think with your help he can go all the way.”

“I think he can, too. He’s green, but smart.”

Harper opened his arms to me. A little hesitant, I accepted his embrace. “Not smart enough if he’s ruffling your feathers.”

I patted his back and tried to pull away from the hug. “I can handle him. He’s no match for me.”

Harper tightened his grip around me, mussing my hair with his knuckles. “Now that I believe.”

I smacked his hand away, squirming free. “Dammit, Harper!”

Harper belted out a hearty laugh, seemingly proud of himself. I reached around him for the door handle. “I need to get back out there. The interview should be nearing a close.”

Harper smirked. “Are you really going to make him change his tie?”

I opened the door. “Nah, but it was fun busting his balls.”

“That’s my girl.” Harper attempted to wrap his arm around my waist. I dodged his move, catching a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror adjacent from the bedroom. My hair was a mess and my blouse was rumpled from my encounter with Harper. I brushed my fingers through my hair and flattened my shirt as I rounded the corner, only to stop dead in my tracks at the sight of Liam nearing the door.

“Baxter,” Harper marked.

“Liam.” I grimaced, unable to take my eyes off him.

Liam cocked his head. His expression turned from dejected to irritated. “Elizabeth.”

“Um. Is everything all right?” I questioned, locked in a motionless dance with Liam and Harper.

Scout shrugged. “The interview was perfect.”

“Great. Wonderful,” I blathered.

“I knew our boy could do it,” Harper claimed, moving in closer behind me.

Liam tugged at his tie, loosening it around his neck. His chest puffed out and his focus burned on Harper and me. “Are you finished with
my
room?” It was rhetorical question, one he never intended on us to answer. “Good. I need to get ready,” he rushed. “Apparently I need to change my tie to something more
suitable
.”

Liam brushed past me, then clipped Harper’s shoulder on his way to the room.

I pivoted around to catch the sight of Liam slamming the door behind him.

“What the hell’s his problem?” Harper growled.

“I better go talk to him.” My body lurched forward, ready to follow Liam, but Aaron’s large hand reached out, grabbing my arm. I looked up, meeting his big green eyes. He shook his head, but said nothing. I nodded to his silent heeding.

It was my turn to feel like a caged lion. I had to escape. “On second thought, it’s probably best to give him a chance to recoup from his interview. We need him on point today.” I walked over and grabbed my briefcase, extracting my phone from the pocket. “You know, I need to make a few calls. I’ll be down in the car whenever Liam’s ready,” I announced, making my way to the door.

Son of a bitch! I left my tablet on Liam’s bed.

It irked me to leave it behind, but I really didn’t need it at the moment, and since I knew the screen was locked this time, my secrets were safe. I’d grab it later.

As I opened the front door, I called out over my shoulder, “Oh, and Kristin, I changed my mind. It’s probably best you don’t appear on stage with Liam since you’ve already been absent for most of the trip.”

“Thanks, Elizabeth,” Kristin mumbled.

I nodded and slinked out of the room. This was supposed to be our day. The big one. Interviews, local coverage in his district, filming footage for his new campaign ads, and a major rally. I lived for days like this, but there I was, lost and confused. Things were messy, and I hated messy. I wanted to clear the air. To fix things.

Instead, I walked away ─ all in the name of politics.

Even with all the bullshit going on between us, never had I felt as proud of Liam as I did during the rally. He stood behind the podium, so tall and assertive, keeping his wit about him. Bold, honest, and on point, Liam inspired the crowd. He was the politician I’d waited my whole life to find. A true political unicorn. I watched, with a prideful grin, as he discussed the issues.

Since we’d left the hotel, the tension between us had mounted to unimaginable heights. We spoke, but it was clipped, calculated, and not once did he attempt to touch me. I never thought I’d fall apart over a man, and I wasn’t about to do it now. However, if I allowed myself to linger on the divide between us, I might’ve found I could indeed lose my head over the situation at hand.

Good thing I had work to focus on. My job, his campaign was all that mattered.

Liam lifted his hand to adjust the tie at his neck. I cringed at the sight. I thought the purple tie was bad. In comparison to the one he wore now, the purple tie was a royal treasure. I wasn’t a fish girl to begin with, but this tie made me detest fish. It was blood red with the face of what could only be described as a salmon at the tip. I was furious when he got into the limo wearing that hideous thing, but I refused to verbalize my complaints. He was goading me.

But I wouldn’t fall into his trap. With his jacket closed and standing behind the podium, no one could see the ugly thing. From a camera angle, it appeared as if he were wearing a plain red tie.

Somewhat of a win for me.

Not really, but I’d take what I could get.

He leaned forward and rested his hands on the sides of the podium. “There is no denying we’ve disagreed on all aspects of these issues,” he started. “Both parties have fought tooth and nail over this, but it goes deeper than mere politics. What it boils down to here is whether or not we, as a country, are willing to stand up and meet the challenge the next generation has presented us.”

A roar of excitement rippled across the crowd. Banners reading “Vote Baxter” and “A Fresh Start” rose above the audience.

Oh, if only it wasn’t considered bad sportsmanship to throw a fist in the air and whoop and holler, because I would’ve over that one. My boy just blew that shit up! He had them eating out of the palm of his hand.

My boy.

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth, but was gone before it started. He wasn’t mine and he wasn’t going to be. The more I thought about things, the more determined I became. I needed to step back and not let my attraction to Liam get in the way of what was important. He was meant for great things and I’d be fooling myself if I thought I could fit into that picture as anything more than his consultant. I, who slung mud for a living, didn’t deserve to bask in the light of a man like William Baxter.

“He’s killin’ it,” Aaron whispered to me.

“He’s on fire tonight.” Pride exuded from my pores.

“Maybe you should rip his heart to shreds before every rally.”

My head wrenched up to find Aaron’s profile locked on Liam. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Aaron dropped his gaze to mine, his brows raised and a twisted smile warped his mouth. “The tie. You really pissed him off about the tie.”

I swallowed and clutched my tablet to my chest. Liam had been kind enough to return it to me when they’d joined me in the motorcade. “I wish I hadn’t mentioned it. I can only imagine what Stephen Colbert is going to say about this one.” The talk show host had been on a rampage regarding Liam’s ties from day one. So much for watching the Late Show tonight.