Page 96 of The Game We Played

The father of the girl is a senator. He’s threatening to sue. How do you like Tanner now?

Tanner needs a new agent. Sam is an asshole. I can’t believe he betrayed his client by sending me this video.

And what is the senator threatening to sue about? If she wasn’t old enough, the senator would have Tanner arrested. On what grounds can he sue?

I need to know what’s on the video. I need to prepare myself for the potential media storm.

My thumb hovers over the play button.Come on, Alaia. Hit play. Don’t be a wimp.

None of the words of encouragement help. I can’t do it. I can’t watch the man I love having sex with another person.

I need to know what’s on the video without actually watching it. There’s only one thing I can do.

“Hey, baby girl. I thought you were writing.”

“I got interrupted. Someone sent me a video.”

Dad growls. “A video? What kind of video?”

“The kind I need you to watch on my behalf without telling anyone about.”

“On my way.”

I knew Dad was the right person to contact. As a former war correspondent, he understands the need to keep information secret.

He arrives within minutes. He doesn’t knock but barges into my apartment.

“You’re not supposed to use the key unless it’s an emergency.”

“Baby girl, I heard your voice on the phone. This is an emergency.”

I wish I could deny it, but I can’t.

Dad notices the fight leave me. “What’s going on?”

“Tanner’s agent rang me. When I wouldn’t agree to dump Tanner, he sent me a video.”

“Dump Tanner? His agent wants you to dump Tanner? What the hell?”

“Concentrate, Dad. The video. I can’t…” I swallow and force the words out. “…it’s of Tanner with another woman. I can’t.”

“But you need to know what’s on it to prepare yourself for the media storm.”

“I knew you’d understand.”

I hand him my phone. I can’t stand here and watch him watch Tanner and another woman. I’ll try to interpret every facial tick and grimace. No thanks.

I hurry outside to my balcony. I pace the small area as I wait for Dad. Time slows to a crawl as I wait, and I wait.

Finally, the door opens and Dad steps outside. “It’s not bad.”

“Then, why is some senator threatening to sue Tanner?”

He motions to the set of chairs. Once we’re settled, he continues, “I recognize the woman. I know which senator is her dad. He’s an ultra-conservative. He doesn’t believe in birth control or sex before marriage. His daughters have campaigned with him. Signed some stupid proclamation about waiting for marriage to have sex.”

I fill in the blanks. “And he’s afraid if this comes out, he’ll lose voters.”

“Politicians are nastier than terrorists sometimes.”