Page 109 of Unforgettable
Groaning, I switched on the radio as I came to a stop at a red light.
The announcer’s deep voice filled my car. “Senator Hale is losing steam in the polls. With the election around the corner, this late-breaking news is sure to ruin his reelection to the senate. Our sources tell us that the senator has been paying off state employees in an effort to swing decisions in his favor.”
I gripped the steering wheel so hard, my knuckles turned white. I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t do something stupid when I saw the man.
My phone rang, shutting down the radio.
“Ryker, have you heard?” Franklin asked.
“Shit, yeah. I’m on my way to the senator’s house now.”
“As your lawyer and friend, I would advise against that. He’ll get what’s coming to him.”
“You’re sounding like Lucas now.” The light turned green, and I pressed on the gas. “Do we know for sure if the Texas Water Conservation Board is what the news is referring to when they say state employees?”
“Not sure,” Franklin replied. “I thought you were supposed to be at the fundraiser.”
“I did my part. Now I have something else to do.”
“Ryker, don’t get involved.”
“Too late, man.”
“Your father wouldn’t want you to ruin your football career.”
I sighed heavily. “My dad would do the same thing.”
“Maybe. But think before you act.” Franklin’s tone indicated he was seething and also worried.
“I’m headed there to check on Haven. Nothing more.”
“Haven? The man doesn’t want you anywhere near his daughter.” Franklin was pleading with me.
I merged onto the highway. “Man, I promise I won’t do anything stupid.”
“You’re in love with her. Aren’t you?”
I hadn’t talked to Franklin in a couple of weeks, although he had sent me a text last week to check on me. At that time, I’d let him know I was fine and busy with football. The only person who knew my true feelings for Haven was Lucas.
“It’s time I tell her,” I said.
He chuckled. “Nobody like you to make a grand entrance with a grand gesture.”
I’d always pushed my way in whenever I wanted something, and I wanted Haven, Nothing, not even her old man, was going to stop me.
“I’ll let you know how it goes. Or maybe you’ll see me on the news.”
“Or maybe I’ll be bailing you out of jail.”
“Good to know you have my back. Talk soon.” I hit the end button and kicked my car into high gear.
After thirty-five minutes going at a speed of seventy-five to eighty miles per hour down the darkened freeway, dodging slow traffic, screaming and shouting at other drivers, and thinking of what would come out of my mouth when I spoke to Haven, I was parking behind a line of news trucks and reporters who had the road practically blocked.
The comment about me making the news might just happen. I pushed through the cameramen and reporters. Some were talking into the cameras, and others were talking on phones.
I was relieved the darkness kept me somewhat shrouded and the media was busy doing their jobs. I hurried up to the gate, where two security men were stationed. Both wore black suits and earpieces in their ears. They looked like carbon copies of each other with buzz cuts and mean expressions.
“I’m here to see the senator,” I said to one of them.
