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“I understand, but Nathan—”
“Doesn’t owe her anything, either.” I disconnected the call.
“Was that the senator?” Nathan asked from the kitchen doorway.
“Her assistant.” As much as I wanted to shield him, I wouldn’t do it by lying. “She wanted to remind us about the campaign rally tomorrow night.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That we wouldn’t be there, of course.” I tilted my head. “Was I wrong?”
“No.” He dragged a hand through his hair, then rubbed his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Gage. I never should have dragged you into this.”
I held my arms out to him and wiggled my fingers. “Come here, baby.”
Chin down, spine rounded, he shuffled over and rested his head on the top of my shoulder, leaving his arms dangling limply at his sides. “I’m so sorry.”
“Stop it. You didn’t do anything wrong.” I pulled him closer until he molded down my front and slid my fingers into his hair. “I’m not afraid of your mom.”
“But you should be.”
“Baby, I know you’re worried, but don’t be. She can’t do anything to me.”
Nathan shook his head. “You’re wrong. All she has to do is find the right place to apply pressure.”
I didn’t try to dispute him. I couldn’t. While some people could endure more force than others, in the end, everyone had a breaking point. For some, it was money. For others, their reputation. I would guess that for most, however, it was love.
The senator could threaten me all she wanted. She could spread lies and rumors, slander my reputation, and attack my livelihood. I still wouldn’t back down. The moment she came after Nathan, though, all bets were off.
Would I give in to stop her from hurting him? Probably. But not without one hell of a fight first.
“I’m sorry for being selfish.”
I massaged the tight muscles along the back of his neck. “Wanting something good for yourself doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you human.”
His arms finally encircled my waist, and he buried his face against the side of my neck. “I just don’t want you to hate me.”
“Not going to happen.”
“You say that now, but—”
“Not going to happen.” I leaned back and gripped his chin to force his head up until he met my gaze. “All you have to worry about right now is passing your finals. Everything else can wait.”
“Yeah, but I don’t—”
“Nate?” A smirk pulled at one corner of my mouth when his eyes widened. “Knock it off.” Taking his wrists, I pried his arms away and turned him toward the living room. “Study. I want to go to bed before sunrise.”
“Fine,” he relented. “Can I have more pizza?”
I nudged his back to get him moving. “I’ll bring it to you.”
“And more coffee?”
“Yes.”
He paused in the doorway to look at me. “Will you feed me again?”
Fucking brat. “Sure.”
