Page 130 of Everything Has Changed
“Yes, the gentleman in the front,” I call into the microphone. Thankfully, the crowd quiets down so I can hear him.
“Mitchell Shepherd,State Chronicle,” he grins up at me. “I have a lot of questions for you, but let me start with the information you just gave. Did I understand correctly that you said ‘whether or not’ you take office? As if that’s not set in stone.”
“That’s correct. Because it’s not.”
“But a Spencer has always led this town, since creation from what I understand. You don’t want to continue that legacy?”
When I mentioned this to my parents earlier, I thought that would be the final straw to send my father into a stress induced heart attack. My mother understood, though, as she took my hand in hers and told me that was my choice. That was all I needed to know I was doing the right thing.
“If you would have asked me a few weeks ago, I would have said no. But now…” I trail off for a moment to gather my thoughts. “Would I like to lead this town and everyone within it into a better future and personally make sure the moves my father made don’t haunt us forever? Yes. However, after all of this information coming out, I never want any of you to be without a choice again.”
“What changed your mind?” Mitchell asks, a smirk playing on his lips like he knows my answer.
“I fell in love with my hometown again. I found the magic within it that I didn’t see before. That’s on me. I didn’t allow myself to becaptivated by it when it felt like a prison sentence. Like an obligation. It was never that and I’ll be forever grateful my mother pushed me into helping with the festival because it showed me how much I care about Willow Grove and how hard I wanted to fight to keep it special.”
Mitchell nods his understanding, before returning to his seat.
“We can discuss in more detail about the upcoming election, but let’s keep this on the issue at hand. Are there any more questions about the merger or Triton Resorts?”
“I have a question.”
My heart skips a beat at the sound of her voice while my eyes dart around the room to seek her out. It’s not until I notice everyone looking to the far side of the room and find her walking toward the stage. No wonder I couldn’t find her earlier, she was hiding in the shadows.
As soon as she gets close enough for me to take her in fully, I have to grip the podium to hold myself in place. Unlike earlier, her bright green eyes are on full display as the lights shine bright on her. Her face that usually always has a ghost of a grin on it is now stern and serious. I hate that I am a big part of the reason she’s not smiling right now.
God, she must hate me, I think. But I push those thoughts away so we can focus on her question.
“Go ahead,” I urge.
With her hands clasped in front of her, she locks her unwavering gaze on me. The pride that was present this morning shines inside me again.
That’s my girl.
“Do you expect us to just take your words at face value? Bernie was right, how can we trust you when you had plenty of time to come forward and let us in on these big secrets? Feels a little too late now that we can’t do anything about it.”
I shake my head and urge her with my eyes to understand the words coming out of my mouth are true. Especially when it comes to her.
“I give you my word. I will forever regret not speaking up sooner, but I was scared. Absolutely terrified, if I’m being honest. This is bigger than how I feel, though. So whatever you need, tell me and I’ll do it, to ease your mind.”
She stares at me for a beat before saying, “We have a lawyer ready to review the contracts that have been signed between your father and Triton Resorts. We would like for them to look them over.”
“Done.” The word is out of my mouth before I even think if that’s legal for me to agree to. And I want to ask her for anything else she might need when there’s a commotion from the right side of the stage.
We all turn our heads just in time to see my father push his way through the curtains, red faced and fuming.
“That’s not happening, Ms. Prescott. You have no right to those documents. Besides, nothing can stop this from going forward. It’s all said and done.” He stands in front of the podium now, glaring down at Gwen first before turning it on the rest of the people in the room. He must realize how much of his anger is showing as he starts to rub his hands of her his suit jacket and relaxes his shoulders from where they were connecting with his ears.
But you can only do so much deep breathing to ease the redness that has overtaken his face.
“This meeting was only to make sure you understood this was happening.” he addresses the crowd. “I hate that you do not understand how good this can be for all of us—”
“You mean for yourself!” someone shouts which spurs everyone to jump from their own seats and start shouting again.
My father loses his cool once again, before whirling on me. “Get them back under control,” spittle flying from his tense mouth as he growls at me.
I lean forward so only he can hear me. “Then get the fuck off my stage and let me handle this.”
We stare down at each other as the mass of people continue to shout up at him until he breaks the contact first by turning away and stomping back to his spot on the side stage.
