Rumor Has It (5 page)

“Sorry, I'm sorry, but if you were swayed by him after a couple of hours, how am I going to compete with that?”

At the moment, Liza didn't really give a damn. How dare he talk to her like that. Hadn't he just said yesterday how honored he was to have her as a part of his team? Maybe it was the pressure. But if this was the beginning, then what could she expect as things heated up in the primaries and the general election?

“You need to get a handle on your attitude,” she said. “Because I'm not going to lose my best friend over words. However, you will not accuse me of BS when the mood hits you. Better take up boxing.”

“This is why I love you—you keep it real with me—and, Liza, I'm sorry. I just didn't expect a dumb soldier to be so well spoken. And tell the truth, his little soliloquy made an impact. What if a video of him speaking like that goes viral?”

Liza didn't want to tell Robert that he was right and one look at Jackson on YouTube, Vine, and Twitter would definitely move him ahead in the polls and grab the female vote because he was breathtaking. Not that Robert was a dog, but what woman wasn't attracted to a man who could protect her with hand-to-hand combat?

“You're going to have to connect with women voters. Here's what research shows,” she began as she powered up her iPad. “More than half of voters who actually show up on Election Day are women. You can't pander to them, because they are smart. Advanced degrees and careers. You have to show them that you appreciate who they are and will advance their interest in the General Assembly.”

“I know that. But . . .”

“Has to be more than lip service. Aren't you glad you have me to help you out with that?”

Robert chuckled. “I need your help with something else too,” he said.

“What?”

“Chante.”

It was Liza's turn to laugh. Though she wasn't about to break girl code and tell him that her sorority sister was smitten. “Why do you think you need my help?”

“I want to get this right. I think Miss Britt could be the one.”

“Really?” Liza said, not attempting to hide her smile. She really hoped her friends would be happy together.

Chapter 6

 

Jackson stood in front of a group of Army recruits at West Mecklenburg High School. As he looked out into their young faces, he remembered how excited he'd been when he'd signed up. Their faces mirrored what he'd felt all those years ago.

Though he hoped peace would reign during their enlistment. But if they did go to war, they would need support when they returned. That's what he was supposed to speak about to these kids and parents today. Over the last three months, Teresa said his speeches had connected with voters and narrowed the gap between him and Robert Montgomery, who was the front-runner in the primary. The field had narrowed down to three: Jackson, Robert, and Mavis Reeves, a retired schoolteacher. The word was, according to Teresa, Mavis had run out of money and would be withdrawing her bid in the next day or so.

Jackson was given his cue to speak and he tossed his cards aside. He wasn't about to ask these people for votes. “Greetings, ladies and gentlemen!” he said. “I want to thank all of these young men and women who've signed up to serve our country. Because of people like you, the rest of us enjoy freedom and safety. I was like you, many years ago. I won't say how many, but it was way before the iPhone.”

The parents chuckled and the kids looked at one another with shrugs.

Jackson continued, telling them that the Army was not going to be easy. That the path to success would take a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice and time away from those they love.

“But you will find yourself with a new family. Brothers and sisters who will have your back no matter what. You will battle together, you will live together, and put your life on the line in the name of America. We all decided to join the armed forces for many reasons. For me, I wanted to go to college and I knew my parents couldn't afford to send me.” Jackson hopped off the stage and stood in the midst of the kids. “I got my degree. I went to war. Some people say I'm a hero because I spotted a roadside bomb and saved my platoon. But if you saw your family was in danger, wouldn't you jump into action?”

Two hours later, Jackson was shaking hands and hugging recruits and parents. Everyone he talked to said they'd be happy to support him at the polls. Jackson couldn't have been happier. People met the real him and they liked what they saw.

Meanwhile, across town, Liza was huddled with Nic and Robert going over the latest poll numbers. He had a slight lead over Jackson and a commanding one over Mavis.

“Mavis is going to drop out,” Nic said. “She's broke and I hear that she's going through a divorce.”

