Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I reached over to take his hand, if only to keep him from ruining his pants, when I realized it was drenched in sweat.
“Hey,” I said, reaching up to feel his forehead as if he was fevered instead of nervous. It was plenty cool, but I took secret delight in seeing his eyes flutter closed at my touch.
His reaction simply didn’t make sense. “You’ve spoken publicly a million times,” I reminded him again.
“I’ve thanked Calvin Klein for selecting me. I’ve joked about jet lag. I’ve announced my next appearance. I’ve thanked people for coming or congratulated someone on a job well done. Those are not the same thing.”
“He’s right,” Cora called back from the front seat. “A lot is riding on this.”
“Thanks, asshole,” Landry groaned. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. His skin had a slightly green pallor.
I scrambled to think of a way to help. “Focus on the kids you’re helping. This program is a difference-maker. When I was in elementary school in Baltimore, we didn’t have a place to play outside. There was a city park down the street, and the teachers would take us there sometimes, but it wasn’t dedicated for our use at all, which meant we never knew what we were going to find.”
As the Range Rover meandered through the congested streets, I told Landry stories of stray dogs nosing for food, homeless people under benches muttering to themselves, and the time Vonnie Cecil found a hypodermic needle and a candy bar in the same plastic baggie. I also told him about the time there was a random guy dressed as a clown doing cartwheels, the time a hot dog cart offered to give us all free dogs, and the day the sun shone down in full summer warmth on an early February day when the sky was a blinding blue.
“Being outside with your friends is where the good times happen,” I said. “Those are some of the times we remember the most, right? Even you and Jamie went straight to a shared memory from being outside playing sports together in school. It’s where kids connect and find joy. It’s where they gossip and learn about betrayal and loyalty. And your family is giving that gift to kids from two different schools without dedicated outdoor play space.”
“Pretty sure Killian Prep is doing it,” he muttered.
“Pretty sure they only agreed after the Davencourt Foundation offered them a big donation,” Cora added in the same snarky mutter.
“And I’m pretty sure there will be at least ten boys there who discover a little something about their sexuality when they see a real-life male model up close and personal,” I teased. “You’re doing the Lord’s work, Landry. Worst-case scenario, you ruin your political future and your family’s reputation, but you still help a few young people live a more authentic life. How about that?”
The poor young driver’s ears turned red, but Landry’s lips curved up a little.
Victory.
“You’re lowering the bar,” he accused with narrowed eyes. But then his grin widened, and he bounced his eyebrows. “I’m here for it.”
My own sexuality wasn’t immune to a reminder that I most definitely preferred men. I swallowed and looked away from him, focusing on the hodgepodge of signage plastering the windows of a nearby corner store.
I smiled to myself. “And if you feel the need to hug a child or clap them on the back, touch me instead. I’ll take one for the team.”
The sound of his soft chuckle mixed with Cora’s laughter helped relax my shoulders. He would be okay. We would be okay.
When we got out of the vehicle in front of the school, Jamie Winthrop was there waiting with a friendly smile on his face. Landry’s hand immediately reached for mine and took firm possession of it as we said our hellos and greeted the head of the school.
Paparazzi stood outside the school gates, but their manner was surprisingly mild compared to previous visits. I remembered from our prep for this event that there were strict rules about photographing children and schools, which was why there was an official photographer for the event and only one reporter recording the details.
After greeting the kids and moving up onto a raised dais where a podium had been set up, the head of Killian Prep stepped forward and welcomed us with a kind introduction.
“Lord Hawling and Mr. Winthrop would like to say a few words about our new program before we get started with our sports day.”
The crowd cheered as Landry squeezed my hand one last time and left me to step up to the podium.
He leaned in and lowered his voice to a stage whisper. “Do I have poppy seeds in my teeth? Because I had a bagel this morning, and now I feel like my teeth are peppered with black spots. You will tell me, won’t you? Or else they’ll have a photo of me on the internet looking like a numpty.”