Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“You’ll keep him in office. He’s gaining ground with that moderate demographic. They like you.”
“How do you know that?” Alec asked suspiciously, dread lacing each word spoken. It had been one thing to assume he was being used by his father, another altogether to know with all certainty.
“Your father had the party do some likability polling to help support his cause,” Judge Sawyer said, taking another drag off the cigarette. Alec’s heart sank, and he dropped his head, closing his eyes, feeling the metaphorical gate swinging shut to lock him into an unwanted life. “They’ve got their money on you. Said you’d be ‘the people’s judge.’ Your appointment will be enough to give your father a stronghold. That’s something he desperately needs. He hasn’t always been likable.”
Alec turned away, pressing his forefinger and thumb against his closed eyes. To this point, his father had only hinted to the idea of a federal judge position and using his congressional pull to push Alec through the process. Nothing had been firmly decided. Alec had certainly never agreed to anything. His thoughts raced. He had no desire to take the path his father had chosen. He was so fucking fucked. Instead of saying anything, he forced himself to act reasonably. Think of his father’s political career. Think of something to say other than “I’d rather dig my eyeballs out with a spoon than be appointed federal judge.”
“Making my father likable gives him a good chance at the presidency. This could help tie all those loose ends for a 2024 run.”
“Correct, but I’d guess he’ll try for 2020. At least that’s the talk right now. He’ll piggyback off you. It makes him look accepting without actually having to say it, but it also gives you a dignified career. You’re a smart guy. You have to know what that would look like on a resume,” the judge said, turning to match his stance, the cigarette still in his hand, but seemingly forgotten. “You’ll have to keep your nose clean. Be the perfect son.”
“Right.” Alec nodded, thinking about the snooze fest his life had already become. He glanced back to Judge Sawyer. “How long before I get approved?”
“Honestly, I’d say from pre-nomination to appointment….maybe the end of the year. Of course, that depends on your father’s agenda. He’s got enough pull to push you through faster.”
Fuck. No. No. No. He’d graduated summa cum laude from Harvard Law with three specialty fields. His dreams had never included money. Hell, he had a trust fund Warren Buffett would envy. He never had to worry about money for the rest of his life. He couldn’t spend all that money in ten lifetimes. He’d always envisioned himself working international business law. That was where he wanted to be. Not here. Certainly, not doing this. Definitely, not as a judge.
“Where would I go?” he asked, hoping to hide the defeat in his voice.
“Louisiana would be my first guess, maybe Kentucky. Unless a judicial vacancy happens somewhere unexpected.”
Kentucky? Seriously? He was a gay man. “Send me to Kentucky, and I’d’ve pulled every string to keep Kim Davis locked up tight.”
“She needed it,” Sawyer said, barking out a harsh laugh before pushing away from the wall and reclaiming his full height. He dropped his lit cigarette butt to the deck, grinding it out with his shoe. “Just don’t say that too loud around here.” There was silence again as both men stared at one another. Something unsaid passed between them. Something that eased the heaviness that had descended when they’d begun speaking. “I like you, Alec. So I’m going to tell you…you’ve got a decision to make rather quickly. Your father’s planning to corner you tonight, get your commitment while the larger donors are still present.”
“I’d wondered. He asked me to stick around.” Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Blaine flailing his arms. Alec strained, catching sight of another guy—not Steven, the supposed love of Blaine’s life. Blaine and this guy were on the side of the house, hidden in an alcove. He’d never even heard them over there. It took Alec a second to realize his friend was motioning to get Judge Sawyer back inside the house. He had to give Blaine props, noiseless was not an easy feat for the man.
Alec put his hand on the older man’s back, turning him toward the house. “You know cigarette smoking’s bad for you.”
Judge Sawyer busted out with a laugh. “So I’ve been told.” At the door, he patted Alec’s back. “You’re a good son. He’s lucky whether he admits it or not.”
Alec ducked his head. It helped to hear someone understood the sacrifice he was making. “Thank you for being honest.”
Judge Sawyer laughed before stepping inside ahead of Alec. He had no idea what that chuckle meant, but it most certainly couldn’t be good.