“That has to be tough,” Liza said.

“It's thinning the field, so viva divorce,” Nic replied. Liza shook her head. She was beginning to despise Dominic. The man was abrasive. Turning her eyes toward Robert, she wondered how much longer he was going take this.

“What about Franklin? He's locked up the military vote, women are charmed by him . . .” Robert shot a glance at Liza and she rolled her eyes.

“I told you a month ago how you could connect with voters,” Liza said as she crossed over to the coffeepot.

“And that is a bad idea,” Nic called out. “Can you bring me a cup of coffee?”

Hell no. Get it yourself, jackass.
“Sure. Do you take it black, like your heart?”

“Funny,” Nic said.

“Guys,” Robert said, clapping his hands together. “We're all on the same team. And I'm not going to lose.”

“That's right,” Liza said as she walked over to Nic and handed him his coffee. “So, what's the plan for beating Jackson?”

Nic took a long sip of coffee. “We have to connect with women. Women are into this Michelle and Barack relationship shit.”

Liza groaned and sipped her own coffee. “This is horrible. And, what do you mean calling the President and First Lady's relationship shit? For the record, Robert's personal life is something he doesn't want to talk about.”

“My mother is something I don't want to talk about. I'm dating a brilliant woman,” he said. Liza shook her head; yes, Chante was brilliant, but she wasn't a political tool.

Catching the look in Liza's eyes, Robert said, “But I'm not going to exploit my relationship to win an election.”

“Thank you,” she said, then glowered at Nic. “I think you need to speak on some issues that are important to women in this state.”

“But save abortion until the general election,” Nic cautioned. “One thing about Franklin, he's been playing it safe, talking to his base—the military, families. It's time to call him out on the issues. I think he's a paper candidate.” Nic tossed a newspaper with Jackson on the front of the metro section in the middle of the table.

As much as she wanted to ignore Jackson's smiling face, Liza picked up the paper and looked at his picture longer than she needed to. After all, the story was only three hundred words, but the color picture of Jackson showed why women were flocking to him. That man was fine.

And those eyes. Soul piercing.

Liza tore her eyes from the picture; Jackson was the enemy. She had to focus on Robert. The Twitter account. They had a hundred new followers, thanks to Liza's work. Now it was time to take another look at the website and see what they needed to do to make it user friendly and optimized for search engines.

“I'm going to work on your Internet presence. We need to get more pictures of you doing things in the community,” Liza said. “People need to feel that you are invested in what's important to them.” She nodded toward the paper. “That's the connection that they have with Jackson. And, Nic, you need to get an endorsement from a coalition of mayors from around the state. That's going to give Robert a wider base.”

Nic nodded and pushed his coffee cup aside. “That is a good idea.” He pulled a file out of his saddlebag. “It's already done.”

“May I take a look?” Liza asked.

Nic handed over the folder, and as much as she didn't want to admit it, she was impressed. Nic had gotten endorsements from some of the most well-known and powerful elected officials in the city and county. “We need photo ops,” Liza said. “A meet-the-candidate gathering where Robert talks about the issues. But we can't make it seem too elite.”

Nic nodded. “That's actually a good idea.” Liza fought the urge to say all of her ideas were good. She just listened to Nic go on and on about having the event at one of the city's homeless shelters so people would see that Robert cared about the community, and though they wanted donations to the campaign, Robert needed to give to the center.

“Since you want to connect with women,” Liza interjected, “you should have the event at My Sister's Keeper.”

Both Nic and Robert nodded. “Let's get on that. We need to make this happen as soon as possible.” Nic pulled out his phone and started calling staffers and barking out orders to them to get the session together.

Liza had had enough and decided she was going to leave. “I'm gone,” she told Robert.

“Wait,” he said. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Liza rolled her eyes, thinking that he wanted to talk about this event. “Sure.” He nodded for her to follow him outside.

“You know Chante and I haven't known each other that long, but I've fallen hard for her.”

Liza smiled and clasped her hands together. Though she hadn't talked to Chante in a while, she figured her friend was happy. “That's good to know,” she said.

“I'm going to ask her to marry me. And don't say a word about it.”

Liza was cautiously excited. There was a part of her that wondered if this was a way for him to capture the women's vote.
No
, she told herself.
He wouldn't do that
.

“I'll keep my mouth shut. But you'd better be sure and mean it!”

“I wish I had met her years ago,” he said with a smile on his lips. “We'd already be married and you wouldn't be questioning my motives.”

Though she wanted to ask more questions, Liza decided to trust her friend and just be happy for them. “So, when are you going to pop the question?” she asked with a smile. Robert relaxed and returned Liza's smile.

“Soon. I want to sweep her off her feet.”

As she clasped her hands together, ideas started flipping through her mind. There was a balloon drop, a champagne toast with a three-point-five diamond engagement ring in the bottom of Chante's glass. Then she thought about an intimate dinner party with a covered dessert dish and the ring waiting for Chante when she opened it. Before she poured any of her ideas out, Liza realized that she was an outsider to their love. She needed to keep her planning to Robert's campaign and let them run their love life.

“I have to get some things together for the event at the shelter and I can't take another moment with Nic, so I'm going to my office. Call me,” she said, then tapped him on the shoulder. Hopping into her car, she tuned the radio to the local NPR station. When she heard Jackson Franklin's name, she turned the volume up.

“Jackson Franklin isn't your typical politician, and in this race for North Carolina senate seat forty-five, there are a lot of players in the field. But Franklin stands out,” the reporter said. “Here in the studio with us this afternoon is senate hopeful Jackson Franklin.”

Liza pounded her steering wheel.
Why isn't Robert on this show? By the time Election Day comes around, people are going to remember the name Jackson Franklin. He's always on the radio, on TV, or in the paper.

“Thank you for having me on your show.” His smooth baritone flowed through the airwaves.

“Why did you decide to run for office?” the reporter asked.

“Well, it was a decision that came to me after seeing the lack of support our troops face when they return home from serving their country. North Carolina is home to several military instillations and it seems as if we're failing our men and women when they come back. But that wasn't all that I found wrong with our state. We're failing our students, the poor, and the middle class. We've turned into a government for hire that only serves special interests, not the people our politicians were elected to serve.”

“Whoa,” Liza mumbled. “Nic and Robert should be hearing this.” She pulled over and called Robert.

“What's up, Liza?”

“Turn to NPR,” she said.

“Why?”

“Just do it. And for the record, Jackson Franklin isn't going to be easy to beat. I hope Nic's listening too.” Liza hung up, then turned her attention back to the radio as she pulled back on the road.

Jackson was smooth, but not in a rehearsed way. He was persuasive and passionate.
He's connecting with voters
, she thought as she slowed her car and focused on the sound of Jackson's voice. Her thoughts soon turned from what he was saying to how good he sounded saying it. A bedroom voice that would put Barry White to shame. She almost closed her eyes as she imagined his lips against her ear.

“Get it together,” she muttered as she returned her eyes back to the road. She snapped the radio off and reminded herself that Jackson was the enemy. Fine, but the enemy.

 

 

Jackson shook hands with the reporter as she walked him out of the studio. “Thank you for the interview,” she said. “You certainly earned my vote.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you have time for a cup of coffee?”

Jackson looked at his watch. “Unfortunately, I have an interview with WBTV, but after the primary, I'd love to have coffee.”

“And anything else?” she asked seductively.

Jackson smiled and kept quiet. “See you later,” he said as he walked out the door. He was used to women flirting with him, but he knew better than to deal with a reporter in a personal manner while he was running for office. He planned to keep his focus, even if he had yearnings and the reporter was fine as hell.

He walked briskly to the WBTV studio and read over his talking points. So far, things had been easy and he was even beginning to like campaigning. Still, Teresa's warning echoed in his head. “This is just the calm before the storm.”